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Unbroken
Have you ever felt like you weren’t a person but rather the pieces of one, not yet formed into a whole? That’s how I feel sometimes. I guess that’s why I’m here.
Noah has been in St Helen’s mental institution for months now and nothing has changed. Despite the best efforts of his doctors he still has the panic attacks, still can’t face his parents and still isn’t ready to leave. But maybe that’s okay because at least he has friends inside. Real friends. The kind he can call his own.
Okay, so maybe they’re not the best – Charlie hasn’t spoken since the accident and Brandon is an aggressive bully – but they accept him for who he is. And then there’s James. James who understands better than anyone else what he’s going through. Maybe he even understands more than Noah himself. But that’s not why James is fast becoming the most important thing in the world for him. No, that’s a secret he’s not ready to admit yet. Not even to himself.
Unbroken is a story about hitting rock bottom, finding love in the most unexpected of places and most importantly about learning how to put the pieces back together again.
Noah has been in St Helen’s mental institution for months now and nothing has changed. Despite the best efforts of his doctors he still has the panic attacks, still can’t face his parents and still isn’t ready to leave. But maybe that’s okay because at least he has friends inside. Real friends. The kind he can call his own.
Okay, so maybe they’re not the best – Charlie hasn’t spoken since the accident and Brandon is an aggressive bully – but they accept him for who he is. And then there’s James. James who understands better than anyone else what he’s going through. Maybe he even understands more than Noah himself. But that’s not why James is fast becoming the most important thing in the world for him. No, that’s a secret he’s not ready to admit yet. Not even to himself.
Unbroken is a story about hitting rock bottom, finding love in the most unexpected of places and most importantly about learning how to put the pieces back together again.
- GenresYoung AdultContemporary
ebook
First published January 1, 2015
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 14, 2019
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author Kay Causer.)
“I knew deep down that if I had just one person to stand by me, one person to trust me, then I could get through anything. I just never felt that from her or dad.”
This was a YA contemporary story about two boys in a mental care facility who fall in love.
I felt like Noah was a little mixed up and all over the place in this book, his emotions and thoughts were just scattered, and it felt like he really wasn’t sure where he was in life, which made his stay in a mental health facility look necessary! He didn’t have supportive parents at all though, and he didn’t really know what was happening with James either.
“If he would just behave the way we raised him instead of all this acting out then I’m sure he could just come home and things could be the way they were before.”
The storyline in this was about Noah’s delicate mental state, and his blossoming relationship with James. I did feel for him because he seemed so lost, and he didn’t seem to be getting any less lost as the book progressed; poor kid!
“We only have the one child and he has to go and make a show of himself by dying his hair and listening to that awful music instead of focussing on his schoolwork.”
The romance in this was a same-sex relationship between Noah and James, and it really was a case of waiting for the proverbial poop to hit the fan when Noah’s parents found out!
“I’m gay.”
The ending to this was pretty good, and I was pleased that we got a happily ever after.
6 out of 10
“I knew deep down that if I had just one person to stand by me, one person to trust me, then I could get through anything. I just never felt that from her or dad.”
This was a YA contemporary story about two boys in a mental care facility who fall in love.
I felt like Noah was a little mixed up and all over the place in this book, his emotions and thoughts were just scattered, and it felt like he really wasn’t sure where he was in life, which made his stay in a mental health facility look necessary! He didn’t have supportive parents at all though, and he didn’t really know what was happening with James either.
“If he would just behave the way we raised him instead of all this acting out then I’m sure he could just come home and things could be the way they were before.”
The storyline in this was about Noah’s delicate mental state, and his blossoming relationship with James. I did feel for him because he seemed so lost, and he didn’t seem to be getting any less lost as the book progressed; poor kid!
“We only have the one child and he has to go and make a show of himself by dying his hair and listening to that awful music instead of focussing on his schoolwork.”
The romance in this was a same-sex relationship between Noah and James, and it really was a case of waiting for the proverbial poop to hit the fan when Noah’s parents found out!
“I’m gay.”
The ending to this was pretty good, and I was pleased that we got a happily ever after.
6 out of 10
June 21, 2015
WARNING: TRIGGERING!
If you have issues with blood, DO NOT READ THIS!
ARC provided kindly by the author Kay Causer. Thank you, Kay. Best of luck!
SYNOPSIS
Told in a first person POV by a nearly 18 years old boy named Noah, a good part of the story is set in a mental institution for teenagers. The setting is UK, and I know very little of the health care they enjoy. Suffice to say, they receive better health care than in my country. Noah has issues in dealing with his emotions. Born normal (no autism, etc.) he finds it difficult to connect with people his entire life leading him to find ways to "release" his emotion in other harmful ways. His god-fearing parents did the best they can by chucking him in an institution. Noah blames his parents for what's happened to him and refuses to see anything else. The only person he seems to have connected with is his roommate, James. Luckily, James is not a psychotic bastard like most patients in institutions are usually (in this world, patients all seem to behave quite well). James has a secret that I will tell you right now just in case you have an allergic reaction to it: he's gay. Now, the story becomes obvious. In that, it's all about Noah's awakening. Don't get me wrong. Just because it's predictable, it doesn't make it less heartwarming.
WRITING STYLE
In the first half of the book, there are chapters that are entirely backstories. It's to build on Noah's character because this book really is The Diary of Noah's Coming Out. At no point (except one) would you be sidetracked from Noah's story. This is very tricky because if the character isn't big enough, it can get pretty annoying. It's up to you to judge, really.
THEMES
+ LGBTQ and FANFICTION - I did not know this was Queer Lit. I have nothing against queer lit as I write fan fiction. In fact, part of the charm in this book is that the story fits quite well within the fanfic genre (For me, it is a genre.). The story has a main couple and a side story. If you have an OT4 like I do (Merlin BBC), feel free to swap the characters with the one in your head. Of course, in my head, Noah is Arthur and James is Merlin. It didn't take me long to gel with the narrative. If you read fanfiction, you'd like this book. Mind, this is a below-18, very clean fic.
+ MORE LGBTQ - This is why I think it's better than Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. I thought Ari and D is a cop-out and does not reflect the reality of what it is to be LGBTQ. This book, at least, comes to close to reality. It doesn't gloss over any of Noah's regrets and decisions. I love that Noah is allowed to make wrong decisions. It makes the characters appear more human.
+ SIDESTORY - The other 2 characters that Noah befriends in the institution is Brandon and Charlie. Basically, the two are best buds. If you've got your goggles on, they can be more than best buds. I love them. I would have enjoyed seeing Brandon's story.
+ JAMES IS PERFECTION - The only unreal character in this book is James. He's so perfect. Everything he does in life is perfect. It's like the stars aligned and made the perfect boy for Noah. Even James' "mistakes" only leads to good things for Noah. I was hoping something bad will happen to James so I can learn about him more. Alas, even at the end of the book nothing bad ever happens to him.
+ NOAH'S PARENTS' PARENTING - I firmly believe that parents are doing the best they can. When they provide you with shelter, food, education, concern towards your well-being, pays to have you institutionalized for your obvious problems - you are actually in a loving home. Kids today have such high expectations of parents. If your dad isn't beating you up, you have it good. If you hate where you are, you don't have to be in that house. Ergo, move out, get a job, pay the bills, etc. No excuses. So, their reactions towards Noah's awakening is not ideal. But it's very real. They are in shock and would not always, "oh hey, okay" everything. Get over it!
+ CHARACTER DRIVEN - Don't expect massive plot twists. But things unfold slowly and naturally. The author takes us on a journey, mainly on what's going on in Noah's head. Everything is explained, his motivations are all clear. There's a "fluffy" bit around the middle that's adorable if you're into that, or it's a really cheesy bit if you're not.
OVERALL
It's a very very light read. Nothing really bad happens. Noah does go through some incidents, but they aren't anything that can't be solved after 5 minutes of proper planning/thinking. Here's the thing... Noah's problems are in his head. They're important problems for sure. But it's not like it will be his death. The combination of Noah's superficial problems and the lightness of the narrative left me a little hallow. If the problems are internal, the narrative should be grittier to make it heavier giving maximum impact. I'm not saying that Noah should be broody. You see, when I picture this, it's all sunshine. It makes me feel like Noah's problems aren't important when, in reality, they are really heavy. Overall, I still enjoyed this book.
MY THOUGHTS ON LGBTQ
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for people who are curious about coming out. Also, for folks who like fan fiction. UNITE!
If you have issues with blood, DO NOT READ THIS!
ARC provided kindly by the author Kay Causer. Thank you, Kay. Best of luck!
3.75 out of 5 stars
Better than Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. If you loved that, you should pick this up.
SYNOPSIS
Told in a first person POV by a nearly 18 years old boy named Noah, a good part of the story is set in a mental institution for teenagers. The setting is UK, and I know very little of the health care they enjoy. Suffice to say, they receive better health care than in my country. Noah has issues in dealing with his emotions. Born normal (no autism, etc.) he finds it difficult to connect with people his entire life leading him to find ways to "release" his emotion in other harmful ways. His god-fearing parents did the best they can by chucking him in an institution. Noah blames his parents for what's happened to him and refuses to see anything else. The only person he seems to have connected with is his roommate, James. Luckily, James is not a psychotic bastard like most patients in institutions are usually (in this world, patients all seem to behave quite well). James has a secret that I will tell you right now just in case you have an allergic reaction to it: he's gay. Now, the story becomes obvious. In that, it's all about Noah's awakening. Don't get me wrong. Just because it's predictable, it doesn't make it less heartwarming.
WRITING STYLE
In the first half of the book, there are chapters that are entirely backstories. It's to build on Noah's character because this book really is The Diary of Noah's Coming Out. At no point (except one) would you be sidetracked from Noah's story. This is very tricky because if the character isn't big enough, it can get pretty annoying. It's up to you to judge, really.
THEMES
+ LGBTQ and FANFICTION - I did not know this was Queer Lit. I have nothing against queer lit as I write fan fiction. In fact, part of the charm in this book is that the story fits quite well within the fanfic genre (For me, it is a genre.). The story has a main couple and a side story. If you have an OT4 like I do (Merlin BBC), feel free to swap the characters with the one in your head. Of course, in my head, Noah is Arthur and James is Merlin. It didn't take me long to gel with the narrative. If you read fanfiction, you'd like this book. Mind, this is a below-18, very clean fic.
+ MORE LGBTQ - This is why I think it's better than Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. I thought Ari and D is a cop-out and does not reflect the reality of what it is to be LGBTQ. This book, at least, comes to close to reality. It doesn't gloss over any of Noah's regrets and decisions. I love that Noah is allowed to make wrong decisions. It makes the characters appear more human.
+ SIDESTORY - The other 2 characters that Noah befriends in the institution is Brandon and Charlie. Basically, the two are best buds. If you've got your goggles on, they can be more than best buds. I love them. I would have enjoyed seeing Brandon's story.
+ JAMES IS PERFECTION - The only unreal character in this book is James. He's so perfect. Everything he does in life is perfect. It's like the stars aligned and made the perfect boy for Noah. Even James' "mistakes" only leads to good things for Noah. I was hoping something bad will happen to James so I can learn about him more. Alas, even at the end of the book nothing bad ever happens to him.
+ NOAH'S PARENTS' PARENTING - I firmly believe that parents are doing the best they can. When they provide you with shelter, food, education, concern towards your well-being, pays to have you institutionalized for your obvious problems - you are actually in a loving home. Kids today have such high expectations of parents. If your dad isn't beating you up, you have it good. If you hate where you are, you don't have to be in that house. Ergo, move out, get a job, pay the bills, etc. No excuses. So, their reactions towards Noah's awakening is not ideal. But it's very real. They are in shock and would not always, "oh hey, okay" everything. Get over it!
+ CHARACTER DRIVEN - Don't expect massive plot twists. But things unfold slowly and naturally. The author takes us on a journey, mainly on what's going on in Noah's head. Everything is explained, his motivations are all clear. There's a "fluffy" bit around the middle that's adorable if you're into that, or it's a really cheesy bit if you're not.
OVERALL
It's a very very light read. Nothing really bad happens. Noah does go through some incidents, but they aren't anything that can't be solved after 5 minutes of proper planning/thinking. Here's the thing... Noah's problems are in his head. They're important problems for sure. But it's not like it will be his death. The combination of Noah's superficial problems and the lightness of the narrative left me a little hallow. If the problems are internal, the narrative should be grittier to make it heavier giving maximum impact. I'm not saying that Noah should be broody. You see, when I picture this, it's all sunshine. It makes me feel like Noah's problems aren't important when, in reality, they are really heavy. Overall, I still enjoyed this book.
MY THOUGHTS ON LGBTQ
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for people who are curious about coming out. Also, for folks who like fan fiction. UNITE!
July 1, 2015
(I received a copy from the author, In exchange for an honest review.)
The main characters in this were both in a difficult place, and it was clear to see why their mental health was suffering.
Noah's parents weren't supportive at all, and telling them what he did didn't go down well at all.
This could be a bit slow at times, but it was an interesting read. It was one of those reads where I couldn't help but root for the main characters, as I just wanted them to find their happy ever after!
The main characters in this were both in a difficult place, and it was clear to see why their mental health was suffering.
Noah's parents weren't supportive at all, and telling them what he did didn't go down well at all.
This could be a bit slow at times, but it was an interesting read. It was one of those reads where I couldn't help but root for the main characters, as I just wanted them to find their happy ever after!
July 16, 2015
I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review.
This was a fairly decent book; it is told by an 18 year named Noah. The main setting is in a mental institution. Noah is having issues dealing with his emotions, and has difficult time connecting with people. James is Noah's roommate, and the two rely on each other, especially for emotional. I liked the story, I just wish there were a little more meat to the story. For me it was very predictable.
This was a fairly decent book; it is told by an 18 year named Noah. The main setting is in a mental institution. Noah is having issues dealing with his emotions, and has difficult time connecting with people. James is Noah's roommate, and the two rely on each other, especially for emotional. I liked the story, I just wish there were a little more meat to the story. For me it was very predictable.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews