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Behind the Falls
Behind the Falls
Sixteen year old Noah Blakely knows that his life is about to change. After all he is moving to a new town. He will be starting public school as a senior after years of homeschooling. After years of suffering from panic and anxiety disorders, all Noah wants is a chance to prove to his parents and doctor that he is normal.
Right from the very first day, Noah is surprised and pleased how well things are working in his new life. He meets Holden Maxwell and they soon becomes best friends. His parents are trusting him with more freedom and responsibility. He is successful in school. For the first time in his life, Noah feels normal.
However, no senior year is without pressure and difficulties. Noah soon finds his new life and responsibilities bring on new pressures he’s never had to deal with. He is faced with choices he never imagined.
In order to gain acceptance from his new friends Noah must first find a way to accept himself. That might be the hardest lesson of all.
This is Brenda Zalegowski’s first published novel.
Right from the very first day, Noah is surprised and pleased how well things are working in his new life. He meets Holden Maxwell and they soon becomes best friends. His parents are trusting him with more freedom and responsibility. He is successful in school. For the first time in his life, Noah feels normal.
However, no senior year is without pressure and difficulties. Noah soon finds his new life and responsibilities bring on new pressures he’s never had to deal with. He is faced with choices he never imagined.
In order to gain acceptance from his new friends Noah must first find a way to accept himself. That might be the hardest lesson of all.
This is Brenda Zalegowski’s first published novel.
698 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2015
5 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 6, 2015
What a great book! Some have said it is long-winded. I was totally engrossed, from the first page to the last. I became invested in Noah, Max, their friends and their families. I still feel they are a part of me. Hated the ending, yet probably the best ending for this particular story. Such a fantastic first effort for this new author. I can't wait to read more from her.
Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK!
Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK!
September 6, 2015
Bravo Brenda Zalegowski on your first novel! 5 plus stars from me! I just finished this wonderful book after a weekend marathon of practically non-stop, can't stop, don't want to put this book down reading. This was a heartwarming, heart wrenching tale of teenaged life, love, and the hope of acceptance with characters that become a part of you as you are reading. I honestly didn't want the story to end. When it did, I was glad that I was able to imagine two different scenarios in my mind for dear Noah. Highly recommend!
August 27, 2025
4.5 stars ...
600+ pages. You might ask yourself if you want to read a book that's 600+ pages. YES YOU DO! When I noticed the page count, I thought "How is the author going to engage me for that long?" She did! I was engrossed in Noah's story from page one. When I had to put the book down I couldn't wait to come back to it. I mentally cheered Noah through the entire book ... hoping and wishing for the best for him. I wanted to hug him and make him better. Every character is well written and believable.
Why 4.5 stars? The ending. Did I like it? Honestly, no! Personally, I hate open endings. I want the author to finish the story for me. I don't like having to guess/assume/write my own ending for a book. There were a couple of questions I really wanted the answers too and I didn't get them. I guessed what might happen at the end but I would have liked a little closure for the rest of the characters stories.
Overall, this is a fantastic debut from a new author. I'll look forward to new works from Ms. Zalegowski.
600+ pages. You might ask yourself if you want to read a book that's 600+ pages. YES YOU DO! When I noticed the page count, I thought "How is the author going to engage me for that long?" She did! I was engrossed in Noah's story from page one. When I had to put the book down I couldn't wait to come back to it. I mentally cheered Noah through the entire book ... hoping and wishing for the best for him. I wanted to hug him and make him better. Every character is well written and believable.
Why 4.5 stars? The ending. Did I like it? Honestly, no! Personally, I hate open endings. I want the author to finish the story for me. I don't like having to guess/assume/write my own ending for a book. There were a couple of questions I really wanted the answers too and I didn't get them. I guessed what might happen at the end but I would have liked a little closure for the rest of the characters stories.
Overall, this is a fantastic debut from a new author. I'll look forward to new works from Ms. Zalegowski.
June 30, 2015
Disclaimer #1: This book was reviewed several weeks earlier by our very own Urania. This is my perspective on it.
Disclaimer #2: The author is a friend of mine, and I’m sure she’s a friend to many of you as well. That’s both good and bad. Good because it’s an honor to share someone’s creative work. And bad because, well, if it’s really no good how do you address that? It’s like seeing someone’s really ugly baby. What do you say? But there are no such book-related worries in this case because the book truly is exceptional on so many levels.
Noah is barely sixteen but yet has faced so many issues in his young life. Burdened with panic and anxiety disorders from a very young age, he struggles with how exactly to be normal. And then his somewhat predictable world is shaken up as his family decides move to a new town. Not only that, but Noah will be going to public school for the first time. Enough to send even the most well-adjusted (if there is such a thing) teen over the edge.
Thankfully there’s a friendly face in the crowd. A hand reaches out to him on his very first day, and Noah doesn’t feel so lost anymore. When Max welcomes Noah into his world, it’s more than he could have ever hoped for. He begins to feel “normal” for the very first time in his life, whatever that word truly means.
Noah’s inner demons aren’t so easily silenced, though. His struggles continue as does his battle to hide it from his new friends. If he could only find the strength to be honest with them as well as with himself, and about so many different things.
And this is where my summary ends. Because to give anything else away would spoil it. And this is a book that you just have to read and feel for the very first time without any preconceived notions or ideas about what you’re supposed to think. I’m glad I didn’t when I read it, and I’m doing the same for you.
So the obvious…
This is a very long book, clocking in at just under 700 pages. And I admit, as have several other reviewers, that the length was a bit daunting at first. I found myself getting bogged down in the beginning, wondering if the lengthy narrative and internal dialogue were really necessary. But I felt a pull, something compelling me to keep going. And yes, part of the reason was because, well, friends.
Still, at about the halfway point I realized that it worked for this book. Noah’s story really couldn’t be told in a lesser manner. The sometimes rambling dialogue is surely reminiscent of what must be going on inside the head of somebody with a panic/anxiety disorder. And more importantly, such detailed descriptions of the characters as well as background info made me feel for them, connect with them on a level not achieved by all authors. In fact, I’m so invested with Noah and Max, even Tabitha, that several days later I still can’t get them out of my head. I want more!
And another caveat. It’s a very heavy book. Heavy on the emotions, heavy on the subject matter. But so is life. Not a reason to avoid it. Still, it’s probably a book that’s best suited for older teens and adults. Now crossing my fingers and hoping there’s a sequel in the works…
Disclaimer #2: The author is a friend of mine, and I’m sure she’s a friend to many of you as well. That’s both good and bad. Good because it’s an honor to share someone’s creative work. And bad because, well, if it’s really no good how do you address that? It’s like seeing someone’s really ugly baby. What do you say? But there are no such book-related worries in this case because the book truly is exceptional on so many levels.
Noah is barely sixteen but yet has faced so many issues in his young life. Burdened with panic and anxiety disorders from a very young age, he struggles with how exactly to be normal. And then his somewhat predictable world is shaken up as his family decides move to a new town. Not only that, but Noah will be going to public school for the first time. Enough to send even the most well-adjusted (if there is such a thing) teen over the edge.
Thankfully there’s a friendly face in the crowd. A hand reaches out to him on his very first day, and Noah doesn’t feel so lost anymore. When Max welcomes Noah into his world, it’s more than he could have ever hoped for. He begins to feel “normal” for the very first time in his life, whatever that word truly means.
Noah’s inner demons aren’t so easily silenced, though. His struggles continue as does his battle to hide it from his new friends. If he could only find the strength to be honest with them as well as with himself, and about so many different things.
And this is where my summary ends. Because to give anything else away would spoil it. And this is a book that you just have to read and feel for the very first time without any preconceived notions or ideas about what you’re supposed to think. I’m glad I didn’t when I read it, and I’m doing the same for you.
So the obvious…
This is a very long book, clocking in at just under 700 pages. And I admit, as have several other reviewers, that the length was a bit daunting at first. I found myself getting bogged down in the beginning, wondering if the lengthy narrative and internal dialogue were really necessary. But I felt a pull, something compelling me to keep going. And yes, part of the reason was because, well, friends.
Still, at about the halfway point I realized that it worked for this book. Noah’s story really couldn’t be told in a lesser manner. The sometimes rambling dialogue is surely reminiscent of what must be going on inside the head of somebody with a panic/anxiety disorder. And more importantly, such detailed descriptions of the characters as well as background info made me feel for them, connect with them on a level not achieved by all authors. In fact, I’m so invested with Noah and Max, even Tabitha, that several days later I still can’t get them out of my head. I want more!
And another caveat. It’s a very heavy book. Heavy on the emotions, heavy on the subject matter. But so is life. Not a reason to avoid it. Still, it’s probably a book that’s best suited for older teens and adults. Now crossing my fingers and hoping there’s a sequel in the works…
January 13, 2024
Noah is starting public high school for the first, after being homeschooled. Making friends and dating for the first time. These would be hard for any teenager, but Noah has generalized anxiety disorder. He feels everything, and over analyzes it all. Will he be able to reach out for help when he needs it, or will his anxiety become too much to handle?
I loved this book! Noah is a complex character, and my heart felt everything he was feeling. In the end, I wanted to give him a hug!
I loved this book! Noah is a complex character, and my heart felt everything he was feeling. In the end, I wanted to give him a hug!
February 5, 2017
Honestly, this book messed me up, more than a little. It hit a nerve.
I kid you not, I can relate to Noah so much so that it freaked me out. This is probably me over-sharing, but I'm now 23, and when I was his age of 16/17, I had recently been diagnosed with autism. Part of my autism is that I have high levels of anxiety, as well as panic attacks. I can get trapped in that cycle of escalating anxiety, where the anxiety its self becomes what you're anxious of. I wasn't able to keep a meal down and lost a lot of weight as a result.
I went on medication. I didn't care about my well-being, and had (and still do) lots of problems with sleeping. I was figuring out labels and my sexuality. I was having my first crush on a guy. I was/am painfully shy at times, and lacking in the friend department. I had moved to a new high-school for my last year of schooling, and spent the majority of my time in my bedroom. In fact, I still do! So, yeah. This book was almost too difficult for me to read, because of how freakishly close to home it hit me.
I didn't always agree with the characters approach to things (the parents and the doctor in particular), and Noah's stubbornness really grinded my gears at times, but still. I adored this book. I want a Max in my life. I love him, and I love Noah, and I love their relationship.
Something I really appreciated with this book was the honesty, of what it's like to go through life with those labels attached to you. Whilst I couldn't always relate, I could sympathise. Mental health is a spectrum, and so no two individuals will have exactly the same difficulties and won't be able to fully relate, but my heart was constantly going out to Noah, even if he did piss me off with his decision-making from time to time.
The characters are really well fleshed out, and everyone has a story. I also found it really easy to visualise what I was reading, which is a rarity for me. Some may argue that there's too much attention to detail, especially with Noah's internal monologues, but for me... the more there is, the more invested I get, the better I know the characters, and the more I want from them. I have a weakness for long contemporary books like this.
I've already started the second book, because how could I not with an ending like that? I really this becomes a series of books, because at this moment in time I just don't want their relationship to end.
(oh, and kind of minor complaint, but not really. The lack of commas! I kept having to re-read sentences because there weren't commas in places where they were really needed. It took me a while to get to used to them not being there!)
I kid you not, I can relate to Noah so much so that it freaked me out. This is probably me over-sharing, but I'm now 23, and when I was his age of 16/17, I had recently been diagnosed with autism. Part of my autism is that I have high levels of anxiety, as well as panic attacks. I can get trapped in that cycle of escalating anxiety, where the anxiety its self becomes what you're anxious of. I wasn't able to keep a meal down and lost a lot of weight as a result.
I went on medication. I didn't care about my well-being, and had (and still do) lots of problems with sleeping. I was figuring out labels and my sexuality. I was having my first crush on a guy. I was/am painfully shy at times, and lacking in the friend department. I had moved to a new high-school for my last year of schooling, and spent the majority of my time in my bedroom. In fact, I still do! So, yeah. This book was almost too difficult for me to read, because of how freakishly close to home it hit me.
I didn't always agree with the characters approach to things (the parents and the doctor in particular), and Noah's stubbornness really grinded my gears at times, but still. I adored this book. I want a Max in my life. I love him, and I love Noah, and I love their relationship.
Something I really appreciated with this book was the honesty, of what it's like to go through life with those labels attached to you. Whilst I couldn't always relate, I could sympathise. Mental health is a spectrum, and so no two individuals will have exactly the same difficulties and won't be able to fully relate, but my heart was constantly going out to Noah, even if he did piss me off with his decision-making from time to time.
The characters are really well fleshed out, and everyone has a story. I also found it really easy to visualise what I was reading, which is a rarity for me. Some may argue that there's too much attention to detail, especially with Noah's internal monologues, but for me... the more there is, the more invested I get, the better I know the characters, and the more I want from them. I have a weakness for long contemporary books like this.
I've already started the second book, because how could I not with an ending like that? I really this becomes a series of books, because at this moment in time I just don't want their relationship to end.
(oh, and kind of minor complaint, but not really. The lack of commas! I kept having to re-read sentences because there weren't commas in places where they were really needed. It took me a while to get to used to them not being there!)
May 28, 2015
I loved this book! A bit long winded and could have been cut down by a hundred or so pages but over all a damned good read and a brilliant first book! I did get annoyed with Noah not telling Max what was wrong with him and I found myself screaming at Noah to just tell him for God's sake! Emotionally it's is draining but good. I did hate the ending, I won't lie about it.... It is one of those open endings that isn't neat and tidy like you normally get but it leaves you hoping.
I did get through this pretty quickly even at almost 700 pages, it kept me enthralled and I just didn't want to put it down.... Get this book, you won't be sorry!
I did get through this pretty quickly even at almost 700 pages, it kept me enthralled and I just didn't want to put it down.... Get this book, you won't be sorry!
August 16, 2015
Just finished Behind the Falls and all I can say is "Why isn't this book on a best-sellers" list somewhere??" I'm really not a fan of YA books but this one sucked me in from the first page and kept me thinking about it even when I wasn't reading it. If you haven't read it, READ IT!!! Then tell all of your friends!!! I rarely get book hangovers but I've had a massive one! I keep thinking about Noah and Max and all of the characters. I want to talk about the book with everyone and make everyone read it!
September 8, 2015
I just finished this amazing book after spending hours today reading it because I couldn't tear myself away. I am blown away. I loved all the characters in this book, even Noah's parents, I understood their worries. I loved Max and Noah. My heart broke so much for Noah, I wish I could just wrap my arms around him. It's a long book, but, believe me you get dragged into the story and it latches on to you and you don't even realize it's almost 700 pages. Fantastic first novel! I'm looking forward to Ms Zalegowski's next one already!
August 11, 2015
A story which needed to be told...a story which will resonate with many readers....even those who least expect it to.
An amazing first novel, I hope to see many more books from Brenda Zalegowski!
An amazing first novel, I hope to see many more books from Brenda Zalegowski!
September 3, 2016
This book starts out with Noah in a car traveling halfway across the country with his parents to go live in his grandmother's house. Because I kinda know this author and because I did not ask what this book was about (remember I try not to know anything about the book I am about to read)....I half way expected old granny to be kept in the shed in the back garden feeding on live chickens. Yes....a zombie book wouldn't have surprised me at all.....however, once Noah gets to school and sees all the *pretty* people in the lunch room, I thought I might be wrong and it would have been some posh vampires that were feeding on grandma....
However, I couldn't have been farther from the truth....
Although.....this book is full of *real-life* monsters....
I must admit, at times I did feel that the author was long winded. That the stuff going on inside Noah's mind was just so bogged down with details....however, after reading it....well I have to wonder....If I felt overwhelmed at times and over sensitized....well just imagine how Noah felt....
This book brings more than a few very important issues to light....and it's a hard read....not because it's hard to understand....it's just a tough subject....and the ripples this book leaves you with....well they are far reaching...it's blatantly obvious after reading a book like this that we are all so often look at just the one person in life. We often isolate them in our minds and we neglect to see the ripple effects that issues cause with not just one person, but all of those around them.
If someone has cancer....or is killed in an accident....or hurts another person.....well that doesn't just effect them....Mrs. Z does an outstanding job displaying this throughout the entire novel (ALL 698 PAGES OF IT!!!)
Now there's just no way for me to continue this review without providing spoilers....so I am asking you now...if you haven't read this book, please stop reading now and go try to find a copy....This book isn't a subject matter I would ever imagine myself reading....let alone giving top ratings to. I almost hesitated to give 5 stars because I almost feel guilty....I don't want anyone to think I did so because I know the author....I do so because this novel deserves it....although as I said, I felt it was too many words at sometimes....however the subject matter and the way it was handled, the way I felt at the end....the way I stayed up late and woke early to finish it....well, I would be dishonest if I gave it anything less....
But again....spoilers now! so if you haven't read it....piss off and go do so....please don't let my need to voice all of my feelings ruin this great book for you!!!
First the ending.....uffda....again....ripples....this book is full of them, innit? I realise some people will hate the ending....fuck it.....I hate the ending.....but I would have hated an ending that wrapped it all up and created a stopping point even more.....again.....ripples! Key word here.....RIPPLES.....I just can't stop thinking about all the ripples that closing scene is going to make in the hours after the reader finishes....
How can you not love a book that the characters feel so real that you finish the last page and you still are concerned for ALL of those involved. How can you not love a book where you physically hurt for what they have to go through?
Another thing I want to point out to anyone that has read the book....I am sure many think of the father behind the closed door at the end....and they are disappointed perhaps....Me? I know 100% that he has closed that door because he is disappointed in himself....that he is blaming himself for not being there as he thinks he should have been....even though I know 100% that Noah feels it is shut because of his father's disappointment in Noah.....
Again, this whole book....just wow....it's so complex...and the more you think about it....well the more confused you become....
Mental illness....sexual identity....these are such tough issues....why do we feel such a need to label everything in life? Perhaps not the labels themselves, but the stigma that goes with them...I've always been a strong proponent of letting people live their lives as they see the need to. I try very hard to not pass judgement....
This novel points out that not only is it very important to not put stigmas on labels....but it's also now blatantly obvious that the stigma we put on our own labels used to define us....well they can be the most cutting of all..I've always tried to remember that we never know what people are going through in their daily lives...so we should never judge.....this novel pushes me belief system even further....I now realise that it's not just what's going on in their lives...it's also sometimes more important about what is going on in their heads....and those are things that sometimes we are *never* made aware of....
At times this novel is so tough to read....the implications of what mental illness does to a person....well when you pile it on top of the worries of the mental illness...and how you will be perceived by others....well at some point you have to stop and ask....which is which....which one does the most damage...and which one causes which....are they all interchangeable? Can you have one without the other? If one did not exist would the other cease as well?
The second major issue of the novel....sexual identification.....that is all so....well.....it does come down to labels here....and this is the thing I struggle with the most....I always have....but now it makes me angry....it seems that more society opens up....the more it shuts down....if Noah wants to kiss boys or girls...why should he have to announce it? Why should it matter? I realise that identity is very important to teenagers...however....I really wish society would change how we define ourselves....it's tough I know....but I just wish in my heart that Noah had gave a few less fucks how people defined him....the only opinions that should guide and define us are those of people who truly love and know us....but most importantly...our own....we should all be allowed to be happy with whom we are....
again...ripples....the beautiful person that Noah is....it's so easy to see and define the ripples that brings to others around him....even if he is, sadly, unable to see those ripples himself....however, the lack of Noah sharing what's really going on in his life? Those ripples? They are far more outreaching and long lasting then he will ever realise....
Those ripples will be residing in me for a very long time to come....x
However, I couldn't have been farther from the truth....
Although.....this book is full of *real-life* monsters....
I must admit, at times I did feel that the author was long winded. That the stuff going on inside Noah's mind was just so bogged down with details....however, after reading it....well I have to wonder....If I felt overwhelmed at times and over sensitized....well just imagine how Noah felt....
This book brings more than a few very important issues to light....and it's a hard read....not because it's hard to understand....it's just a tough subject....and the ripples this book leaves you with....well they are far reaching...it's blatantly obvious after reading a book like this that we are all so often look at just the one person in life. We often isolate them in our minds and we neglect to see the ripple effects that issues cause with not just one person, but all of those around them.
If someone has cancer....or is killed in an accident....or hurts another person.....well that doesn't just effect them....Mrs. Z does an outstanding job displaying this throughout the entire novel (ALL 698 PAGES OF IT!!!)
Now there's just no way for me to continue this review without providing spoilers....so I am asking you now...if you haven't read this book, please stop reading now and go try to find a copy....This book isn't a subject matter I would ever imagine myself reading....let alone giving top ratings to. I almost hesitated to give 5 stars because I almost feel guilty....I don't want anyone to think I did so because I know the author....I do so because this novel deserves it....although as I said, I felt it was too many words at sometimes....however the subject matter and the way it was handled, the way I felt at the end....the way I stayed up late and woke early to finish it....well, I would be dishonest if I gave it anything less....
But again....spoilers now! so if you haven't read it....piss off and go do so....please don't let my need to voice all of my feelings ruin this great book for you!!!
First the ending.....uffda....again....ripples....this book is full of them, innit? I realise some people will hate the ending....fuck it.....I hate the ending.....but I would have hated an ending that wrapped it all up and created a stopping point even more.....again.....ripples! Key word here.....RIPPLES.....I just can't stop thinking about all the ripples that closing scene is going to make in the hours after the reader finishes....
How can you not love a book that the characters feel so real that you finish the last page and you still are concerned for ALL of those involved. How can you not love a book where you physically hurt for what they have to go through?
Another thing I want to point out to anyone that has read the book....I am sure many think of the father behind the closed door at the end....and they are disappointed perhaps....Me? I know 100% that he has closed that door because he is disappointed in himself....that he is blaming himself for not being there as he thinks he should have been....even though I know 100% that Noah feels it is shut because of his father's disappointment in Noah.....
Again, this whole book....just wow....it's so complex...and the more you think about it....well the more confused you become....
Mental illness....sexual identity....these are such tough issues....why do we feel such a need to label everything in life? Perhaps not the labels themselves, but the stigma that goes with them...I've always been a strong proponent of letting people live their lives as they see the need to. I try very hard to not pass judgement....
This novel points out that not only is it very important to not put stigmas on labels....but it's also now blatantly obvious that the stigma we put on our own labels used to define us....well they can be the most cutting of all..I've always tried to remember that we never know what people are going through in their daily lives...so we should never judge.....this novel pushes me belief system even further....I now realise that it's not just what's going on in their lives...it's also sometimes more important about what is going on in their heads....and those are things that sometimes we are *never* made aware of....
At times this novel is so tough to read....the implications of what mental illness does to a person....well when you pile it on top of the worries of the mental illness...and how you will be perceived by others....well at some point you have to stop and ask....which is which....which one does the most damage...and which one causes which....are they all interchangeable? Can you have one without the other? If one did not exist would the other cease as well?
The second major issue of the novel....sexual identification.....that is all so....well.....it does come down to labels here....and this is the thing I struggle with the most....I always have....but now it makes me angry....it seems that more society opens up....the more it shuts down....if Noah wants to kiss boys or girls...why should he have to announce it? Why should it matter? I realise that identity is very important to teenagers...however....I really wish society would change how we define ourselves....it's tough I know....but I just wish in my heart that Noah had gave a few less fucks how people defined him....the only opinions that should guide and define us are those of people who truly love and know us....but most importantly...our own....we should all be allowed to be happy with whom we are....
again...ripples....the beautiful person that Noah is....it's so easy to see and define the ripples that brings to others around him....even if he is, sadly, unable to see those ripples himself....however, the lack of Noah sharing what's really going on in his life? Those ripples? They are far more outreaching and long lasting then he will ever realise....
Those ripples will be residing in me for a very long time to come....x
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2015
Fuck that ending!
EDIT: After some sleep and reflection I can now properly review this. When I first started this book, I didn't like it. it was cliche and mediocrly written, but I stuck it out. I admit I got invested in the plot and the characters despite the unrealistic dialogue and common pitfalls because maybe I thought this could potentially become a go-to book for anyone struggling with coming out, depression, anxiety, suicide, etc. but it approached every single topic in a negative way through Noah who at his core is just a terrible person. the ending was abrupt, poorly handled, and so many threads were left untied that the only way this book could be salvageable for me is if there's a sequel. yes, I'll read the sequel, goddammit!
EDIT: After some sleep and reflection I can now properly review this. When I first started this book, I didn't like it. it was cliche and mediocrly written, but I stuck it out. I admit I got invested in the plot and the characters despite the unrealistic dialogue and common pitfalls because maybe I thought this could potentially become a go-to book for anyone struggling with coming out, depression, anxiety, suicide, etc. but it approached every single topic in a negative way through Noah who at his core is just a terrible person. the ending was abrupt, poorly handled, and so many threads were left untied that the only way this book could be salvageable for me is if there's a sequel. yes, I'll read the sequel, goddammit!
September 27, 2015
I don't do reviews by sharing the story, there are plenty of those summaries on every book. I share my thoughts, and take on them. This one is hard without explaining. I will try without "spoilers". I have never been a teenage boy. I didn't raise a teenage boy. My main experience most recently was my daughters teenage boyfriends. There were things about the two main characters that did not feel "authentic" to me. So much that it bothered me... As I said, maybe it is because I have never been a teenage boy but....
June 16, 2015
It started out too wordy, but either I got used to it or it got better because by the end I had a hard time putting it down.it's a very intense story, well written and very emotional. I hated the way it ended though.
September 7, 2015
Compulsively readable with a story that needs telling. It touched me personally on a few levels making it very relatable. I'm not a big YA fan but this ranks up there with the few I've read and enjoyed in that category. If you enjoyed Wonder and Fault in Our Stars, you will enjoy this one too.
September 8, 2015
Bravo Brenda Zalegowski!!! This is one of my top fav books of all time. I can relate to Noah in a big way.
July 18, 2015
4.5, inching up. great tale Brenda! I told you in the beginning I liked the characters, and I had no clue where it was going. I hope you hear some more from hi,!
September 7, 2015
Wow, intense! I couldn't stop reading.
December 30, 2017
This book described the same scene over and over again with no resolution. I had to skim. It's like a movie that has a good premise but needs some heavy editing.
July 12, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, yes at some points it seemed long, almost too much "detail" but without it you might have lost some of why Noah does what he does, it's ALL about his thoughts and emotions. I don't get a lot of uninterrupted reading time and I found it hard at times to put this book down without trying to find a good stopping point - I thoroughly enjoyed it and all the characters were well written. Have to say I can't wait for a sequel!
November 24, 2015
I give it 3.5 stars. The story of Noah, who suffers from extreme anxiety disorder was just too long. When his family moves he goes to school for his senior year after being homeschooled his whole life. He experiences a whole new world and struggles in the process. His anxiety is heartbreaking and exhausting.
September 14, 2015
The story is written from the perspective of a teen named Noah and includes subtext to every single action he does. It's a great story about struggling to hide one's shameful characteristics and how fear of being rejected for being yourself can be crippling. It may seem long but it's a pretty fast read for its size.
December 16, 2015
This booked hooked me from the very beginning! Yes, it's a long book, but honestly, not long enough. I found myself in a book hangover for weeks after. I'm not normally a fan of books written in the first person, but It was very well written with a great story. I laughed, I cried, (a lot!) and I can not wait for a sequel!
July 18, 2015
I had some difficulty reading this book for many reasons. As a grandmother I wanted to shake numerous characters. Some parts were difficult to read for me. I can see these characters staying with me for some time. I had a feeling about how it would end but I was hoping I would be wrong.
July 16, 2015
Too repetitious and long. Would have been a better book if it had been cut short. How many times can you talk about the kissing and the hand holding and I don't want my meds. Jeesh. Seriously.
That said I would read a sequel, characters were interesting.
That said I would read a sequel, characters were interesting.
October 3, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, it dealt with severe anxiety and panic disorders in a very realistic way. The ending just wasn't for me.
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