Twelve Steps to Normal

by Farrah Penn

James Patterson presents this emotionally resonant novel that shows that while some broken things can't be put back exactly the way they were, they can be repaired and made even stronger.

Kira's Twelve Steps To A Normal Life

1. Accept Grams is gone.
2. Learn to forgive Dad.
3. Steal back ex-boyfriend from best friend...

And somewhere between 1 and 12, realize that when your parent's an alcoholic, there's no such thing as "normal."
When Kira's father enters rehab, she's forced to leave everything behind--her home, her best friends, her boyfriend...everything she loves. Now her father's sober (again) and Kira is returning home, determined to get her life back to normal...exactly as it was before she was sent away.

But is that what Kira really wants?

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Mental Health, Young Adult Contemporary

384 pages, ebook

First published March 13, 2018

About the author

Farrah Penn is an author and writer based in Los Angeles. Her published works include her debut, Twelve Steps to Normal, and Cancelled (March 2024). She graduated from the University of North Texas. You can find her on Instagram @FarrahPenn.

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Experience: I started reading Twelve Steps to Normal on 6/3/18 and finished it on 6/13/18. This book is a great read! I love Kira and Alex’s math humor (teacher would make a mean pi) and Kira and her dad’s word play (we don’t have to taco ’bout it). The humor pull more than a few smiles out of me. I like the diversity in this book, not just the characters’ backgrounds but also their achievements, extracurricular activities, flaws, and talents. I like Breck’s character and humor. I like those pineapples too! I like the candy debate, pretty cute. I like Alex and how family oriented he is. Kira is not my favorite character in the beginning, but like Nonnie says, we all are just humans and humans can be selfish and humans do make mistakes.

This book is told in the first person point of view following Kira Seneca as she makes her way home to her dad in Texas from her aunt June in Portland. Her dad is being released from rehab for alcohol and is ready for Kira, a junior in high school, to come back to live with him. Kira is hesitant because she remembers how alcohol put a wedge in her life with her father. When Kira arrives at the house, she was not expecting to share her home with other recoverees that her dad met at rehab. On top of being uncomfortable in her home, she’s now uncomfortable being around her friends at school because one of her best friends is now dating her ex-boyfriend whom she still has feelings for. Kira thinks about how her dad uses the 12 steps program from his AA meetings to quit drinking and getting his life back on track that she decides to create her own 12 steps to getting her life back to normal. Kira soon realizes how easy it is to write down goals than to take the steps to achieving those goals, especially when she still has to recover a loss that rocked her and her dad’s lives.

A well written book, Twelve Steps to Normal is a fast paced read filled with teenage angst. It’s tough being in high school, especially for Lin Pham, a member of the Decathlon team aiming to win state and Raegan, a President of Leadership Council who couldn’t attend her friend’s house party because she couldn’t afford to tarnish her reputation. Most of all, it’s Kira who’s struggling with the abnormal living situation at home and deciding who her heart really wants to fall for meanwhile on the edge of failing math. Even with her 12 steps to normal, she’s still not sure if that’s what she truly wants. This book could be easily relatable to many readers and I highly recommend everyone to read it soon!

Pro: fast paced, page turner, easy to read, diversity, humor, family, friendship, forgiveness, realistic, relatable, some romance

Con: none

I rate it 5 stars!

***Disclaimer: I won this book from a giveaway hosted by the author via Twitter. Many thanks to the author, Farrah Penn for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest. (I’m Super Happy to Win the book with so many Goodies!)

xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details

[Fafa's Book Corner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mini review:

Trigger warning: Mention of substance abuse and death

I saw this book on GR. Twelve Steps to Normal was available in my library and I decided to request a copy. While I wasn't really excited to read it I did go in with some expectations. Unfortunately I was disappointed.

I'll start off with what I enjoyed. I loved reading about the other recoveree's! They were such nice and diverse people. In the sense that they had different experiences. Alex was a good love interest. Kira's friend's were nice. Aunt June and her father were good as well. I really appreciated all of the life lessons the recoveree's teach Kira.

I'm conflicted about Kira. There were times where what she was saying and thinking were true and (to a degree) relatable. But a majority of the time I just felt like she was making excuses. She would say that she'd forgive Whitney but then repeatedly go back on it.

It also that the her friends were giving her a pass simply because she was the MC. If an antagonist acted the way Kira did, she wouldn't be forgiven so easily. I didn't really feel like Kira was trying to make-up with her friends. It is mentioned here-and-there but I didn't feel that it was enough.

Her behaviour to the recoveree's was inexcusable. She was utterly disrespectful and demeaned them frequently. While Kira does mention wanting to mend her relationship with her father, she didn't really try that much. She took any excuse to be away from her father and the recoveree's. They didn't have too many interactions because of that. It felt like all she cared about was fixing her friendships. And trying to get back with her ex.

If I were in Kira's shoes I would definitely be upset about the whole situation. But Kira took it too far. And no matter how sorry she was, Kira only apologized at the end. Also her relationship with Alex felt rushed. The entire book was rushed. So maybe had it been better plotted with more pages that would've made a difference.

Overall Twelve Steps to Normal could've been better. I don't recommend.

[Kayla Silverss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book thinking I've never read a story about an addiction or a substance missue so I really wanted to dive into this and see out it was for me.
I do feel the story was not focused on the issue as much as it should have been, I feel I was reading a contemporary coming to age novel for about 70% of the book and I really wanted something different from this.
It's not a book that maybe deserves three stars, I just didn't get what I wanted from it.

[Vicky Again]

The premise is wonderful--it's everything I want in a contemporary. Lots of character growth, an interesting (but not ridiculous) plot to balance it out, and just a twinge of romance--for a different guy. I really enjoyed seeing how her father's alcoholism impacted her life, but not in the "I have a sob story" sort of way.

This was definitely such a huge plus for this book--I loved how Penn talked about alcoholism and it wasn't just a sob story plot device, but something real and happening in her life. Not all alcoholism leads to violent drunks, and I think this was a very nice portrayal of fixing things with the help of rehab.

I also really enjoyed Kira's story line (plus points because I actually remembered her name?) and how much growth happened with her character. I found her to not be annoying (bonus points for that!) even though I could recognize the flaws in her ideas about herself, her friends, her family, etc.

I do think that at times her flaws in logic were a little too obvious and that took away from the natural quality of the story, but most of the time this was okay.

There are a lot of great themes here, and although I would have liked more diversity (love interest Alex is Hispanic, but besides that, I don't recall any other POC) in ethnicity/race, disability, LGBTQ+, or something else. But I did really like the alcoholism aspect and how it did play an important part in the novel.

I mostly had mixed feelings because there was more potential left in the story--I wanted some of the scenes, like what happened at the end, to be more intense. I wanted to rage, cry, scream, and love with Kira, and that didn't really happen for me.

This was something that was very easy to digest and I liked how it was paced & how the plot and character development balanced so nothing was too slow or dragging. I read this in a couple quick hours and didn't stress about the writing style, so I could really immerse myself in the story and enjoy what's happening.

The romance was also really cute and I liked how Penn portrayed falling out of love & other romantic aspects in the novel. I think Kira's jealousy at her best friend dating her ex-boyfriend was handled well and she didn't end up in raging-bitch-mode and start some stupid girl on girl hate.

Overall, I did enjoy reading it and it was an easy yet meaningful read in how Kira grew as a character.

[laur gluchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book through a giveaway hosted by the publisher. This has not affected my rating in any way.

WARNING: This review is a tiny bit spoiler-y, but there are no outright spoilers. Read at your own risk.

This wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. It’s in this in between of good and okay.

The main character is just... really dumb. It seemed like all she cared about was her ex boyfriend at times, which was really annoying. All of the characters were described so vaguely that I had such a hard time visualizing them. And honestly, all of the characters are written pretty horribly. The only characters I even somewhat like are Alex, Peach, Nonnie, and Saylor. (Also, there’s a love triangle. Bleh.)

And the writing in general is just... bad. The amount of times someone “sensed a subject change” is unreal. The only thing I really and truly liked about this book was the main plot.

So yeah, nothing phenomenal with this one.

[Ginger at GReadsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kira’s story is one I feel that a lot of teens, unfortunately, can relate to. We see the aftermath of what having an alcoholic parent can do to a teenage girl’s life. The story picks up just after Kira’s dad exits his rehab therapy & attempts to re-enter Kira’s life. From the first chapter, I immediately felt the emotional journey both Kira & her dad would take me on.

This is so much more than just a story about recovery & the effects alcoholism can have on the people that are touched by it. It’s a beautiful debut novel by someone I am so proud of. Thank you, Farrah, for sharing your words with me.

[Lindsey Lynn (thepagemistress) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come soon

[Tova · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOLY SHIT. RTC.

[Kara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some of the characters in this book are really great. Nonnie, Peach, and Saylor are great. Kira's friends are great too. Unfortunately all of those great characters are overshadowed by Kira's awful treatment of them and everyone else around her. She is intolerable. To be fair, her life is not easy, but that's no excuse to treat people like shit, especially when they are just trying to be your friend and spend time with you.

Seriously. She's horrible. Nasty. Mean. Vindictive. Whiny. Constantly negative. Nothing is ever god enough for her. I could go into detail but I don't feel like it. I know characters are supposed to change, and Kira probably will at some point, but it's a fine balance. I hated her far too much at this point for her to ever redeem herself in my eyes. The author went too far with her brattiness.

I DNFed this book around page 130 after scanning to see if Kira got any better. She was starting to come around a little, but like I said, too little, too late.

[Books and Guacamole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deals with a heavy subject, but every chapter made me smile. The characters are easily lovable, and I often found my high school self in the pages despite not having gone through what Kira goes through. It will make you cry, but it will also make you swoon and remind you of the power and comfort of family, no matter what shape it comes in.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an advance reading copy of this book. I'm not usually a fan of YA fiction but this book was a great debut novel for this author.

[Derek Milman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Farrah Penn's sharp, clever novel about a young girl's relationship with her alcoholic father presents a unique viewpoint on a much-pondered topic in literature--the child, in the middle of growing up, affected (and interrupted) by her parent's addiction.

With characters who are flawed yet relatable, frustrating yet fully realized, broken but trying, I was consistently won over by this story, and Farrah's strong, fresh voice.

Farrah's prose is breezy and immediate, and her story both funny and heartbreaking. She makes this all look and seem easy--but don't be fooled, this book is layered, sophisticated stuff. Kira is still trying to figure out who she is when her father returns home with members of his AA group in tow.

And who is the real family here? His daughter, who needs (and should) be loved unconditionally, or these strangers who are meant to prevent her father from straying...and is that even possible?

Highly recommended!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe even a 4.5??

This is the YA Contemporary I signed up for. I actually loved this book and would probably reread it which is pretty rare for me. I adored all of the characters from start to finish except for Whitney who somewhat redeemed herself in the end. I can't fault this book at all and it was so refreshing to read something actually enjoyable for a change. Bless Farrah Penn.

[Carlee Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tbh i was forced to read this book for school but it was actually really really good and if I was given the opportunity to read it again I totally would. I recommend her for sure.

[Bookteafull (Danny)]

DNF @ 22%

Aint nobody got time for this.

Not written horrendously, but certainly not good.

- Choppy Sentences
- Unreliable Protagonist (thought process contradicts itself within the first 50 pages)
- Love Triangle
- Robotic Formulating
- Garbage (and frankly humorous) Metaphors

I came here for a narrative about an adolescent struggling with an alcoholic parent trying to maintain sobriety and the effects that has on her life. Not for a bratty teen more concerned with her ex, who she broke up with 11 months ago and turns out she doesn't really like but who is now dating her best friend so of course she wants him back now even though she clearly has a crush on some other guy. ugh.

Someone shoot me in the foot next time I get a book like this, I am getting wayyyy too old for this shit that even middle school me barely had the patience for.

*Changing date read so it doesn't interfere with my reading challenge this year.*

[Khristina Chess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was less about recovery from alcoholism and more about healing for the family (specifically the children) since not much about the father's recovery struggles was shown. At times Kira seemed like a real brat in her reactions to things, but this seemed entirely normal for the grief and change she was experiencing in her life. Her ongoing efforts to focus on social life, relationships, and even love rather than really reconnect and reconcile with her father spoke to the depth of her hurt.

Kira's "12 Steps to a Normal Life" are really goals, and she doesn't work them in order or accomplish everything she sets out to do. Things don't go as planned, and in that respect, that's how normal life works.

[Rachel Solomon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's honest, heartbreaking, and hopeful, and the voice felt so authentic. Kira very much felt like a Real Teen. All the characters are layered and and well-developed, and I ached for Kira as she tried to rebuild relationships after her recovering alcoholic father reenters her life. A really beautiful story about family and forgiveness.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heartfelt look at how a teen deals with her dad’s alcoholism. This story reads pretty young, and some aspects of that just weren’t for me (Kira is a realistic teen, which means there’s some moping and whining).

I also wish the steps/list aspect of the novel had been cut. It felt thrown in to be“on trend” and was pretty superfluous.

[Jen Petro-Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely fabulous. An endearing, yet flawed main character and a journey of addiction looked at in a hopeful way and not always focused on the past pain. Highly recommended.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sometimes you have to take a step back. Let someone else help out." "You always have to forgive your own mistakes. Otherwise they'll eat you alive."- Twelve Steps to Normal by Farrah Penn

Kira Seneca moved from Cedarville, TX to Portland, OR to live with her Aunt June when her father was at the Sober Living Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Center. However, her father is being released from the rehab center and her aunt thinks it's best to return back home. Kira didn't expect her father to invite three of his recovering alcoholic friends to stay with them until they got back on their feet.

Kira has had a complex life ever since she was born. Her parents had her during or after senior year of college. Her mother served jail time for selling drugs and wasn't in Kira's life. However, Kira had her father and her Grams in her life until Grams passed away. Kira didn't expect her father to let Nonnie, Peach and Saylor to live with them after being released from rehab and it took awhile for Kira to accept her dad's friends in her life. I guess it's because Kira wanted everything to return to normal.

Farrah Penn tackles difficult situations that some teens have to deal with on a daily basis from mourning the loss of a love one to a parent battling alcoholism to a friend dating their ex to even rekindling a friendship. Kira copes with her life by creating Kira's 12 Steps to a Normal Life list. Each step involves a certain significant person in Kira's life. The character growth in this novel is fantastic considering that Penn doesn't focus on the character growth only for the main character, Kira. Penn expands the character growth exponentially for many of the characters in Twelve Steps to Normal. I am one for character growth and how each character learns to grow and becomes a better person because of the positive influences of each other.

Whitney, Raegan and Lin are Kira's best friends. At first Kira was super excited to see them again but she noticed Lin acting a bit strange. This is when Kira finds out that one of her best friends is now dating her ex-boyfriend, Jay. The friendships have been different with each lady but they are unique in their own way. What I loved was when Kira rekindles her friendship with Alex. That alone throughout the book was something that Kira can find solace in when she was dealing with what life has to throw at her. From nostalgic starburst wrapper notes to sharing slurpees at the 7 Eleven, Kira and Alex need each other. Even though Kira didn't know it at first, she slowly falls for Alex. The romance isn't overdone and it doesn't overpower the main premise of the plot.

Twelve Steps to Normal is a multi-layered novel with authentic, flawed and relatable characters. Kira's emotional yet significant journey is a journey where she grows, learns to forgive and learns to become a better person.

[Leilani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for a book to read when my mom handed me Twelve Steps to Normal by Farrah Penn. She simply said, the main character's name is Kira, like me. And it’s a really good book. And although at my age we often don’t want to take our parents’ advice, my mom almost always recommends great books. And she owns a bookstore, which explains why I’m writing a book review of a book that hasn’t even been published yet.
The book starts off with Kira coming back home after being away living with her aunt because her alcoholic father was in rehab recovering. Soon into the book, Kira realized, despite her hopes, that she can’t just pick up where she left off. Her father’s three friends from rehab--Nonnie, a old lady who, later on in the book, starts to almost fill the gap that Kira’s grandmother left, Peach, who is a motherly type and cooks, and S who helps Kira with her math homework--are living in her house when she gets home. She is freaked out, for two reasons. First, she wants to be able to trust her father again and now three strangers are living with them, and second, if her social worker found out, Kira fears she would be sent away again.
Here, Kira makes a list titled Kira's Twelve Steps To A Normal Life
1. Accept Grams is gone.
2. Learn to forgive Dad.
3. Steal back ex-boyfriend from best friend...
Oh right. That’s another change. Her ex started dating one of her best friends. And even though they broke up, Kira feels that it’s just one more thing that was all wrong. Here I thought it might get into the kind of basic, best friend dating ex story, but I was surprised what the outcome was. Because in no way is this book basic.
As Kira starts to settle back into her school life, develop a crush on one of her oldest friends who has openly liked her forever, and start to take some of her steps towards a “normal life”, she also starts to get used to her house guests, and even appreciate them at times, which conflicts with three of her steps, each one aiming to get each guest out of the house.
This amazing book was a highlight of my vacation. I found myself replaying scenes in my head when I wasn’t reading the book, and thinking about it when I was done. I even slowed reading down, something that seldom happens, to better understand the content and make the book last longer. Even though it is a piece of fiction, and a situation I can not relate to, I empathize with Kira, and felt each of her personal grievances as one of my own. I would be surprised if I did not find this book at the front of most bookstores. And even though I read a lot, I rarely find books that hook me from the first sentence like this, and keep me thinking about them for weeks to come. This is a book that I would recommend to anyone I like. Honestly, I think, regardless of whatever genre they are into, most teens who are thirteen to seventeen would love this book. And many adults would love it too, maybe empathising with some of the older characters. I look forward to rereading this book over and over again.

[Sara (A Gingerly Review) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This MC was so shallow and self-centered it made me want to punch her. All she cared about was reconnecting with her ex, who she broke up with btw.

There were serious topics that should have been fleshed out more but never were. Talk about a missed opportunity.

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Full review can be found here: https://agingerlyreview.wordpress.com...

I struggled to get through this book. I know some readers will really connect with it and sing praises but I won’t be one of those readers.

Short recap: Kira has been living with her Aunt for almost a year. She was sent to live with her Aunt after her father’s drinking problem escalated and lives were in danger. She moves back in to try to work on fixing the relationship with her dad and get her life back.

Whoa howdy, this was a tough book. I don’t mean “tough book” in that it was emotionally draining and made me cry, I mean “tough book” in that I wanted to smack Kira constant for being a bitch. Her character was horrid. She was self centered, self-absorbed, nasty, negative, whiny, and just all round mean. There was no true redeeming quality to her. Her time in this book was spent plotting ways get her old life back by making a twelve step plan. That felt incredibly insensitive in my eyes. The Twelve Step program addicts go through is incredibly personal and serious, not to be used and mistreated the way Kira did. She spent time trying to get the attention of her ex-boyfriend, who was now dating one of her best friends. What kind of sick person does that?! Kira could not leave it alone! She was the one that broke up with him before she left! She also chose not to keep in touch with her best friends because she was embarrassed that her dad was an alcoholic. This girl was Satan’s spawn or close to it. What a nasty, ungrateful child.

When she wasn’t plotting to get her best friends back and her ex-boyfriend back, she was plotting ways to get her dad’s roommates (who were also recovering alcoholics) kicked out of the house. She never tried to get to know them even though they were nothing but nice and caring towards her. She was always making rude comments about how they needed to get jobs and move out. Apparently, sweetie, you don’t know how adulting or the real life works. Now granted, I will take a step back and say that Kira did not have an easy childhood as she spent most of her time hiding her dad’s drinking problem. Why she was never enrolled in ALANON after she was taken from her father’s care is beyond me. It was clear that she never offered treatment nor did she receive any type of counseling. I do believe that would have helped her tremendously. Instead she chose to be a bitch the entire time thinking she could just take back what was hers before and slide back into her old life.

That being said – told you I had a rant – Kira was the worst character. The other characters were actually pretty enjoyable: her dad’s housemates, her best friends, and former friends. They all tired so hard to look past Kira’s meanness and forgive. Sadly, it was not enough to overshadow a fraction of the mean that came from the MC.

I wish I had DNFd because I was not excited to read this story once I got a clear picture of the MC and her motives. I get that she wanted her dad back but c’mon! I found myself just rolling my eyes a lot and groaning with anger. Don’t be like me – if you feel the need to DNF, stop the book and move on. I wish I had. Just thinking of this book is upsetting me again.

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I am the child of alcoholics, and I went into this book expecting to really connect with Kira. However, the book focused a lot more on school, friends, and boys than on her relationship with her dad, her grief, and his addictions than I thought it would. It just wasn't as deep as I wanted it to be.

I will say that I did not have a problem with her treatment of Nonnie, Peach, and Saylor, and the growth of their relationship felt natural to me. I grew up surrounded by addicts and was constantly told, "These are good people. Be nice to them." It may have been true in this book, but in real life, it's not always the case, and just being around people who you know are addicted can justifiably be a trigger for anger. I feel that all the reviewers who expected Kira to automatically be sweet and accepting to these strangers in her house just don't get it. I also understand the secrecy and the worry that she felt about confiding any details of her home life to her friends.

I loved Alex and thought that he was a terrific book boyfriend. So many YA books portray relationship behaviors that I think are not healthy, and the author did an excellent job with this one.

I won an ARC of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Daline Sousa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not everything is going to be what you want it to be. You win some and lose some. Even if you feel like all you’ve been doing is losing, be optimistic about life and maybe you’ll have a positive outcome. Kira has lost so much. Her grandmother has died. Her dad goes to rehab. And she needs to move towns. It’s hard to look on the upside of that, but once she goes back she’s planning to make everything right again.

Kira’s dad gets out of rehab so she able to go home but, once she gets there she finds a few strangers in her house who will be living with her. So far her life going back to “normal” isn’t looking to bright.
Kira then makes 12 steps back to a normal life. She wants her ex boyfriend back, to forgive her dad, and get her friends back. She wants everything to be the way it was before she moved away. She then had to realize that maybe moving on is the best thing for her.

I don't really know how I feel book. It had a few unnecessary turns that didn't make sense with the overall story. I was wasn’t too interested in it because I expected more dramatic segments but it was transparent. What I did like was the theme. Moving on is better than staying attached. If you keep worrying about the past then how will you deal with the present. Overcoming difficulties is a part of life.

I recommend this book to young adults who like to read about relatable topics. Teens go through grim time very often, just like Kira has. It shows that looking on the dark side of times won’t help. Being hopeful will.

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I must say that I rarely read books regarding addiction but I really loved this book because it focused more on the positive of change than the negativity. The story follows Kira, a young girl who is dealing with her Father's alcoholism and how it has affected her life. She goes to live with her aunt leaving behind her friends and school. After her Father goes through rehab, she comes home to find her Father has moved in a few of his friends from rehab. Kira hates this and is embarrassed of it. Hiding more from her friends and the social worker. I do not want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but this book is about friendships, family and coming together to support one another. I highly recommend it.

[Liz Overberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different than I expected. Based on the description, I thought the novel would focus on a teenager's experience living with an alcoholic parent. However, Kira's story picks up after her dad has completed treatment. He is still an alcoholic, of course, but his sobriety is solid throughout the novel and the focus is instead on Kira's struggle to trust him again.

Kira is a fairly unlikable character, but her feelings are relatable, and I think I probably would have been a total brat in her situation too.

Overall, the plot is predictable, but the sweet romance and happy ending should appeal to many teen readers.

[Diane Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the death of her grandmother, Kira is ripped from her life in Texas to live with her aunt in Portland because of her dad's out of control alcoholism. Going back home eleven months later, there are trust issues, grief for the time she lost and 3 new recovering roommates. Trying to reconnect with her friends, she matures and falls in love. Her life isn't perfect, what does normal even look like?

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books rarely make me cry, and this one did. I enjoyed how it focused more on the recovery part of alcoholism rather than the downfall. My only complaint was a lot of the MC's friends seemed to only have one voice, I kept getting confused as to which one was talking if it wasn't specified - although they have all been friends their entire lives so I suppose in that way it does make sense. The MC goes back and forth in terms of how much empathy she deserves. She's been through hell and back, but she also treats people horribly and it's only justified on occasion. All in all, a good read.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: After being sent to Portland while her father is in rehab, Kira is finally returning home. She's ready to pick up the pieces she had to leave behind- her father, her friends, and her (ex) boyfriend. Until Kira returns home to find three recoverees that her father brought home from rehab. Expecting school to be the same, Kira finds that her friend, Whitney, is dating her ex-boyfriend, Jay and that she seems to developing feelings for her friend, Alex. In TWELVE STEPS TO NORMAL, Kira learns how to forgive and how to accept others into her life.

My thoughts: I liked it. I liked how Kira really had to learn how to forgive. I thought it was a good book.

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could only read this book half way. The dialogue and interactions of the main character weren't believable or realistic. Very flat characters.