*****Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorite*****
Done by Juliet Rose follows Casey, a young man in the throes of substance abuse and a strained relationship with both his past and present living situation. As Casey tries to find peace in surfing and moments of escape through ketamine, the fallout of his drug use starts to occur, including a violent altercation with Tucker, a dangerous local linked to a whole host of illegal undertakings. Still, Casey is determined to confront his troubled past, especially regarding his biological father, Mark, and protect those he cares about, including his younger brother Aidan. Casey's journey is focused on trying to keep his family safe from the criminal influence of Tucker, who is exploiting local girls through manipulation and control. Casey, along with his friend Smith, devises a plan to stop Tucker's harmful activities while juggling his own internal conflicts, addiction, and uncertainty about his future.
Done is a unique and emotionally powerful story. Juliet Rose does an amazing job of managing plot threads around family secrets, identity, and the pursuit of closure. The writing is raw and authentic, with characters that feel deeply real and complex. Rose thoughtfully portrays Casey's trouble in uncovering the truth about an abusive father, fully capturing his confusion, anger, and eventual determination to seek answers. The pacing is deliberate, the dialogue is sharp, and, for all his flaws, I liked Smith. Rose leans into Casey's relationships, particularly his pure love for his brother Aiden, and we get a sense of comfort and unease in equal measure, often in the same moment. Sensitive subjects like abuse, exploitation, and trauma were sympathetically handled in a way that kept me invested throughout. Overall, this is a fantastic story that has a well-developed anti-hero and is a great addition to the canon of literary fiction. Very highly recommended.