Pearl

by Deirdre Riordan Hall

Run fast and run far, unless you’re fearless. Unless you’re courageous. I’m not, but I’d like to be. Pearl Jaeger is seventeen and homeless after drugs, poverty, and addiction unraveled the life she shared with JJ, her formerly glamorous rock star mother. This moment of happiness is fleeting; someone will take it from me. When tragedy brings a chance to start over at an elite boarding school, she doesn’t hesitate. Yet the only salvation comes from an art teacher as troubled as Pearl, and she faces the stark reality that what she thought she wanted isn’t straightforward. I trace the outline of my reflection in a window. I am no more than a replica of my mother. This is not the self-portrait I want to paint. Through the friendships she forms at school―especially with Grant, a boy who shows Pearl what it means to trust and forgive―she begins to see a path not defined by her past. But when confronted with the decision to be courageous or to take the easy way forged by her mother’s failures, which direction will Pearl choose?

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Ebooks, Audiobook

342 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2016

About the author

Deirdre Riordan Hall is the author of the contemporary young adult bestseller Sugar, Pearl, and several YA fantasy novels. When she's not writing, she's probably surfing or in pursuit of magic. She also has a healthy case of wanderlust, is a major Harry Potter nerd, loves chips and salsa, and dreams about learning no less than three languages.

For more, please visit her blog or twitter

Reviews

[Drew · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sorry, but teens drinking and doing drugs is not my cup of tea.

While I have always appreciated realistic and gritty stories - take a look at some of my favorites, Little Peach and Living Dead Girl - something about drugs has always put me off.

I didn't like Ellen Hopkins' Crank, though I know it was meant to show how damaging drugs are. Something about it made me feel foul and I was beyond relieved when I finished it. The same went for this book.

Pearl has had a hard life. She grew up with her mom, Janet Jaeger, a rock star who introduced her daughter to drugs at an early age. When Pearl is whisked off to boarding school, she can't help feeling broken because of her abusive childhood.

Pearl spent the majority of the book wandering around glumly and sneaking out to parties. Besides the drugs, though, there was an absolutely ridiculous romance. Pearl and Grant instantly fell in love and had a "no talking, just kissing" rule that, for some crazy reason, was portrayed as a positive thing.

Pearl's very happiness depended on Grant. When he left school for the summer, Pearl was miserably counting down the days until his return. I found it disturbing that a young girl would place all of her self-worth on some guy. Grant was like the unhealthy drugs she was taking - an addiction.

Plus, the "romantic" dialogue was so cheesy:

“Every moment, moments between moments, there you are, radiant and brave, wild, like starlight.”

I'm pretty sure the average teenage guy never talks like that. It gets worse:

“I’m afraid if I get too close to you, it might burn. Painfully like the spark of a dying sun. And if you get too close to me, we’ll disappear into a black hole.”

I felt like Grant was trying to recite poetry to Pearl or something.

I really enjoyed Hall's novel, Sugar, which focused on an unhealthy relationship with food, but Pearl was a much less interesting character than Sugar, and I couldn't bring myself to care about her life that seemed to revolve around Grant.

[Adam Webling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sent Pearl in exchange for an honest review…and can I just say I’m so glad I was because I really enjoyed it.

It’s about the daughter of a drug addict who used to be a famous singer. When Pearl’s mother messes up for the million time, Pearl is sent to a private boarding school by her rich uncle to save the family face. Once there, Pearl finds herself battling the demons of her rough past, while trying to refresh her life and make something of her life.

I mainly liked this book because Pearl is a great protagonist. She is relatable, arty and her hard upbringing gives her a great perspective for the story. Pearl meets private school teenagers that are rebelling for different reasons with drink and drugs, but because Pearl has come from that life, she sees what’s actually going on with them while joining in, which puts her above them in an unpretentious way, but an unspoilt real world way. She felt older than her peers, but that came at the price of what she’d been through.

Nearly everyone around Pearl is the absolute worst, including her awful extended family and many of the private school kids, and I found myself screaming at Pearl to put them in their place. But this is all made worth it by the few good friends she makes and a believable romance that acts as a good rising undercurrent for the whole story.

Pearl goes through a lot of pain and self-realisation throughout the story and this is what made it so good. The way Pearl dealt with her struggles felt very real and the messages that come from her journey make you think and relate to her. They can even be applied to things you may be going through in your own life.

If you want a boarding school story (that has more that just boarding school) about overcoming your inner demons and discovering who you really are, then Pearl is a great book for you.

[Tonyalee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pearl was a random precious find; one that caught my eye because of the cover. Of course, after reading the synopsis I knew it was a Me book; shocking given the fact I don't read much young adult coming of age but I'm beyond happy that I was able to listen to it. There is so much to love about Pearl and I'm quite shocked it hasn't gotten a lot of buzz.

Writing

Deirdre's writing is metaphorical, lyrical and just straight up beautiful. I would listen to/read her writing all day long. She flawlessly wrote a realistic situation and didn't hold back when it came to pain, or the terrible decisions her characters, especially Pearl, made. I love it when an author doesn't hold back and shows us that not everything is what it seems and challenges us. There was so much emotion packed into the writing, you could feel it. I cried, I laughed, and then I cried some more.

Characters

Each character is flawed in Pearl. Pearl obviously, packing the most emotional luggage of the bunch. Growing up with her addicted mom on the streets, she's lonely, sad and understandably, goes through spouts of anger and hate. She has a problem DEALING with things, and watching her spiral out of control wasn't easy. Especially given the circumstances. She has so much growth throughout the book and I love the person that she become in the end.

Addiction

It's a real, honest portrayal of addiction. Not only in the downward spiral of those with an addiction but how it affects everyone from everyday life. Past, present and future. How it molds an individual and shapes your life. And how painful and devastating it is for all parties involved. Not only that but just because you witness someone's downfall due to addiction doesn't mean you are 100% safe from that path as well.

Sex & Relationships

While we don't get graphic scenes, even a lot, to be honest, it was handled in such a real and honest way. It wasn't a big deal, it was a part of their relationship. Sex aside, each relationship was developed, both good and bad. It's difficult to see just how good OR toxic someone is in your life until later, and I loved that we get to see Pearl realize that. Those relationships too, mold and shape us to the people we are and want to be.

Peer friendships aside, I loved her relationship with her Art teacher. He comes off gruff, and intense but like Pearl, he has so much beyond the facade and I love how he pushed her to look deeper and find herself. In her art and in life. What he did for her at the end had me ugly crying.

Romance

The romance between Pearl and Grant is a slow, aching burn throughout the book. I adored them together, especially since Grant was a strong rock for Pearl, even with his own insecurities and issues. Nothing was easy for them; individually or together, and witnessing them work out their problems was an added bonus.

The Narration

Brittany Pressley nailed the narration. She was able to pack the emotions of Pearl so perfectly. She read the book slow, making a 350-page book over 12 hours long, which would normally irritate me but didn't with Pearl. There were also a lot of different accents that she imitated perfectly and even nailed the deranged and drugged out JJ. She brought the story to life.

Overall

If you couldn't guess - I loved it. Pearl is such a beautifully written book; one that will hold a special place in my heart. It's sad yet uplifting, and I'm glad I was able to experience Pearl's journey. I highly recommend it - but do be caution, there's heavy drug and alcohol use.

I received this book for free from The Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Emily May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of attention to character details and development, but I'm kind of over the "girl working through her troubles with art and a new boy" trope.

[Ashley Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!

I really really loved this book! I loved the concept, our main character, her struggles, and the flow of the writing. There was enough time spent with Pearl getting to know her very intimately, but also it takes place over a good year and a half I believe, so we see her change and learn and lots of events happen to keep you turning the pages. And Pearl herself had unique interests, so that she not only was interesting for her past/history, but also because of her personality itself.

I wish more books were written about subjects like this. Especially YA books. Or maybe those books are out there, I just don't know about them (If YOU do, please recommend some!!). The drama and events of this book were not eyeroll-worthy; they were real and interesting and did not feel like anything I've read before. pearl wasn't some special snowflake in a school she didn't belong in. She had real issues with a really bad past that made her adjustment into that world honestly difficult. It was great to get in-depth about her homelessness and her identity struggles once she's out of NYC and into the boarding school, and how she specifically dealt with her mom.

Speaking of her mom, I found Pearl's reflection on her relationship with her mother very deep and I really enjoyed reading about it. The conflict between not wanting to turn out like her and having resentment towards her, but still loving her unconditionally and worrying about her was just beautiful to read about. I really strongly felt her heartache and struggle and took it to heart!

The only character I outright didn't like was Sorel. I'm pretty sure I wasn't supposed to like her, but I really felt like her character didn't make any sense. But upon reflection... maybe Sorel didn’t make sense because she was messed up from substances and didn’t even make sense to herself... Anywho, she was a great juxtaposition for Pearl herself - hard in the places Pearl wasn't, unknowledgeable where Pearl was smart, and with a vastly different background and idea of fun than Pearl. But she also had some contradictions that made me unsure of who she really was and her motivations in life. Sorel was a finicky friend to her though, which made me so mad because I know Pearl deserved better. And had better right in front of her in Charmindy! But I guess that was the point - that Pearl learns how to be in healthy relationships and have faith in others. So yeah, Sorel served her purpose, but I kind of loathed her.

I also was really into how Pearl was able to learn about herself through others unexpectedly; namely through Grant, Charmindy, and her Art teacher at school (whose name escapes me!). Charmindy was an A+ cinnamon roll of a human. Nuff said. And then there's Grant... oh Grant. So troubled, so in his own head, so head over heels for Pearl. I enjoyed Pearl's relationship with Grant because it was mature. It wasn't mushy, because pearl has seen too much in life to have a mushy relationship like that. they understand each other on a level that makes me feel like they were absolutely meant to be together. And he makes her see her on value and see that she deserves love. He makes Pearl feel like she is worth something - and deservedly so. And yeah, I liked her relationship with her Art teacher. He was an interesting cosmic mentor... he saw things in Pearl that nobody else did and made her explore herself and her boundaries - both personally and artistically - and that was kind of a life-saver for Pearl, I think.

The writing was phenomenal. Very adult for a YA book. It was raw yet metaphorical. However, I will say that sometimes the way the author went from long, internal monologue-type writing to short & super fast-paced style writing at random sometimes. It was a bit jarring, and didn't always make sense. But overall, seriously: freaking loved the writing.

I cannot recommend this book enough. I want all of the people to read it. If you are looking for a quick YA novel to read, but want something with more substance, look to this amazing book.

[Cristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

You can check this review with more details on my blog (x)

OR my video review on my channel here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxsgG...

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Bear in mind that these are my thoughts on the book until 53% where I stopped reading. I know nothing of the book after that.

"I don't care if she doubts me. I don't need to prove that I'm hardcore, having seen and done things that she probably only fantasizes about in a warped, wannabe, alterna kind of way."

My ratings: 2 stars out of 5 | 4 stars out of 10

I had to think long and hard if I was going to drop this book but after getting irritated over and over again because of the characters and the over-used storyline I just had to. It was putting me in a reading slump and it was honestly not my type of book nor did it have a writing style I could enjoy.

Pearl, the main character lived with her ex-rock star but now drug addict and broke mother all her life. She made Pearl's life miserable and all she cared was how to get more drugs. Deep down maybe she liked her daughter and Pearl also liked her mother. Still, in my opinion, I could not love someone that had made my life miserable even if she was related to me. In the end, we don't choose our family and we are not obligated to love them.

Stuff happens, again, Pearl's mother fault and Pearl ends up in a boarding school (She was sent by her uncle) and her mother on rehab. Then the rest of the book (at least until the part where I stopped reading) is about her school life and new friends and rivals she meets.

I was excited to know that this book would have more of a school life and not just her previous dramatic life but nothing that happened seemed to catch my attention. Pearl and the writing itself since we are reading in her perspective was so dramatic, always trying to be poetic and that left me bored. It just wasn't my type. Sometimes the writer also changed subjects too drastically and I found that quite weird and other thing that was not realistic at all was the conversations between Pearl and her friends.

Then, we also have the typical "I'm afraid of loving someone because I think I'll loose them", the "boy that doesn't want to follow on his dad's footsteps" and the "rich kids rebelling themselves against their family".

But what was the breaking point for me was when Pearl lost her mother (predictable) and she lost herself completely and started taking some pills, doing stupid stuff, the typical "I have problems that NO ONE understands so I'm going to make my life even worse by taking drugs and not enjoying the great opportunity that I was given by being sent to a boarding school".

That's why I stopped reading.

I understand that she probably gets her life together in the future and everything ends happily or maybe not. I'm just not interested in knowing the rest of the story.

I do believe that this book was just not for me but I'm not criticizing those who like it and enjoyed the story. Bear in mind that these are just my opinions and that I'm here to share my honest thoughts.

Questions:

-Who was your favorite character?
None.

-Will you read the author again?
I honestly don't know.

-Was it worth the price?
The author gave me a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ninoshka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Deirdre for sending me an e-copy to review.

This book follows Pearl Jaeger, a young lady who is the daughter of Janet Jaeger, a drug addict who once was a rock star. Being the daughter of a drug addict was causing problems to Pearl, and one day something bad happened and her uncle started to take care of her. She was sent to a boarding school, and there she met some cool friends and a few problems too. In other words, this book follows the life of a young girl who once believed she was alone, but after all she wasn’t.

“Trying to figure me out would make you crazy. I know, because I’ve already tried.”

I really enjoyed this book. I felt so attached to Pearl at times because when I was younger I felt alone and lost too. Pearl’s life wasn’t easy, you know. She had a drug addict mother, then she had to be by herself in a boarding school, she found friends but they liked drugs too, then something bad happened to her mother, she wanted to be surrounded by drugs and alcohol all the time because she was sad, she broke up with her boyfriend… and more. Being a teenager is hard, and that’s what most adults don’t understand. This girl was brilliant, intelligent, and kind but she had a lot of problems and using drugs was the easy way to forget them. As I said, being a teenager is hard and people think we don’t have problems and that we have an easy life. NO, YOU ARE WRONG. We endure hard situations, because if you didn’t realize this is a different time, and stuff have changed. We have a lot of pressure and sometimes our problems are stronger than us.

Pearl loved art and fashion. I think her love for art was so unique and pure. She was a huge fan of Frida Kahlo. I wish I could make art to express my feelings without talking. Her very first friend was Sorel, a girl who liked using drugs, alcohol and partying 24/7. In a way, she was just like Pearl’s mother and I think that’s why Pearl did every single thing Sorel wanted. Pearl didn’t have her mother so she kind of needed someone just like her, and somehow she found her in Sorel.

I loved how realistic Pearl’s character was and the story as well. Using drugs is bad and it’s a real problem. We do not have to solve our problems by using drugs. There are a lot of people out there who can help us during our problems. We just need to talk as soon as we start feeling weird, sad and lost. We don’t have to wait until there’s a freaking crisis to get help. It’s hard having problems, but everyone have them. This book helps us understand that we are not alone even though we feel like we are. There are people helping you without you noticing. Not every single person who talks to you is your friend, and sometimes those who don’t talk that much are the greatest friends you will ever have.

Deirdre did an amazing job with this book. I encourage everyone to read it because I know some of you will feel identified with the story. Deirdre’s writing is really easy to read and captivating. I’m glad she sent me an e-copy to review because reading about real stuff is important. You can buy this book on Amazon; or Book Depository, or Barnes & Noble. Seriously, I loved this book… I think I’ve said it a million times already.

[Zoë P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pearl is the seventeen year old daughter of a former rock star, JJ. Years after her rise to fame she has crashed hard, dragging Pearl along for the ride. Drugs and homelessness are nothing new, but after a tragic series of events Pearl is left lost and alone, with only her Uncle who’s more concerned about the media than Pearl’s well being. She is sent off to an elite boarding school, an opportunity Pearl never thought possible. How will she cope with her past and her new found future? Follow in her mother’s footsteps, or find her own path?

I really enjoyed Pearl. It’s different to what I normally read. Usually when I pick up YA contemporary it’s light and fluffy and cute. This does have its moments of that, but overall it’s deeper, darker. The writing is absolutely beautiful, I found myself highlighting sentences all over the place. If I had to pick a favourite quote it would be: “Every moment, moments between moments, there you are, radiant and brave, wild, like starlight.”

I’m always keen to read a book set at a boarding school and Laurel Hill is what I assume your typical rich kid school would be. It was a total contrast from roaming around the backstreets of New York. Both of these settings were detailed, and I felt like I was standing by watching everything unfold.

The characters throughout the book were wonderful. They were all so different and had their own energy, there were also some POC and queer characters which is always nice to see. I loved Pearl, and adored Grant. Pearls growth throughout was great. It was full of obstacles and definitely wasn’t an easy journey. We saw her struggle trying to figure out which path to take, we saw her at her highest and lowest. It was very real and emotional.

One of my cons for the book was Sorel, a girl Pearl meets while away at Laurel Hill. I really did not like her, not one bit. Another being I found the last few chapters slightly rushed, but apart from that I really did enjoy Pearl.

I would recommend this if you’re looking for something a bit more hard hitting and realistic, however if you find reading about alcohol/drug abuse hard/triggering I would give this a miss. I’m definitely interested in picking up some of Deirdre’s other books.

[Megan (ReadingRover) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why I waited so long to read this book because it was so good. Well yeah I actually do. I hate the cover. It's just horrible. I hate the girls face and it made me not want to read it. Then I realized that Hall was the author after I read Sugar which was fabulous and I finally read it. Turns out it's an awesome book. Hall really has a way of writing about characters you can connect with. I'm glad I finally gave it a chance.

[scottishgirlreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I want to thank Deirdre Riordan Hall for contacting me about reading Pearl and sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When first hearing about Pearl I was automatically intrigued by the synopsis, the writing already had my attention which is a hard thing to do in just a small blurb. And let’s not forget the cover, although honestly who could, it is absolutely GORGEOUS.I really don't think the cover could fit the feel and message of the book any more perfectly!

Characters are usually what really makes or breaks a book for me and I found the characters in Pearl both predictable and unpredictable, that’s confusing I know but let me explain while trying not to spoil anything. It is obvious that Pearl is going to go on a journey of self-discovery and within that journey she is going to hit rock bottom a few times which in essence makes it feel predictable at parts. Being inside Pearl’s head and actually seeing her thought-process in such an artistic way makes this book a thousand times more interesting and helps you connect with her that much more than with a "normal" self-discovery type novel.

That being said, you are able to form your own opinions of the other characters, JJ, Grant, Sorel, Charmindy, Terran, etc. without Pearl’s thoughts of them leading to bias, whether that be against or for them, again, a very smart use of technique on the authors part. The romance was kind of an after thought for me, as much as I liked Grant and LOVED the fact that he's Scottish (yes please), I was just much more interested in Pearl's personal growth. However, people who are reading this for the romance certainly won't be disappointed.

Now as beautiful as the writing style was, and man was it beautiful, I found myself getting frustrated quite frequently throughout the book. There were a few times when I just had to put it down because Pearl’s decisions were driving me insane and I just wanted to shake her and tell her to get her act together already, but I think that is what makes this book special. It’s not supposed to be a light and fluffy romance. It’s not supposed to be a simple, quick read that keeps you happy throughout the whole book, it’s not supposed to be that easy to swallow. This is a book contains substance abuse, and as a result of that, neglect and abandonment. But it is also about self-discovery and recreation, whether that be through Pearl’s art or through her learning from her own mistakes while trying to figure things out.

The only negative things I really have to say about this book are about the pacing and Pearl as a character, and really this is only a personal opinion. Reading YA fantasy and Dystopia a majority of the time has almost conditioned me into needing that high volume, intense action packed novel all the time. Because of this, the pacing was a little slow for me and in certain parts it seemed like just pure monologue, no actual event was taking place. However, this book takes place over two years so I can’t really judge it for that too harshly, this is a character driven story at its finest.

And Pearl was so frustrating, her character could be very whiny and it was hard to form a connection with her for the first half of the book but later on Pearl really becomes that kind of character you just can’t help but root for. Sure, some of the things she (and other characters) says are a bit unrealistic and pretty but by the end I wanted her to do well and succeed in both her art and her personal relationships. Like I said earlier, this book is supposed to be frustrating in my eyes so it only makes sense for the main character to play with our emotions a bit. Also remember the character driven motivation to this story.

I recommend this book to anyone looking to read beautiful artistic writing with engaging characters and is in need of a book about self-discovery.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find this and other reviews at Ramblings of a Daydreamer.

4.5 stars

After reading and loving Deirdre Riordan Hall’s Sugar, I was excited to read Pearl. This was a book that was full of heartache and tough subjects, but it was also beautiful, hopeful, and inspiring.

Pearl hasn’t had an easy life. As the daughter of a has-been rock star who’s more worried about her next fix than about her own daughter, Pearl has been left to fend for herself for a long time. The streets of New York City and her love of fashion are her only escapes. When she and her mother end up homeless, Pearl’s uncle steps in to deal with his sister and send Pearl to boarding school. This is the first opportunity she’s ever had to experience a somewhat normal life, and she’s determined not to mess it up.

This was a very character-driven novel, and Pearl had a great voice. She was smart, creative, observant, and she wanted so badly to find a place she belonged. She absolutely broke my heart at times. It can be hard enough to fit in and have a normal life, but when your past is as rough as hers and you’re worried that’s all you’ll ever be, or worse, that you’ll turn into the very person who made life so difficult, it can seem like a hopeless situation. She was a very real character - she made mistakes, she wanted to be loved, she had varied interests and big dreams, she was sexually active (I appreciated that, and how it was handled - it wasn’t some huge, life-changing thing, it was just a natural part of the story). I connected with her easily, and rooted for her from beginning to end, whether I wanted to give her a big hug or smack her upside the head.

The side characters in the book were equally interesting. Pearl’s new boarding school friend, Sorel, was incredibly volatile. She was like a teenage version of Pearl’s mother, which I suppose is why Pearl didn’t just write her off entirely, even though she should have because she was so toxic and treated Pearl like crap. Despite disliking Sorel and wishing Pearl would stay away from her, I understood why she didn’t, or couldn’t. On the other hand, Pearl’s roommate, Charmindy, ended up being a really great friend. They had little in common and came from completely different backgrounds, but Charmindy taught Pearl a lot about friendship, and it was a truly beautiful thing to watch. I also loved Shale, Pearl’s art teacher, and the lessons he taught her, not just about art, but about life. And then there was Grant...I didn’t think I was going to like him at first, but he grew on me and I ended up loving him. He was exactly the type of guy Pearl needed, and I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold. It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t perfect, but it was realistic, which made their relationship easy to root for.

If you enjoy realistic, character-driven novels with beautiful prose and an overall hopeful message about life, love, forgiveness, and self-discovery, Pearl should be on your to-be-read list. While it deals with tough, often painful subjects, it does so in an open and honest way, and is ultimately a lovely and important coming-of-age story.

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3☆

This was a tough book to read, not only because of how it was written, but because of the content. This sounds bad, but it's actually a compliment.

This story follows Pearl who has grown up in poverty because of her mum's recklessness and drug addiction. Her mum's desperation throughout the early parts of the book is tangible. You realise early on that in order to cope with this, Pearl internalises everything - this is her strength and her weakness. When circumstances abruptly change and she goes to a form of boarding school, she must learn to change her way of thinking: from survival to living.

This internalisation has determined how her story is told. About 80% of this is Pearl inside her own head; she is coming to terms with who she is, who her mother is, what it is she wants from life. It is not easy being inside of this head but that's what makes it such a rewarding read. This is a dark story, it shouldn't be an easy read.

The biggest problem with this internalised type of story telling is that there isn't as much character growth for the side characters, despite her own personal growth being phenomenal. It's not that they're underdeveloped, or that they don't change, it's just that Pearl is essentially a selfish creature due to her circumstances, so, like her, we become fairly oblivious to everyone else.

The writing in this story is absolutely beautiful, it's almost delicious and a bit decadent.

The cloud-smudged sky, rows and rows of granite headstones, and my ashen heart is like a black-and-white photo, a snapshot captured during some other lifetime.

So while some of it can be a little high school drama-ish, the writing and the harshness of Pearl's reality raises it to another level.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book. The writing was great and the main character was somewhat relatable, though I can't imagine being in her situation. I half expected some crazy, unrealistic twists to pop-up (an absent, unknown father suddenly appearing, a mother that gets her act together and ties things up in a tidy little bow) but gladly they did not happen because those things would not have been realistic for this story. Instead it presented a likable character that had to navigate through very tough times, but manages to still become her own person and not end up like her mother. I was very pleased with this story.

[Esmeralda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reading

Surprisingly enjoyed this book,I started thinking it wasn't going to catch my attention. Worth reading. Brings everything together beautifully, sadness, selfishness, self growth

[Victoria Zieger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like I was on a journey with Pearl throughout this book. From the beginning, where we explore her life with her mother and to the end where she develops her own identity. I really liked the way this was written and the characters in this book. It definitely made me think a lot and I believe this will stay with me for a long time.

[Kallista · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.3 ⭐

A pretty run of the mill YA novel with a bit of drama, school and romance. Pretentious at times, and lacking depth in various places but still an ok read.

[Grace Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the start, this book was jarring. It begins with Pearl sneaking back home, in order to avoid the wrath of her intoxicated mother. What follows is a detailed description of the mentally and physically exhausting act of taking care of a once famous rock star, drug addicted mother while discovering ones identity. This book caused me to deliberate on how much of my life was the result of my upbringing (nature v nurture anybody?), and the resilience someone needed in order to break free from their parent’s bonds.

Characters

The part that I could relate to with Pearl, the protagonist in this book, was her constant confusion about guys and life in general. I felt as if there was dimension to her, which I appreciated. Brought up in an unstable household, with no permanent residence or father, Pearl constantly finds herself moving to accommodate her mother’s new boyfriend or drug addiction. Furthermore, Pearl struggles to root her identity in her mother’s legacy and demise. I found Pearl’s inner conflict of hating her mother, and wishing to hold a part of her very realistic and painful.

Pearl’s relationships are all a tad complicated. Because she is constantly moving, she has no steady friends, and it isn’t until she joins the elite boarding school that she finds people to regularly socialize with. These relationships help fortify what we know about Pearl’s personality, and I believe the author did a great job of showing Pearl’s multifaceted character through these relationships. One character that I just could not stand was Sola, the mother hen that was the embodiment of Pearl’s mother.

Plot

The plot flowed very easily, and I was surprisingly ok with the ending. Although it was a bit too perfect for me, there were still some loose ends, and it was nice to see where Pearl ended up. I found Pearl’s situation, oftentimes to be also too perfect at times. Things would always work out in ways that wouldn’t normally have worked in real life. Throughout the book, I never struggled with being bored, or confused, which was nice.

HOWEVER, this book is riddled in drugs and sex. It doesn’t stop with her mother, but seems to follow Pearl everywhere. No matter how much Pearl hates the drug culture, and how much the drug culture has hurt her, she isn’t able to remove herself from it. At times, I had to remind myself that Pearl was still in High School and not in college. This could be due in part that this takes place in a boarding school, but also because every student seemed to be obsessed with drugs and making out. Although this concept is essential to the ending of the book, I found it frustrating sometimes to see her following exactly in her mother’s footsteps.

Ending thoughts:

Overall, I thought this was a nice, easy read (I finished in two sittings), and it did keep my attention. The biggest aspect that I disliked THE MOST about this book was how cheating was portrayed as a way to make a relationship stronger. Coincidence or not, I had just finished reading this book, when the lovely Reg from She Latitude posted her Top Ten Turn Off’s in the Book. (Most of which I agree with) Number eight, on her list is cheating. I find cheating in real life and books alike to be frustrating. When the two parties get back together, I’m always infuriated, and when the allusion is made that a relationship can get stronger though such a betrayal, you can imagine how livid I am. This aspect of the book can be seen as almost the sole reason I dropped a star.

[Jackie Maloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The only way out is through”

Let me start this off with commending the author for the incredible writing. I have never been more immersed in a story like this. The metaphors and description used created such an atmosphere that I knew this book was going to be one for the records! It definitely makes me add another novel of Deirdre Riordan Hall, Sugar, to my “to buy” list!

Another note, I so adored the cover art of this book. I mean look at it. It is gorgeous and every time I look at the cover I can not help but exclaim about the colors and textures and ahhhhhhhhhhh

Now, on to the story. I am not going to lie, through most of this book, the main character, Pearl, aggravated me to no end. I am not well versed in the scene of drugs and parties so I could not relate with what she was feeling and the choices she was making. With that being said, I understand that Pearl’s situation would lead to her to the dark places she entered and that she needed to go through this in order to reach a place where she understands herself and her future. Pearl is a very broken character and she needed to see the darkest parts of herself and understand what her mom was feeling and doing in order to find who she wanted to be and to develop into a smart and artistic person. The character development of Pearl was one of the best I have read in YA. It was believable and raw.

There is a strong theme of forgiveness in this novel. Pearl has spent the majority of her 18 years being blamed for everything that went wrong in her mother’s life. When she escaped from her mother she still held on to that burden causing her to feel alienated from her fellow classmates. She does not allow herself to get close to anyone because she does not know how to love or be loved and she does not want to be hurt like she often was throughout her life. When she finally allows herself to accept being accepted by her friends and Grant she can look forward to her future and take steps toward her better self.

Grant came along at a time when Pearl had nothing and he gave her a little bit of something, a little bit of hope. Grant taught Pearl how to love and how to accept love. I personally don’t think Pearl could have made such a huge difference in her own life without the constant presence of Grant. Even when they were not together he was always on her mind. Grant also gives Pearl the stability she has been craving. He is one of the first people that makes Pearl feel safe.

It seemed as though there was a constant struggle for Pearl between following the path of her mother and following her own heart and making a better future for herself. I think this manifested itself in her thoughts through Grant and her mother. When Pearl was making good decisions and bad decisions she often felt a struggle between thoughts of Grant and thoughts of her mother.

Pearl is a work in progress and through her friends and loved ones she is able to make steps toward becoming the person she wants to be.

Quotes:

Because I loved this book so much I decided to do something new and give some of my favorite short quotes from the novel.

“Losing myself in the motion of creating stillness.”- Chapter 7

“The little planets that make up my personal inner universe stop spinning.”- Chapter 10

“I’m tainted, stained.”- Chapter 17

“The only way out is through.”- Chapter 47

“No one has ever wanted me for me.”- Chapter 48

“I forgive you”- Chapter 49

[Amanda Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book, especially since it was a total departure from what I read most of the time. Pearl Jaeger is the daughter of Janet Jaeger, JJ, former member of the huge girl group known as The Shrapnels. JJ is not so much a mother as a drug addict, washed-up star who floats from place to place, boyfriend to boyfriend, looking for her next high. Because Pearl is so young, she is forced to follow her mother through her all of her escapades. The book begins with the pair (Pearl and JJ) getting kicked out of yet another apartment that belongs to JJ's (now former) boyfriend after a fight about drugs. That night, JJ and Pearl end up at a homeless shelter for battered women and children. In an attempt to get high, JJ almost burns down the homeless shelter, with Pearl and over 100 others inside. JJ's brother, Gary Jaeger, enters at this point and forces JJ into her upteenth stint in rehab. She begs Pearl not to leave her and promises to get clean on her own so they can be together once again. But Pearl is sent to attend Laurel Hill, the fancy boarding school that Uncle Gary's kids (now grown up or in college) attended.

Pearl decides to try to completely re-make herself at Laurel Hill. She tells no one, not even her bubbly roommate, Charmindy, about her former life or her mother. Pearl soon makes friends, but they are the "outsiders," those that don't really seem to belong at Laurel Hill - Sorel, Pepper, and Grant. Pearl, now going by PJ, starts to fall for Grant. But is he feeling the same way?

Pearl has always been an artist and often sketches fashion designs and reads her collection of Vogue magazines to escape her life with JJ. At Laurel Hill, she is given the opportunity to take an art class, Painting IV, with a well-respected artist (Shale). He encourages Pearl to really look deep within to see herself for the first time, not just to paint what everyone else sees about her on the surface. There are lots of smashed canvases and paintings in the trash throughout her time with Shale.

I won't give away any more about the story. Needless to say, the main focus in this book is the journey Pearl/PJ has to take with herself in order to come to terms with who she is and what she is going to do about that. There are tragedies and tears coupled with amazing revelations and epiphanies throughout this amazing book. I really enjoyed getting to know Pearl and getting to see her make this journey. It reminded me that you are who you are because of what's happened to you, not necessarily in spite of it. You have to choose how to frame your life and its series of events, rather than letting it be decided for you. Pearl is an amazingly believable character who walks right off the page. I laughed, cried, and screamed at this book. There were times when I had to walk away because I was so angry and others when I couldn't put it down because I just had to know what would come next. Very well written and extremely hard-hitting.

[Marni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pearl is a story about self discovery and learning to not allow your past and others define you.

It’s all about fighting your inner demons….and external ones too.

Big Points:
1. #INTENSE COVER CRUSH. IT’S SO BEAUTIFUL I HAVE AT LEAST 30 PHOTOS IN MY PHONE OF THE COVER.LOOK AT THOSE COLORS THO.

2. This is a CHARACTER DRIVEN STORY. I feel like this is super important to point out because you’re not going to experience major plot twists or “big reveals” like you would in most YA novels. It’s all about what’s happening now. You’re living in the moment with the main character (Pearl) and experiencing everything with her as it happens.
3. THE WRITING IS ABSOLUTELY LOVELY OK?!.
4. You need to have patience.
Pearl makes bad decisions.

Says she’ll do better.
Makes more bad decisions.
AND REPEAT. (x3)
5. This story is about growth and it doesn’t happen on a positive slope. You’re going to see Pearl at her highs and lows. (Her mental state is a roller coaster.) But there’s that moment when she finally rises from the ashes like phoenix bird. #The Internal Glow Up.

Things I liked:
1. Pearl is a fashion design student! (She applied to FIT!!!)
2. Pearl is a lover of Frida Kahlo and everything she stands for.
3. Art themes !!
4. Undercurrent theme that shows the importance of school and a good education. No matter what Pearl is going through, she uses school as her anchor because she understands that it’s the foundation for her future/dreams.
5. The people in Pearl’s life are more than they seem. I felt that each character played a role in her growth. They were a physical manifestation representing some quality that she either a)needed or b)had to overcome.

One thing that didn’t work so well:
1. A few times while reading I noticed the characters would say things that were a bit odd? Like I can’t imagine people their age speaking that way. It only happened like two or three times though, but it’s enough to pull you out the story.

Overall:
I found myself breezing through the book at the very beginning. A lot happens in a short period of time but soon it slows down and that’s where everything happens. It’s almost uncomfortable how much I felt intertwined with Pearl and her thoughts- it’s introspective. And with this point, I feel I should mention I’m severely empathetic where I can understand the things she does. If you can’t quite “step into someone’s shoes” then this read might not be your favorite.

*I received this copy in exchange for an honest review*

[Melody (theliteraryowl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I hear a whisper; maybe it's my heart. I belong with me. I almost instantly forget it, but like a seed planted in fertile earth, those words dig down, preparing the ground to help me reclaim my mind, heart and body. What little I have amounts to those three things, and they are mine and mine alone."

I don’t usually read contemporary YA novels because they usually feel somewhat cliché and unrealistic (at least those I’ve read so far) so I really was curious to see if Pearl would be able to surprise and move me. It did. I connected with Pearl right from the beginning and couldn't help but care for her and worry about her. Reading about her was a bit infuriating, I didn't always agree with her decisions so it was frustrating at times to see her make bad decisions after bad decisions. Sometimes I felt like there wasn't much character growth, Pearl went from one situation to the next with no ‘real’ evolution (at least to me), something important happens around the middle of the story which affects Pearl a lot and we get to see how bad she feels about this event and the consequences of it and then she gets better and we don’t really see her healing process, she goes from black to white just like that, there was no grey area, no in between. One moment she was utterly sad and the next she decided to get better. I would’ve loved to see more depth to her character. I am not saying that she was a flat character, not at all, but some parts of the story felt somewhat rushed, if that makes any sense. As for the other characters, I almost hated all of them, they all felt like caricatures (especially Sorel and Kiki) and I just wanted Pearl to get as far from them as possible because they definitely were a bad influence. This shows just how much I cared about Pearl and how involved in the story I was, because even though it wasn't perfect and there were some bits here and there that bothered me I still enjoyed reading it a lot. I thought Deirdre Riordan Hall depicted the loss of a parent with such accuracy, that I couldn't help but be reminded of my own loss, the whole experience felt cathartic to me which is the reason why I connected so much to the story.

The writing style was oh so beautiful, it was such a pleasure to read it, it was poetic and felt so raw, so real. I recommend this book if you want to read about a lost teen who's trying to come to terms with her family history, it is a book about self-discovery, first love and friendship.

[Ace · Rating 4 out of 5]

** I was sent a copy of Pearl in exchange for an honest review! **

It took me a while to finish Pearl, but not from the lack of plot rather more a reading slump. I am not one to lean on contemporary fiction. I usually stick to fantasy and science fiction, but something about the synopsis of Pearl drew me in. I wish I hadn't taken so long to finish it because it was a surprisingly good read. Pearl is a story that is mostly steered by the characters rather than exciting events, which sets it apart from most of the contemporary young adult books out there. Pearl is a girl with a troubled life, she has a "has been" famous mother who is addicted to drugs and not only does she struggle with a face for the crowd but she has her own demons to battle as well. Pearl goes from struggling with homelessness and battling with her mother to a posh private school where she has the chance to turn her life around. Though turning her life around is not going to be easy, she somehow manages it with the new life she's being given.

Pearl struggles a lot. She struggles with fighting the past and fighting for a future where she is not defined by the actions of her past or even that of her mother's own history. Tying in dead rock stars only made the plot that much thicker. I was really impressed with the way the story went, thought it contains several drug and alcohol references, so this story could potentially be triggering to those who have struggled with this in the past.

Pearl is filled with very realistic characters. We get to know our main character very intimately and the characters around her are fleshed out, giving them purposes to the story rather than keeping them there as background noise. Everything from volatile parents and friends to a character who's meant to be loved, but even with that attraction comes a struggle to make things perfect. The story is a constant reminder that Pearl's life may not be perfect but she has the means to handle it all. She has the drive to keep her head above the flood waters and I think that's what kept me reading.

Hall writes a beautiful story with a perfect mixture of reality and gritty contemporary themes that keep you turning the page. I thought the writing was absolutely beautiful. Reading Pearl has made me want to add "Sugar" to my TBR pile.

[Matilda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

This book was a no-nonsense, gritty, definitely not sugar-coated tale of triumph after struggle. It was real, and it was spectacular. For anyone who has ever faced a harsh reality, but found a way through, or just enjoys a boarding-school story sprinkled with late nights, rock n' roll, and of course Deirdre Riordan Hall's signature sparkle, this book is a must read. Not to mention the absolutely gorgeous cover! Riordan Hall's second YA was just as full-of-the-feels as the first, Sugar (check it out on her page—this book is one of the best in a while!), and did not disappoint.

17 year old Pearl Jaeger is the daughter of a star. A fallen star. Her used to be famous rocker mom JJ has fallen from glory and right off the wagon with it. Pearl's family life— complete with an-out-of- the-picture father— involves jumping from women's home to homeless shelter to grubby apartment and back.

When JJ gets infamously back on the headlines one last time, Pearl's wealthy uncle steps in and sends her to a prestigious boarding school, where she has the chance to immerse herself in what she loves most: art. However, she can't quite free herself from the stigma being JJ's daughter has left her with.

At her new school, Pearl must learn what friends are true friends, how much is too much, how to deal with confusing Scottish guys, and most of all, how to make the right choice and follow her heart, no matter what. Pearl is not her mother, she is herself, and she will write her own story.

It's a good one.

Read Pearl for a gritty, rock n' roll, coming of age tale that has no shame to face reality. This book is at the top of my list and any fan of Riordan Hall's or a simply sparkling YA novel must read this inspiringly triumphant tale.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was simultaneously a wild ride from start to finish and also one of the most introspective books I have ever read.

Pearl lives almost entirely in her own head. She examines every moment carefully, tying it back to her previous experience. This starts off from page one. You’re dumped in the middle of Pearl’s life, just as it seems like there’s nowhere to go.

But even when Pearl was at her worst, there seemed to be hope for her. She never stops questioning her life - if she’s doing what she wants, or if she’s being who she wants to be.

What I really loved about this book is how Pearl is allowed to make her mistakes. There’s no highhanded treatment of drug use or anything else that goes on; it’s looked at honestly and openly in light of how it affects the person using and the people around them. But there was so much more to this book than an honest examination of drug use and users.

It didn’t quite make it to five stars for me. There were some awkward transitions; the characters would be somewhere, Pearl would start thinking of something, and suddenly they’d be somewhere else. Also, the Spain storyline came out of nowhere to me. It’s not even hinted at earlier in the book that I can remember, which threw me off.

If you’re looking for an introspective YA novel that tackles drug-use, friendships, mentors, love, loss, and moving on in a beautiful narrative voice, I definitely recommend that you pick up Pearl.

(I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.)

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 2 out of 5]

PEARL is the daughter of a junky has-been rocker. After her mother sets fire to their homeless shelter, her wealthy uncle sends her to boarding school where she finds love and friendship.

At the beginning, PEARL drew me into the story and I was so interested in the plot. Once she gets to boarding school, the novel became progressively less interesting until I was skipping pages just to get to the lackluster ending.

Despite her interesting backstory, PEARL isn't a very interesting character. She lacked personality and oomph. She was a follower. Her mother and uncle were one dimensional, her love interest blah.

I'm not a prude, but I was bothered by the gratuitous, excessive drug use with no consequences, especially since PEARL's mother was an addict.

I usually like longer books, but PEARL felt much too drawn out for me.

[Mariah Smith (Vibin With Books)]

DNF'ing at pg. 149

This book is by no means bad, and I could see how some people could really enjoy this. But the combination of my reading slump and my inability to connect with the characters is making me really bored with this. Hopefully I'll be able to pick this up soon and finish it!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

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“The only enemy you have is yourself. Stay there, with her, until you aren’t enemies anymore.”

Pearl was a novel I didn't think I'd enjoy that ended up completely surprising me. It's a very in depth look at what trauma, abuse, and growing up around addiction will do to someone, especially a teenage girl.

Pearl is the daughter of washed up former rock star Janet Jaeger--or JJ, as others call her. JJ used to have it all--fame, money, designer clothes, an ardent fanbase. But, slowly and surely, all of that fell away as JJ blew her money on drugs and made a series of poor choices that ended up with Pearl taking on the responsibility of taking care of her mother. For Pearl's whole life, JJ has put her addiction before everything... even Pearl.

Trauma and addiction are tricky things to write about, and even tricker as a reader to be able to digest.  Even if you've never had experience with the subject matter, being in a character's head and having those emotions dredged up in you can be off-putting. It can go horribly wrong, or in this case, pristinely right. This book was long, and a little slow to get through, but it's because we got such deep and poignant insight into who Pearl was and exactly what went on in her head. I see some reviews that list this as a negative, but I see it as an absolute positive. Someone who's been through what Pearl has would always be thinking thinking thinking because that's what trauma does to you. Your brain cannot rest. I thought the way Hall wrote the story, with such beautiful prose that evoked vivid imagery and intense emotion, was what made this story. I'm a stickler for "clear and concise" more than anyone I know, but Pearl just worked.

Pearl was just trying to find who she was. After spending her whole life worrying about her mom, getting them out of bad situations like JJ's abusive and cracked out boyfriends, and basically being the adult in the relationship, Pearl doesn't know who she is without her mother. She's never had the chance to explore herself, aside from the times she stole away from reality to sketch in her notebook and admire the pages of Vogue that she would purchase by scrounging up loose change she could find. At it's core, Pearl was about Pearl becoming herself. Discovering what it meant to be PJ, the nickname she gives herself and the girl who is in charge of her own life, instead of Pearl Jaeger, daughter of the infamous drug addict.

At the boarding school Pearl is sent to, she meets a whole host of interesting people. She creates an unlikely friendship with her goody goody roommate Charmindy, and a not so unlikely friendship with "bad girl" Sorel. Interestingly, Pearl's friendship with Sorel allowed her to explore some of the dynamics Pearl had with her mother, but on a less personal and toxic level. The friendships Pearl makes are invaluable to her finding her way through life. Through Sorel, Pearl meets Grant and they have an instant connection. The romance in this novel was not the central aspect, and honestly it didn't capture me the way it should have. But, Pearl's relationship with Grant was yet another facet of herself she had to eek out and discover, and while it brought its fair share of heartbreak, it also brought her mountains of personal growth and discovery.

Pearl falls into a similar spiral that her mother does, and ends up "self-medicating" her emotions with drugs and alcohol. While away at summer school, she gets swept up by a glitzy and glimmering group of friends who introduce her to the party life and Pearl seems to lose the progress she's made so far. It's so frustrating to be rooting her on, knowing she's so much better than this, but to see her make the same mistakes her mother made anyway. But, hitting her own version of rock bottom, even when she thought she couldn't go any lower, allows Pearl to climb her way out and find equilibrium again.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed Pearl. Not an actual visceral enjoyment, because the book itself is very emotional and oftentimes painful. But, the fact that it elicited such a response from me is important. I do recommend it, as long as you don't have any issues with reading about drug use.

[Mimi Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many lovely lines in Deirdre Riordan Hall’s YA Contemporary, Pearl. They are scattered like gems throughout the story, which is about a girl named Pearl who is on her way to becoming an artist.

The Artist's Journey is probably my favorite character arc, and I love art. My great aunt was a painter, and reading the detailed descriptions in this book made me want to get my hands on a canvas and some supplies. Paints, pastels—it made me want to learn how to draw.

I'm a big fan of minimalism. A huge fan of slim YA novels like We Were Liars and We Are Okay that somehow manage to tell an amazing story with a low word count and a light touch as far as detail. But although I love that style of writing, I loved Pearl too, perhaps especially because Deirdre Riordan Hall let Pearl have an entire messy life with lots and lots of details on the page. Whoever edited this book obviously felt the same, and did Hall the great service of supporting her, of allowing so many vibrant details to remain where another editor might have cut. And so the reader is left with Pearl's rich story, with all its ups and downs.

Not that Pearl is epic in length; it’s 338 pages. But it could have been even longer. I fell for Pearl and her friends and didn’t want to say goodbye when the book was over.

For much of the story I was in suspense, even though I was pretty sure Pearl was going to be okay. And when things were going well for her, I actually put the book down, savoring her happiness. Then I'd pick it up again and get drawn back into the drama and all of my concerns for this many-faceted character.

I dogged eared quite a few pages, and around page 169-171 I was deeply moved. I don’t want to drop any spoilers here, so I won’t say anything more, but the way Pearl’s friends comforted her, the way her boyfriend comforted her… These pages were beautiful. They painted a wonderful picture of love. Of what love should be.

I envied the support Pearl had on her journey to realizing her artistic and inner potential. So to all the teens that are making the trip up the path to becoming any kind of artist, please take note:

This is how you can feel your value, your self-worth. Your importance. You can see your own beauty in this way. Here is the roadmap. Find yourself. Love yourself.

[kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

some stuff I liked:
Pearl coming to terms with the impact her mom's drug addiction had on both of their lives. There's a few scenes in the middle of the book that had me very near tears; they were so well-written and thoughtful in their portrayal of the complex emotions that Pearl feels towards her mom.

Pearl's revelation about her own drug use. She mentions in the story that she used to party before her mom gets sent to rehab and Pearl gets sent to boarding school by her actual asshole of an uncle, but we don't really see that version of her until she's at a summer study program and has more freedom than at Laurel Hill. When things get out of control, she does a good job of reeling herself back in and readjusting her course.

some stuff I didn't like:
No teenagers in the history of ever talk the way that Pearl and her friends do. I get that she's supposed to be an ~artist~ and her love interest, Grant, is a ~writer~ but still. Seniors in high school just don't talk like that. I don't make the rules ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I don't understand how Sorel had any friends. Girl was straight up rude and annoying.

Around page 150, I realized that I had know idea where the story was headed. It ultimately is just about Pearl growing up and deciding to move past her shitty childhood, but it wanders kind of aimlessly at parts.

Ultimately, I enjoyed the read, it just wasn't particularly memorable. A+ for not being IN YOUR FACE anti-drugs-and-alcohol while still depicting how they can negatively impact lives.

[Nicole Moses · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have really mixed feeling on this one, while the writing is pretty undeniably stunning, the handling of incredibly heavy topics was really difficult for me to move past. There is SO much drug and alcohol use and honestly, it all feels handled very lightly. Even though the message is ultimately "don't use drugs to escape" it still comes off as making light of the seriousness of these problems. She doesn't go through withdrawls despite copious drug use and partying and lots of drug and alcohol use is glamorized. Even after some pretty eye opening events, there's still alcohol abuse happening. This is a YA book and while I'm not about censorship, portrayal of drug and alcohol use matters. A plot that basically says, well there's a fine line between an addict and a drive abuser isn't exactly what I'd call helpful to teens and young adults who are still trying to form ideas about what is normal.