Love Wars: Clash of the Parents

by Matthew A. Tower, Tsuneo Sanda (Illustrator)

“Courageous, moving, and memorable.”
–Alexander McCall Smith, author of the New York Times bestselling No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series

Nate and Vanessa started the war, but only their son Matthew can end it! Young Matthew’s world shatters when his parents split up and put him in the middle of their custody battle. Desperate to escape their never-ending conflicts, Matthew imitates his hero, Luke Skywalker, and launches an against-all-odds mission to stop Mom and Dad’s war of vengeance! Will Matthew’s little brother Thomas Rabbit help blow up the Divorce War Death Star, or will he hide and play with his bunnies?

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents is a true story of youthful bravery, and a wacky account of one family’s wretched yet hilarious nuclear meltdown . . . with an unexpected and unforgettable ending. Matthew A. Tower’s inspirational memoir is a page-turner for readers of all ages, whether or not they have been affected by divorce and family strife.

Love Wars is fully illustrated by award-winning artist Tsuneo Sanda, adding an immersive quality to the experience.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

370 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2025

Reviews

[Agnes Odek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love wars by Matthew A is a tale of divorce, hope and familial dynamics shared through a childs perspective as he undergoes the hardships presented from his parents.

Mathew’s parents divorce making him act out as he tries to come to terms with the idea of his parents being apart. Acting as an intermediary between the two parents makes him spiral as he tries to uncover who was the bad and good parent.

What makes one connect with this book its the fact that it is a memoir. My heart goes out to Mathew I however loved how they finally made peace. This memoir is a representation of how divorce can affect children if their feelings arent taken into consideration. I highly recommend this book to any one interested in family dynamics.

[Wendy MacArthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wars is a raw and surprisingly gripping memoir about growing up in the middle of a messy divorce. Matthew Tower tells the story the way he lived it: full of fear, humor, confusion, and the kind of resilience only kids can pull off when their world is falling apart. His imaginary Star Wars-style heroics give the narrative personality without taking away from the seriousness of what he experienced.

Now, let’s be honest. The cover is horrible, and the title is horrible. Nothing about the packaging suggests that this book is going to be unforgettable. But once I started reading, I absolutely could not put it down. I was up until 3:30 in the morning finishing it because I needed to know how everything played out.

The writing is honest, vivid, and fast-moving. The story hits hard, but it never feels overdone. It’s emotional without being melodramatic, and it captures what it feels like to be a kid caught between two adults who can’t stop fighting.

Bottom line: Ignore the cover and ignore the title. This book is unexpectedly unputdownable.

[LitPick Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents is a memoir written by Matthew A. Tower on how his once happy and loving childhood was lost in the clash between fighting parents. Young Matthew’s entire world is upended when his once happy family starts to come apart at the seams with his once in love parents seeming to always be fighting and hating each other, with him stuck in the middle of it all. The book focuses on young Matthew’s own reactions and interpretations of it through the lens of a child trying to act like his hero Luke Skywalker. Matthew’s desire to emulate Luke Skywalker becomes his coping mechanism in his new world of split parents and fighting as he tries to find his own path between two parents who now hate each other. Will Matthew be able to weather the clash of the parents like a true Jedi, or will he fall to the dark side like a Sith?

Opinion:
In Love Wars: Clash of the Parents, I liked the inclusion of the images in the chapters as I felt like the black and white images helped me to get a visual of the people and events as they happened from Matthew’s perspective. Right in chapter one when the parents are fighting over whose turn it was to have Matthew that night, the picture shows the parents as large figures and Matthew as a small figure with his parents pulling on his arms. The facial expression on young Matthew’s face truly captures the emotion he’s feeling as his parents fight over him as if he was a rag doll.

I appreciated the fact that the author included his age, grade, and the year for which each chapter focused on under the chapter title. This helped me to better understand Matthew’s emotional state as I was able to know his age and grade during each chapter, which really drove home the emotions this young child was feeling while stuck between two fighting parents.

The author did an amazing job of capturing the emotions and thoughts he experienced as a young child dealing with fighting parents. I could not help but love the parts that focused on how the family was before the fighting started and hate what his parents were putting him through with their fighting. His first success at stopping his parents from fighting in front of him by yelling for them to go to their room and how he pictured himself as a Jedi capable of using mind tricks was adorable. I have to say I really came to hate his parents, especially the mother for how much she badmouthed his father in front of him all the while demanding Matthew to listen to her. I felt like I could truly understand what Matthew felt in these moments, and I felt like it gave me a better insight into what children feel when their parents fight or divorce each other.

Overall, I am glad I decided to read this book as it has given me a true view into what children in splitting households feel and experience. I enjoyed seeing young Matthew develop throughout the chapters as he aged and grew into himself.

[Manik and Sayee |favbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents by Matthew A. Tower follows Matthew from first grade through several turbulent years marked by his parents’ bitter conflict. The story moves through shifting homes, tense exchanges, new partners, and the emotional push-and-pull he faces as the older child caught in the middle. Matthew turns to his favorite heroes, especially Luke Skywalker, to make sense of the battles around him and to steady himself when adult arguments grow loud and confusing. As the family expands, rearranges, and fractures again, he quietly works to maintain stability for himself and his brother. The memoir travels through these highs and lows, with scenes of fear, humor, and fragile hope, building toward a moment when Matthew begins to understand the forces shaping his life and what it means to grow through conflict without losing his sense of self. 

Review: Love Wars: Clash of the Parents by Matthew A. Tower earns its strength through honesty, clarity, and a child’s sharp perspective. The title works on two levels: it reflects the emotional battleground between his parents and alludes to the Star Wars lens that gives Matthew strength, especially when he compares his home life to a galaxy at war. 

The world is grounded in real textures, school hallways, court meetings, tense doorways, and the emotional environment feels layered without being heavy. Characters move with fear, pride, love, and frustration, and those layers make small soft moments land even stronger. The pacing stays smooth and pulls the reader through every phase of the family conflict, and the writing is straightforward and warm. Sanda’s sketches scattered throughout the novel lift the mood, adding visual echoes of Matthew’s fear and imagination. 

One minor shortcoming is that a few emotional shifts happen quickly, and an extra beat might help certain moments settle with more punch. Still, the writing stays clear and easy to follow.

This memoir is for readers who want honest family stories told with simple language, real feeling, and a spark of creativity. Its depth, direct tone, and strong theme easily support a 5-star rating.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️What if Star Wars was a memoir and the Death Star was your parents’ divorce?

I picked up Love Wars: Clash of the Parents expecting something quirky, but I didn’t expect it to hit me right in the feelings while also making me laugh out loud. Matthew A. Tower tells his childhood story through the lens of a kid who desperately needs a hero’s journey and decides to become one himself.

Here are the reasons I think this book is absolutely worth reading:

✨It tackles divorce through a child’s imagination. Seeing Nate and Vanessa’s custody battle through young Matthew’s eyes is heartbreaking in the most honest way. The Star Wars framing isn’t just cute it’s how a kid survives chaos, and it makes the emotional moments land even harder.

😂It’s genuinely funny even when things are falling apart. This is one of those rare books that can describe a family meltdown and still make you smile. From over-the-top battle moments to the unforgettable presence of little brother Thomas Rabbit and his bunnies, the humor feels natural and disarming.

💔It’s deeply emotional without being heavy-handed. The story never feels preachy or manipulative. Instead, it quietly shows the confusion, bravery, and vulnerability of a child caught in the middle of a war he never asked for.

🎨The illustrations elevate the entire experience. Tsuneo Sanda’s artwork adds so much heart and whimsy. The visuals make the story feel immersive, almost like you’re flipping through a graphic memoir of memory and imagination colliding.

🌟The ending sticks with you. I won’t spoil it, but the conclusion is unexpected in the best way, hopeful, memorable, and emotionally satisfying without pretending everything is magically fixed.

By the time I finished Love Wars: Clash of the Parents, I felt like I’d gone on a small but mighty hero’s journey myself. It’s courageous, creative, and full of heart perfect for readers of any age, whether divorce touched your life or not.

✨️Thank you Book Sparks and Matthew A. Tower for sharing Love Wars: Clash of the Parents with me!

[KRM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating this one was hard, so take it with a grain of salt. I marked the whole thing as a spoiler, but I tried to avoid too many specifics!

I think this is a great book for kids to understand what their friends might be going through, especially for boys who might be drawn in with the Star Wars and other pop culture references. The author talks about how hard it was to get anyone to understand what it was like, my heart just broke for him. That's what makes me think this would be a good book for children who aren't going through this, but who might have friends who are. Great way to work on empathy skills.

I think it's great to have a book for kids talking about how hard divorce is for the kids involved. The author is honest about how he lashed out too, especially at his younger brother. That's such an important message for kids to see -- how sometimes hurt people hurt those around them too, and how it's not ok. Both parents make the older son the go between and inappropriately vent to him, but as the story goes on one parent really becomes the villian. The younger brother doesn't want to pick sides, and wants a relationship with both parents, but also never had to be the go between for them. It's a really great look at how things can be different for siblings in the same family.

A lot of the book reads like therapy speak without the jargon. I don't know if that's good or bad, just something I noticed. Might be good for kids to see someone talk through their emotions, might make kids feel like they're being force fed a message, I don't know. Probably depends on the kid. I think this would be a great edition to a school library.

Wasn't thrilled with the mention of Confederate flags and the moment of thinking about bravery when gazing at a Confederate statue, didn't seem to add anything to the book except a feeling of alienation for kids who know what the CSA stood for.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy, all opinions are my own.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divorce can feel like war, but Matthew is doing his best to not only survive but, maybe, subdue the battle, too.

This read hits the storm of divorce from Matthew's point of view. As the oldest of two sons...and not even through middle school...he's caught up in the battles, often not sure what's going on. To say that his parents' emotions and tensions run high is an understatement. Matthew turns to Star Wars to spin some of it in a way he can handle, but the battles are real.

The book is based on the real life experiences of the author and don't hold back as he rolls through the entire process of his parents' divorce. He keeps the pacing steady most of the way through with only a few slower sections as he steers through the emotional rollercoaster and explosions of emotions. It brings the character across with natural flow and connects with real life moments. There's chaos in misunderstanding and explosions, which nod to humor but never step into that direction really since this is a more serious theme...and Matthew did have to deal with all of it. It creates an emotionally hectic ride the entire way through, which feels like hitting a tsunami, at times. It's a rough divorce.

Everything flows well, and the writing fits the middle grade audience. Matthew is a character to connect with and root for. The Star Wars nods add imagination and spice, and helped Matthew quite a bit. I'm not sure as many middle graders will recognize all of the references to that universe, anymore, although older readers will feel at home on that end. For readers who are experiencing a divorce or have gone through one (in other words a large percentage) and enjoy reading about others' experiences, they can find support, encouragement, and, if nothing else, feel as if they aren't alone.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to express my appreciation to Goodreads and the book's publisher for the copy of Love Wars: Clash of the Parents I received through Goodreads Giveaway program.

I found this a difficult book to read, though not for literary reasons. The book was well written and had a believable point of view of a young boy. The end was especially well done as it showed how Matthew reconciled with members of his family and what happened to many of the people in the narrative years later.

Until the end when adult Matthew Tower explained more about his mother, I had trouble believing the level of anger and vitriol that both parents, but especially the mother, expressed to their children. The damaging words and emotions from the mother didn't abate, rather became more pointed at Matthew and more cruel.

I've been divorced twice and have two boys. My husbands and I always spoke about each other with respect, encouraged the children to have relationships with the other parents, and were especially careful about the children's reactions and concerns about the divorces. My friends who are divorced were the same.

Obviously not every child in the midst of divorce has the same experience. I think this book would be useful to children in the midst of highly emotional and angry separations. Matthew's emotions and reactions to the situations could offer solace to those children as well as possible strategies for dealing with the situations that arise. And perhaps some of the adults who are filled with uncontrollable rage should read the book and learn how their words and behaviors are hurting their children.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sure you'll see that I absolutely was drawn to this book because of the front cover image and the title.

It's links to Star Wars were undeniable and I thought this would be a great quick read for the end of the month.

 

This is the true story by the author who recounts his memories and experiences through childhood - when his parents were going through a messy divorce.

 

This was definitely not what I'd been expecting from this book - some of the events were pretty tough to read as we see just how the situation with the parents fighting and arguing as well as the whole divorce proceedings and custody battles really affected Matthew (and his brother Thomas).

Although really heart wrenching, I think this would be a great comfort to others who are also experiencing this situation in their own lives - especially seeing that there's a light at the end of the tunnel!

 

What made this a really unique read, was the ongoing connection (with skits and quotes) to Star Wars and other pop culture.

 

The production of this audio was amazing!

With a full cast of narrators, there was tons of diversity in the listening experience.

I loved that there was also music and sound effects throughout too.

This really brought the story to life and held my interest from start to finish!

 

A great read which although shows the often devastating effects of the divorce process for all concerned - but also had me chuckling and tapping my feet!

 

 

[Debra Gaynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents, A True Divorce Story
Matthew A. Tower, Tsuneo Sanda (Illustrator)
Love Wars: Clash of the Parents, A True Divorce StoryThe kids are the ones paying the price either way. It doesn’t matter whether the parents divorce or not the kids are going to get hurt. In Love Wars: Clash of the Parents, A True Divorce Story, author Matthew A. Tower shares what he and his brother went through when his parents divorce. I can only imagine the pain they faced when they were first told their parents were splitting. The author uses Star Wars to show the hell they went through.
In Star Wars, Luke Skywalker was the son of a Jedi; He craved a life of quest and commitment he joined the Rebellion and learned the ways of the Force from Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke Skywalker had a mission and so did Matthew. He was shattered when his parents’ divorce placed him in the midst of a custody battle. Taking his cues from Luke Skywalker, Matthew begins a mission to stop his parents’ war of retribution. He needs the help of his younger brother Thomas Rabbit if he is going to successfully blow the Divorce War Death Star. But Will Thomas help?.
At times this book was humorous but at times it brought tears. The illustrations were perfect. The focus of this book is 9-12 but I highly recommend this book for any age including adults. Especially, adults that are going through a divorce.

[Caroline Musyoka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents" is a touching memoir that tells a powerful story. Matthew A. Tower writes about his parents' divorce and how it affected him when he was a child. The book is honest and has moments of humor. It shows what life is like for a child stuck between parents who are fighting with each other.

Tower uses an interesting way to tell his story. He imagines himself as a young Luke Skywalker from Star Wars on a special mission. This helps him deal with the confusing things happening around him. This creative idea makes the story warm and shows his strength.

The memoir is special because Tower writes with both truth and kindness. He does not focus on sad feelings alone. Instead, he shows how brave and creative children can be when the adults around them are having problems. The book has beautiful pictures by Tsuneo Sanda. These drawings make the story more emotional and interesting for both children and adults.

"Love Wars" reminds readers how much divorce affects children. It also shows how strong children can be during difficult times. The book is easy to relate to, honest, and full of hope. It is a kind story that readers will remember for a long time after finishing it.

[Dalyn Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents is a courageous, inventive, and emotionally resonant memoir that captures the chaos of divorce through the imaginative lens of a child determined to survive it. Matthew A. Tower transforms a painful family breakdown into a story that is both laugh out loud funny and deeply moving, blending raw truth with pop culture inspired storytelling that feels accessible to readers of all ages.

What makes this memoir exceptional is its framing. By casting parental conflict as an epic “war” and positioning young Matthew as an unlikely hero on a mission to restore peace, Tower gives voice to the confusion, fear, and hope children experience when caught in the crossfire of adult decisions. The Star Wars–inspired narrative isn’t a gimmick it’s a powerful coping mechanism that underscores a child’s need for meaning, control, and courage when their world falls apart.

Tsuneo Sanda’s illustrations elevate the book even further, adding warmth, humor, and emotional depth that make the experience immersive and unforgettable. Together, text and art create a memoir that is playful yet profound, whimsical yet honest. Love Wars speaks not only to those who’ve experienced divorce, but to anyone who values resilience, imagination, and the quiet bravery it takes to believe peace is still possible.

[Aditya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents by Matthew A. Tower is a heartfelt and unexpectedly powerful memoir told through the eyes of a child caught in the crossfire of divorce. What makes this story stand out is its honest blend of pain, humor, and imagination. Matthew does not just recount events. He shows how a young mind tries to survive confusion and fear by turning to stories, heroes, and hope.

The Star Wars framing works beautifully. Matthew’s desire to become like Luke Skywalker is not a gimmick but a coping tool that gives him courage when the adults around him cannot find peace. Seeing custody battles, arguments, and shifting homes through a child’s perspective makes the emotional impact even stronger. The moments with his younger brother add warmth and levity, reminding the reader that childhood innocence persists even in chaos.

The writing is clear, sincere, and easy to follow, never melodramatic or bitter. The illustrations enhance the story by capturing emotion in a simple and touching way. Most of all, this memoir succeeds because it feels real. It does not blame or preach. It simply tells the truth of how divorce feels to a child and how resilience can grow from imagination.

This is a moving and memorable read for all ages.

Thank you,
Happy Reading

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew A. Tower’s Love Wars: Clash of the Parents is an unforgettable memoir that transforms heartbreak into humor and chaos into courage. Told through the eyes of young Matthew, the story chronicles a child’s desperate and often hilarious attempts to restore peace between his feuding parents. What sets this memoir apart is its blend of raw honesty, emotional depth, and creative wit.

With a narrative voice that balances pain and playfulness, Tower captures the turbulence of family conflict while infusing it with the timeless heroism of childhood imagination. His Star Wars-inspired metaphors and vivid illustrations by Tsuneo Sanda bring the story to life with cinematic flair, turning personal struggle into a universal story of hope, love, and resilience.

Both heartbreaking and healing, Love Wars stands as a testament to how humor and empathy can transform even the most fractured families. It’s a beautifully illustrated, emotionally charged journey that resonates far beyond its pages offering comfort, laughter, and understanding to anyone touched by the complexities of family life.

[Michael Doane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents is a courageous and deeply affecting memoir that captures the emotional chaos of divorce through the imaginative eyes of a child determined to restore peace. Matthew A. Tower transforms personal trauma into a story that is at once heartbreaking, humorous, and profoundly human. By framing a painful custody battle through the playful lens of Star Wars, the book creates a powerful narrative bridge between innocence and emotional survival.

What makes this memoir exceptional is its balance of vulnerability and creativity. Young Matthew’s mission to end his parents’ “war” is both whimsical and devastatingly real, giving voice to the often unheard experiences of children caught in family conflict. The illustrations by Tsuneo Sanda elevate the storytelling, adding emotional depth and visual immersion that amplify the book’s impact. Love Wars: Clash of the Parents is not only memorable it is a compassionate, resonant work that speaks to readers of all ages with honesty, bravery, and heart.

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew A. Towers writes, "They were not Mom and Dad anymore, but hateful monsters." It is an emotional and heartfelt line. The work moves from a loving family of Vanessa and Nate, two beautiful kids and a prosperous future they could have imagined, to an empty hollow shell of a marriage that was always meant to break. Matthew writes with honesty and paints the horrible childhood memories with vivid clarity. The back and forth, the separation, the accusations, the stories from his mother, the warnings from his father, everything feels powerful and gripping. When he goes to see her in her final stages, you cannot help but feel emotional. Family members can be cruel and they rarely help fix parental issues. Everyone chooses a side and it only makes things worse. The chapter "Where Are They Now" brings even more life to the story. It is a deeply moving memoir written with blunt honesty. I have to say, Love Wars is one of the most touching works I have read in recent times.

[John Kamande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents is a touching memoir by Matthew A. Tower. In the book, he tells the story of his parents’ difficult divorce through the eyes of his younger self. To cope, he imagines the situation using Star Wars, seeing himself as a small hero trying to understand the battles between adults.

Tower writes with kindness and honesty, showing how children notice and feel more than adults often realize. His words are paired with illustrations by Tsuneo Sanda, which add even more emotion to the story.

Although the topic is painful, the book stays hopeful. It highlights strength, understanding, and the chance to heal. The story speaks to young readers who may be going through family changes, but it also gives adults a better view of how divorce affects children.

Tower’s style feels like a friend sharing a personal truth. This makes the memoir warm, uplifting, and easy to read for anyone interested in family life and its lasting effects.

[L & J Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book is a memoir focusing on the author’s childhood and how his brilliant mother’s struggle with mental illness escalated over time and ultimately destroyed his parent’s marriage and traumatized both the author and his younger brother, and how his mother’s parents with complicit in escalating the trauma he experienced. The author escaped into fantasies about Luke Skywalker and the Jedi in an effort to cope with his complicated relationship with his parents.
The book doesn’t shield away from hard truths and difficult decisions that come with having a parent who is mentally ill. The pace was a little too slow but I appreciated the epilogue, which fast forwarded to the author’s adulthood and the final disposition of his extended family.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and author in exchange for an honest review; my opinions are my own.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents is a bold, heartfelt, and unexpectedly humorous memoir that captures the emotional battlefield of divorce through the eyes of a child. Matthew A. Tower delivers a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, masterfully blending pain, innocence, resilience, and even wackiness into a story that grips from page one. His ability to relive childhood turmoil with such clarity, honesty, and compassion creates an emotional experience that lingers long after the final page.

Enhanced by Tsuneo Sanda’s immersive illustrations, this memoir doesn’t just recount events, it invites you to live them. Tower transforms a family’s emotional meltdown into a journey of courage and hope, showing how even in the midst of chaos, a child’s determination can shine brighter than any conflict. This is storytelling at its most raw, brave, and unforgettable.

[Charles Malumba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents, A True Divorce Story is a beautifully penned and well-remembered memoir that follows the nasty divorce between author Matthew Tower's parents. Written from the perspective of a young Matthew, it's emotionally charged yet full of soul. Tower saw the world through the innocent eyes of a child, and he was able to portray that through his writing. Trying to be the Jedi master who saved his parents' relationship was something only a child could think of, and that made the story so much more interesting!

Love Wars is a truly emotional ride for readers of all ages. With an engaging plot, an emotional challenge, illustrations that pop, and a main character you can't help but root for, this book is a great one.

[Bob Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents, A True Divorce Story is a beautifully penned and well-remembered memoir that follows the nasty divorce between author Matthew Tower's parents. Written from the perspective of a young Matthew, it's emotionally charged yet full of soul. Tower saw the world through the innocent eyes of a child, and he was able to portray that through his writing. Trying to be the Jedi master who saved his parents' relationship was something only a child could think of, and that made the story so much more interesting!

Love Wars is a truly emotional ride for readers of all ages. With an engaging plot, an emotional challenge, illustrations that pop, and a main character you can't help but root for, this book is a great one.

[Hannah Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a stellar read. I've never seen such a unique (and true!) take on divorce before. I imagine this being an incredibly helpful resource for kids whose parents are going through a divorce.

The author, Matthew A Tower, brings such imagination and authenticity to his experience. He writes with such honesty, while simultaneously giving readers an engaging way to relate to his experience and bring our own into the story.

Tower has given us an important book for young folks. Divorce isn't talked about enough in our culture, but especially the effects it can have on the kids who get caught in the middle. I applaud Tower for his bravery and radical honesty, his imagination, and the ways he's grown from his childhood experiences.
I look forward to more stories for today's youth!

[Misty Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew Tower tells the story of his parents' mean and nasty divorce in Love Wars. He shares what it did to him as a child, from 6-10 years old. He also shares how he dealt with it by using the Star Wars analogy to get through the screaming matches between his parents, his mother's dumping sessions on him, and the constant being put in the middle. It broke my heart reading about his pain and hoping that one day, he'd be allowed to live with his dad and new stepmom, and baby sister. There is a happier ending!

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Wars: Clash of the Parents is a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply human memoir that turns a painful childhood battle into an inspiring triumph. Matthew A. Tower’s storytelling is vivid and compassionate as he recounts navigating his parents’ chaotic “Divorce War” with the courage of a young Luke Skywalker. The blend of humor, heartbreak, and youthful determination makes this book unforgettable. Tower’s voice is honest and resilient, and the stunning illustrations by Tsuneo Sanda elevate every chapter. Whether or not you’ve experienced family conflict, this riveting, unexpectedly uplifting story will move you, entertain you, and stay with you long after the final page.

[Scovia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insight into how it actually feels from a child's perspective when parents want to part ways, this story made my heart break so many times for the kid; it shows how much firstborn kids go through every uncomfortable situation no matter how young. This story shows exactly what not to do as parents. No matter how hard it is, kids should be protected from such emotional trauma.Something that made the story lighter was the humor; I laughed so hard at some of the ways humor has been used in this story.

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew A Tower’s Love Wars is a deeply touching memoir that will move and entertain you. Love Wars revolves around the separation of Towers parents, and the effects it had on him and his younger brother. However, Tower does not approach the novel or the separation as an adult would. Instead, he writes this from a child’s perspective, making it easy for children and adults to enjoy. Love Wars is a story about family, love, and a sprinkling of Star Wars! Great book

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was easy to follow and fun to listen to because of the full cast recording. I haven’t seen Star Wars and it’s not my thing but I understood some of the references. I do wish we heard more about his teenage years and how he maintained a relationship with his younger brother.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Corrine Pritchett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt, funny, and deeply original - Love Wars turns a boy’s painful family divorce into an imaginative “Star Wars”style adventure of hope and healing. Matthew Tower captures the confusion, courage and humor of childhood resilience in a way that speaks to both kids, teens and young adults.

[M Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Raja Media LLC for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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[Books Forward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a unique and powerful way to talk about such a hard topic - especially to children! Navigating emotions is tricky. A must-read for children who are being impacted by divorce!