What do you think?
Rate this book
A Little Bit of Blue
Matty Broewer is a boy with a troubled past and a heart full of guilt. Once the town bully of Hunter’s Crest, Matty is now a high school senior fighting for redemption in a place where his reputation seems set in stone. But behind his hardened exterior lies a story of regret, heartbreak, and a desperate longing to make things right.
When his younger brother Josh ran away years ago to escape a cycle of family turmoil, Matty lost his chance to be the big brother Josh needed. Now Josh is an actor in California, living a life Matty barely recognizes. Though time has passed since Josh left, the wounds of the past are still fresh, and Matty is left to carry the weight of his mistakes and the pain he’s buried deep within.
As graduation nears, Matty dreams of leaving Hunter’s Crest and starting fresh, but his plans are shattered when his mother steals his college savings. The stress revives old nightmares, and the sudden appearance of messages from the father Matty has never known only adds to his turmoil. With his past threatening to define his future, Matty must confront the shadows of his childhood, navigate fragile relationships, and find the courage to chart a new path forward.
A Little Bit of Blue is a gripping coming-of-age novel about the power of redemption, the complexity of brotherhood, and the resilience of the human spirit. Perfect for readers who crave emotionally rich stories, this book offers a poignant reminder that even in the darkest times, hope can shine through—a little bit of blue amid the gray.
When his younger brother Josh ran away years ago to escape a cycle of family turmoil, Matty lost his chance to be the big brother Josh needed. Now Josh is an actor in California, living a life Matty barely recognizes. Though time has passed since Josh left, the wounds of the past are still fresh, and Matty is left to carry the weight of his mistakes and the pain he’s buried deep within.
As graduation nears, Matty dreams of leaving Hunter’s Crest and starting fresh, but his plans are shattered when his mother steals his college savings. The stress revives old nightmares, and the sudden appearance of messages from the father Matty has never known only adds to his turmoil. With his past threatening to define his future, Matty must confront the shadows of his childhood, navigate fragile relationships, and find the courage to chart a new path forward.
A Little Bit of Blue is a gripping coming-of-age novel about the power of redemption, the complexity of brotherhood, and the resilience of the human spirit. Perfect for readers who crave emotionally rich stories, this book offers a poignant reminder that even in the darkest times, hope can shine through—a little bit of blue amid the gray.
513 pages, Hardcover
Published December 1, 2024
About the author
Michelle Alese
1 book2 followersMichelle Alese was born and raised on the south shore of Long Island, New York, where she lives with her rescue dog Sadie and family. When she isn’t writing, Michelle enjoys coffee, parks, long walks by the water, and nature photography.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 6, 2026
This book is heavy. Probably one of the heavier YA contemporary books I’ve read in a while. It deals with abuse, trauma, neglect, grief, panic attacks, and a lot of emotional damage, so content warnings are definitely worth checking beforehand. What stood out to me though is how restrained the book feels while handling those themes. The abuse is mostly implied rather than graphically described, but the emotional weight of it is present throughout the story.
The writing style is easily one of the strongest parts of the novel. The prose is very easy to follow while still being descriptive and emotionally immersive. A lot of the emotion comes through atmosphere, physical sensations, and the way scenes are framed rather than characters simply explaining how they feel. Things like the buzzing in Matty’s ears, the silence in certain conversations, the pressure in his chest, the cold Montana setting compared to the openness of Arizona and the mountains. The settings and characters work together constantly to shape the emotional tone of the story.
One section that really stood out to me was the stretch around the Walmart scenes and what follows afterwards. On the surface, it feels strangely warm and almost lighthearted, with Josh acting overly cheerful while Matty is exhausted through most of it, but there’s also this quiet sense underneath that something is not quite right. The emotional shift that follows is handled in a very restrained and human way, which makes those earlier scenes feel very different in hindsight.
At the same time, the novel also gives space to quieter and warmer moments between the heavier sections. The Beartooth Highway chapters in particular stood out to me. A lot of the scenes between Matty and Josh during that part of the story carry a sense of stillness and reflection that balances the darker material well without taking away from it.
Overall, this is a very emotionally grounded novel that handles difficult themes with a lot of care and restraint. It’s painful, reflective, hopeful, and human all at once, while still leaving room for quieter moments of warmth throughout the story. Definitely a five-star read for me.
The writing style is easily one of the strongest parts of the novel. The prose is very easy to follow while still being descriptive and emotionally immersive. A lot of the emotion comes through atmosphere, physical sensations, and the way scenes are framed rather than characters simply explaining how they feel. Things like the buzzing in Matty’s ears, the silence in certain conversations, the pressure in his chest, the cold Montana setting compared to the openness of Arizona and the mountains. The settings and characters work together constantly to shape the emotional tone of the story.
One section that really stood out to me was the stretch around the Walmart scenes and what follows afterwards. On the surface, it feels strangely warm and almost lighthearted, with Josh acting overly cheerful while Matty is exhausted through most of it, but there’s also this quiet sense underneath that something is not quite right. The emotional shift that follows is handled in a very restrained and human way, which makes those earlier scenes feel very different in hindsight.
At the same time, the novel also gives space to quieter and warmer moments between the heavier sections. The Beartooth Highway chapters in particular stood out to me. A lot of the scenes between Matty and Josh during that part of the story carry a sense of stillness and reflection that balances the darker material well without taking away from it.
Overall, this is a very emotionally grounded novel that handles difficult themes with a lot of care and restraint. It’s painful, reflective, hopeful, and human all at once, while still leaving room for quieter moments of warmth throughout the story. Definitely a five-star read for me.
October 22, 2025
In Michelle Alese's coming-of-age novel, A Little Bit of Blue, the story of a former high school bully seeking redemption is both powerful and emotionally rich. Following protagonist Matty Broewer, Alese crafts a compelling narrative that authentically explores trauma, family turmoil, and personal growth. The setting of a small Montana town provides a vivid backdrop for Matty's journey as he grapples with guilt over past mistakes, including his abusive behavior toward his younger brother, Josh.
The book's strength lies in its raw depiction of strained family bonds and the long shadow of past actions. As Matty's hopes for a fresh start are dashed by his mother and an estranged father resurfaces, his quest for healing feels both urgent and earned. The emotional core of the novel, reminding us that hope can shine through even in the darkest times, is particularly poignant.
While the themes are tackled with admirable honesty, the sheer volume of trauma can sometimes feel overwhelming, and some secondary storylines could have been more fully developed. However, these minor issues do little to detract from the novel's overall impact. A Little Bit of Blue is a bold and moving debut that deserves its place on the shelf for fans of emotionally resonant, character-driven fiction.
The book's strength lies in its raw depiction of strained family bonds and the long shadow of past actions. As Matty's hopes for a fresh start are dashed by his mother and an estranged father resurfaces, his quest for healing feels both urgent and earned. The emotional core of the novel, reminding us that hope can shine through even in the darkest times, is particularly poignant.
While the themes are tackled with admirable honesty, the sheer volume of trauma can sometimes feel overwhelming, and some secondary storylines could have been more fully developed. However, these minor issues do little to detract from the novel's overall impact. A Little Bit of Blue is a bold and moving debut that deserves its place on the shelf for fans of emotionally resonant, character-driven fiction.
November 28, 2025
This story is truly one that opens your eyes and makes you question your judgement towards others. It will leave you with two very powerful messages. The first is that in order to even begin to understand why someone might be the way they are, you need to see where they have been. The second powerful message is that no matter what trials and tribulations we may be faced with, there is always the return of sunshine after the storm. There is always a silver lining in even the darkest of clouds and that with a little hard work, someone to believe in you and offer you encouragement...even the very things you thought might destroy you, can truly be overcome. The author teaches us that no matter how bad things may seem to be...no matter what you may have been through or what you have done in life that you might regret...there is always the opportunity for that redemption and a second chance. I won't list any spoilers here but there are some very heavy topics discussed. Topics that many people seem to want to sweep under the rug. I enjoyed this book because not only did it talk about these things, it also showed you the direct result of trauma and how it can lead people to become someone they truly never wanted to be.
October 1, 2025
A Little Bit of Blue by Michelle Alese is a deep psychological journey that takes us through Matty’s personal journey.
As a young boy, he was dealing with trauma, and now as a young man, he’s trying to work his way through his issues due to the very people who should have protected him as a child. His dysfunction resulted in his acting out with bullying behavior. Older now, he’s trying to find his place in his world while continuously dealing with the very traumas from family members that put him here in the first place.
Alese writes painful subject matter without judgment or the desire to tie everything up in a cute little bow. This story is a very different telling, and with Michelle Alese’s lens, you're reading something very special.
I wouldn't be surprised if Alese has experienced some of this type of trauma because the story rings very true. It’s also a great read for younger audiences to help them realize that with patience and tolerance, anything can be accomplished. Kudos to her courage, her writing ability, and her level of execution concerning such weighty material.
It probably wasn’t easy.
As a young boy, he was dealing with trauma, and now as a young man, he’s trying to work his way through his issues due to the very people who should have protected him as a child. His dysfunction resulted in his acting out with bullying behavior. Older now, he’s trying to find his place in his world while continuously dealing with the very traumas from family members that put him here in the first place.
Alese writes painful subject matter without judgment or the desire to tie everything up in a cute little bow. This story is a very different telling, and with Michelle Alese’s lens, you're reading something very special.
I wouldn't be surprised if Alese has experienced some of this type of trauma because the story rings very true. It’s also a great read for younger audiences to help them realize that with patience and tolerance, anything can be accomplished. Kudos to her courage, her writing ability, and her level of execution concerning such weighty material.
It probably wasn’t easy.
April 29, 2026
A Little Bit of Blue by Michelle Alese is an emotionally intense, character-driven coming-of-age novel that stayed with me. It follows Matty Broewer through his senior year as he confronts a painful past and the damage it has caused in his life and relationships. Well-placed flashbacks reveal the roots of his anger and shame, keeping the story focused on accountability and the possibility of change.
Matty’s voice feels authentic, defensive, vulnerable, and believable and the family turmoil adds steady pressure (an absent father returning, a missing brother, and a mother who takes money meant for college). The flashbacks deepen the emotional stakes without slowing the present-day momentum. The prose stays clear and readable even when the subject matter is heavy.
It feels emotionally honest and avoids overly neat resolutions. It treats trauma, remorse, and repairs complicated, uneven processes. If you like realistic YA/NA fiction with psychological depth and character growth, I highly recommend A Little Bit of Blue. I will be looking for whatever Alese writes next.
Matty’s voice feels authentic, defensive, vulnerable, and believable and the family turmoil adds steady pressure (an absent father returning, a missing brother, and a mother who takes money meant for college). The flashbacks deepen the emotional stakes without slowing the present-day momentum. The prose stays clear and readable even when the subject matter is heavy.
It feels emotionally honest and avoids overly neat resolutions. It treats trauma, remorse, and repairs complicated, uneven processes. If you like realistic YA/NA fiction with psychological depth and character growth, I highly recommend A Little Bit of Blue. I will be looking for whatever Alese writes next.
October 28, 2025
A Little Bit of Blue is one of those quietly powerful books that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page. Michelle Alese has crafted a story that feels both delicate and daring—a portrait of grief, healing, and rediscovery painted in emotional shades rather than grand gestures.
The writing glows with intimacy. Every sentence feels intentional, as if Alese is speaking directly to the reader’s inner life. The protagonist’s journey through loss and self-acceptance is tenderly drawn; it never falls into melodrama but instead finds strength in vulnerability. There’s poetry in the everyday moments—rain against a window, an unfinished letter, a smile that arrives too late.
What impressed me most is how Alese captures the texture of emotion—the blur between sadness and serenity, between what’s gone and what still glimmers. The “blue” in this story isn’t sorrow alone; it’s also depth, clarity, and peace.
The writing glows with intimacy. Every sentence feels intentional, as if Alese is speaking directly to the reader’s inner life. The protagonist’s journey through loss and self-acceptance is tenderly drawn; it never falls into melodrama but instead finds strength in vulnerability. There’s poetry in the everyday moments—rain against a window, an unfinished letter, a smile that arrives too late.
What impressed me most is how Alese captures the texture of emotion—the blur between sadness and serenity, between what’s gone and what still glimmers. The “blue” in this story isn’t sorrow alone; it’s also depth, clarity, and peace.
May 17, 2026
Good book
This book takes place in Montana and follows a high school senior named Matty. He has a super messed up family life with an absent dad and a mom who actually steals his college money. Because of all that trauma he ended up hanging out with the wrong crowd and was kind of a bully when he was younger. Now he is just trying to do better and fix his past mistakes but the people in his town wont really let him move on.
The story is definetly heavy since it deals with a lot of real family issues and emotional stuff but it never feels like too much. It is actually a really fast read and it kept me hooked the whole time. You honestly wouldn't even know its a debut novel because the writing is so solid. I think both teens and older adults would enjoy it. It leaves you feeling pretty hopeful by the end
This book takes place in Montana and follows a high school senior named Matty. He has a super messed up family life with an absent dad and a mom who actually steals his college money. Because of all that trauma he ended up hanging out with the wrong crowd and was kind of a bully when he was younger. Now he is just trying to do better and fix his past mistakes but the people in his town wont really let him move on.
The story is definetly heavy since it deals with a lot of real family issues and emotional stuff but it never feels like too much. It is actually a really fast read and it kept me hooked the whole time. You honestly wouldn't even know its a debut novel because the writing is so solid. I think both teens and older adults would enjoy it. It leaves you feeling pretty hopeful by the end
August 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! We are following Matty who is a bully and has just seen his little brother runaway. Not only did his 10 year old little brother runaway, but he found out some devastating things beforehand.
We are with Matty 6 years later when he is 17 and still getting glimpses of him in the past. I really enjoyed Matty as a character and the relationships that mold and shape him along the way. I do wish we could have focused more on his relationship with his mom, Josh, and his dad more. Some of the side characters took up a lot of room and it became a bit wordy.
I do think that this is a great book for YA readers!
We are with Matty 6 years later when he is 17 and still getting glimpses of him in the past. I really enjoyed Matty as a character and the relationships that mold and shape him along the way. I do wish we could have focused more on his relationship with his mom, Josh, and his dad more. Some of the side characters took up a lot of room and it became a bit wordy.
I do think that this is a great book for YA readers!
August 28, 2025
A Little Bit of Blue follows Matty through his senior year of high school, but we see moments throughout his childhood from well-placed flashbacks that don't come off as flashbacks (huge bonus). Right away, we know that Matty is a bully and that he's conflicted about it, even as he continues along with it. Alese does a fantastic job making her protagonist believable, and the form of prose she uses elegantly captures the way a child of that age might think while simultaneously depicting his complex emotions in both past and present events.
Matty has a lot of conflict from both internal and external sources that he constantly grapples with over the course of the novel. His internal guilt, remorse, anger, and overall personal development overshadow his choices each day. The external actions of his brother running away, his mother taking his college savings, and his estranged father initiating contact all add to the mix of emotions that does indeed make this book an emotional roller coaster, as others have noted.
I really appreciated the writing style, the fluency and clarity of Alese's plot and sentence structure. I heartily look forward to reading more by her in the future!
Matty has a lot of conflict from both internal and external sources that he constantly grapples with over the course of the novel. His internal guilt, remorse, anger, and overall personal development overshadow his choices each day. The external actions of his brother running away, his mother taking his college savings, and his estranged father initiating contact all add to the mix of emotions that does indeed make this book an emotional roller coaster, as others have noted.
I really appreciated the writing style, the fluency and clarity of Alese's plot and sentence structure. I heartily look forward to reading more by her in the future!
June 7, 2025
What a wonderfully complex and deep story! This is a young adult, coming of age story with a lot going on yet somehow manages to handle everything really well. I loved my time with this main character, Matty. He isn’t perfect. In fact, he used to be a bully but he has changed quite a bit and now he is working hard to get through his senior year and out of the town that hold so many dark memories. The more I learned about him, the more my heart broke for him. This is a story that will stick with me for a long time.
June 16, 2025
Life is an Amazing Place to be Shared with Family and Friends
Matty and his half brother are trying to survive the messes made by their families and friends. People die. Marriages break. College savings disappear. Help is often avoided while support is missing. Lies and abuse disrupt relationships. Alcohol and drugs distort love and parental responsibilities.
Yet the care and training needed by family may come from different sources and relationships just enough to make life possible and even positive for success.
Matty and his half brother are trying to survive the messes made by their families and friends. People die. Marriages break. College savings disappear. Help is often avoided while support is missing. Lies and abuse disrupt relationships. Alcohol and drugs distort love and parental responsibilities.
Yet the care and training needed by family may come from different sources and relationships just enough to make life possible and even positive for success.
April 1, 2026
I loved this coming of age story. Matty is a former bully with a messed up home life that's just trying to make a life for himself. The story is full of emotion, trauma, life lessons and some painful realizations. I really enjoyed seeing everything unfold. You definitely found yourself really feeling for the Matty and many people that surround him as their pasts also unfold and more of their own decisions are brought to light. If you like slice of life type coming of age stories, this is definitely a great one to give a try!
April 3, 2026
Probably the fastest I've ever read a book this length
Couldn't let it go. This book is heartwarming, funny, and down right devastating in a way words cannot possibly describe. Reminiscent of books like The Perks of Being A Wallflower and Catcher In The Rye, this book takes you on a journey with Matty that leaves you feeling happy but also wanting more. This book does not read like a debut. This author is seasoned and writes like she's been doing it for decades.
Couldn't let it go. This book is heartwarming, funny, and down right devastating in a way words cannot possibly describe. Reminiscent of books like The Perks of Being A Wallflower and Catcher In The Rye, this book takes you on a journey with Matty that leaves you feeling happy but also wanting more. This book does not read like a debut. This author is seasoned and writes like she's been doing it for decades.
April 26, 2025
A Little Bit of Blue is a heartfelt and beautifully written debut that captures all the highs and lows of growing up. The emotional depth, relatable characters, and honest storytelling make it a standout in YA contemporary. If you love coming-of-age stories that stay with you long after the final page, this one deserves a spot on your shelf. 💙
February 3, 2025
This is quite an ambitious book for a debut writer. The story was well developed, and the character portrayals were very strong. The reader is immediately engulfed in a heart wrenching story, fortunately with a satisfying ending.
Kudos, Michelle
Kudos, Michelle
July 11, 2025
Wow. what a debut.
first let's state I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. below will be my tiktok link for my visual review.
First let's start with the wonderful characters. I'm all about character work and this is some of the best for a debut author ive seen.
Michelle reached out to me on tiktok after seeing my review of the perks of being a wallflower and letting me know I may like it.
I loved it. it has very similar vibes and action to Perks but still in its own style.
the writing was great, the characters were stellar, the emotional rollercoaster you are taking on what a blast but in a not so happy way.
I think you can learn a lot from this story, family isn't always what you think, family doesn't have to be blood related, but my personal opinion that trust isn't something a lot of people have and it's because of the truly evil people that take advantage of those most vulnerable.
I always say a book that makes me experience all the emotions that really deserve its flowers. I relate a bit with the characters, I think I relate little more with Charlie from perks but this story was very real to me.
there were a few negatives that I must point out.
first small spelling errors, grammar, missed or misplaced spacing / punctuation. nothing that's a big deal to me as a reader, it's all about the story and characters but I do know some people can't get passed these types of mistakes.
next indian summer. this is a racist term that most indigenous people don't use nor want said around them so I think a little more research or maybe a sensitivity reader wouldn't be that bad. this does not affect the story for me at all as it's used only once.
Overall this was a really good book especially being her debut. I HIGHLY recommend this book for you!
TikTok review! https://www.tiktok.com/@austinpowersb...
Thank you Michelle for sharing your book with me I absolutely loved it!
first let's state I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. below will be my tiktok link for my visual review.
First let's start with the wonderful characters. I'm all about character work and this is some of the best for a debut author ive seen.
Michelle reached out to me on tiktok after seeing my review of the perks of being a wallflower and letting me know I may like it.
I loved it. it has very similar vibes and action to Perks but still in its own style.
the writing was great, the characters were stellar, the emotional rollercoaster you are taking on what a blast but in a not so happy way.
I think you can learn a lot from this story, family isn't always what you think, family doesn't have to be blood related, but my personal opinion that trust isn't something a lot of people have and it's because of the truly evil people that take advantage of those most vulnerable.
I always say a book that makes me experience all the emotions that really deserve its flowers. I relate a bit with the characters, I think I relate little more with Charlie from perks but this story was very real to me.
there were a few negatives that I must point out.
first small spelling errors, grammar, missed or misplaced spacing / punctuation. nothing that's a big deal to me as a reader, it's all about the story and characters but I do know some people can't get passed these types of mistakes.
next indian summer. this is a racist term that most indigenous people don't use nor want said around them so I think a little more research or maybe a sensitivity reader wouldn't be that bad. this does not affect the story for me at all as it's used only once.
Overall this was a really good book especially being her debut. I HIGHLY recommend this book for you!
TikTok review! https://www.tiktok.com/@austinpowersb...
Thank you Michelle for sharing your book with me I absolutely loved it!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews