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The Quiet You Carry
Victoria Parker knew her dad's behavior toward her was a little unusual, but she convinced herself everything was fine—until she found herself locked out of the house at 3:00 a.m., surrounded by flashing police lights.
Now, dumped into a crowded, chaotic foster home, Victoria has to tiptoe around her domineering foster mother, get through senior year at a new school, and somehow salvage her college dreams . . . all while keeping her past hidden.
But some secrets won't stay buried—especially when unwanted memories make Victoria freeze up at random moments and nightmares disrupt her sleep. Even worse, she can't stop worrying about her stepsister Sarah, left behind with her father. All she wants is to move forward, but how do you focus on the future when the past won't leave you alone?
Now, dumped into a crowded, chaotic foster home, Victoria has to tiptoe around her domineering foster mother, get through senior year at a new school, and somehow salvage her college dreams . . . all while keeping her past hidden.
But some secrets won't stay buried—especially when unwanted memories make Victoria freeze up at random moments and nightmares disrupt her sleep. Even worse, she can't stop worrying about her stepsister Sarah, left behind with her father. All she wants is to move forward, but how do you focus on the future when the past won't leave you alone?
340 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2019
21 people are currently reading
2353 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Barthelmess
3 books116 followersNikki Barthelmess is an author of young adult books, including The Quiet You Carry, Quiet No More, and Everything Within and In Between. While growing up in foster care, Nikki found solace in books and writing. A former journalist, Nikki lives in sunny Santa Barbara with her husband, daughter, and a diva of a corgi. When not reading or working on her books, Nikki loves advocating for the rights of current and former foster youth, jogging near the beach, and trying to convince her abuelita that feminism means it’s okay that her husband does all the cooking.
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August 21, 2024
Teens face many troubles. From typical to uniquely terrible, talked-to-death to barely touched; there is a tie that binds: this part of life is a different kind of tough.
The Quiet You Carry ponders points that may not be particularly prevalent in publishing yet, but actually affect many children today. Certainly domestic-abuse situations are beginning to be addressed and recently, I’ve read about characters in foster-care and adoption. Still, I’m admittedly overwhelmed with what I’ve learned here and a bit ashamed of my ignorance. Taboo topics turn to thoughtful talking points when Ms. Barthelmess brilliantly blurs line.
Contrary to popular belief, first impressions are not always accurate. The very person that seems aloof and uncaring may have the biggest heart. Only, it has been so badly broken, on multiple occasions, that it has hardened in self-preservation. After all, enthusiasm and an earnest need to make a difference can definitely be dampened by a laborious, under-staffed system. Add in the horror humans inflict on one and other, and that intuitive good nature is bound to become buried beneath metaphorical armor in a vain effort to hold onto the very last bit of a kind, caring and conscientious soul.
Abuse does not need to be physical to invoke very real pain and suffering. Victoria’s story is not just about how her father changed after her mother’s death. Equally important examples of manipulation in her parents’ marriage paint a bigger picture. Accompanying this sweet, sheltered teen through her trials and tribulations evokes every kind of tear, from heartache to hope. Being that teens tend to be resilient creatures; bending, never breaking, there is also some humor.
I cannot imagine a better way to enlighten and empower our adolescents.
This review was written by jv poore for Buried Under Books, with huge thanks to North Star Editions for the Advance Review Copy.
The Quiet You Carry ponders points that may not be particularly prevalent in publishing yet, but actually affect many children today. Certainly domestic-abuse situations are beginning to be addressed and recently, I’ve read about characters in foster-care and adoption. Still, I’m admittedly overwhelmed with what I’ve learned here and a bit ashamed of my ignorance. Taboo topics turn to thoughtful talking points when Ms. Barthelmess brilliantly blurs line.
Contrary to popular belief, first impressions are not always accurate. The very person that seems aloof and uncaring may have the biggest heart. Only, it has been so badly broken, on multiple occasions, that it has hardened in self-preservation. After all, enthusiasm and an earnest need to make a difference can definitely be dampened by a laborious, under-staffed system. Add in the horror humans inflict on one and other, and that intuitive good nature is bound to become buried beneath metaphorical armor in a vain effort to hold onto the very last bit of a kind, caring and conscientious soul.
Abuse does not need to be physical to invoke very real pain and suffering. Victoria’s story is not just about how her father changed after her mother’s death. Equally important examples of manipulation in her parents’ marriage paint a bigger picture. Accompanying this sweet, sheltered teen through her trials and tribulations evokes every kind of tear, from heartache to hope. Being that teens tend to be resilient creatures; bending, never breaking, there is also some humor.
I cannot imagine a better way to enlighten and empower our adolescents.
This review was written by jv poore for Buried Under Books, with huge thanks to North Star Editions for the Advance Review Copy.
January 19, 2019
Content warnings include foster care, grief, sexual assault, family violence, physical and mental illness, eating disorders, self harm and a suicide attempt (the method used is included).
Foster care isn’t one size fits all in how kids wind up in care in the first place or their experiences once there. There are so many negative stereotypes about foster kids so I was delighted to discover that Victoria wasn’t a stereotype. It never occurs to her to quit school and give up on her dreams because of circumstances outside of her control. There’s no smooth sailing here but she’s determined to move on from this experience and not allow it to define her.
Victoria’s foster care experience, while it sounds horrendous, is fairly average. Some foster kids fortunately land in families that provide the love, protection and encouragement they so desperately need and at the other end of the spectrum there are those who wind up in abusive situations that mimic those they were removed from. The portrayal of overworked caseworkers is sadly realistic and the shame of being a foster kid is all too real.
Nikki Barthelmess notes that while this book is fiction, she spent a number of years in foster care herself. I think it’s a testament to Nikki’s resilience that she has managed to articulate so well the way foster care feels. While there are some minor details in the way things unfold in the story that I could perhaps question (and will in a minute) I have nothing but praise for the authenticity of Victoria’s feelings from beginning to end.
I loved that Victoria has Christina and a boy named after a vegetable supporting her the entire time, before they know her story and, even more importantly, after. She also has supportive teaching staff, who truly can make a world of difference in a foster kid’s life.
I only hope that foster kids who read this book have someone in their corner as well because foster care can be such a lonely and terrifying experience. Even with support being a foster kid can make you feel so separate from other kids, who are worried about things like makeup and clothes while you’re worrying about the potential consequences if you tell the truth about what’s happened to you and where you’ll go next if this foster home doesn’t work out.
I found it difficult to believe (maybe it’s wishful thinking on my part) that
Because of my own experiences and those of other foster kids I’ve known I had expected this book’s contents to be more brutal. I’m not saying everything is peachy or anything. My content warnings alone give you some indication of what to expect. I’m sure that what’s described in this book would be shocking for a lot of people so I expect I’m an outlier in this regard.
There needs to be more YA and kid’s books about the foster care system. When I was in the system I would have loved to have seen any aspect of my experience mirrored by a character I was reading about. This book will hopefully be an eye opener for people who don’t know the foster care system from the inside and provide much needed empathy and validation to those who find themselves fostered, for whatever reason.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Flux, an imprint of North Star Editions, for the opportunity to read this book.
none of us can understand what’s going on in another person’s life from the outside looking in. No one can really see the quiet you carry, unless you let them.Victoria lives with her father, stepmother and stepsister. Well, she did until the night her father locked her out of the house. Suddenly this shy, studious 17 year old finds herself stuck attending a new school in a new town and living with a foster mother who appears to hate her. Everything she thought she knew about her life has crumbled around her in a confusing mess.
Foster care isn’t one size fits all in how kids wind up in care in the first place or their experiences once there. There are so many negative stereotypes about foster kids so I was delighted to discover that Victoria wasn’t a stereotype. It never occurs to her to quit school and give up on her dreams because of circumstances outside of her control. There’s no smooth sailing here but she’s determined to move on from this experience and not allow it to define her.
Victoria’s foster care experience, while it sounds horrendous, is fairly average. Some foster kids fortunately land in families that provide the love, protection and encouragement they so desperately need and at the other end of the spectrum there are those who wind up in abusive situations that mimic those they were removed from. The portrayal of overworked caseworkers is sadly realistic and the shame of being a foster kid is all too real.
Nikki Barthelmess notes that while this book is fiction, she spent a number of years in foster care herself. I think it’s a testament to Nikki’s resilience that she has managed to articulate so well the way foster care feels. While there are some minor details in the way things unfold in the story that I could perhaps question (and will in a minute) I have nothing but praise for the authenticity of Victoria’s feelings from beginning to end.
I loved that Victoria has Christina and a boy named after a vegetable supporting her the entire time, before they know her story and, even more importantly, after. She also has supportive teaching staff, who truly can make a world of difference in a foster kid’s life.
I only hope that foster kids who read this book have someone in their corner as well because foster care can be such a lonely and terrifying experience. Even with support being a foster kid can make you feel so separate from other kids, who are worried about things like makeup and clothes while you’re worrying about the potential consequences if you tell the truth about what’s happened to you and where you’ll go next if this foster home doesn’t work out.
I found it difficult to believe (maybe it’s wishful thinking on my part) that
Because of my own experiences and those of other foster kids I’ve known I had expected this book’s contents to be more brutal. I’m not saying everything is peachy or anything. My content warnings alone give you some indication of what to expect. I’m sure that what’s described in this book would be shocking for a lot of people so I expect I’m an outlier in this regard.
There needs to be more YA and kid’s books about the foster care system. When I was in the system I would have loved to have seen any aspect of my experience mirrored by a character I was reading about. This book will hopefully be an eye opener for people who don’t know the foster care system from the inside and provide much needed empathy and validation to those who find themselves fostered, for whatever reason.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Flux, an imprint of North Star Editions, for the opportunity to read this book.
November 11, 2019
***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of THE QUIET YOU CARRY by Nikki Barthelmess in exchange for my honest review.***
This book had me near tears at some points. It's a solid 4 star if not 5 I can't quite decide yet.
Victoria was an abused girl. I felt so bad for her because her situation wasn't made any better by the broken foster system.
This book had me near tears at some points. It's a solid 4 star if not 5 I can't quite decide yet.
Victoria was an abused girl. I felt so bad for her because her situation wasn't made any better by the broken foster system.
December 21, 2018
“No one can really see the quiet you carry, unless you let them.”
4,5 stars
Thank you Flux, North Star Edition for giving me this book through Netgalley! As usual this had no influence on my willing and honest opinion!
The author in her acknowledgement explains how she was put in foster care when young and how she had no idea what that was before entering the system.
She gives what I think must be a very accurate description of foster care, with its overworked social workers, with foster parents enforcing strict rules, with kids thrown into it in the peak of a crisis and being left disoriented, groggy from what has been and is happening.
You’ve guessed from the synopsis that Victoria entered foster care after something her dad has done to her.
This first scene was brutal.
She was taken away by a police officer and a social worker and they were brusque with her.
Victoria had to leave everything behind: her phone, her computer anything of value and take only clothes with her.
She’s slept the night on a couch in the social worker’s office.
If this is not traumatizing, especially when added to what happened with her dad I don’t know what is!
From that moment on she will live with two other foster girls in the care of Connie. Connie is her foster mom and she had such strict rules that the girls hated her.
I confess that Connie’s character was very hard to like but that’s the beauty of this story: nothing is to be taken at face value and many characters hide their true self behind a mask!
This story shows the limits of the foster system and of justice. In case of abuse it’s the victim’s word against the aggressor. If the victim is mute because she is afraid of the consequences, she’ll be thrown into a very hard system.
Victoria will rage more than once again this system and against what is happening to her. She will also live in denial because like most victims she will have great difficulties to go against the perpetrator.
This book highlights how manipulator can perpetrate abuse and have the victims think this is not so serious. Victims often feel a sense of loyalty and obligation to their abuser as sick as that may seem.
Victoria’s dad was one of the worst manipulators.
He manipulated Victoria’s mom who convinced Victoria that a woman had to do everything to keep the husband happy. She also entrusted her husband into Victoria’s hands leaving her feeling responsible for her dad’s happiness. Hence not wanting to condemn him even after what he’s done.
This is a complex story as the characters go through a tempest of emotions and contradictory feelings. In this again the author did an excellent job portraying teenagers thrown into foster care and having to deal with being a victim. Coming to term with what has been done to them. Accepting their new situations is not easy! They are told they should make “the most of it” but most of the time they’ve been through trauma and landing in a stranger’s house, leaving all your friends behind really leaves you …lost.
I had no problem at all walking in Victoria’s shoes. She was solidly fleshed out as were the side characters as well. The friendship and budging romance helped alleviate some of the gloom and offered Victoria the support she needed. Because amidst all the drama, she remained a teenage girl who wanted to assimilate, to blend in, to live a normal life.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I sob. “I couldn’t. It’s humiliating. It’s sick. It’s wrong. These aren’t normal problems. I just want to be normal.”
Recommend it? Totally!
Have you read it? Do you enjoy reading books broaching topics like abuse? Or taking you out of your comfort zone?
Thanks for reading!
Sophie
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May 6, 2019
I do not read a lot of contemporary YA books, because a lot of them (for me) come off as generic. One of my pet peeves is the representation of teenagers. I am glad however that I read this one. This is the kind of book that will make me pick up more contemporary novels. I am a mom of teens myself, and I can say that the way they are portrayed in this book, and the experiences they have, are pretty accurate. They have their own set of struggles, and I think Barthelmess capture that perfectly.
I loved her beautiful writing style, the way it entranced me, and flowed so seamlessly. With all that being said, this book is going to make you feel some very strong emotions, some you may understand, and some you may not.
I love that a book is finally shedding light on our broken foster home system. It's not a topic broached much in YA, and I applaud Barthelmess for tackling that subject, and the subject of abuse with so much tact. Well done!
I loved her beautiful writing style, the way it entranced me, and flowed so seamlessly. With all that being said, this book is going to make you feel some very strong emotions, some you may understand, and some you may not.
I love that a book is finally shedding light on our broken foster home system. It's not a topic broached much in YA, and I applaud Barthelmess for tackling that subject, and the subject of abuse with so much tact. Well done!
January 1, 2019
4 Binge Worthy Stars!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟
“None of us can understand what’s going on in another person’s life from the outside looking in. No one can really see the quiet you carry, unless you let them.”
**Thank you to NetGalley for providing this arc for preview!! **
Everyone has that something that they deal with, that they carry alone.... unless they choose to let others in. This book was not easy to read, but one that NEEDS- to be read. It was hauntingly beautiful and heartbreaking. Its one of those books that may not be for you but you can tell, its written in a way, that it was meant for someone.
In the Quiet you Carry, we follow main character Victoria, who goes through something awful and gets put into Foster Care. She suffers from PTSD and has to learn how to grow, move on and deal with what has happened to her. As her life is thrown into chaos- we get to see how she manages the changes. Victoria's character growth, throughout the book was amazing to read. The author did a fabulous job telling this very empowering story of life in the foster care system. If you're looking for a book that takes all your emotions and throws them into a tailspin- one that grips you and your heartstrings...from the very first chapter- I totally recommend this one!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟
“None of us can understand what’s going on in another person’s life from the outside looking in. No one can really see the quiet you carry, unless you let them.”
**Thank you to NetGalley for providing this arc for preview!! **
Everyone has that something that they deal with, that they carry alone.... unless they choose to let others in. This book was not easy to read, but one that NEEDS- to be read. It was hauntingly beautiful and heartbreaking. Its one of those books that may not be for you but you can tell, its written in a way, that it was meant for someone.
In the Quiet you Carry, we follow main character Victoria, who goes through something awful and gets put into Foster Care. She suffers from PTSD and has to learn how to grow, move on and deal with what has happened to her. As her life is thrown into chaos- we get to see how she manages the changes. Victoria's character growth, throughout the book was amazing to read. The author did a fabulous job telling this very empowering story of life in the foster care system. If you're looking for a book that takes all your emotions and throws them into a tailspin- one that grips you and your heartstrings...from the very first chapter- I totally recommend this one!!!
December 23, 2018
“None of us can understand what’s going on in another person’s life from the outside looking in. No one can really see the quiet you carry, unless you let them.”
Truer words have never been written. Everyone in this world has, or is, going through something that shakes us to the core and completely changes our lives - sometimes it’s good, and sometimes it’s not, and other times it is deeply traumatic. Some people are better at hiding it than others. I know I was, and to a degree, I still am.
Barthelmess tackles several very serious issues in this book, and they were done so masterfully and sensitively. She really gets into the head of a teenage girl who is struggling with the awful reality that she has found herself in, but is not yet ready, or is unable to confront it.
I identified so much with Victoria and all she went through, reliving my own experiences, remembering my feelings and fears as I read about hers. And if I were to use one word to describe the result it would be: genuine.
The Quiet You Carry is very confronting and it may be a trigger for some people, so please take care and read with caution.
Thank you to Nikki Barthelmess, North Star Editions/Flux, and NetGalley for an arc of this compelling book in exchange for an honest review.
Truer words have never been written. Everyone in this world has, or is, going through something that shakes us to the core and completely changes our lives - sometimes it’s good, and sometimes it’s not, and other times it is deeply traumatic. Some people are better at hiding it than others. I know I was, and to a degree, I still am.
Barthelmess tackles several very serious issues in this book, and they were done so masterfully and sensitively. She really gets into the head of a teenage girl who is struggling with the awful reality that she has found herself in, but is not yet ready, or is unable to confront it.
I identified so much with Victoria and all she went through, reliving my own experiences, remembering my feelings and fears as I read about hers. And if I were to use one word to describe the result it would be: genuine.
The Quiet You Carry is very confronting and it may be a trigger for some people, so please take care and read with caution.
Thank you to Nikki Barthelmess, North Star Editions/Flux, and NetGalley for an arc of this compelling book in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2019
I received an e-ARC of The Quiet You Carry from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings: Abuse, Sexual Assault/Molestation, Alcohol, Suicide Attempt, Self Harm, Eating Disorders
As shown in the content warnings, The Quiet You Carry is not an easy read, whatsoever. Right off the bat, we meet Victoria Parker, who’s getting taken from her home by CPS. According to her father, Victoria tried coming onto him & he tossed her outside in the freezing cold. She’s now forced into the foster care system & living with a foster mom who enforces a list of rules, and only seems to be in it for the government’s money.
She tries to keep the past hidden, but the thought of her father sneaking into her room often sneaks up in nightmares & causes her to freeze up in the middle of conversations. Victoria’s also worried that her step-sister, who still lives at home, might be her father’s new target.
The Quiet You Carry is such an emotionally-packed ride. This isn’t the first book I’ve read with this subject matter, but that doesn’t make it any less special (& painful, honestly). By the time I made it to the final page, my flesh broke into goosebumps. It was definitely a powerful read.
One of my favorite aspects of The Quiet You Carry is the character development of Victoria. We get to witness her grow in strength, and watch as she ends up being the hero in her own story. The Victoria in the beginning is definitely not the same Victoria in the end, and I’m so extremely proud of her.
Victoria’s relationships throughout The Quiet You Carry also has such an amazing impact on the story (including a relationship very unexpecting). I absolutely loved Christina and Kale, who regardless of what they learned about Victoria, stuck by her side. We love good friends in this house.
At some point during my read, I ended up being absolutely absorbed. My heart shattered multiple times, and I wanted to scream at others. The Quiet You Carry isn’t an easy read, but it’s definitely a meaningful one. Due to the subject matter and the content warnings, I wouldn’t recommend this book to everyone, but if it’s something you are okay with — please read this book.
Content Warnings: Abuse, Sexual Assault/Molestation, Alcohol, Suicide Attempt, Self Harm, Eating Disorders
As shown in the content warnings, The Quiet You Carry is not an easy read, whatsoever. Right off the bat, we meet Victoria Parker, who’s getting taken from her home by CPS. According to her father, Victoria tried coming onto him & he tossed her outside in the freezing cold. She’s now forced into the foster care system & living with a foster mom who enforces a list of rules, and only seems to be in it for the government’s money.
She tries to keep the past hidden, but the thought of her father sneaking into her room often sneaks up in nightmares & causes her to freeze up in the middle of conversations. Victoria’s also worried that her step-sister, who still lives at home, might be her father’s new target.
The Quiet You Carry is such an emotionally-packed ride. This isn’t the first book I’ve read with this subject matter, but that doesn’t make it any less special (& painful, honestly). By the time I made it to the final page, my flesh broke into goosebumps. It was definitely a powerful read.
One of my favorite aspects of The Quiet You Carry is the character development of Victoria. We get to witness her grow in strength, and watch as she ends up being the hero in her own story. The Victoria in the beginning is definitely not the same Victoria in the end, and I’m so extremely proud of her.
Victoria’s relationships throughout The Quiet You Carry also has such an amazing impact on the story (including a relationship very unexpecting). I absolutely loved Christina and Kale, who regardless of what they learned about Victoria, stuck by her side. We love good friends in this house.
At some point during my read, I ended up being absolutely absorbed. My heart shattered multiple times, and I wanted to scream at others. The Quiet You Carry isn’t an easy read, but it’s definitely a meaningful one. Due to the subject matter and the content warnings, I wouldn’t recommend this book to everyone, but if it’s something you are okay with — please read this book.
November 25, 2018
Oh. This. Book...! It is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It sucker-punched me in the gut and had me ugly crying several times. From page one we see Victoria dragged out of her home when her father accuses her of inappropriate conduct; she is then placed in foster care with Connie who appears to take in youths for "the measly stipend" the state provides. Victoria is confused: angry that her dad doesn't want her there as she had promised her mother (before she died of breast cancer) that she would care for and protect her dad. She is also sassy and often silent as admitting she is in foster care is humiliating. All aspects of The System are addressed, from the overworked social workers, to the frustrated foster parents, to the teachers who care about the welfare of their students. So if you ever were a foster parent, or a foster child, or love a child, or have ever seen a child...heck, if you ever WERE a child, this book will speak to you! It's haunting and lovely; but keep some tissues handy!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
January 5, 2019
Well, this was a real tearjerker. I've always been drawn to emotional books about things I don't have any personal knowledge of (like foster care, abuse, etc.) but I didn't expect to be quite as touched by this one as I was. So many emotions going through me... mostly anger. This was definitely an eye-opening read for me.
April 26, 2019
The Quiet You Carry was another nice gem from Netgalley. This author is a new one for me and her writing did not disappoint. This story is one that needs to be told, especially in a world where the majority don’t even know that things like these happen in real life.
On the surface, Victoria appeared to be a normal high school teenager. A little shy, a good student, a good daughter. She lost her mother to cancer and for a short while, it was just her and her dad. Then her dad remarried and she got a stepmom and a stepsister whom she got along with just fine.
But a still lake can hide countless horrors. Victoria learns that the hard way when she’s thrown out of her own home and dumped into foster care. She’s forced into situations where she realizes just how little control children have over their own lives, and how much adults can rule them. It’s a hard lesson to learn, when the adults who are supposed to care for you and protect you are the ones who make your life a living hell.
It was heartbreaking to watch her make sense of her upturned world, to face the truth of her life, to face the truth behind the lies and facade of normalcy. The author did a great job showing the confusion Victoria felt, the fear of being thrown among strangers, the fear of the lack of control over her life, the pain of facing the truth and the strength it took to do something about it.
The Quiet You Carry is a book that deals with domestic abuse so insidious you’re not even aware of it until too late, trauma, foster care, the callousness and carelessness that some adults apply in cases of abuse instead of giving those kids the caring and empathy they need to heal.
There are times when the dreaded reading slump snares you and you come across books that don’t hold your interest and you feel “Why do I even like reading?” Then you come across a book like The Quiet You Carry and you think to yourself, “This. This is why I love reading.” Because stories like these need to be felt and to spread awareness among people.
***Note: Received from Netgalley for an honest review.
Posted on Blog
March 13, 2019
***Contains sensitive content such as sexual assault/molestation, suicide, self-harm, abuse, and eating disorders.***
Kicked out in the middle of the night by her father, Victoria Parker is now placed in a strict foster home. Away from the only home, she has ever known, Victoria desperately tries to convince everyone around her that this is a simple mistake. But her father refuses to let her come home and refuses to let Victoria contact her stepsister. Ashamed and scared, Victoria tries to get through this, but first, she must come to terms with WHY her father did what he did.
The Quiet You Carry is an emotional ride that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions. I was not at all prepared for the emotions this book would give me. Tackling such difficult topics is super important and I think Nikki Barthelmess did a great job. This kind of content needs to be read about. And while its heart wrenching to read these kinds of subjects, its one of those stories that needs to be told.
For the full review
The Quiet You Carry Review
Find me here:
Blog | Bookstagram
Kicked out in the middle of the night by her father, Victoria Parker is now placed in a strict foster home. Away from the only home, she has ever known, Victoria desperately tries to convince everyone around her that this is a simple mistake. But her father refuses to let her come home and refuses to let Victoria contact her stepsister. Ashamed and scared, Victoria tries to get through this, but first, she must come to terms with WHY her father did what he did.
The Quiet You Carry is an emotional ride that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions. I was not at all prepared for the emotions this book would give me. Tackling such difficult topics is super important and I think Nikki Barthelmess did a great job. This kind of content needs to be read about. And while its heart wrenching to read these kinds of subjects, its one of those stories that needs to be told.
For the full review
The Quiet You Carry Review
Find me here:
Blog | Bookstagram
July 21, 2019
What an emotional read. A look into the life of a young girl who's mother has died. Her father manipulative and the harsh reality of foster care. This story broke my heart in pieces.
March 23, 2019
(This review will be on my blog All the Ups and Downs soon.)
I'm a fan of young adult contemporary fiction when it deals with serious issues. When I read the synopsis for The Quiet You Carry by Nikki Barthelmess, I knew it was a book that I needed to read. Luckily, it didn't disappoint!
I found the plot of The Quiet You Carry to be very interesting indeed. I've always found books that deal with the foster system to be intriguing. I won't rehash the synopsis since the actual book synopsis does a good job explaining what the book is about. I found the plot to be very believable and extremely realistic. I didn't find any plot holes, and I was not left hanging. I didn't think there were any plot twists, but with this kind of book, it didn't need any plot twists to be good. I like the way The Quiet You Carry showed what I imagine life would be like for a teen in foster care trying to balance a new school, a budding romantic relationship, friendships, school, and the turmoil of what had happened. It's a lot for a young person to have to shoulder.
The characters in The Quiet You Carry were all realistic sounding and fleshed out perfectly. My heart went out to Victoria. What her father put her through was horrible, and then how he acted as if it were her fault. I hated that her stepmom chose to believe Victoria's father about the abuse. I know this actually goes on, and that's what makes it worse. I loved how she was willing to put everything on the line to protect her younger stepsister. I didn't agree with all of Victoria's choices, and I wish she would have done some things differently, but I realized she's supposed to be a 17 year old girl. I felt bad for Connie, the foster mom, as well. She was only following state rules, but the foster kids thought she was too strict. I think she got a lot of hate, and I always thought she was a good person from the beginning. I actually really liked Connie. Victoria's friends, Kale and Christina, were also really well written. I loved how they wanted to protect Victoria and how much they really cared for her.
The pacing was a bit shaky in some parts during the beginning of the book. However, the shakiness didn't last long, and before I knew it, I was totally immersed in Victoria's journey. I devoured this book, and I couldn't wait to see where Victoria's story would take her.
Trigger warnings for The Quiet You Carry include incest, sexual abuse, violence, domestic abuse, attempted suicide, and drug and alcohol references.
All in all, The Quiet You Carry is a great read. It started out a bit shaky, but it takes off before you know it. The plot and cast of characters were written so well that it was hard to put this one down! I would definitely recommend The Quiet You Carry by Nikki Barthelmess to everyone aged 14+. You will not be disappointed.
I'm a fan of young adult contemporary fiction when it deals with serious issues. When I read the synopsis for The Quiet You Carry by Nikki Barthelmess, I knew it was a book that I needed to read. Luckily, it didn't disappoint!
I found the plot of The Quiet You Carry to be very interesting indeed. I've always found books that deal with the foster system to be intriguing. I won't rehash the synopsis since the actual book synopsis does a good job explaining what the book is about. I found the plot to be very believable and extremely realistic. I didn't find any plot holes, and I was not left hanging. I didn't think there were any plot twists, but with this kind of book, it didn't need any plot twists to be good. I like the way The Quiet You Carry showed what I imagine life would be like for a teen in foster care trying to balance a new school, a budding romantic relationship, friendships, school, and the turmoil of what had happened. It's a lot for a young person to have to shoulder.
The characters in The Quiet You Carry were all realistic sounding and fleshed out perfectly. My heart went out to Victoria. What her father put her through was horrible, and then how he acted as if it were her fault. I hated that her stepmom chose to believe Victoria's father about the abuse. I know this actually goes on, and that's what makes it worse. I loved how she was willing to put everything on the line to protect her younger stepsister. I didn't agree with all of Victoria's choices, and I wish she would have done some things differently, but I realized she's supposed to be a 17 year old girl. I felt bad for Connie, the foster mom, as well. She was only following state rules, but the foster kids thought she was too strict. I think she got a lot of hate, and I always thought she was a good person from the beginning. I actually really liked Connie. Victoria's friends, Kale and Christina, were also really well written. I loved how they wanted to protect Victoria and how much they really cared for her.
The pacing was a bit shaky in some parts during the beginning of the book. However, the shakiness didn't last long, and before I knew it, I was totally immersed in Victoria's journey. I devoured this book, and I couldn't wait to see where Victoria's story would take her.
Trigger warnings for The Quiet You Carry include incest, sexual abuse, violence, domestic abuse, attempted suicide, and drug and alcohol references.
All in all, The Quiet You Carry is a great read. It started out a bit shaky, but it takes off before you know it. The plot and cast of characters were written so well that it was hard to put this one down! I would definitely recommend The Quiet You Carry by Nikki Barthelmess to everyone aged 14+. You will not be disappointed.
December 11, 2018
Full Review on my blog!
*a copy was provided by NetGalley*
Wow. I don't know what to say.
Initially I was drawn to this book by its cover and title, more importantly I found it to hold more important messages. At one point I found that it was dragging on, and was a bit slow, but I eventually got through it. This book was so raw, and some parts made me cry, but I also loved seeing Victoria grow.
We come into the book not knowing much besides Victoria is being taken away by CPS. We have no idea what happened; just that Victoria is saying that nothing happened and it was all a misunderstanding. Victoria ends up in a foster home. The foster mother seems a bit harsh at first, but she's actually really cool and nice, which we get to see near the end of the book..
Eventually we learn the truth about what really happened, it comes in pieces, but after the first couple of chapters, you pretty much understand what happened. Victoria tries hard not to make any friends at her new school, but Christina and Kale won't let up on her, they become her best friends, and it was nice to see after all she's been through.
I don't think I've ever seen foster kids being portrayed in YA, I thought this was done really well. Definitely looking to pick this one up when it's released. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author~
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*a copy was provided by NetGalley*
Wow. I don't know what to say.
Initially I was drawn to this book by its cover and title, more importantly I found it to hold more important messages. At one point I found that it was dragging on, and was a bit slow, but I eventually got through it. This book was so raw, and some parts made me cry, but I also loved seeing Victoria grow.
We come into the book not knowing much besides Victoria is being taken away by CPS. We have no idea what happened; just that Victoria is saying that nothing happened and it was all a misunderstanding. Victoria ends up in a foster home. The foster mother seems a bit harsh at first, but she's actually really cool and nice, which we get to see near the end of the book..
Eventually we learn the truth about what really happened, it comes in pieces, but after the first couple of chapters, you pretty much understand what happened. Victoria tries hard not to make any friends at her new school, but Christina and Kale won't let up on her, they become her best friends, and it was nice to see after all she's been through.
I don't think I've ever seen foster kids being portrayed in YA, I thought this was done really well. Definitely looking to pick this one up when it's released. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author~
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December 26, 2018
I knew there was something weird about this book when I first saw it, but I can honestly say I had no idea this book would be about sexual abuse. I don’t know if I would have requested it had I know what it was about. Saying all of that, it wasn’t a bad book, it just covers several unsettling topics.
First things first, I didn’t give this book three stars because of the difficult things that take place throughout the story. Things like what happened in the book, happen everyday, and they’re horrible no matter the circumstance. This was a good book, the way the main character, Victoria, changes throughout the story is very real and easy to relate to. The author did a wonderful job of explaining the way Victoria was feeling and how confused she was throughout the book that made it easier for those of us who have never gone through something like this.
There were lots of great characters in this book as well. With Victoria being the oldest at their foster mother Connie’s house she feels a little responsible for the younger kids. Jamie is the one who opens Victoria’s eyes and makes her realize that she needs to take care of her sister Sarah. Christina and Kale love Victoria despite her hiding the fact that she was in foster care. I think Christina was my favorite character though. She always stood up for Victoria and kept her out of trouble because Victoria could not afford to get into trouble. That’s how true friends are supposed to be and that’s why she was my favorite.
Thank you NetGalley and Flux for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
First things first, I didn’t give this book three stars because of the difficult things that take place throughout the story. Things like what happened in the book, happen everyday, and they’re horrible no matter the circumstance. This was a good book, the way the main character, Victoria, changes throughout the story is very real and easy to relate to. The author did a wonderful job of explaining the way Victoria was feeling and how confused she was throughout the book that made it easier for those of us who have never gone through something like this.
There were lots of great characters in this book as well. With Victoria being the oldest at their foster mother Connie’s house she feels a little responsible for the younger kids. Jamie is the one who opens Victoria’s eyes and makes her realize that she needs to take care of her sister Sarah. Christina and Kale love Victoria despite her hiding the fact that she was in foster care. I think Christina was my favorite character though. She always stood up for Victoria and kept her out of trouble because Victoria could not afford to get into trouble. That’s how true friends are supposed to be and that’s why she was my favorite.
Thank you NetGalley and Flux for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
March 5, 2019
Wow. That was raw and emotionally brutal.
I will not recover from The Quiet You Carry, but that's kinda the point.
Like most people, I'm aware of foster kids, went to school with some, knew some foster parents in my small town, but I never really understood the deep emotions of those involved. And I don't think I ever will fully understand what those kids and families go through. This book helps shed light on a whole world most of us know little about.
It should be a no brainer, but this book has all the trigger warnings. As I was reading it, it brought up every pain I remember feeling in junior high and high school. And I had a pretty easy time compared to most! If you're in any way feeling depressed, or anxious, or alone ... just be careful before starting this book. It's going to hurt, but hopefully you'll feel cathartic at the end (which has as happy an ending as can be).
Barthelmess writes in a way that's gripping and holds your attention. The story moves quickly and there are no extraneous words, sentences or scenes. Everything is important. You're inside Victoria's head as she's trying to resolve what happened to her and her new life in foster care at the same time. The constant back and forth between PTSD and trying to attend high school is unsettling. As a reader we're never sure when Victoria's mind might trigger a memory or gut reaction to something others may find mundane. In that way, the storytelling is perfect and accomplishes Barthelmess' goal.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Story: 5 stars
Character Development: 5 stars
Writing/Prose: 4 stars
I will not recover from The Quiet You Carry, but that's kinda the point.
Like most people, I'm aware of foster kids, went to school with some, knew some foster parents in my small town, but I never really understood the deep emotions of those involved. And I don't think I ever will fully understand what those kids and families go through. This book helps shed light on a whole world most of us know little about.
It should be a no brainer, but this book has all the trigger warnings. As I was reading it, it brought up every pain I remember feeling in junior high and high school. And I had a pretty easy time compared to most! If you're in any way feeling depressed, or anxious, or alone ... just be careful before starting this book. It's going to hurt, but hopefully you'll feel cathartic at the end (which has as happy an ending as can be).
Barthelmess writes in a way that's gripping and holds your attention. The story moves quickly and there are no extraneous words, sentences or scenes. Everything is important. You're inside Victoria's head as she's trying to resolve what happened to her and her new life in foster care at the same time. The constant back and forth between PTSD and trying to attend high school is unsettling. As a reader we're never sure when Victoria's mind might trigger a memory or gut reaction to something others may find mundane. In that way, the storytelling is perfect and accomplishes Barthelmess' goal.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Story: 5 stars
Character Development: 5 stars
Writing/Prose: 4 stars
August 18, 2019
After her mother died, Victoria's father's behavior towards her changed. It became more touchy and strange. She had a feeling that it was strange and odd but she loved her dad and just accepted that. Then he married Tiffany, the behavior still occurred until one night her Dad comes into her room and takes things a bit too far and when caught by his wife Tiffany, he turns the blame on Victoria and kicks her out of the house and calls the police. Victoria's life in a flash is upturned and she finds herself moving to Reno and living in a foster care group home and having to start a new school. Her plan to graduate and study is also chucked upside down as now, of course, her Dad won't pay for her student loans, etc. Living in a foster home, Victoria finds herself having to abide by new rules and living under strict conditions and curfews which one broke even the slightest can land her in a jail cell overnight. What happens though when Victoria is asked about what her dad did and though he is throwing her under the bus, she feels the need still to protect him. That is until she manages to contact her stepsister Sarah and learns that now Victoria isn't home, he is putting the moves on which was the one thing Victoria always tried to avoid - getting Sarah involved. Can Victoria with the help of her new friends and foster mother Carla save Sarah from going through what Victoria did? Can Sarah and Victoria finally convince Tiffany to leave her Victoria's dad and help press charges? Besides having an amazing cover, The Quiet You Carry was an edgy YA book that covers the topics of Foster Care, Sexual Abuse and Suicide.
March 23, 2019
I just finished this, and I have tears in my eyes. The last line was a knock-out punch after a book filled with incredible tension and heart-wrenching pain. I ached for Victoria, the main character, and was cheering for her when she finally found the courage to stand up for herself. With a supportive cast and real-world trouble, this is a must-read for any girl who has ever been silenced. Who has ever felt she needed to remain quiet to save someone not worth the fight. What a brilliant, necessary debut.
October 17, 2018
***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of THE QUIET YOU CARRY by Nikki Barthelmess in exchange for my honest review.***
4.5 STARS
Victoria lands in foster care after her father kicks her out in the middle of the night, throwing her plans to attend college next year into turmoil. Now she’s stuck with Connie, the foster mother from hell, in a new school hours away from her home, forbidden to check in on her stepsister. Despite her best intentions, Victoria’s hope to avoid attention disappear when she starts making friends. Sometimes people surprise you, if you let them.
I couldn’t help but to root for Victoria, even when she pushed people away. I understood why she was reluctant to tell what happened that last night at home but also wanted her to take the risk. At times I cringed at how she treated others, but putting myself in her shoes I can’t say I wouldn’t at time be myopic.
My only criticism is a certain character’s complete transformation. The reasons given made sense. If she hadn’t been written so one dimensionally before the growth I might have bought into her rapid positive change with less skepticism.
THE QUIET YOU CARRY keeps me glued to my kindle, completely invested in Victoria’s journey. I can’t wait to see what Nikki Barthelmess writes next.
4.5 STARS
Victoria lands in foster care after her father kicks her out in the middle of the night, throwing her plans to attend college next year into turmoil. Now she’s stuck with Connie, the foster mother from hell, in a new school hours away from her home, forbidden to check in on her stepsister. Despite her best intentions, Victoria’s hope to avoid attention disappear when she starts making friends. Sometimes people surprise you, if you let them.
I couldn’t help but to root for Victoria, even when she pushed people away. I understood why she was reluctant to tell what happened that last night at home but also wanted her to take the risk. At times I cringed at how she treated others, but putting myself in her shoes I can’t say I wouldn’t at time be myopic.
My only criticism is a certain character’s complete transformation. The reasons given made sense. If she hadn’t been written so one dimensionally before the growth I might have bought into her rapid positive change with less skepticism.
THE QUIET YOU CARRY keeps me glued to my kindle, completely invested in Victoria’s journey. I can’t wait to see what Nikki Barthelmess writes next.
October 30, 2018
The Quiet You Carry is a story about a girl who was put in the foster care system because her father stated she made advances at him and he needed her out of his house.
What this young girl goes through is heartbreaking but at the same time her strength is amazing.
I loved this story because it touches on so many issues kids go through today within their own families as well as in the foster care system. Thank you for writing about the "Elephant in the room" Ms. Barthelmess. I believe with this story you will be helping a lot of young women and men get through tough times in their lives.
What this young girl goes through is heartbreaking but at the same time her strength is amazing.
I loved this story because it touches on so many issues kids go through today within their own families as well as in the foster care system. Thank you for writing about the "Elephant in the room" Ms. Barthelmess. I believe with this story you will be helping a lot of young women and men get through tough times in their lives.
April 19, 2019
This was a hard book for me to read, especially towards the end. But it was good.
December 18, 2018
Note: Thank you to NetGalley and to Flux for sending me a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
TW: domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual assault, self harm, and suicide attempts
This is truly a heart-wrenching story. It's the kind of book that will stay with you for a while because it pulled on all of your heart strings and made you cry. This story focuses on Victoria, our main character, who has suddenly been kicked out of her home by her father and forced into foster care just a few months before turning 18. Readers don't get all of the backstory immediately, so you learn about Victoria's past and the relationship between her and her father gradually as the story goes along. And unless your heart is made of stone, you will feel reeled in.
Sexual assault and child abuse are very hard topics to approach because they need to be handled correctly. An author cannot go into a story with no understanding of the effects it has on children without completely ruining the message. Nikki Barthelmess handled this so well. This is just a personal opinion, but the topic was handled really delicately and without any harsh stereotypes or insensitivity. These kind of stories need to be told, but the right way. Readers get a close look at the family dynamic in Victoria's home. We are not simply catapulted in to an awful situation to try and figure out how Victoria got there. Instead, Barthelmess takes us all the way back to the beginning and shows us the relationship between Victoria and her father, mother, stepmother, and stepsister. There is a lot going on in this, but it's not overwhelming (at least not in that sense, though the emotions can be). We're also given a fairly realistic look at being a foster child at several different ages (thanks to Victoria's foster sisters Jamie and Lizzie).
The plot is fairly slow-paced, and the book is pretty short, but for this type of story where readers gain information and insight as the story builds, this works. The last few chapters of the book speed up a bit to wrap everything up, which is one thing I think could've been tweaked a little. I'm glad that readers get some closure from this story, but I personally would've liked an extra chapter or two to really carry out the ending the way that Victoria, Sarah, and Jamie deserve.
The characters all shocked me. In a lot of books, we see development of the main character, and maybe minimal development of a supporting character or two to feed the story. However, in this one, it felt like practically all of the characters were developed for us. Victoria gets a lot of new people in her life thanks to being put into foster care, and for such a short novel, I didn't think we'd learn so much about all of the people around her. Even Connie, who I really didn't care for, has layers beneath her hard foster mother exterior. The friends that Victoria make don't just add to the story but they get a little piece of their own in there, too. It isn't often that I get to see so many contributing characters get legitimate story lines, but I really liked it.
Overall, this is definitely one that I'll remember for a while. I was pulled in, my heart was shattered, and I was proud of Victoria in the end. She became her own beacon of hope, and if you love a story like that, then definitely check this out.
TW: domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual assault, self harm, and suicide attempts
This is truly a heart-wrenching story. It's the kind of book that will stay with you for a while because it pulled on all of your heart strings and made you cry. This story focuses on Victoria, our main character, who has suddenly been kicked out of her home by her father and forced into foster care just a few months before turning 18. Readers don't get all of the backstory immediately, so you learn about Victoria's past and the relationship between her and her father gradually as the story goes along. And unless your heart is made of stone, you will feel reeled in.
Sexual assault and child abuse are very hard topics to approach because they need to be handled correctly. An author cannot go into a story with no understanding of the effects it has on children without completely ruining the message. Nikki Barthelmess handled this so well. This is just a personal opinion, but the topic was handled really delicately and without any harsh stereotypes or insensitivity. These kind of stories need to be told, but the right way. Readers get a close look at the family dynamic in Victoria's home. We are not simply catapulted in to an awful situation to try and figure out how Victoria got there. Instead, Barthelmess takes us all the way back to the beginning and shows us the relationship between Victoria and her father, mother, stepmother, and stepsister. There is a lot going on in this, but it's not overwhelming (at least not in that sense, though the emotions can be). We're also given a fairly realistic look at being a foster child at several different ages (thanks to Victoria's foster sisters Jamie and Lizzie).
The plot is fairly slow-paced, and the book is pretty short, but for this type of story where readers gain information and insight as the story builds, this works. The last few chapters of the book speed up a bit to wrap everything up, which is one thing I think could've been tweaked a little. I'm glad that readers get some closure from this story, but I personally would've liked an extra chapter or two to really carry out the ending the way that Victoria, Sarah, and Jamie deserve.
The characters all shocked me. In a lot of books, we see development of the main character, and maybe minimal development of a supporting character or two to feed the story. However, in this one, it felt like practically all of the characters were developed for us. Victoria gets a lot of new people in her life thanks to being put into foster care, and for such a short novel, I didn't think we'd learn so much about all of the people around her. Even Connie, who I really didn't care for, has layers beneath her hard foster mother exterior. The friends that Victoria make don't just add to the story but they get a little piece of their own in there, too. It isn't often that I get to see so many contributing characters get legitimate story lines, but I really liked it.
Overall, this is definitely one that I'll remember for a while. I was pulled in, my heart was shattered, and I was proud of Victoria in the end. She became her own beacon of hope, and if you love a story like that, then definitely check this out.
March 4, 2019
This review was originally posted on Andi's ABCs
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Sometime you read a description for a book and you know going in your heart will be broken. You can just tell the main characters life is going to crush you. The Quiet You Carry was one of those books. The blurb alone almost had me in tears and from the get-go I knew I was in for an emotional roller coaster.
The Quiet You Carry is about Victoria, a 17 year old girl that finds herself kicked out of her house at 3am when her father’s weird behavior hits a head. Having nowhere to go she is placed in a foster home causing her life to plans to crumble around her. Suddenly she is in a new school, living with new people, and has rules she doesn’t understand all while trying to hide a secret she knows will change everything.
My heart truly ached for Victoria and her story. At 17 she lost everything. She lost the father that was supposed to protect her, the home that she had always known, her friends and school, and her plans for the future. I can’t imagine going through that at any age never mind 17. And not only dealing with all of that she also had to deal with the trust her father broke and the secret she was holding for him. Truly she broke my heart and I shed quite a few tears. What I loved most about The Quiet You Carry was seeing Victoria learn to trust again which wasn’t easy for her after what she had been through. Slowly seeing her let people in was the highlight for me.
Nikki Barthlemess reached all of my expectations with her debut book. She hit all the marks I expected from the blurb and I walked away from it feeling hopeful for Victoria and the life she wanted to live. I highly recommend you checking this gem out. Just make sure you have a few tissues handy…you know, just in case.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Sometime you read a description for a book and you know going in your heart will be broken. You can just tell the main characters life is going to crush you. The Quiet You Carry was one of those books. The blurb alone almost had me in tears and from the get-go I knew I was in for an emotional roller coaster.
The Quiet You Carry is about Victoria, a 17 year old girl that finds herself kicked out of her house at 3am when her father’s weird behavior hits a head. Having nowhere to go she is placed in a foster home causing her life to plans to crumble around her. Suddenly she is in a new school, living with new people, and has rules she doesn’t understand all while trying to hide a secret she knows will change everything.
My heart truly ached for Victoria and her story. At 17 she lost everything. She lost the father that was supposed to protect her, the home that she had always known, her friends and school, and her plans for the future. I can’t imagine going through that at any age never mind 17. And not only dealing with all of that she also had to deal with the trust her father broke and the secret she was holding for him. Truly she broke my heart and I shed quite a few tears. What I loved most about The Quiet You Carry was seeing Victoria learn to trust again which wasn’t easy for her after what she had been through. Slowly seeing her let people in was the highlight for me.
Nikki Barthlemess reached all of my expectations with her debut book. She hit all the marks I expected from the blurb and I walked away from it feeling hopeful for Victoria and the life she wanted to live. I highly recommend you checking this gem out. Just make sure you have a few tissues handy…you know, just in case.
March 1, 2019
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Victoria Parker was sent to foster care because her dad accused her of something. And she doesn't want to tell her side of the story. Since he refuses to let her back in the house, she has to leave with Connie. And she hates Connie. t also means that she has to live in a new town, meet new people, go to a new school... And it all sucks.
I felt for Victoria but I felt like she wasn't all that layered and very immature for her age. It bothered me while I was reading. And yes, I am old and aware of that but I know people of her age and most of them are a lot more mature that she was. I just couldn't connect with her and it made me feel shitty. I felt like she was taking all the wrong decisions and it was basically hard being in her head. Still, this book talks about important issues, but it felt like it was on the surface and I honestly don't know what else to say...
Victoria Parker was sent to foster care because her dad accused her of something. And she doesn't want to tell her side of the story. Since he refuses to let her back in the house, she has to leave with Connie. And she hates Connie. t also means that she has to live in a new town, meet new people, go to a new school... And it all sucks.
I felt for Victoria but I felt like she wasn't all that layered and very immature for her age. It bothered me while I was reading. And yes, I am old and aware of that but I know people of her age and most of them are a lot more mature that she was. I just couldn't connect with her and it made me feel shitty. I felt like she was taking all the wrong decisions and it was basically hard being in her head. Still, this book talks about important issues, but it felt like it was on the surface and I honestly don't know what else to say...
June 25, 2019
The Quiet You Carry is such a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, and worthwhile read. It really opened my eyes to the reality of foster care. Barthelmess did a fantastic job exploring each role in the foster care system, what the weak parts are, and how the system can help. She also handled so many difficult topics with such care and overall respect for the individuals who survived those traumas. Plus, all of the characters are so realistic and nuanced.
While a heavy read, this book is an important one and addresses topics not usually seen in YA. However, I would recommend taking a look at the content warnings before reading it, since there are potential triggers in the book.
*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
While a heavy read, this book is an important one and addresses topics not usually seen in YA. However, I would recommend taking a look at the content warnings before reading it, since there are potential triggers in the book.
*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
November 12, 2018
Although this book was about a difficult topic, it was interesting to read. I felt like the characters were realistic and likable. I often wondered what it would be like to be a foster parent and so I am glad they shared Connie's story as well.
For someone who doesn't really care for series books, I kind of want to know how the rest of Victoria's story evolves!
Thank you to North Star Editions and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
For someone who doesn't really care for series books, I kind of want to know how the rest of Victoria's story evolves!
Thank you to North Star Editions and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
February 5, 2019
A heartbreaking and real look at foster care and at family abuse. Some moments made me cringe, but I love the way Barthelmess juxtaposed these awful moments with moments of hope and resilience. A beautiful and raw story that is certain to touch lives.
October 2, 2018
I was able to read this book prior to publication and it is raw, powerful, and redemptive. Nikki is an exquisite writer and truly captures Victoria's story.
January 31, 2021
This book was such a powerful read 💕
It’s different to the books I’d usually pick but I’m so glad I saw this at the library and decided to read it. I think this is a book that should be read and studied in senior high school. It covers the topic of foster care, sexual abuse, parental alcoholism and control and the trauma it all causes. It’s the story of a teen who suddenly finds herself in foster care after a terrible incident with her father. The book delves deeply into her internal hurt (the quiet she carries) as she tries to navigate her way through graduating high school in a new town with new rules, new classmates and a new ‘home’ with her foster carer, all the while, hiding her secrets, feeling alone and confused.
What I loved is that the book centres around sexual abuse and the girl’s experience in foster care but the details are raw and realistic without being painful or traumatic to read. It is very gently covered but deeply too without being confronting. The writing is thoughtful and fantastic!
This kind of book would give hope and strength to teens who may find themselves in a traumatic circumstance. It’s a story that covers the traumatic events but shows the power of friendship and trust of caring adults who can be turned too for guidance and help, which results in healing and hope, instead of the feeling of loneliness and helplessness like so many who are suffering feel. It shows that you are not alone, that there is so much support if you can open up and learn to trust again... mostly, trusting in yourself and building strength and self esteem with the help of others.
It’s a powerful, raw, sad and beautiful read. I highly recommend it 💕
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