What do you think?
Rate this book
Stumped
Read this review and more on my blog.The Book Return Blog
Seventeen-year-old Ozzy has a super-hot girlfriend who’s ready to take their relationship to the next level. Tonight. At the lake.
But a missing condom scuttles his plans for seduction. Furious, Ozzy takes his girlfriend home and drives off—into the path of an oncoming truck. He wakes up with both legs amputated above the knees.
When his girlfriend runs out gagging after one look at him, Ozzy knows he’s a hideous freak. He’s convinced he’s blown any chance of having a real relationship with a girl.
Determined to prove he can still be a man despite his disability, Ozzy throws himself into dumping his virginity, but finds there’s a limited number of people willing to touch legless dudes in wheelchairs. His obsession takes him into an underworld of brothels and escort services where he discovers the difference between sex and intimacy, and that sometimes the price is much higher than a sex worker’s fee.
Seventeen-year-old Ozzy has a super-hot girlfriend who’s ready to take their relationship to the next level. Tonight. At the lake.
But a missing condom scuttles his plans for seduction. Furious, Ozzy takes his girlfriend home and drives off—into the path of an oncoming truck. He wakes up with both legs amputated above the knees.
When his girlfriend runs out gagging after one look at him, Ozzy knows he’s a hideous freak. He’s convinced he’s blown any chance of having a real relationship with a girl.
Determined to prove he can still be a man despite his disability, Ozzy throws himself into dumping his virginity, but finds there’s a limited number of people willing to touch legless dudes in wheelchairs. His obsession takes him into an underworld of brothels and escort services where he discovers the difference between sex and intimacy, and that sometimes the price is much higher than a sex worker’s fee.
- GenresYoung Adult
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2017
78 people want to read
About the author
Kate Larkindale
14 books127 followersHaving spent a lifetime travelling the globe, Kate Larkindale settled in Wellington, New Zealand. An arts administrator, fitness instructor, film reviewer and mother, she’s surprised she finds any time to write, but doesn’t sleep much. As a result, she can usually be found hanging out near the espresso machine.
She is the author of contemporary YA novels The Sidewalk's Regrets, An Unstill Life, Chasing the Taillights, My Murder Year, Standing Too Close and Stumped along with several others that no one is allowed to see. She has also written one very bad historical romance, which will likely never see the light of day. She is working on several more YA novels that may or may not ever be finished…
Her short stories have appeared in Just Above Water anthology, Halfway Down The Stairs, A Fly in Amber, Daily Flash Anthology, The Barrier Islands Review, Everyday Fiction, Death Rattle, Drastic Measures, Cutlass & Musket, Kissed anthology, Just Me anthology and Residential Aliens, among others.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 28, 2017
For seventeen-year-old Ozzy, it was supposed to be the night he finally lost his virginity, but thanks to Fate and his older brother, that condom he was counting on was not there. Frustrated and distracted, he never noticed the truck racing toward him on the road. What he wakes up to in the hospital is both heartbreaking and life changing. Ozzy has lost both legs from above the knees and his girlfriend’s reaction tells him he will die a freak, a virgin freak. Not only will Ozzy have to cope with his new body, emotionally, physically and mentally, he will become obsessed with having sex, no matter what.
STUMPED by Kate Larkindale should be a sad and gut-wrenching tale of loss, and it is, but it is also a comical look at one teen’s quest to lose his virginity that will teach him more about himself and life than any therapy or counselling session could. Follow Ozzy to the red light district, where illegal sex can’t be bought at any price for a minor, legs or not to the home of a special teen who has openly declared she wants him, because she, too is a virgin.
Through it all, Ozzy will have moments of despair for his condition, moments of self-doubt, stunning revelations about life and those he once called friends. Ozzy will learn what he is made of, who are his allies and the kind of person he wants to be, aside from definitely NOT wanting to remain a virgin!
Heartwarming, filled with humor of all kinds, Ozzy is that character you cannot help but root for from start to finish, just as many of the lesser characters are people you would love to take down a peg or shame in public.
Kate Larkindale has done a masterful job of creating a tale that is riveting from start to finish without being maudlin, in spite of the Ozzy’s loss. A beautiful coming of age story about a flawed boy who will face more in his short life than most of us could ever comprehend having to deal with and Ms. Larkindale still made us smile at, with and for Ozzy.
I received a complimentary Review copy from Evernight Teen.
Publisher: Evernight Teen (December 13, 2017)
Publication Date: December 13, 2017
Genre: YA | Disabilities
Print Length: 252 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
STUMPED by Kate Larkindale should be a sad and gut-wrenching tale of loss, and it is, but it is also a comical look at one teen’s quest to lose his virginity that will teach him more about himself and life than any therapy or counselling session could. Follow Ozzy to the red light district, where illegal sex can’t be bought at any price for a minor, legs or not to the home of a special teen who has openly declared she wants him, because she, too is a virgin.
Through it all, Ozzy will have moments of despair for his condition, moments of self-doubt, stunning revelations about life and those he once called friends. Ozzy will learn what he is made of, who are his allies and the kind of person he wants to be, aside from definitely NOT wanting to remain a virgin!
Heartwarming, filled with humor of all kinds, Ozzy is that character you cannot help but root for from start to finish, just as many of the lesser characters are people you would love to take down a peg or shame in public.
Kate Larkindale has done a masterful job of creating a tale that is riveting from start to finish without being maudlin, in spite of the Ozzy’s loss. A beautiful coming of age story about a flawed boy who will face more in his short life than most of us could ever comprehend having to deal with and Ms. Larkindale still made us smile at, with and for Ozzy.
I received a complimentary Review copy from Evernight Teen.
Publisher: Evernight Teen (December 13, 2017)
Publication Date: December 13, 2017
Genre: YA | Disabilities
Print Length: 252 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
December 17, 2017
Comical read about Ozzy. A 17-year-old boy trying to lose his virginity. He has the hot girlfriend and the romantic setting. He just forgot the condoms, but that night changes everything. I don't mean his girlfriend got pregnant. Ow no, it's far worse at least in Ozzy's eyes. He's in an RTA and loses his legs. He's lucky to be alive, but he doesn't see it like that.
Ozzy is still a virgin and legless. His girlfriend is too materialistic, and can't cope with the changes. He's feeling sorry for himself and determined to have sex, whatever the cost. His adventure is crazy and people are mean. He has lost a sense of reality. He's forgotten that a random hook up has no loyalty or feelings to his situation. Along the way, he makes some friends and try's to find his place in his new world.
I think this book is supposed to be light-hearted about a dark topic. Ozzy feels different after he loses his legs, but the same rules apply. You find love and friendship through mutual understanding. It doesn't happen overnight. It's a sad story, but with crude language, and dark humour.
I enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. I just wish it had been longer. This story had a lot of potentials that wasn't explored. The characters are interesting. The story kind of reminds me of American Pie but with the added element of disability. The ending is sad, but it wasn't the kind of book to make you cry.
4 stars out of 5.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review via Hidden Gems*
Ozzy is still a virgin and legless. His girlfriend is too materialistic, and can't cope with the changes. He's feeling sorry for himself and determined to have sex, whatever the cost. His adventure is crazy and people are mean. He has lost a sense of reality. He's forgotten that a random hook up has no loyalty or feelings to his situation. Along the way, he makes some friends and try's to find his place in his new world.
I think this book is supposed to be light-hearted about a dark topic. Ozzy feels different after he loses his legs, but the same rules apply. You find love and friendship through mutual understanding. It doesn't happen overnight. It's a sad story, but with crude language, and dark humour.
I enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. I just wish it had been longer. This story had a lot of potentials that wasn't explored. The characters are interesting. The story kind of reminds me of American Pie but with the added element of disability. The ending is sad, but it wasn't the kind of book to make you cry.
4 stars out of 5.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review via Hidden Gems*
October 9, 2018
Read this review and more on my blog.The Book Return Blog
I received this book for free from the Author (via YA Books Central) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I received this book for free from the Author (via YA Books Central) in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Ozzy has everything a teenager could want, good grades, a hot girlfriend, and successful high school swimming career. When a car crash leaves him without legs he stands to lose everything.
The story begins with Ozzy planning his first intimate outing with his girlfriend, Lainey. The outing goes array and as Ozzy is driving home he gets into a devastating car accident.
'Stumped' has a unique take on someone dealing with a disability. Some of the issues Ozzy goes through is truly eye-opening. One of the biggest obstacles he has to overcome is the way others treat him. Some people in his life are really terrible to him, like his girlfriend and friends. The story left me wondering if it is because they are teenagers and they don't know what to say and how to act or if is it just that the characters are terrible people. Ozzie then learns to find comfort from a support group for teenage amputees.
Since Ozzy is a teenage boy his sex drive takes on a life of its own. One of the main focuses in the story is Ozzy's interaction with sex workers. 'Stumped' takes place in New Zealand and prostitution is legal there ( New Zealand handles prostitution very differently from the way it is in the US). This part of Ozzy's story and how the brothels and prostitution work in New Zealand is one of the most fascinating aspects of the story.
Ozzy's relationship with fellow amputee, Melinda, is the most touching part of the novel. As their relationship grows Ozzy's ability to look outside himself also grows. He learned to not feel so sorry for his situation and that there are others worse off than himself. He also learned that there is more to relationships then just the physical aspects.
'Stumped' is gritty at times. I enjoyed the raw truth and emotion behind Ozzy's experience. It is also in-depth look into the experience of devastating physical injury.
This review was originally posted on The Book return...
March 26, 2018
I was in a reading slump and although I have hundreds of books on my kindle nothing was grabbing me or rather fitting the mood I was in ... last chance saloon - before tantrum - Stumped. I loved reading this book. The characters were all rounded and seen for Ozzy's perspective so they grew to a whole as you journeyed through the book.
Ozzy's adventures to get laid offer you a myriad of emotions from laugh out loud to 'I'm crying on the inside'. A delicate age for any teenager, add in a body changing accident and you have a confused, desperately unhappy young man trying to redefine his place in the world. I would absolutely love there to be a sequel as there were a few issues I need to see resolved - his relationship with his Dad, Finn becoming wonderful (perhaps his own story), and his mother really deserves a love interest. Also a major event was just about to knock Ozzy to the ground again and it would be interesting to see how he copes with that and returning to school.
Thoughout the novel, the writing is top quality. There are no bits that lag. Ozzy is never annoying when he could so easily have been. It is nicely paced. Fingers crossed we get more from this family!
Ozzy's adventures to get laid offer you a myriad of emotions from laugh out loud to 'I'm crying on the inside'. A delicate age for any teenager, add in a body changing accident and you have a confused, desperately unhappy young man trying to redefine his place in the world. I would absolutely love there to be a sequel as there were a few issues I need to see resolved - his relationship with his Dad, Finn becoming wonderful (perhaps his own story), and his mother really deserves a love interest. Also a major event was just about to knock Ozzy to the ground again and it would be interesting to see how he copes with that and returning to school.
Thoughout the novel, the writing is top quality. There are no bits that lag. Ozzy is never annoying when he could so easily have been. It is nicely paced. Fingers crossed we get more from this family!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2022
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 stars.
The hero’s voice in “Stumped”, by Kate Larkindale (Evernight Teen), is the most enthralling element of the story, raw, honest, both snarky and innocent, capturing the myriad of emotions, changes and challenges Ozzy goes through as a seventeen-year-old suddenly so dramatically different.
The author managed to transmit all the pain, despair, resilience, stubbornness and incredible sense of humor of Ozzy. And still portray him as a very normal seventeen-year-old boy, full of testosterone.
I loved how in this journey we get to watch Ozzy dealing with very serious physical and mental health issues, even matters of life or death, yet the story is still a celebration of life, friendship, love between siblings and a mother’s infinite love and compassion.
Ozzy’s journey is hard, gritty, sad, but like Phoenix he rises from the ashes stronger and smarter. He’s a tough kid, a fighter, who learns to adjust his dreams and expectations to a new reality.
The representation of a competitive, driven adolescence dealing with a dramatically changed body is top-notch. Having Ozzy’s exclusive point of view is wonderful, it feels very real and believable, his thoughts and feelings matching the mind and soul of a seventeen-year-old.
I liked the dialogue and the interactions, Ozzy’s sarcastic considerations and self-deprecating humor, when facing hardships and experiencing mortification.
He’s his harshest critic, but even in the depths of despair there’s always the humor and no mushy feelings are involved.
Ozzy’s loss of virginity quest is filled with both fun and heartbreaking episodes.
I found the changes in the hero’s social life after the accident, with so many people disappearing from his circle, too cruel and hard to understand.
4.5 stars.
The hero’s voice in “Stumped”, by Kate Larkindale (Evernight Teen), is the most enthralling element of the story, raw, honest, both snarky and innocent, capturing the myriad of emotions, changes and challenges Ozzy goes through as a seventeen-year-old suddenly so dramatically different.
The author managed to transmit all the pain, despair, resilience, stubbornness and incredible sense of humor of Ozzy. And still portray him as a very normal seventeen-year-old boy, full of testosterone.
I loved how in this journey we get to watch Ozzy dealing with very serious physical and mental health issues, even matters of life or death, yet the story is still a celebration of life, friendship, love between siblings and a mother’s infinite love and compassion.
Ozzy’s journey is hard, gritty, sad, but like Phoenix he rises from the ashes stronger and smarter. He’s a tough kid, a fighter, who learns to adjust his dreams and expectations to a new reality.
The representation of a competitive, driven adolescence dealing with a dramatically changed body is top-notch. Having Ozzy’s exclusive point of view is wonderful, it feels very real and believable, his thoughts and feelings matching the mind and soul of a seventeen-year-old.
I liked the dialogue and the interactions, Ozzy’s sarcastic considerations and self-deprecating humor, when facing hardships and experiencing mortification.
He’s his harshest critic, but even in the depths of despair there’s always the humor and no mushy feelings are involved.
Ozzy’s loss of virginity quest is filled with both fun and heartbreaking episodes.
I found the changes in the hero’s social life after the accident, with so many people disappearing from his circle, too cruel and hard to understand.
December 26, 2017
I received an arc of this book for an honest review
I enjoyed this book even though the subject matter is quite sad. This book is very humbling and a quick read! Ozzy is just 17 when he has a tragic car accident that leaves him a double amputee. Naturally his girlfriend at the time now rejects him and can’t face him in this condition. Feeling like a freak and feeling like he will never have a girlfriend again or even die a virgin he is feeling pretty down on life
Wanting to prove he can still become a man and with the encouragement of his family he begins group therapy and becomes obsessed with losing his virginity . He meets a cancer ridden girl named Melinda who he befriends and they quickly decide that they don’t want to die virgins so they start to see each other in hopes of having sex. Unfortunately things go wrong and the deed doesn’t happen. Totally pent up on sexual frustration Ozzy goes to a brothel for sex but alas that doesn’t work out either.
This book has a lot of heartfelt tender moments but also some comedy and it keeps your interest .
I enjoyed this book even though the subject matter is quite sad. This book is very humbling and a quick read! Ozzy is just 17 when he has a tragic car accident that leaves him a double amputee. Naturally his girlfriend at the time now rejects him and can’t face him in this condition. Feeling like a freak and feeling like he will never have a girlfriend again or even die a virgin he is feeling pretty down on life
Wanting to prove he can still become a man and with the encouragement of his family he begins group therapy and becomes obsessed with losing his virginity . He meets a cancer ridden girl named Melinda who he befriends and they quickly decide that they don’t want to die virgins so they start to see each other in hopes of having sex. Unfortunately things go wrong and the deed doesn’t happen. Totally pent up on sexual frustration Ozzy goes to a brothel for sex but alas that doesn’t work out either.
This book has a lot of heartfelt tender moments but also some comedy and it keeps your interest .
December 21, 2017
A tragic accident leaves Ozzy, a hormonal teenager, with the loss of both of his legs. This story is about his journey coming to terms with living with a disability, losing his virginity, and being a teen. I truly enjoyed everything about this book. It was well written, fast paced, full of warmth, funny moments, and depth in all of Ozzy's personal relationships. And, because it's told from a teen boy's perspective, there are plenty of raunchy behaviors for boys to relate to. 😂
December 21, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. It's an amazing story about a boy and the struggles every normal teenager goes through but with a twist. It was wonderful, I could feel for the main character, I felt his heartbreak, his joy, his anger, his pain. I loved it. (I volunteered to read an ARC copy of this book.)
July 7, 2024
I wrote this book, so I'm probably a little biased... But I love it so much! I can't wait for you to be able to read it too!
August 14, 2018
It was okay. I didn't love this book, but I thought it was a realistic depiction of what someone in the situation might experience. Some of the characters came across as very one-dimensional and I would have liked more depth in certain areas, particularly in character development of our main character and Melinda. I would have also liked to get to know the group kids a bit better- lots of potential there that wasn't explored!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews