The Saline Solution

by Caitlin Whitaker

For fans of "The Boys Next Door" by Jennifer Echols and "Holding Up the Universe" by Jennifer Niven. When an amateur chef attempts to use food as his love language, Landra, who struggles with anorexia, finds his approach off-putting. In fact, she finds Brian to be rather annoying. Undeterred, Brian snags Landra in a friendship that eventually grows into something else, as she finally trusts him enough to sample some of his homemade gourmet treats. But things have not evolved to the level Brian would like, and soon he realizes Landra's issue isn't only with the food he makes. She's into the football team's hottest player. But Brian isn't about to get one-upped by a jock. He decides to ask Landra out at the same time that Landra manages to snag a date with the football star. As if dating isn't hard enough, Landra must battle her anorexic impulses and self-esteem issues if she is to find the boy of her heart. When the voices of self-doubt and shame drown everything else out, Landra will need to give herself permission to be happy. And Brian? Well, he will have to find a way to Landra's heart, even if it isn't through her stomach.

Genres: Audiobook

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2020

Reviews

[Linda Grimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE SALINE SOLUTION is a young adult book about a serious topic, approached in a fun and quirky way. The author does not shy away from difficult, and at times unpleasant, subject matter, but rather faces it head-on with the same courage shown by her protagonist. E’s coming of age can be embarrassing, heartwarming, and sometimes downright painful to witness as she struggles through important life lessons, but the reader will wind up cheering her on.

[Lavanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a great potential but most of the plot decisions seemed very convenient sadly. You knew halfway through the book what's ending gonna be. All relationships with families and friends were very typical and predictable. Overall this was an average book, I don't regret reading it, but I won't recommend it to somebody at the same time.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

*audiobook* This book has potential to be a hit for young readers. I'm definitely too old for it, but I can see my younger self enjoying the book. Whitaker hit on some hard subjects, but they made the read more enjoyable. Would I recommend it? Probably not. But I don't regret reading it. I could see it being a decent coming of age movie directed for younger audiences.

[Alissa Haus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious

[Jen]

This was a quick YA read as a literary “palate”cleanser

[Patricia Varner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very real life like.A girl who wants bigger books finds a way to raise money for her book job.

[Pegi Ferrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable outcomes and inadequately developed characters would have still resulted in a potential 3. However, when a book includes body image issues, plastic surgery, an eating disorder, and sexual assault paraded out like an old After School Special--and with little evidence of research--my rating starts dropping. Plus these issues also deserve a list of resources.

[Cynthia Ciesynski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best book wouldn’t really recommend