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YA Verse
Every Little Bad Idea
The women in Skyler Wise's family have a weakness for bad boys, but not Skyler. She has one thing on her mind, leaving her run-down neighborhood and going to college. When Skyler's normally strict mom starts dating again, she feels abandoned. Skyler meets Cole, a boy who makes her question everything she thought she knew about herself and her future. Even though he has a dangerous reputation, Skyler believes she knows the real Cole, the sweet, caring boyfriend who makes her feel seen for once in her life. When Cole starts to change, Skyler realizes that she'll do anything to keep him around, even if it means giving up her dream and losing the people closest to her.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2018
3 people are currently reading
1184 people want to read
About the author
Caitie McKay
1 book13 followersCaitie McKay is a writer and children’s book editor from Buffalo, New York. She graduated with a degree in creative writing from Canisius College, where she was awarded the G.E. Murray Award for Excellence in Creative Writing. She’s written and edited more than 500 educational books for children. This is her first novel. For more information, visit caitiemcwritesalot.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 4, 2018
. : ☾⋆ — 2 ★
READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG!!!
https://bit.ly/2tRLOPd
arc provided from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (thank you West 44 Books!!)
Every Little Bad Idea follows Skyler Wise and her family’s long history of terrible taste in men and making bad decisions when it comes to men. all the women in Skyler’s family seem to have a weakness for “bad boys”, and Skyler’s convinced that this supposed curse does not extend to her since she’s never ever been interested in any boys before. she’s a good girl, a wise girl, a girl who wants to go to college for premed and who has her whole future before her thanks to her hardworking single mom, who has done everything she can to give Skyler the life she deserves after Skyler’s dad left the family. but then Cole comes around, a certified Bad Boy™, and he makes Skyler question everything she thought she knew about herself and her life.
excuse me while i just *projectile vomits all over the floor*.
this is a very dangerous book. scratch that, this is an EXTREMELY dangerous book. i’m only giving it two stars because it redeems itself in the end and i understand the message it wants to convey and how it’s supposed to be a representation of a heavily toxic relationship. however, said toxic relationship is romanticized like nothing i’ve ever seen, so i’m about to go on a extra large rant.
Skyler is manipulated by Cole in every way you can imagine. she’s charmed at first, of course, because she believes Cole to be the sweetest boy she’s ever met despite the bad boy façade. she doesn’t listen to her best friend, she doesn’t listen to her mom. she believes she knows him better than everybody else, that she knows “the real Cole”. Skyler proceeds to be pushed into situations that she doesn’t want to be in, forced into doing things she doesn’t want to do. she considers leaving everything behind for Cole. college, her mom, her friends, her future. everything.
if anything i can give this book it’s that it made me feel things. i don’t know if the author was going for “extremely angry”, but i’m there, all right. it made me feel an intense protectiveness over Skyler, because i see myself in this girl. i’m the wise girl. i’m the good girl. i’m the innocent girl. i have a very close relationship with my mom and i surround myself with female friends almost exclusively. and that’s not a bad thing to be. society pushes young women to seek out relationships even when they’re toxic and destructive. society tells young women that they have to be sexy. that they can’t be smart if they want to be sexy. that they should prioritize a husband and a family before a career. that they’re not worth anything if they’re not loved by a man. thoughts similar to these plague Skyler’s head and i wanted to pull her back so bad. i wanted to sit her down and tell her that she doesn’t deserve this, that she deserves so much better and that life doesn’t start and end with a boy.
this is a dangerous book, and i honestly don’t care that everything is okay by the end of it. the middle was enough to make up my mind. this book isn’t a lesson, it’s a step-by-step guide on how to romanticize toxic relationships even when you can see that they’re destroying you.
READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG!!!
https://bit.ly/2tRLOPd
arc provided from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (thank you West 44 Books!!)
Every Little Bad Idea follows Skyler Wise and her family’s long history of terrible taste in men and making bad decisions when it comes to men. all the women in Skyler’s family seem to have a weakness for “bad boys”, and Skyler’s convinced that this supposed curse does not extend to her since she’s never ever been interested in any boys before. she’s a good girl, a wise girl, a girl who wants to go to college for premed and who has her whole future before her thanks to her hardworking single mom, who has done everything she can to give Skyler the life she deserves after Skyler’s dad left the family. but then Cole comes around, a certified Bad Boy™, and he makes Skyler question everything she thought she knew about herself and her life.
excuse me while i just *projectile vomits all over the floor*.
this is a very dangerous book. scratch that, this is an EXTREMELY dangerous book. i’m only giving it two stars because it redeems itself in the end and i understand the message it wants to convey and how it’s supposed to be a representation of a heavily toxic relationship. however, said toxic relationship is romanticized like nothing i’ve ever seen, so i’m about to go on a extra large rant.
Skyler is manipulated by Cole in every way you can imagine. she’s charmed at first, of course, because she believes Cole to be the sweetest boy she’s ever met despite the bad boy façade. she doesn’t listen to her best friend, she doesn’t listen to her mom. she believes she knows him better than everybody else, that she knows “the real Cole”. Skyler proceeds to be pushed into situations that she doesn’t want to be in, forced into doing things she doesn’t want to do. she considers leaving everything behind for Cole. college, her mom, her friends, her future. everything.
if anything i can give this book it’s that it made me feel things. i don’t know if the author was going for “extremely angry”, but i’m there, all right. it made me feel an intense protectiveness over Skyler, because i see myself in this girl. i’m the wise girl. i’m the good girl. i’m the innocent girl. i have a very close relationship with my mom and i surround myself with female friends almost exclusively. and that’s not a bad thing to be. society pushes young women to seek out relationships even when they’re toxic and destructive. society tells young women that they have to be sexy. that they can’t be smart if they want to be sexy. that they should prioritize a husband and a family before a career. that they’re not worth anything if they’re not loved by a man. thoughts similar to these plague Skyler’s head and i wanted to pull her back so bad. i wanted to sit her down and tell her that she doesn’t deserve this, that she deserves so much better and that life doesn’t start and end with a boy.
this is a dangerous book, and i honestly don’t care that everything is okay by the end of it. the middle was enough to make up my mind. this book isn’t a lesson, it’s a step-by-step guide on how to romanticize toxic relationships even when you can see that they’re destroying you.
July 10, 2018
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Every Little Bad Idea by Caitie Mckay is about of a six part series called the YA Verse. This particular story is about an ambitious sixteen year old girl named Skylar with dreams of becoming a doctor. However, the women in her family are known to be attracted to "bad boys" which almost always end in heartbreak. Skylar didn't think it would happen to her because she had plans and goals and made promises.
But...things don't always work out how people want. Enter Cole: a notorious bad boy with a penchant for drinking, jail, and pressuring others. At first everything was fine (except not fine). To Skylar, it was perfect. To the readers + her family/friends...it wasn't.
Cole becomes possessive, tried to pressure her into things she didn't want, essentially made her alienate the people she loves, put her down, etc. Casebook case of toxic relationships. We slowly watched as Skylar strayed further and further from herself.
I thought this book was highly realistic. I've known people like Cole and Skylar. I know how tragic toxic relationships can be and how difficult they are to get out of it.
I think if it wasn't written in verse it wouldn't have that big of an effect on the readers (at least me). I'm not saying this topic shouldn't be talked about, I'm saying for Skylar's particular story verse form worked. It allowed me to clearly see these characters for who they are while also forcing me to put on rose colored glasses due to the whimsical quotes.
The only huge problem I had with this book is that it was formatted weird? Some of the words had letters missing and I'm not sure if that was intentional or just a problem on my part. It didn't have so many missing letters where I couldn't understand it. Instead you just filled in the gaps as you read. Again, no clue if that was on purpose.
Other than that I really enjoyed this. It was a quick read under 200 pages written completely in verse. Even the minor characters were written in a way that was in depth. Skylar's story is a cautionary tale we've all heard of. It's a tale I think (especially young girls around that age) should check out. As long as they can clearly understand the message and able to take off the rose colored glasses to see the story for how it is: harsh and realistic rather than romantic and something they should strive for.
Every Little Bad Idea by [Caitie McKay] is set to be released August 1st! Solid 3.5/5.0 stars :) give it a try if you want to read something different yet still impactful
Every Little Bad Idea by Caitie Mckay is about of a six part series called the YA Verse. This particular story is about an ambitious sixteen year old girl named Skylar with dreams of becoming a doctor. However, the women in her family are known to be attracted to "bad boys" which almost always end in heartbreak. Skylar didn't think it would happen to her because she had plans and goals and made promises.
But...things don't always work out how people want. Enter Cole: a notorious bad boy with a penchant for drinking, jail, and pressuring others. At first everything was fine (except not fine). To Skylar, it was perfect. To the readers + her family/friends...it wasn't.
Cole becomes possessive, tried to pressure her into things she didn't want, essentially made her alienate the people she loves, put her down, etc. Casebook case of toxic relationships. We slowly watched as Skylar strayed further and further from herself.
I thought this book was highly realistic. I've known people like Cole and Skylar. I know how tragic toxic relationships can be and how difficult they are to get out of it.
I think if it wasn't written in verse it wouldn't have that big of an effect on the readers (at least me). I'm not saying this topic shouldn't be talked about, I'm saying for Skylar's particular story verse form worked. It allowed me to clearly see these characters for who they are while also forcing me to put on rose colored glasses due to the whimsical quotes.
The only huge problem I had with this book is that it was formatted weird? Some of the words had letters missing and I'm not sure if that was intentional or just a problem on my part. It didn't have so many missing letters where I couldn't understand it. Instead you just filled in the gaps as you read. Again, no clue if that was on purpose.
Other than that I really enjoyed this. It was a quick read under 200 pages written completely in verse. Even the minor characters were written in a way that was in depth. Skylar's story is a cautionary tale we've all heard of. It's a tale I think (especially young girls around that age) should check out. As long as they can clearly understand the message and able to take off the rose colored glasses to see the story for how it is: harsh and realistic rather than romantic and something they should strive for.
Every Little Bad Idea by [Caitie McKay] is set to be released August 1st! Solid 3.5/5.0 stars :) give it a try if you want to read something different yet still impactful
July 14, 2018
"Time flies
when every sunset
is pink and purple
and every song
on the radio was
written for you."
-Caitie McKay
Time flew as I read "Every Little Bad Idea" in one sitting, I consumed it like a dog eating its first meal in days. Because it is written in verse, it is easy to get into. But the story is so believable and relatable, and that's why I didn't put it down.
I saw so much of my teenage self in Skyler. Smart, driven, focused on the end goal. But then Cole came into her life and everything suddenly changes. It's funny how you can feel so plain and then a cute boy gives you attention and your entire life flips into something you don't ever expect for yourself. This is what happens to Skyler, and as I read through it, I could feel her slipping away from herself. Turning into someone that she doesn't recognize, and someone that she doesn't even know that she doesn't want to be.
The journey through this book made me feel all the feelings I had as a 16 year old in love. It reminded me of what it was like to be with someone who was bad for me. It reminded me what it was like to see a person as perfect but to still know their flaws. It reminded me what it was like to be completely blinded by the love you feel from someone else, when you lose the other people who are close to you because you can't see them anymore.
I was so frustrated as I read this because it reminded me of me.
I won't spoil the end for you, but I will spoil the fact that this is a must read for any teenage girl or the parent of a teenage girl. "Every Little Bad Idea" shows exactly what a bad idea can do to you - and what can happen if you don't escape from it.
*I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.*
when every sunset
is pink and purple
and every song
on the radio was
written for you."
-Caitie McKay
Time flew as I read "Every Little Bad Idea" in one sitting, I consumed it like a dog eating its first meal in days. Because it is written in verse, it is easy to get into. But the story is so believable and relatable, and that's why I didn't put it down.
I saw so much of my teenage self in Skyler. Smart, driven, focused on the end goal. But then Cole came into her life and everything suddenly changes. It's funny how you can feel so plain and then a cute boy gives you attention and your entire life flips into something you don't ever expect for yourself. This is what happens to Skyler, and as I read through it, I could feel her slipping away from herself. Turning into someone that she doesn't recognize, and someone that she doesn't even know that she doesn't want to be.
The journey through this book made me feel all the feelings I had as a 16 year old in love. It reminded me of what it was like to be with someone who was bad for me. It reminded me what it was like to see a person as perfect but to still know their flaws. It reminded me what it was like to be completely blinded by the love you feel from someone else, when you lose the other people who are close to you because you can't see them anymore.
I was so frustrated as I read this because it reminded me of me.
I won't spoil the end for you, but I will spoil the fact that this is a must read for any teenage girl or the parent of a teenage girl. "Every Little Bad Idea" shows exactly what a bad idea can do to you - and what can happen if you don't escape from it.
*I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.*
August 3, 2018
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Skyler has always had a plan: keep away from boys until she's 18, go to college, be different than the rest of the women in her family. You see, women in her family have a weakness for bad boys, and Skylar doesn't want that to happen to her. But when Cole, with his charming smile and gorgeous blue eyes comes her way, Skyler is not that sure anymore. And that's how every little bad idea starts coming her way.
Every Little Bad Idea is a wonderful story written in verse. A small story that encapsulates teenage feelings, mother-and-daughter bonds, friendship, self-love and the right and wrong choices, as well as the impact they can have on our lives. I loved the form of the story, as well as its content. Kudos for a wonderful ending. Strongly recommended YA read.
Skyler has always had a plan: keep away from boys until she's 18, go to college, be different than the rest of the women in her family. You see, women in her family have a weakness for bad boys, and Skylar doesn't want that to happen to her. But when Cole, with his charming smile and gorgeous blue eyes comes her way, Skyler is not that sure anymore. And that's how every little bad idea starts coming her way.
Every Little Bad Idea is a wonderful story written in verse. A small story that encapsulates teenage feelings, mother-and-daughter bonds, friendship, self-love and the right and wrong choices, as well as the impact they can have on our lives. I loved the form of the story, as well as its content. Kudos for a wonderful ending. Strongly recommended YA read.
August 12, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me this to read and review
Every Little Bad Idea is a YA novel written in verse that follows Skylar Wise as she falls for 'bad boy' Cole and how she adversely changes herself to appease him.
Please take my harsh rating with a grain of salt as I am not usually drawn to books written in verse. I appreciated the inclusion of such dark topics, however; this story was just too short (34 pages) making it impossible for me to connect to the story or characters. I took absolutely nothing from this.
Every Little Bad Idea is a YA novel written in verse that follows Skylar Wise as she falls for 'bad boy' Cole and how she adversely changes herself to appease him.
Please take my harsh rating with a grain of salt as I am not usually drawn to books written in verse. I appreciated the inclusion of such dark topics, however; this story was just too short (34 pages) making it impossible for me to connect to the story or characters. I took absolutely nothing from this.
March 27, 2020
Actual Rating: 1.5
McKay's novel focuses on promoting the idea that people must make mistakes in order to recognize and appreciate the people in their lives that matter most and offer reciprocal respect and loyalty. This is accomplished through a first-person narrative from Skylar Wise's perspective as she navigates her first relationship with a "bad boy" and is forced to reconcile new experiences with the expectations for her future placed upon her by other characters as well as herself.
While this message (i.e. learn from your mistakes) is important, it is one that has been conveyed by countless other narratives in a way that is less cliche and more elegantly presented than it is in this novel. For example, the author relies heavily on overused tropes, like the goody-goody girl falling for the mysterious bad boy, to create characters, which leads to a lack of depth to the novel as a whole. The author's writing also leaves something to be desired, especially given the inclusion of cringe-worthy lines like "I feel so felt." Ultimately, the tropes and lack of fleshed-out characters fails to elucidate the themes of Every Little Bad Idea in a memorable or original way.
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
McKay's novel focuses on promoting the idea that people must make mistakes in order to recognize and appreciate the people in their lives that matter most and offer reciprocal respect and loyalty. This is accomplished through a first-person narrative from Skylar Wise's perspective as she navigates her first relationship with a "bad boy" and is forced to reconcile new experiences with the expectations for her future placed upon her by other characters as well as herself.
While this message (i.e. learn from your mistakes) is important, it is one that has been conveyed by countless other narratives in a way that is less cliche and more elegantly presented than it is in this novel. For example, the author relies heavily on overused tropes, like the goody-goody girl falling for the mysterious bad boy, to create characters, which leads to a lack of depth to the novel as a whole. The author's writing also leaves something to be desired, especially given the inclusion of cringe-worthy lines like "I feel so felt." Ultimately, the tropes and lack of fleshed-out characters fails to elucidate the themes of Every Little Bad Idea in a memorable or original way.
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2018
Wow! Another slam dunk for West 44 Books ~~ I just so happened to read two of their poetry publications back to back and both were extremely relatable and so well written. Poetry is NOT usually my first choice, but maybe it should be from here on out! Thanks so much to them & to Netgalley for approving me to read this. ❤️🙏🏻
This is a story about a young girl named Skyler Wise who gets involved in a relationship with Cole Baker. Skyler does not heed her mother’s warning that “ the women in this family have a weakness for bad boys;” and her situation turns out to be no different. This connection quickly becomes controlling and both mentally and physically abusive.
I have been in a poor relationship myself and remember thinking similar things that Skyler did,
“ the funny thing about love is how it takes you over so completely that you lose yourself piece by piece,” and “ some threats come in unsuspecting packages.” Ohhhh so true. I even thought that the things he did were cute and loving, when really they were just another form of control, “ It’s like he’s doing a case study in me. He’s looking closer than anyone ever has.”
Then there are the lies that you tell yourself, “ me and [ insert name here] against the world. No one understands. No one knows the real him.” The sad part? Everyone sees the real him— it’s YOU that doesn’t, and in this case Skyler.
The making excuses becomes a regular thing inside your head, “ ...but that’s only SOME of the time” and “ I don’t feel myself when he’s not here to tell me who I am.” Believe me, I thought the same things and YOU can survive alone, you are a lot stronger than you know!
Lastly, the lies and the actions of Cole really hit home hard: Threatening that he couldn’t live without her , that she couldn’t have college AND him, couldn’t have male friends AND him, he doesn’t know how long he can wait for her, and saying she must not really love him.
The author, Caitie McKay hits the nail on the head when she states that “ I love you is a Band-Aid”...and that ,” There is no Band-Aid for friendship.” That really is the sad truth of relationships, but the benefit of having a really great support system in your friends and family that surround you because they will be the ones who help you pick up the pieces, when the one that you thought loved you the most simply walks away!
Captured so perfectly , and stabs you straight through the heart! 5 stars ⭐️
This is a story about a young girl named Skyler Wise who gets involved in a relationship with Cole Baker. Skyler does not heed her mother’s warning that “ the women in this family have a weakness for bad boys;” and her situation turns out to be no different. This connection quickly becomes controlling and both mentally and physically abusive.
I have been in a poor relationship myself and remember thinking similar things that Skyler did,
“ the funny thing about love is how it takes you over so completely that you lose yourself piece by piece,” and “ some threats come in unsuspecting packages.” Ohhhh so true. I even thought that the things he did were cute and loving, when really they were just another form of control, “ It’s like he’s doing a case study in me. He’s looking closer than anyone ever has.”
Then there are the lies that you tell yourself, “ me and [ insert name here] against the world. No one understands. No one knows the real him.” The sad part? Everyone sees the real him— it’s YOU that doesn’t, and in this case Skyler.
The making excuses becomes a regular thing inside your head, “ ...but that’s only SOME of the time” and “ I don’t feel myself when he’s not here to tell me who I am.” Believe me, I thought the same things and YOU can survive alone, you are a lot stronger than you know!
Lastly, the lies and the actions of Cole really hit home hard: Threatening that he couldn’t live without her , that she couldn’t have college AND him, couldn’t have male friends AND him, he doesn’t know how long he can wait for her, and saying she must not really love him.
The author, Caitie McKay hits the nail on the head when she states that “ I love you is a Band-Aid”...and that ,” There is no Band-Aid for friendship.” That really is the sad truth of relationships, but the benefit of having a really great support system in your friends and family that surround you because they will be the ones who help you pick up the pieces, when the one that you thought loved you the most simply walks away!
Captured so perfectly , and stabs you straight through the heart! 5 stars ⭐️
July 12, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley and West 44 Books for sharing a galley with me in exchange for an honest review!
A beautiful story told in verse about the power of a relationship to heal you or tear you down.
Skyler Wise wants to break the curse of the women in her family: leave her neighborhood and go to college without falling for a bad boy. Enter Cole Baker, who makes Skyler feel in ways she never has before.
Some might say “Every Little Bad Idea” is simple, that it’s predictable. And it might be. But I loved it for its simplicity, for the columns of words that unravel and then rebuild Skyler’s life, and her relationships with her friends and family. To add in other elements, such as characters or plot lines, would dilute the power of Skyler’s story, which is captivating. I liked how every character felt necessary, from Skyler’s mom’s new boyfriend, to her encouraging English teacher.
I wasn’t on the edge of my seat, exactly, but I always wanted to know what Skyler would choose next, what she would decide to pursue. I kind of identify with Skyler’s desire to be a perfect person, and live up to her mom’s expectations, but also want to find out what else in the world is worth discovering, so I sympathized with Skyler’s high and low points.
The relationship between Skyler and Cole felt perfectly developed. I not only saw, but also felt, how Skyler fell in love and then out again, all while trying to figure out who she was in the wake of her world shifting. I liked how she maintained the goal of being a doctor, and helping others, even as her path to that goal shifted.
The only part I didn’t like was Layla, Skyler’s best friend. I felt like she was a bit hypocritical of Skyler’s choices in romance, when Skyler had supported her endeavors in the past.
All in all, 4 stars for an amazing book about love in different forms, and what it takes to stay true to yourself when everything changes.
A beautiful story told in verse about the power of a relationship to heal you or tear you down.
Skyler Wise wants to break the curse of the women in her family: leave her neighborhood and go to college without falling for a bad boy. Enter Cole Baker, who makes Skyler feel in ways she never has before.
Some might say “Every Little Bad Idea” is simple, that it’s predictable. And it might be. But I loved it for its simplicity, for the columns of words that unravel and then rebuild Skyler’s life, and her relationships with her friends and family. To add in other elements, such as characters or plot lines, would dilute the power of Skyler’s story, which is captivating. I liked how every character felt necessary, from Skyler’s mom’s new boyfriend, to her encouraging English teacher.
I wasn’t on the edge of my seat, exactly, but I always wanted to know what Skyler would choose next, what she would decide to pursue. I kind of identify with Skyler’s desire to be a perfect person, and live up to her mom’s expectations, but also want to find out what else in the world is worth discovering, so I sympathized with Skyler’s high and low points.
The relationship between Skyler and Cole felt perfectly developed. I not only saw, but also felt, how Skyler fell in love and then out again, all while trying to figure out who she was in the wake of her world shifting. I liked how she maintained the goal of being a doctor, and helping others, even as her path to that goal shifted.
The only part I didn’t like was Layla, Skyler’s best friend. I felt like she was a bit hypocritical of Skyler’s choices in romance, when Skyler had supported her endeavors in the past.
All in all, 4 stars for an amazing book about love in different forms, and what it takes to stay true to yourself when everything changes.
September 4, 2018
I received this as an EARC from net galley for an honest review. I gave this book a 3.5/5 stars. I really wanted to love this story but there were just a few problems with it. I wasn't a huge fan on the writing style and I felt as though a few things that happened were unrealistic. I could relate to this book on some levels which is why I was so interested. It reminded me a lot about my family and me. How I'm completely different than them. That being said I did enjoy the novel because of these aspects but I wasn't a huge fan. I didn't care for some of the characters and the story just sorta fell flat for me at some points, I do recommend giving it a try though because ei did still enjoy it.
August 2, 2022
3.5/5
Let me say, before I started reading this I had no idea that it was written in prose. Prose outside of poetry collections is not my favorite writing style. That being said, this book painted quite the picture. Unfortunately, I am a reader that enjoys as many details as possible, so the quick, light storytelling didn’t really get me super hooked into the story. Every Little Bad Idea felt more like a short story than a book that spans an entire summer. Although I didn’t appreciate the writing style, I did enjoy the plot. A protected girl meets a bad boy, gets led astray, and must find her way back to her true self, no matter the consequences. I recommend this book for anyone that enjoys the prose style of writing, because it paints a decent plot for something with so few words.
*Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review*
More reviews like this can be found at: https://wordsaboutwords.com/category/...
Let me say, before I started reading this I had no idea that it was written in prose. Prose outside of poetry collections is not my favorite writing style. That being said, this book painted quite the picture. Unfortunately, I am a reader that enjoys as many details as possible, so the quick, light storytelling didn’t really get me super hooked into the story. Every Little Bad Idea felt more like a short story than a book that spans an entire summer. Although I didn’t appreciate the writing style, I did enjoy the plot. A protected girl meets a bad boy, gets led astray, and must find her way back to her true self, no matter the consequences. I recommend this book for anyone that enjoys the prose style of writing, because it paints a decent plot for something with so few words.
*Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review*
More reviews like this can be found at: https://wordsaboutwords.com/category/...
August 14, 2018
I'm a sucker for a verse novel and I enjoyed Every Little Bad Idea. It's a fine example of a YA novel--the plot arc pushes me to read it quickly, not wanting to put it down. I especially liked the images of the NICU, where Skyler holds newborn babies. Metaphorically, it felt like she was holding her childhood self, the exact self she doesn't want to lose to Cole. McKay spins the image with the lines "I've never felt more/sure about taking tiny/breakable things/and saving them." I won't give away the ending but I was deeply relieved by the final plot point.
September 6, 2018
I love the way verse novels strip down to the bare essentials of language and put you right there with the characters and their emotions. McKay does a beautiful job of this with her main character, Sklyer Wise, who struggles to stay true to her course while experiencing the joys and heartache of first love. The raw, romantic poetry makes this book a page turner. Every Little Bad Idea is ideal for struggling readers looking for high-concept stories, and for anyone who's ever been at the crossroads of a decision.
June 29, 2018
Every Little Bad Idea is a must read for young adults. It brings into perspective that life is full of hard choices and high expectations from those we care about. I finished this book in one sitting, I couldn't take myself away from it. It was an adventure from start to finish and it left me hungry for more.
November 11, 2018
**I am giving Every Little Bad Idea a solid 3 stars. **
The story is told through poems which I found refreshing. It made everything that was on page more impactful and it didn't hurt that it made the book go bye more quickly than it most likely otherwise would have. I could see teens who aren't fans of reading able to pick this one up and get through it in record time - always a plus.
In terms of the plot/subject matter, Every Little Bad Idea takes the the story of Skyler, a "good girl" growing up in a more "bad" area of town where she is seen as better than everyone else because she doesn't sleep around and wants to go to college.
She meets Cole the proverbial "bad boy" at a party that she didn't want to go to and they end up going out. As their relationship deepens, Cole becomes more controlling and abusive and you can see the choices that Sky is making and how her life is beginning to spiral. With as little as is being written, I was surprised at how quickly I was able to get into the story and how invested I was in the decisions that Sky made for herself and her future. Did I know how the story was going to play out? For the most part, yes. Except I thought that she would end up pregnant, like her mother had warned her against. That didn't happen and made it feel authentic. I would have argued that having Sky get pregnant would have been a cop-out of a writing choice.
Generally, I don't read books written in poems because I think that too much detail is lost in between the lines and you can't connect to the characters. I was pretty okay with how much I was able to connect with Skyler and the choices she was making. I saw the reason for rebelling against her mothers wishes for her and how Cole provided that escape. What I had wished there had been more of was the relationship she had with Zayn. For someone that was as close to her as Layla, there was very little written about him and it felt almost like McKay was trying to keep the focus on Cole rather than letting us see how Zayn was like.
Overall, this book is something I would recommend for a classroom library. The story is one that deals with issues that many if not most teenagers will deal with and the stylistic choices are more open to reluctant readers without dumbing the story down.
Final notes:
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
- Abusive relationships, dating violence
- Positive viewpoints on the importance of consent
- Friendship and what it entails
- Single parents
- Minor points on teen pregnancy
The story is told through poems which I found refreshing. It made everything that was on page more impactful and it didn't hurt that it made the book go bye more quickly than it most likely otherwise would have. I could see teens who aren't fans of reading able to pick this one up and get through it in record time - always a plus.
In terms of the plot/subject matter, Every Little Bad Idea takes the the story of Skyler, a "good girl" growing up in a more "bad" area of town where she is seen as better than everyone else because she doesn't sleep around and wants to go to college.
She meets Cole the proverbial "bad boy" at a party that she didn't want to go to and they end up going out. As their relationship deepens, Cole becomes more controlling and abusive and you can see the choices that Sky is making and how her life is beginning to spiral. With as little as is being written, I was surprised at how quickly I was able to get into the story and how invested I was in the decisions that Sky made for herself and her future. Did I know how the story was going to play out? For the most part, yes. Except I thought that she would end up pregnant, like her mother had warned her against. That didn't happen and made it feel authentic. I would have argued that having Sky get pregnant would have been a cop-out of a writing choice.
Generally, I don't read books written in poems because I think that too much detail is lost in between the lines and you can't connect to the characters. I was pretty okay with how much I was able to connect with Skyler and the choices she was making. I saw the reason for rebelling against her mothers wishes for her and how Cole provided that escape. What I had wished there had been more of was the relationship she had with Zayn. For someone that was as close to her as Layla, there was very little written about him and it felt almost like McKay was trying to keep the focus on Cole rather than letting us see how Zayn was like.
Overall, this book is something I would recommend for a classroom library. The story is one that deals with issues that many if not most teenagers will deal with and the stylistic choices are more open to reluctant readers without dumbing the story down.
Final notes:
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
- Abusive relationships, dating violence
- Positive viewpoints on the importance of consent
- Friendship and what it entails
- Single parents
- Minor points on teen pregnancy
July 5, 2018
**This review may contain spoilers**
Rating: 4 stars
I want to give a thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
"Which is a bad idea,
I point out.
And so what?
Layla says.
Sometimes it’s a
good idea
to act on a
bad idea."
So, I open this book up, and I see that it's in verse. I say to myself, "Oh no.." I say that because of my experiences with novels written in verse, aren't that great. The last book I read in verse was mediocre and I didn't connect with it, and books written in verse don't agree with me.
But then.
I read this book. This has redeemed my verse reading experience. This tells the story of a girl named Skyler who's mother is determined to protect her against bad boys because that's who they attract. Her mother also wants her to go to college so she can have a future, but all of that changes when she meets Cole Baker.
I won't say too much about the details of this book just because the less you know, the better this book will be, and this book is short and sweet, and to the point. I think that this is very well developed story in the fact that, it shows what a dangerous relationship can potentially be like, and has a good overall message.
I think the characters aren't too in-depth written but the way the author introduces them and describes them in verse, but you get a sense of their personality and that's all you really need to know about them.
I also enjoyed reading about Skyler and her mother's relationship and how close they are. Even after Skyler messes up, their relationship gets rocky, but eventually repairs itself because they are able to forgive one another.
Overall, this was a pretty well written, straight to the point, enjoyable novel. I think that this should be shared with everyone.
"and realized I looked
like a whole new person.
Not Skyler Wise.
Wise One.
Skyla-Ann.
Sky.
Untethered
like a bird,
like a hot-air balloon,
like a dragonfly
beating its wings
to fly so high."
Check out my blog: somethingtofathom.blog
Rating: 4 stars
I want to give a thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
"Which is a bad idea,
I point out.
And so what?
Layla says.
Sometimes it’s a
good idea
to act on a
bad idea."
So, I open this book up, and I see that it's in verse. I say to myself, "Oh no.." I say that because of my experiences with novels written in verse, aren't that great. The last book I read in verse was mediocre and I didn't connect with it, and books written in verse don't agree with me.
But then.
I read this book. This has redeemed my verse reading experience. This tells the story of a girl named Skyler who's mother is determined to protect her against bad boys because that's who they attract. Her mother also wants her to go to college so she can have a future, but all of that changes when she meets Cole Baker.
I won't say too much about the details of this book just because the less you know, the better this book will be, and this book is short and sweet, and to the point. I think that this is very well developed story in the fact that, it shows what a dangerous relationship can potentially be like, and has a good overall message.
I think the characters aren't too in-depth written but the way the author introduces them and describes them in verse, but you get a sense of their personality and that's all you really need to know about them.
I also enjoyed reading about Skyler and her mother's relationship and how close they are. Even after Skyler messes up, their relationship gets rocky, but eventually repairs itself because they are able to forgive one another.
Overall, this was a pretty well written, straight to the point, enjoyable novel. I think that this should be shared with everyone.
"and realized I looked
like a whole new person.
Not Skyler Wise.
Wise One.
Skyla-Ann.
Sky.
Untethered
like a bird,
like a hot-air balloon,
like a dragonfly
beating its wings
to fly so high."
Check out my blog: somethingtofathom.blog
August 10, 2018
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"The funny thing about love is how it takes you over so completely that you lose yourself piece by piece."
I am always a lover of books written in prose. Personally, even if the plot line doesn't work for me, the beauty in the poetic format often does. This was one of those scenarios.
This is a story about a very toxic relationship and even though the ending finally gave the readers some closure, I think that this could've been done differently. First off, I think that the surrounding characters in this story could've been doing a whole lot more than they were. I'm not saying that someone's best friend is responsible for dragging their friend out of a bad relationship, because that pretty much never works and just ruins the relationship between the friends. But even Skyler's mom seems to be completely unaware of what the hell is going on, especially for someone who is supposed to nicknamed a "drill sergeant". The story showed too little of Cole's bad side until it was really too late, and I think that highlighting the good in him more than the bad is maybe just a tad too much romanticizing for a situation like this.
Besides that, the wording of this was absolutely beautiful! I loved the thought and creativity that McKay put into it. I wish the story had been tweaked a little more, but not a bad read overall.
"The funny thing about love is how it takes you over so completely that you lose yourself piece by piece."
I am always a lover of books written in prose. Personally, even if the plot line doesn't work for me, the beauty in the poetic format often does. This was one of those scenarios.
This is a story about a very toxic relationship and even though the ending finally gave the readers some closure, I think that this could've been done differently. First off, I think that the surrounding characters in this story could've been doing a whole lot more than they were. I'm not saying that someone's best friend is responsible for dragging their friend out of a bad relationship, because that pretty much never works and just ruins the relationship between the friends. But even Skyler's mom seems to be completely unaware of what the hell is going on, especially for someone who is supposed to nicknamed a "drill sergeant". The story showed too little of Cole's bad side until it was really too late, and I think that highlighting the good in him more than the bad is maybe just a tad too much romanticizing for a situation like this.
Besides that, the wording of this was absolutely beautiful! I loved the thought and creativity that McKay put into it. I wish the story had been tweaked a little more, but not a bad read overall.
February 21, 2019
This is a quick reading book written like a poem (so it will appeal to reluctant readers). It is about a high school junior named Skylar who is the child of a teenaged mother, who was the child of a teenaged mother. Mom is determined that Skylar will not repeat this pattern, and Skylar has taken to her mom's high expectations. But Skylar is beginning to chafe under the weight of being "perfect," and she dives into not following the rules by getting a bad-boy boyfriend and repeatedly lying to her mother.
The book explores the way being in love can make you lose who you are and what you ultimately want. I also think if Skylar's mom was less strict with her, Skylar would have shared the relationship and could have benefitted from her mom's advice (so maybe overly protective parents should read this book). I did not like how Skylar kind of blamed her bad behavior on her Mom's new relationship, because it didn't appear that parenting was suffering, the mother just wasn't "on" all the time (and that should have been OK).
Middle and high school girls should really like this book. It's positive, and the message of being true to yourself instead of to a boy is good. There's nothing sexual in it, Skylar and Cole just plan to have sex. Lots of lying to a parent, but Skylar really pays the price for that.
The book explores the way being in love can make you lose who you are and what you ultimately want. I also think if Skylar's mom was less strict with her, Skylar would have shared the relationship and could have benefitted from her mom's advice (so maybe overly protective parents should read this book). I did not like how Skylar kind of blamed her bad behavior on her Mom's new relationship, because it didn't appear that parenting was suffering, the mother just wasn't "on" all the time (and that should have been OK).
Middle and high school girls should really like this book. It's positive, and the message of being true to yourself instead of to a boy is good. There's nothing sexual in it, Skylar and Cole just plan to have sex. Lots of lying to a parent, but Skylar really pays the price for that.
September 27, 2018
The women in Skyler Wise's family have a weakness for bad boys, but not Skyler. She has one thing on her mind, leaving her run-down neighborhood and going to college. When Skyler's normally strict mom starts dating again, she feels abandoned. Skyler meets Cole, a boy who makes her question everything she thought she knew about herself and her future. Even though he has a dangerous reputation, Skyler believes she knows the real Cole, the sweet, caring boyfriend who makes her feel seen for once in her life. When Cole starts to change, Skyler realizes that she'll do anything to keep him around, even if it means giving up her dream and losing the people closest to her.
"Every Little Bad Idea" is my first read from author Caitie McKay. I found a few things a little difficult to get through. One was the writing style. This book is written in prose. Also, the romanticizing of abusive relationships. This is not ok and could be dangerous depending on the mindframe of the person reading it. Being as this is YA making me deem it a little inappropriate It was a very quick read. I could not connect with any of the characters.
I received this book from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
"Every Little Bad Idea" is my first read from author Caitie McKay. I found a few things a little difficult to get through. One was the writing style. This book is written in prose. Also, the romanticizing of abusive relationships. This is not ok and could be dangerous depending on the mindframe of the person reading it. Being as this is YA making me deem it a little inappropriate It was a very quick read. I could not connect with any of the characters.
I received this book from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2018
This book was really good. It moved really fast since the whole thing was written in verse so you didn't have a lot of unimportant scenes or dialog which made it refreshing. The book starts out with our main character Skylar falling hard for a boy she knows. A bad boy named Cole. Things are going great for the two love birds until they slowly start to change for the worse. I liked how slowly Cole changed and how it wasn't a sudden change. I like how it showed Skylar questioning what she did wrong to anger Cole, what she did to upset him. It showed how much of a hold he had on her and how it was turning very wrong. I found this book to be very eye opening and I think that everyone should read this because it shows a lot of what an abusive and one sided relationship is like, and how easily it can happen. Nice and quick read but i enjoyed it none the less and I think the ending had to be one of my favourite parts. The only thing that I didn't like was I found the whole story a little predictable, I could have said from the very beginning how it was all going to turn out and I would have been right.
June 1, 2018
“She doesn’t have a clue
about the bridge,
about the lights,
about the city,
about my heart.
“And I know I could
never tell her. Ever.
“I won’t do it again,
I say.
“I try to tell myself
it's not a lie
to keep a
burning truth
locked inside.”
Skyler Wise happily lives with her mom, who wishes Skyler avoids making the mistakes she herself made in the past. She wants Skyler to go to graduate high school and go to college. And that’s what Skyler wants too. Or is it?
This book has themes that everyone can relate to. Some unhappy: conflicts with parents, friends, and lovers; heartbreak; rejection; and disappointing others and yourself. Others happy: finding yourself; imagining and creating your future; independence; and hope.
The writing is beautiful. The book is written in verse, and it’s incredible. Not only do the words speak for themselves, but the form reels you in and helps you empathize with Skyler.
Worth special note: McKay expertly created an LGBTQ+ character in a way that I really admire. The character wasn’t included in the story to prove a point about her sexuality, and this wasn’t necessarily her defining feature. Instead her relationships with men and women were casually stated without fanfare. This felt normalized in a way that I think readers will really appreciate.
Every Little Bad Idea is an excellent book that teens will connect with and find themselves in. It’s beautifully written and executed, and I highly recommend it.
about the bridge,
about the lights,
about the city,
about my heart.
“And I know I could
never tell her. Ever.
“I won’t do it again,
I say.
“I try to tell myself
it's not a lie
to keep a
burning truth
locked inside.”
Skyler Wise happily lives with her mom, who wishes Skyler avoids making the mistakes she herself made in the past. She wants Skyler to go to graduate high school and go to college. And that’s what Skyler wants too. Or is it?
This book has themes that everyone can relate to. Some unhappy: conflicts with parents, friends, and lovers; heartbreak; rejection; and disappointing others and yourself. Others happy: finding yourself; imagining and creating your future; independence; and hope.
The writing is beautiful. The book is written in verse, and it’s incredible. Not only do the words speak for themselves, but the form reels you in and helps you empathize with Skyler.
Worth special note: McKay expertly created an LGBTQ+ character in a way that I really admire. The character wasn’t included in the story to prove a point about her sexuality, and this wasn’t necessarily her defining feature. Instead her relationships with men and women were casually stated without fanfare. This felt normalized in a way that I think readers will really appreciate.
Every Little Bad Idea is an excellent book that teens will connect with and find themselves in. It’s beautifully written and executed, and I highly recommend it.
June 29, 2018
I read this book in less than an hour. It is all short sentences and verses which made it easy. IT is the second book in a row I have read about a girl dating and abusive/angry boy. At first Skylar is super happy when she meets Cole because she has never had a boyfriend and he is so nice to her. Slowly she starts lying to her mom and best friends and changes her life to be with him as much as possible. She realizes eventually that this is not what she wants or who she wants to be. This book is short quick and to the point. It is a quick read but definitely packs a punch and girls can learn from this book about what an abusive or unbalanced relationship is like. Def worth reading! Thanks NG!
October 7, 2018
I'm all for trying out new forms of poetry and prose, so this YA novel-in-verse was intriguing to me. However, it wasn't really in "verse," per se...it was more like sentence fragments and odd little paragraphs. There were some nice moments of description and language, though I hoped for more. While we get the gist of the story, it goes so quickly and with so little information that we don't get to build any relationship with the characters and therefore some of the "oomph" is lost. And finally, I couldn't shake the thought that I'd read a VERY similar story not that long ago (Kylie Scott's book Trust comes to mind).
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2020
This book was... interesting. It's about a 16 year old and her very first (and very toxic, which is the whole point) relationship. That's really all I can say about it. There's really almost nothing else that happens. I have a weakness for books written in verse (although this one might be in prose... honestly I'm not too great at telling the difference), as this one was, but that's only because they're usually symbolic and full of annotative potential. I didn't really get that from this book. It wasn't bad, per se, it just kind of fell flat for me. It felt like if you asked a high schooler to give a story of a girl that falls for a bad boy, it would be this exact story. Not entirely original, I might say.
July 28, 2018
This book was definitely different for me! I haven’t read a poetry book, let alone a YA poetry book that tells the story in verse.
Due it’s format, it was a quick read but the story it told was powerful. It tells the story of Skyler over the summer before she turns 17. How she falls in love with a boy and how that boy becomes her world.
I was happy that Skyler was able to get away from Cole but I was upset to see the repercussions of her action. I was happy that she was able see she was making a mistake and that she was able to refocus on her, Skyler.
*This galley was sent by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Due it’s format, it was a quick read but the story it told was powerful. It tells the story of Skyler over the summer before she turns 17. How she falls in love with a boy and how that boy becomes her world.
I was happy that Skyler was able to get away from Cole but I was upset to see the repercussions of her action. I was happy that she was able see she was making a mistake and that she was able to refocus on her, Skyler.
*This galley was sent by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2018
Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have a special place in my heart for books written in verses. I love how they flow and how clever the writing is. Every Little Bad Idea is a phenomal story told cleverly through verses. It does a great job of showing emotions and connecting you to the characters through a few words. It's a story about a girl and her mom. They are close until boys come between them and they have to find their way back together. I loved everything about this story but especially the writing.
I have a special place in my heart for books written in verses. I love how they flow and how clever the writing is. Every Little Bad Idea is a phenomal story told cleverly through verses. It does a great job of showing emotions and connecting you to the characters through a few words. It's a story about a girl and her mom. They are close until boys come between them and they have to find their way back together. I loved everything about this story but especially the writing.
November 7, 2018
Honestly, this book wasn't that good. I mean, the ending conveyed a nice message, but this book was so short that i honestly felt no connection to the character, and it was just so fast paced. I never even felt a connection or shipped Skylar and Cole because, well, it just all happened so quickly... Plus, this book made me really angry and i honestly stopped caring by the end. Not the worst book I've ever read, but no where near my favorites. Sorry.
Luckily, it didn't waste too much of my time because it was so short.
Luckily, it didn't waste too much of my time because it was so short.
January 2, 2019
***I was provided a free copy of the book by Netgalley.com in exchange for my honest opinion about it.***
“Every little bad idea” was a very quick read and I was able to read it as quick because I really liked the style it was written in. What made it a bit weird was the formatting of the text sometimes, but maybe that was only the file that was showing a bit weird on my kindle. It was strange to me that the book was that short it only took me about one and a half hours to read it from start to finish. It was a kind of foreseeable story as well which is why I only give 2 stars to the book.
“Every little bad idea” was a very quick read and I was able to read it as quick because I really liked the style it was written in. What made it a bit weird was the formatting of the text sometimes, but maybe that was only the file that was showing a bit weird on my kindle. It was strange to me that the book was that short it only took me about one and a half hours to read it from start to finish. It was a kind of foreseeable story as well which is why I only give 2 stars to the book.
August 17, 2018
Every Little Bad Idea is written in such a unique way-not in paragraphs but almost poetic lines. It is the story of a girl fighting her matriarchal tradition of getting pregnant in her teens. She falls for the bad boy, thinking he is not so bad after all. Instances prove that wrong but can she or will she be able to avoid her mother’s bad decisions and make her own good ones.
January 17, 2020
I received this book in a giveaway In exchange for an honest review. I have never read a YA short story in this form. I think that is why I was discouraged from reading it initially. However, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s the story of a teenager making poor decisions to be with the “bad boy.” It held my attention and I’m looking forward to seeing what else Caitie writes.
February 13, 2019
Read it almost in one sitting. I think a novel in verse is a great way to engage a reluctant reader. It's short, but I really liked the language and the tale. I wait to see what else the author will try.
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