Finding Keepers

by Kristi Strong

Starting a new life is never easy, but Alyssa Doe has turned it into an art form. Abandoned by her parents at age ten, six years in foster care has taught Alyssa how to get through life the hard way.

Now sixteen and growing desperate, Alyssa finds herself puzzled by her newest keeper, twenty-five year old Jessica Sona. A feisty woman who won't accept no for an answer, Jessica’s persistent stance on safety, family, and unconditional love are beginning to break down Alyssa’s walls and bring her hope, a dangerous emotion.

Can such a thing as family and love exist for a girl whose birth name is Doe, or will Alyssa be forever left finding keepers?

Genres: Young Adult

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 24, 2014

Reviews

[Sandee is Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW COPY PROVIDED BY AUTHOR AS PART OF BLOG TOUR

"Sorry, it's just, I've had my heart broken by adults so many times already. I don't know if I could survive having it broken by someone my age."

I wasn't expecting to like Finding Keepers. I got this book for a blog tour, and wasn't expecting too much. The blurb from Goodreads made me feel that this book would be something I would like. And I did, this book was amazing.

Alyssa was abandoned. When she was ten, her mother, just left her in front of her school and never came back.
For six years, she's been movin from one foster house to another.
She wanted to be something.
She wanted to have something stable.
To have a family.
But that was hard to do, especially if you don't know if you're going to stay in one place for a long time.

Her newest keeper was young.
Only twenty-five.
So she knew... She would have to move again soon.

Only, Jessica seems to care more than the others.
She seems to be eager to help her.
Only problem was Jessica's boyfriend, who doesn't seem to want her around.

Will Jessica be her keeper for good? Or like the others, will she give her up too?

My heart broke for Alyssa. Six years of not having a permanent home must have been terrible for her. I couldn't even imagine how she felt, being moved from one family to another, and not staying long enough on any of them.

"Now you know why I'm so screwed up. Why I can't risk being seen with the wrong person or doing badly at school or be anything less than perfect. I'm already a person no one wants, so I make sure they don't have any more reason to get rid of me."

It does something to you, make you feel unwanted and uncared for. Her own mom, left her. Her dad, left her. She didn't have anyone else. She was broken and alone. She didn't trust any of her foster family anymore, because she knew that at some point, they'll grow tired of her and have her picked up again.

When she met Jessica, she felt good about her. But she already convinced herself that, nothing was going to happen, it will still be the same. There was a point where, Alyssa, became really whiny. There was a point where she pushes everyone away, even when they want to make her stay.

She developed good friends in Brianna and Caleb. They have always been there for her, even when they also have their own problems to face. They stuck with each other, through thick or thin.

One good thing about this book, is how it dealt with multiple issues, but still managed it to be light. There were no heavy drama involved. They resolved themselves, in a way that no one gets killed. Because sometimes, authors tend to put crazy drama just to make a point. Like, if someone gets abused by their parents, they make sure someone dies, before the abuser gets jailed - that wasn't the case here fortunately.

The pacing was good too. I didn't notice time, when I was reading it. I liked how things unfolded, and solved itself. They weren't hurried, especially the resolution.

I didn't put any spoiler on this review, just because, I want you guys to read it. It was heartwarming.

This is the story how Alyssa lost a family, but found her way to a better one.

MY RATINGS

WRITING: 16
PLOT: 16
CHARACTERS: 18
UNPREDICTABILITY: 17
PACING: 6
ENJOYABILITY: 7
---------------------------------------

[dearrivarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alyssa Doe was abandoned as a child and has spent her life jumping for foster home to foster home. Now she's living with a woman named Jessica Sona who seems different from her other foster parents because Jessica is determined to give Alyssa a place to call home. Alyssa is used to being tossed away after her foster parents get tired of her and she's determined to not let anyone get too close. But in her new town, Alyssa might just have found a place to call home and people to call her family.

Finding Keepers deals with the topic of foster care and the trauma that can go along with it. While a lot of time we will read about the horrors of the foster care system, the doesn't seem to really raise our attention that much to the issue. Finding Keepers once again produces evidence of how those in foster care can feel, and in Alyssa's case, there is that overwhelming feeling of being unwanted. The story follows her as she grows more comfortable with Jessica and as she makes friends with the people around her, particularly Caleb and Brianna.

Caleb is classified as a "punk" but to be honest, I think it's only for show. He is one of sweetest, most kind-hearted people I've ever read about. He takes Alyssa under his wing from the very start and despite her constantly pushing him away, he's still there willing to show her that she belongs. Even with his own crap at home that he has to deal with, he puts her well-being above that in order to prove to her that they are not going to let her go.

Brianna is also pretty awesome. She's cheery on the outside with the perfect family and life, but on the inside she can't shake how down and sad she feels. I loved how Alyssa handled Brianna's depression and how as she went to raise Brianna's spirits, the girls got closer and closer. Brianna, like Caleb, refuses to leave Alyssa alone even when she lashes out and constantly reminds her that she is special and loved.

I have to mention Jessica because I absolutely love her. She's such a great person with a big heart and she truly loves Alyssa. I wish there could have been a bit more bonding time between her and Alyssa, but the moments we did have were really touching and beautiful. I hope that one day she's going to find a perfect person who is going to love her and Alyssa and they're going to be one big happy family.

Oh, I can't forget about Josh. I feel like we don't know much about him but I kind of love him anyway because he makes Alyssa happy and helps her forget the trauma of her past. As long as she's happy, he can stay in one piece.

Overall, this book was a really beautiful story about one girl's journey to discover where she belongs and finding a family who loves her. I fell in love with all the characters and do I even have say this? I definitely recommend it! :)

Read my reviews at:
https://extreemeobsessed.blogspot.com

[czai · Rating 3 out of 5]

this review can also be found at the Blacksheep Project
---
Finding Keepers is another realistic fiction that I picked up just because I want to read something emotional and maybe inspirational. But you see Finding Keepers is more like that story that lets you into the world of foster children (there’s even a note from the author at the end about this) and maybe know how they truly feel – their pain, their traumas, and their worries.

It started quite slow for me. It didn’t immediately capture me. I don’t think it’s about Alyssa’s situation but more of how her situation was presented. But as the story progress and we see more of Alyssa’s experiences and how these experiences affect the way she sees things. It is later on in the story that I truly embraced how realistic the story is that I started feeling for Alyssa.

It’s very easy to get into Alyssa’s life. The repetition of her issues – worrying about moving again; worrying about Jessica, her new foster; trying to avoid close relationships, etc. – together with the many flashbacks solidify my feelings for Alyssa towards the end. Everything Alyssa does and feels came out from an experience she had. I may tell her to quit mopping around at times and stop running away from people but then later on, it comes back to me that something happened to her, that she’s sacred of this or that, that she worries about something, that all this time she’s carrying some huge burden in her shoulders.

The people around Alyssa were really great. While they do have their own problems, sticking to Alyssa until the end really just made me tear up a little. The friendship Alyssa built with Caleb and Brianna was really beautiful although I wish that the development of their relationship were more moving because sometimes they are just flat.

The conclusion was really lovely. Towards the end, there were a lot of things going on and it was at that point that really made me stick to reading and finishing this. All of Alyssa’s feelings were pouring out from the challenges and revelations coming her way and she’s right there, trying to believe the people telling her that they won’t leave her. The ending honestly moved me, I tear up, and maybe (hopefully) it’s something that I’ll remember for a good amount of time :)

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review provided by...





Alyssa Doe has been in the system since she was ten. Her mother abandoned her and never looked back. She has been moved so many times she doesn’t think it is going to be any different when she comes to live with Jessica Sona.

My heart broke for Alyssa’s character. She has had to live through every bad home ever imagined. She has been lucky that none of them have been physical abuse but now she lives her life trying to not be a nuisance and she carries the little she owns in her purple backpack. Alyssa starts to find hope and strength in the people that she finds in this new home. She goes through a transformation, one where she finds hope, love, and family.

Jessica Sona is Alyssa’s new keeper. Jessica is a great role model in this book. She makes sure she knows Alyssa’s quirks so that she can help her get through them. She is there for Alyssa in every way as she tries to show her that this is a forever home. Jessica has secrets of her own that will change Alyssa forever.

Brianna and Caleb are Alyssa’s first ever true friends. No matter how hard she tried to push these two away they stick by her and show her that you can make a family even if the one you were born into doesn’t want you. Both of them were very understanding and loyal. They understood Alyssa’s crazy moments and helped her through them. Brianna gave Alyssa the chance to take care of someone instead of looking for someone to take care of her. She also showed that everyone is a little broken.

I was a little confused with the Josh-Caleb thing. I mean I was rooting for Alyssa to find her first love in Caleb and at times it seemed like that was what was going to happen she was just afraid she couldn’t survive if she lost Caleb. Josh just seemed like an unnecessary addition.

The writing in this book was done well. The flow worked and the author managed to have all of the characters grow in their own way. They interact really well with each other. This book was a good one and I would recommend it to anyone that loves YA reads.

[Lynda Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyssa Doe has been in the foster system since she was ten, when her mother dropped her off at school one day and never picked her up. Alyssa has suffered both physically and psychologically as a result. She spends her life trying not to impose on others for fear of being labelled a nuisance. She keeps all of her precious possessions in her backpack, which is with her at all times in case she has to move home suddenly. She doesn't know if she can ever trust a male again after an incident at one of her foster homes. She has dreams of being a whale trainer, but really all she wants is to not grow up like her own mother, with a "teenage pregnancy and apathetic future".

Now six years later, it is Alyssa's tenth first day of school in the last six years. She has just moved in with her newest foster parent (or "keeper") Jessica Sona, a twenty-five year old loan officer. On her first day of school, Alyssa meets bad boy Caleb and Brianna, who just moved there last year. Turns out Alyssa isn't the only one with problems, and they might all have to lean on each other to get through the tough times. But what could Jessica possibly want with a sixteen-year-old foster kid? With the love and support of Jessica and her new friends, will Alyssa finally get her happy ending? And has she finally found a keeper who wants to keep her?

Finding Keepers is a heartbreaking account of one young girl's journey through the foster system. We are given glimpses into her past experiences with different foster families, or "keepers" as calls them. The term "keeper" is so sad because it makes Alyssa sound like she's an animal. There are a number of editing errors, but the story is very well-written, and the characters are all believable and likable. The author has conducted extensive research and provides some real-life foster care facts at the end of the book.

My heart-felt thanks to the author for writing such a touching book on such an overlooked subject.

I received this book in return for an honest review.

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kristi Strong. Who is she? Well she's the author of this wonderful book I've just read. This is the reason I join blog tours. I would never have read such a beautifully written book such as this one from this talented author if I didn't sometimes agree to read a book from the blog tours. I am so happy I chose this one.

This is about a young girl whose parents abandoned her, one at a time.
This is about a girl who was tossed into the system and not understood, things happened, but she is a good kid.

This is a story of a lovely women named Jessica, a 25 year old woman who fights for her, her stands up for her, who understands her, and how Alyssa Doe is a lovely young woman.

The wall she built around herself, but, certain people came along and knocked the bricks down.

I needed tissues at the end of this one, you have been warned.

This story will stay with me for some time, its a moving, realistic story, the characters all take a good part and all remembered, all knitting in together.

I will be watching this author for future books as if this one is anything to go by......I just can't wait!

[Dalene · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I would like to thank the author Kristi Strong for giving me this book for an honest review. I liked this story, the storyline is good. The characters are well developed and written. I look forward to reading more from this author.

My favorite quote:

You are not a lost cause. You are a hawk who has had her wings clipped for so long that she had forgotten to fly. But when they fully heal and you are let out of the cage, you are going to soar, Alyssa, so high above everyone else that we will be just dots below, forever forgotten. ~Caleb”

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this is a fantastic story. I really loved this book.

My heart bled for Alyssa throughout this story. This sixteen year old has been through so much. Abandoned by both parents she finds herself being moved to different foster carers. Now she's staying with a foster parent called Jessica.

This is an emotional story of how Alyssa starts to make friends and find a family of her own.

Great story that I highly recommend.

[NerdTasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story. Very accurate reflection of someone having been abandoned by a parent. Gave me all the right feelings.

[Lekeisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alyssa Doe is a survivor. She has been bounced around through the foster system for years after her parents abandoned her when she was only ten years old. She has placed walls around herself to protect her from all the things that a girl such as herself needs; love, a safe place, and family. When she is placed in the care of Jessica, slowly, those walls begin to crumble.

I have to say, I really liked this book. I loved Alyssa’s character and the emotions that seemed to jump from the pages as I was reading. Me, having never been in her “stability” situation, I couldn’t identify with that particular plot. I could, however, empathize with other things that she dealt with that stemmed from her abandonment. Trusting the male species, for instance, is one trait that she has from something that happened at a past foster home. I can relate to that on so many levels. That tore at my heart strings, along with a lot of other issues that she overcame.

I won’t spoil Jessica’s character, a twenty-five year old foster parent (Keeper), but the little plot twist added some mystery to this already winding story. I like Brianna and Caleb’s characters. I think they were all good for each other, having problems of their own to deal with. Normal teenage issues throughout that I’m sure everyone can relate to. If you like YA Contemporary books, then you will enjoy reading this. I would also suggest having a tissue handy, just in case.

[Jill Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me the feels, seriously. I am feeling all over the place.

As a growing teen, this is a book I would have blocked everything out for an devoured while the world continued around me. It was like that yesterday, and this morning, while I finished it.

All the emotions for Alyssa and her friends, are there. The panic, the uncertainty and the pain. It tapped into an inner place in me that I thought was long healed and it was ripe, raw, and rare. Exposed like I was fifteen again.

Desperate, alone, feeling unloved even though I had two parents. I felt like no on cared. No one ever would, and I might as well curl up and die because it was never going to get any better.

Ouch.

Alyssa's emotions are raw and her feelings are obviously palatable. She's such a sweet girl who sees no worth in herself which is heartbreaking. But getting to watch from the outside in, makes you realize maybe all of us who have been there for some reason, are the same. Maybe we're all loveable, reddeemable, if we believe it.

Alyssa gets her happy ending, and for me that was the prize at the end of the book.

Now I'm going to go curl up with some tissues and Oreos. I just hope Kristi Strong writes some more YA fiction soon.

[Kaitlin (Next Page Please!)]

~Taken from my blog yayaandmoreya.wordpress.com ~

No Spoilers :)

So I went into this book not knowing a good amount of it. Wow. This was a very good book. I flew through it and enjoyed it so much. I loved the characters in this book and how the main character develops so much in the duration of the book. You get a girl who is moving to a new foster home and ends up in someplace I cannot tell you because that would be going against my life rule. (*ahem* no spoiling books) I really liked how the author wrote this book and it was honestly and emotional ride reading from Alyssa’s perspective. We got feels, feels, and more feels. This book dealt with not normal teenage situations such as the foster situation but also did have normal teen situation like making new friends, prom, boys, and much much more.