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Rowan Sloane #1
A Life, Redefined
When the darkness is too great,
When the pain is too real,
There is nothing but sharp edges,
Razor slices,
To remind me that I am alive.
Seven years ago, an innocent act by Rowan Slone turned her life into a nightmare. Since the age of ten she’s lived with the burden of her baby brother’s death. Now she is seventeen and all she wants to do is graduate high school, go to college, and escape the loveless family she has endured all these years—the same family that holds her responsible for his death. But no one holds her responsible more than herself.
When long-time crush Mike Anderson invites her to the Prom, suddenly her future looks brighter. Rowan’s younger sister, Trina, however, is determined to ruin her new-found happiness, no matter the cost. And when Rowan discovers her mother’s long-held secret, she finds herself teetering on the edge of an abyss.
Can Rowan find the strength to move toward the future or is she doomed to dwell in the past?
When the pain is too real,
There is nothing but sharp edges,
Razor slices,
To remind me that I am alive.
Seven years ago, an innocent act by Rowan Slone turned her life into a nightmare. Since the age of ten she’s lived with the burden of her baby brother’s death. Now she is seventeen and all she wants to do is graduate high school, go to college, and escape the loveless family she has endured all these years—the same family that holds her responsible for his death. But no one holds her responsible more than herself.
When long-time crush Mike Anderson invites her to the Prom, suddenly her future looks brighter. Rowan’s younger sister, Trina, however, is determined to ruin her new-found happiness, no matter the cost. And when Rowan discovers her mother’s long-held secret, she finds herself teetering on the edge of an abyss.
Can Rowan find the strength to move toward the future or is she doomed to dwell in the past?
200 pages, Hardcover
First published June 21, 2013
11 people are currently reading
785 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Hewitt Meyer
11 books90 followersI am the award-winning author of YA and contemporary fiction, and gothic thrillers.
When not writing, I work as a mental health therapist.
I love to write almost as much as I love to read. Sometimes more. Life is a story. Hang on and enjoy the ride!
Cheers, Tracy
When not writing, I work as a mental health therapist.
I love to write almost as much as I love to read. Sometimes more. Life is a story. Hang on and enjoy the ride!
Cheers, Tracy
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 22, 2019
I’m hesitant to say too much about this book. I was looking forward to reading it but I had some significant problems with its content. I don’t want to come across as mean because that’s not my intent, but I also don’t want to ignore the issues I found.
There are multiple 4 and 5 star reviews so I would encourage you to read those as well before deciding if this is the book for you or not. I know you have your own mind and I don’t expect what I have to say will influence you either way but just in case: I would hate for you to miss out on a book you may love simply because I didn’t.
Rowan has been living with the knowledge that she was responsible for her baby brother’s death for seven years now. She’s not alone in blaming herself; her entire family blames her too. Her father is controlling and abusive. Her mother is emotionally unavailable, spending the majority of her time locked in her bedroom.
I requested this book because I saw that self harm was going to be addressed. This topic is one that a lot of people are ashamed to admit they struggle with. Reactions from people who learn someone self harms can range from disbelief to outright shaming, so I applaud anyone willing to tackle it. There are several instances of a character self harming in this book so if this is a potential trigger for you, please take care of yourself while reading.
The majority of the women in this book were either fat shamed, slut shamed or portrayed as victims. The men seemed to either be saviours or perpetrators. Most of the characters felt two dimensional and the descriptions were quite repetitive.
The first time I found out Jess’ hair colour was cherry red I pictured it in my mind; after the fourth time I was keen to learn something new about her. Similarly repetitive but more offensive descriptions followed Rowan’s mother and sister. If Rowan’s mother was ever mentioned without a fat shaming comment attached it didn’t stand out enough for me to remember. Rowan’s sister was slut shamed throughout the book and her redeeming qualities, which I’m certain she had because we all have at least one, are a mystery to me.
Rowan’s traumatic experiences may account for some of this but it felt like I was reading about a main character who was 13 or 14, not a few weeks away from 18.
I tend to gravitate to YA books that include social issues but sometimes so many are mentioned that it can feel like social issue soup. A lot of really important themes were mentioned but I don’t think it’s possible to do all of them justice in such a short book. The sensitivity I expected to accompany such issues wasn’t always apparent.
I don’t understand why Aidan’s . I also had trouble believing that Rowan would forget . I would like some resolution about Trina’s story - did anyone ever offer her any help or compassion? I don’t care what’s she’s done - the response to her should never have been . I expect some of my unanswered questions will be addressed in the sequel but I don’t think I will be continuing this series.
Content warnings include .
Thank you so much to NetGalley and BHC Press for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 2.5 stars.
There are multiple 4 and 5 star reviews so I would encourage you to read those as well before deciding if this is the book for you or not. I know you have your own mind and I don’t expect what I have to say will influence you either way but just in case: I would hate for you to miss out on a book you may love simply because I didn’t.
Rowan has been living with the knowledge that she was responsible for her baby brother’s death for seven years now. She’s not alone in blaming herself; her entire family blames her too. Her father is controlling and abusive. Her mother is emotionally unavailable, spending the majority of her time locked in her bedroom.
Being in this house, surrounded by memories, guilt, and resentment - all those devastating things made it impossible to see the bright side of anything.Rowan’s younger sister, Trina, has a reputation, her best friend, Jess, is dating a 25 year old, and her boss, Dan, is a creep. She has a crush on Mike but doesn’t think she’s good enough for him.
I requested this book because I saw that self harm was going to be addressed. This topic is one that a lot of people are ashamed to admit they struggle with. Reactions from people who learn someone self harms can range from disbelief to outright shaming, so I applaud anyone willing to tackle it. There are several instances of a character self harming in this book so if this is a potential trigger for you, please take care of yourself while reading.
The majority of the women in this book were either fat shamed, slut shamed or portrayed as victims. The men seemed to either be saviours or perpetrators. Most of the characters felt two dimensional and the descriptions were quite repetitive.
The first time I found out Jess’ hair colour was cherry red I pictured it in my mind; after the fourth time I was keen to learn something new about her. Similarly repetitive but more offensive descriptions followed Rowan’s mother and sister. If Rowan’s mother was ever mentioned without a fat shaming comment attached it didn’t stand out enough for me to remember. Rowan’s sister was slut shamed throughout the book and her redeeming qualities, which I’m certain she had because we all have at least one, are a mystery to me.
Rowan’s traumatic experiences may account for some of this but it felt like I was reading about a main character who was 13 or 14, not a few weeks away from 18.
I tend to gravitate to YA books that include social issues but sometimes so many are mentioned that it can feel like social issue soup. A lot of really important themes were mentioned but I don’t think it’s possible to do all of them justice in such a short book. The sensitivity I expected to accompany such issues wasn’t always apparent.
I don’t understand why Aidan’s . I also had trouble believing that Rowan would forget . I would like some resolution about Trina’s story - did anyone ever offer her any help or compassion? I don’t care what’s she’s done - the response to her should never have been . I expect some of my unanswered questions will be addressed in the sequel but I don’t think I will be continuing this series.
Content warnings include .
Thank you so much to NetGalley and BHC Press for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 2.5 stars.
April 18, 2021
2.25 stars
CW: Mentions of self harm, depression, self harm, death…etc.
There were a lot of topics in this book that made me really uncomfortable. So, this is just a disclaimer that this book is not for everyone.
Honestly, it’s really messed up, but in a strange demented kind of way, it pulled me in. This story was interesting to me because it showed a different perspective into teenagers minds. It showed us the travesty and tragedy that the MC had to go through each day, and how grief can either make or break a person.
And then it all went downhill.
I think the romance ruined this story. Don’t get me wrong, romance is good if it’s done right. But how the author incorporated it into the story just made it feel dull and I felt no connection between those characters whatsoever. The trope used was overbearing and I’ve read it a million times. If it had been done right, I would’ve enjoyed it, but I wouldn’t be able to distinguish this book from the others that used this trope. I just wish the author at least let the characters develop further before thrusting them into a relationship. There was no actual reason to their attraction to one another besides lust which was quite the bother.
AND THEN THERE’S THE “NOT LIKE THE OTHER GIRLS” TROPE. OH MAH GAWD. I JUST CAN’T. I hate this trope with a burning passion. Literally, I wanted to throw my laptop across the room when the “not like the other girls” trope was introduced. This trope practically pins women against each other and I do not stand for it. It doesn’t matter if you like to dress up and go out or if you date a bunch of guys or if you’d rather read a book than go to a party. It doesn’t make you special, it just makes you you. It’s a preference, not a trophy that distinguishes you from other people.
I had a lot of problems with some of the tropes in this book, and issues with some of the ways the characters acted. I hate when an mc thinks that all her problems can be solved by a man which in most cases is the love interest. Your problems don't end because you ignore them, or because some cute guy is showing interest in you. That's just ridiculous.
This book held potential for me, but all these elements tied together weren’t my cup of tea. The writing was decent, but nothing out of this world. I wasn’t gaping at sentences or mumbling “what a genius,” as I read descriptions. But it flowed well to the point where I thought reading this book was enjoyable.
Some things in this story don’t add up. For example, why would a senior be doing a project with someone whose younger? I’m not sure how the school systems in America (I’m assuming this is where the mc lives) work, but I’ve never heard of that happening. There were spelling mistakes, but not many to the point where it became distracting.
Thank you to LibraryThing for my free copy. This is no way affected my opinion of the book.
instagram | goodreads
It was a look, an attitude, a mood that grew like a weed in our family. But it was rarely spoken about, said out loud.
CW: Mentions of self harm, depression, self harm, death…etc.
There were a lot of topics in this book that made me really uncomfortable. So, this is just a disclaimer that this book is not for everyone.
Honestly, it’s really messed up, but in a strange demented kind of way, it pulled me in. This story was interesting to me because it showed a different perspective into teenagers minds. It showed us the travesty and tragedy that the MC had to go through each day, and how grief can either make or break a person.
And then it all went downhill.
I think the romance ruined this story. Don’t get me wrong, romance is good if it’s done right. But how the author incorporated it into the story just made it feel dull and I felt no connection between those characters whatsoever. The trope used was overbearing and I’ve read it a million times. If it had been done right, I would’ve enjoyed it, but I wouldn’t be able to distinguish this book from the others that used this trope. I just wish the author at least let the characters develop further before thrusting them into a relationship. There was no actual reason to their attraction to one another besides lust which was quite the bother.
AND THEN THERE’S THE “NOT LIKE THE OTHER GIRLS” TROPE. OH MAH GAWD. I JUST CAN’T. I hate this trope with a burning passion. Literally, I wanted to throw my laptop across the room when the “not like the other girls” trope was introduced. This trope practically pins women against each other and I do not stand for it. It doesn’t matter if you like to dress up and go out or if you date a bunch of guys or if you’d rather read a book than go to a party. It doesn’t make you special, it just makes you you. It’s a preference, not a trophy that distinguishes you from other people.
I had a lot of problems with some of the tropes in this book, and issues with some of the ways the characters acted. I hate when an mc thinks that all her problems can be solved by a man which in most cases is the love interest. Your problems don't end because you ignore them, or because some cute guy is showing interest in you. That's just ridiculous.
This book held potential for me, but all these elements tied together weren’t my cup of tea. The writing was decent, but nothing out of this world. I wasn’t gaping at sentences or mumbling “what a genius,” as I read descriptions. But it flowed well to the point where I thought reading this book was enjoyable.
Some things in this story don’t add up. For example, why would a senior be doing a project with someone whose younger? I’m not sure how the school systems in America (I’m assuming this is where the mc lives) work, but I’ve never heard of that happening. There were spelling mistakes, but not many to the point where it became distracting.
Thank you to LibraryThing for my free copy. This is no way affected my opinion of the book.
instagram | goodreads
March 8, 2015
Actual rating - 3.5
I felt so sorry for Rowan all the way through this. She carried the guilt from her baby brother's death, her mother, father and sister were all horrible to her, and blamed her for everything that went wrong, and then she was hit by a bombshell, which was awful.
This was a decent read, and the pace was just about right. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I felt so sorry for Rowan all the way through this. She carried the guilt from her baby brother's death, her mother, father and sister were all horrible to her, and blamed her for everything that went wrong, and then she was hit by a bombshell, which was awful.
This was a decent read, and the pace was just about right. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
November 7, 2014
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
This was an interesting contemporary story, and I felt so sorry for Rowan.
Rowan was such a normal girl who was living with an abnormal amount of guilt heaped on her by her family, not to mention her crazy home life. The way her family treated her and blamed her for her younger brother’s death was just awful, and it was just so unfair the way she lived in constant fear of what her mother and her father would do on a daily basis!
The storyline in this revolved around Rowan’s home life mainly, and I have to say that I was shocked when her
There was a touch of romance, but it wasn’t the main focus of the story.
The ending to this was nice, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next book in the series!
6.5 out of 10.
This was an interesting contemporary story, and I felt so sorry for Rowan.
Rowan was such a normal girl who was living with an abnormal amount of guilt heaped on her by her family, not to mention her crazy home life. The way her family treated her and blamed her for her younger brother’s death was just awful, and it was just so unfair the way she lived in constant fear of what her mother and her father would do on a daily basis!
The storyline in this revolved around Rowan’s home life mainly, and I have to say that I was shocked when her
There was a touch of romance, but it wasn’t the main focus of the story.
The ending to this was nice, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next book in the series!
6.5 out of 10.
June 10, 2014
I don't know where to start with this review because this book has left me speechless. A Life, Redefined is a YA novel that really looks into the tragedy of a teenage girl who has to go through abusive family and the guild of the past.
Having to live with knowing that she was responsible for her brother's death, Rowan just wants to move on. With one year left of school, she works for good grades so she can go to college and actually do something good. Because being with her family is impossible. Her family really made me mad. You have an abusive father who cannot stand her and lashes out on everyone the first chance he gets. Then there's the mother who lays in bed all day and eats junk like it's nobody's business. Oh yeah & how can we forget Trina, her sister who is the biggest slut in town and hates Rowan's guts.
I thought it was kind of cute how Rowan had a crush on Mike. Although I thought he was a little weird and became way too obsessed with Rowan fast, her reaction to his attention was adorable and I loved how sweet they were. He was there for her and really showed her how to get through what she was going through. There were no mind games that you often see in YA novels. It was just him and her, liking each other and supporting.
The narrator for the audiobook was someone who I had to get used to. Becca Ballenger has a great voice but in the beginning I thought she wasn't as emotional as I thought Rowan's character should be. But as I listened more, I realized that it's how it's supposed to be. Rowan is damaged, broken, she's on her last string and Becca really shows that to the reader. Great read, definitely recommended!
Having to live with knowing that she was responsible for her brother's death, Rowan just wants to move on. With one year left of school, she works for good grades so she can go to college and actually do something good. Because being with her family is impossible. Her family really made me mad. You have an abusive father who cannot stand her and lashes out on everyone the first chance he gets. Then there's the mother who lays in bed all day and eats junk like it's nobody's business. Oh yeah & how can we forget Trina, her sister who is the biggest slut in town and hates Rowan's guts.
I thought it was kind of cute how Rowan had a crush on Mike. Although I thought he was a little weird and became way too obsessed with Rowan fast, her reaction to his attention was adorable and I loved how sweet they were. He was there for her and really showed her how to get through what she was going through. There were no mind games that you often see in YA novels. It was just him and her, liking each other and supporting.
The narrator for the audiobook was someone who I had to get used to. Becca Ballenger has a great voice but in the beginning I thought she wasn't as emotional as I thought Rowan's character should be. But as I listened more, I realized that it's how it's supposed to be. Rowan is damaged, broken, she's on her last string and Becca really shows that to the reader. Great read, definitely recommended!
June 27, 2013
My Review: Wow where to begin. This is such a great young adult book. It touches on so many problems that can beset young people today. Dealing with the deep emotional scars Rowan manages to also show a strength and resiliency that we can only admire. Convinced that she caused the death of her baby bother when she was only ten she can only find relief from the guilt by cutting herself. Try as she might she still resorts to this behavior as her home life continues to unravel. We see a truly dysfunctional family where her mom is a compulsive over-eater unable to function in the role of mother as she deals with her own hidden guilt. A younger sister that ends up pregnant and a abusive and emotionally distant father who only feels trapped by his family. Rowan feels her only hope is do well in school and get out of the family as soon as she can. The author does a great job bringing all of this to a boil in an unexpected twist. Kudos to her for a story well written. I, though far from the young adult age, really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone. I have no problem giving this book a 5 star review.
July 23, 2013
A wonderful story. I could not put it down. It made me both laugh and cry at times. It doesn't matter who you are or what you've experienced... the way this book is written you are put right into Rowan's character and can feel her pain.
Cannot wait to read more by this author.
Thank you for the book!
Cannot wait to read more by this author.
Thank you for the book!
August 19, 2014
4.5/5.0
Tracy Hewitt Meyer has written a deep, emotionally intense novel of how teenagers take it upon themselves to deal with the pain and suffering of life, without the help of their parents.
Read full review in the 2013 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Tracy Hewitt Meyer has written a deep, emotionally intense novel of how teenagers take it upon themselves to deal with the pain and suffering of life, without the help of their parents.
Read full review in the 2013 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.
March 24, 2020
I give this 3.5 stars.
Rowen is a 17-year-old girl with a lot of baggage. Her father blames her for the unexplained death of her infant brother seven years earlier, her mother has barely gotten out of bed since that time, and her 15-year-old sister hates her and wants to ruin her life any way she can. Rowen just wants to finish high school, go to college, and get out of her town. But, with so many obstacles in her way, can she succeed? And this is YA, so still requires a best friend (Jess, who has her own family problems,) and a romantic interest (Mike, the star soccer player with the perfect family.)
Also, as a note, if self-harm, suicide, rape, or domestic violence are triggers, this isn't the book for you.
As an adult reading this book, I just wanted to slap most of the adults who let Rowen down in so many ways. From the teachers who didn't understand her reaching out for help, to her grandmother who knows the worst secret the whole time, to her parents who either ignore her completely or beat the crap out of her, everyone in her life lets her down.
The only people really there for her are Jess and Mike, so it's easy to understand why she falls for him. But, those two characters are pretty flat, and it's hard to figure out their motivation in getting involved. Some of this could be because we are reading this from Rowen's perspective, and the more seemingly superficial relationships are more a reflection of how she sees herself than anything else, but I would still have liked a bit more dimension to the characters who aren't Rowen.
Thank you to LibraryThing and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. It has not influenced my opinion.
Rowen is a 17-year-old girl with a lot of baggage. Her father blames her for the unexplained death of her infant brother seven years earlier, her mother has barely gotten out of bed since that time, and her 15-year-old sister hates her and wants to ruin her life any way she can. Rowen just wants to finish high school, go to college, and get out of her town. But, with so many obstacles in her way, can she succeed? And this is YA, so still requires a best friend (Jess, who has her own family problems,) and a romantic interest (Mike, the star soccer player with the perfect family.)
Also, as a note, if self-harm, suicide, rape, or domestic violence are triggers, this isn't the book for you.
As an adult reading this book, I just wanted to slap most of the adults who let Rowen down in so many ways. From the teachers who didn't understand her reaching out for help, to her grandmother who knows the worst secret the whole time, to her parents who either ignore her completely or beat the crap out of her, everyone in her life lets her down.
The only people really there for her are Jess and Mike, so it's easy to understand why she falls for him. But, those two characters are pretty flat, and it's hard to figure out their motivation in getting involved. Some of this could be because we are reading this from Rowen's perspective, and the more seemingly superficial relationships are more a reflection of how she sees herself than anything else, but I would still have liked a bit more dimension to the characters who aren't Rowen.
Thank you to LibraryThing and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. It has not influenced my opinion.
November 24, 2024
I wish I could say this was unrealistic, but way too many people are absolutely insane in this world.
December 24, 2019
This is the kinda book that is going to stick with me for a very long time. I finished it about an hour ago and I cannot stop thinking about it; about Rowan, about her family, about her heartbreak and her pain. I genuinely loved it and thought it was so powerful. Every time something more happened, I just wanted to reach into the book and hug Rowan - reading everything she was going through was hard. I recommend!
May 5, 2014
I received a copy of this book for my stop on the blog tour at Donnie Darko Girl.
For the last seven years, Rowan has been blamed by her parents and sister for her baby brother's death in the novel A Life, Redefined. She was only ten years old at the time and what happened wasn't her fault. The way her family behaves towards her is sickening with their accusing stares and blaming her for everything that goes wrong with the family.
She lives like a shadow in her own house - doing her best to stay clear of her father. Her mother stays in bed all day and is developing health problems from lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet. Her sister is selfish and openly blames Rowan for everything that's gone wrong with their family. Her gran comes over every now and then to do things like cook and do the laundry since their mother never does.
I loved Rowan from the start and felt protective of her. Whatever she felt, I felt it, too. I was there with her every step of the way, knew her thoughts and feelings, and cheered her on to achieve her goals of graduating high school and attending college, leaving her family behind to live her life without the accusing stares.
It seemed like such a waste that seven years of her life were spent feeling like she's a murderer of her own baby brother. I can't imagine the anguish of not only grieving his death but also feeling like I was responsible. It's one thing to blame yourself, but when you're openly blamed by people who are supposed to love you, that takes it to another level.
Twists in the story brought more conflicts for the characters, leaving me to think, How much more can one family take? It became clear over time that Rowan's family was dysfunctional before the death of her baby brother, which was a bit disheartening to find out but also made a lot of sense and explained a lot. I was happy that Rowan's guidance counselor was so supportive of her, and she knew the family history so she knew how high the stakes are for Rowan to get out of the toxic living environment.
A Life, Redefined is a phenomenal novel with the kind of emotional intensity that will have you crying and grieving right along with Rowan. Five stars from me, and I wish I could give it more.
For the last seven years, Rowan has been blamed by her parents and sister for her baby brother's death in the novel A Life, Redefined. She was only ten years old at the time and what happened wasn't her fault. The way her family behaves towards her is sickening with their accusing stares and blaming her for everything that goes wrong with the family.
She lives like a shadow in her own house - doing her best to stay clear of her father. Her mother stays in bed all day and is developing health problems from lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet. Her sister is selfish and openly blames Rowan for everything that's gone wrong with their family. Her gran comes over every now and then to do things like cook and do the laundry since their mother never does.
I loved Rowan from the start and felt protective of her. Whatever she felt, I felt it, too. I was there with her every step of the way, knew her thoughts and feelings, and cheered her on to achieve her goals of graduating high school and attending college, leaving her family behind to live her life without the accusing stares.
It seemed like such a waste that seven years of her life were spent feeling like she's a murderer of her own baby brother. I can't imagine the anguish of not only grieving his death but also feeling like I was responsible. It's one thing to blame yourself, but when you're openly blamed by people who are supposed to love you, that takes it to another level.
Twists in the story brought more conflicts for the characters, leaving me to think, How much more can one family take? It became clear over time that Rowan's family was dysfunctional before the death of her baby brother, which was a bit disheartening to find out but also made a lot of sense and explained a lot. I was happy that Rowan's guidance counselor was so supportive of her, and she knew the family history so she knew how high the stakes are for Rowan to get out of the toxic living environment.
A Life, Redefined is a phenomenal novel with the kind of emotional intensity that will have you crying and grieving right along with Rowan. Five stars from me, and I wish I could give it more.
August 24, 2013
Disclaimer: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Review:
I entered the Goodreads giveaway on a whim and was stoked when I found out that I had won. It was staring at me from my desk earlier so I looked at the page number and I guessed that I could finish it pretty quickly. I was right. It was a riveting, page turner that dealt with so many tough issues. Usually when a book tackles so many tough issues,the book ends up being subpar. Not this book.This book handled such tough issues as teenage pregnancy,rape,infanticide and depression, among other issues, well.
Rowan has been living with guilt for ten years. The book says that she is the one that punishes herself the hardest but I disagree. It was her father who punished her the hardest.She,along with her sister Trina and her mother are subjected to her father's abuse constantly. It is no secret that things would be different if her baby brother had lived.
Not only does her father abuse Rowan and Trina,he also emotionally abuses their mother. I got frustrated with their mother. She was so far deep in her depression that whenever her daughters were abused,she only put up a half-hearted effort to protect them.Not only that but Rowan's mother carries with her a secret that will turn everything on its head. I cannot say that the twist was entirely unexpected but I was a bit shocked.
Mike Anderson and Jess were good characters too. I wish we had seen just a pinch more of Jess but I did like her from what I did see. Mike had everything that Rowan didn't have and I think that's part of what drew Rowan to him in the first place.
This book is getting 4 stars from me. I really enjoyed it but it felt like some parts were just a teeny bit rushed.I think making the book longer would definitely have fixed the issue of certain rushed parts. If you are up for a quick page turner,give this one a try. I both cried and laughed during this book and to me,that's the mark of an amazing book.
Review:
I entered the Goodreads giveaway on a whim and was stoked when I found out that I had won. It was staring at me from my desk earlier so I looked at the page number and I guessed that I could finish it pretty quickly. I was right. It was a riveting, page turner that dealt with so many tough issues. Usually when a book tackles so many tough issues,the book ends up being subpar. Not this book.This book handled such tough issues as teenage pregnancy,rape,infanticide and depression, among other issues, well.
Rowan has been living with guilt for ten years. The book says that she is the one that punishes herself the hardest but I disagree. It was her father who punished her the hardest.She,along with her sister Trina and her mother are subjected to her father's abuse constantly. It is no secret that things would be different if her baby brother had lived.
Not only does her father abuse Rowan and Trina,he also emotionally abuses their mother. I got frustrated with their mother. She was so far deep in her depression that whenever her daughters were abused,she only put up a half-hearted effort to protect them.Not only that but Rowan's mother carries with her a secret that will turn everything on its head. I cannot say that the twist was entirely unexpected but I was a bit shocked.
Mike Anderson and Jess were good characters too. I wish we had seen just a pinch more of Jess but I did like her from what I did see. Mike had everything that Rowan didn't have and I think that's part of what drew Rowan to him in the first place.
This book is getting 4 stars from me. I really enjoyed it but it felt like some parts were just a teeny bit rushed.I think making the book longer would definitely have fixed the issue of certain rushed parts. If you are up for a quick page turner,give this one a try. I both cried and laughed during this book and to me,that's the mark of an amazing book.
July 16, 2016
I usually crank out my book reviews as soon as I’m done reading, but A Life Redefined…did something to me…and I still don’t know if I’ve figured out what exactly that was, but it wasn’t bad. It was an irreversible shift, a root taking hold, that lets me know this book will resonate with me for a long time to come. First off, I haven’t read many books in the first person, but this one made me feel like Rowan Slone more than any other first-person narrator has cast me into the shoes of the main character.
Let’s start with the impact of this novel.
Rowan Slone feels like she is responsible for the death of her baby brother. The worst part is that everyone in her family makes sure she knows they unabashedly blame her and make her continually pay for it. Holy hell, what a burden for a teen to carry let alone any stable adult.
I don’t know what your teen years were like, but I assume everyone went through moments of insecurity and self-doubts. Who could ever love me? Who could possibly think I’m cool? I have nothing to offer the world, boys I like, my family, etc. No? Maybe I was just screwed up a little too, but I sympathized with Rowan from page one. And I don’t like novels that are overly depressing, but this wasn’t – it was the kind of depressing that makes you HAVE to find out: Where is she going? What’s going to happen to her? What will become of her life?
Tracy Hewitt Meyer certainly speaks the language and thoughts of YA. They’re adults trapped in the bodies of teens with adult problems and I’m sure all YA aged readers will give her a big nod after this touching, gritty, realistic, heartfelt masterpiece. If you don’t know Rowan Slone, you should drop by her world and listen to her unforgettable voice. Warning, it won’t leave you when you’re done.
Let’s start with the impact of this novel.
Rowan Slone feels like she is responsible for the death of her baby brother. The worst part is that everyone in her family makes sure she knows they unabashedly blame her and make her continually pay for it. Holy hell, what a burden for a teen to carry let alone any stable adult.
I don’t know what your teen years were like, but I assume everyone went through moments of insecurity and self-doubts. Who could ever love me? Who could possibly think I’m cool? I have nothing to offer the world, boys I like, my family, etc. No? Maybe I was just screwed up a little too, but I sympathized with Rowan from page one. And I don’t like novels that are overly depressing, but this wasn’t – it was the kind of depressing that makes you HAVE to find out: Where is she going? What’s going to happen to her? What will become of her life?
Tracy Hewitt Meyer certainly speaks the language and thoughts of YA. They’re adults trapped in the bodies of teens with adult problems and I’m sure all YA aged readers will give her a big nod after this touching, gritty, realistic, heartfelt masterpiece. If you don’t know Rowan Slone, you should drop by her world and listen to her unforgettable voice. Warning, it won’t leave you when you’re done.
May 29, 2014
I am not even going to bother recapping the plot as it is pretty well laid out above. I have to say WOW the author does a phenomenal job with this story, capturing Rowan's feelings. She has been taking the blame for everything wrong that has ever happened in her family since the death of her infant brother. She has a mother that cannot or will not cope with her life hiding in her bedroom eating her way into an early grave. Rowan's father an ex military man, now prison guard is an angry bitter man who has been trapped into a loveless marriage and takes it out on his children. In the midst of living with a ticking time bomb, Rowan is determined to get good grades so she can get a full scholarship and get out. To say Rowan lives a life of fear would be an understatement, fear of her parents, fears of never being able to escape being responsible for the death of her baby brother, fear of cutting herself again to escape the pain that has become her life. Author Tracy Hewitt Meyer has done a beautiful job depicting the whirlwind of emotions this poor girl goes through; You are almost immediately pulled in to her story and ache for this child that is so emotionally scarred and damaged. The relationships between the characters is the most honest I have seen in a long time and it was a refreshing change to read a book that shows that not all has to be forgiven right away and that some scars run to deep to be forgotten at all.
I gave this book a 4 out of 5 star rating
I was gifted a reviewers copy of A Life Redefined in exchange for an honest unbiased review as part of the YA Reads A Life Forward Tour.
I gave this book a 4 out of 5 star rating
I was gifted a reviewers copy of A Life Redefined in exchange for an honest unbiased review as part of the YA Reads A Life Forward Tour.
November 11, 2014
This is a very hard book to stomach.
The reason for this being that main character, Rowan Sloane, is made to be the scapegoat for all of her family's many dysfunctions. A problem, it seems that has been going on for so long that it has become an institutionalized coping mechanism for people doing anything but.
Her father is a corrections officer at the local prison, and her mother, a depressed and food addicted housewife, who can't seem to find her way out of bed most days.
Add to this max, a spoiled younger sister, determined to have her way at all costs, and more than happy to not only blame Rowan for her mistakes, but bring trouble to Rowan's friends.
How Rowan manages to make it to her junior year of high school, with good grades, friends, and even a boyfriend in senior, soccer star, Mike Anderson, is a question for the ages.
Her only vice...
The little red lines that score her skin when the pain and blame of her caged life become to much to bear.
This is a wonderfully crafted and truly heartfelt story of one person's quest to not only survive her past, but to strive toward her future.
It has to be said that this is book one in a series.
Though it may be read as a standalone, the questions as to the direction of Rowan's future.
Reviewer's Note:
Though the main catalyst for the majority of Rowan's pain lies in the loss of her brother Aidan.
This can not be said to be her most pressing one.
It is however, the one that seems to haunt her.
The reason for this being that main character, Rowan Sloane, is made to be the scapegoat for all of her family's many dysfunctions. A problem, it seems that has been going on for so long that it has become an institutionalized coping mechanism for people doing anything but.
Her father is a corrections officer at the local prison, and her mother, a depressed and food addicted housewife, who can't seem to find her way out of bed most days.
Add to this max, a spoiled younger sister, determined to have her way at all costs, and more than happy to not only blame Rowan for her mistakes, but bring trouble to Rowan's friends.
How Rowan manages to make it to her junior year of high school, with good grades, friends, and even a boyfriend in senior, soccer star, Mike Anderson, is a question for the ages.
Her only vice...
The little red lines that score her skin when the pain and blame of her caged life become to much to bear.
This is a wonderfully crafted and truly heartfelt story of one person's quest to not only survive her past, but to strive toward her future.
It has to be said that this is book one in a series.
Though it may be read as a standalone, the questions as to the direction of Rowan's future.
Reviewer's Note:
Though the main catalyst for the majority of Rowan's pain lies in the loss of her brother Aidan.
This can not be said to be her most pressing one.
It is however, the one that seems to haunt her.
May 3, 2014
4.5 stars for A Life, Redefined.
I found this very easy to fall into and actually once started very hard to put down. Tracy has delivered a perfect mix of raw emotion, a twist I didn't seen coming, very 3D characters in a great no waffle and non procrastinating way.
All of the characters have relevance, the emotional scale had me near to tears one minute, sighing with comfortable enjoyment and slightly gripping the kindle hard with tension at other times.
The weight and the magnitude of what Rowan carries with her with what happen 7 years ago is the bones and the crux of the whole story. How her family deal with that fateful night and all the repercussions since has made them what they are today, a very disfunctional family. The strongest character of the whole family is Rowan herself, at seventeen years old she's responsible for her sister and for making sure the house is running while her mum is incapacitated and shut in her bedroom.
Now I am not a lover of college reads, coming of age reads etc etc, but this....this was a whole ballgame encompassing both those areas that are not my flavour choice to read and done in such a way that it was absolutely more than a coming of age college read. Very emotional, very deep, very moving and very well written.
I received a copy of A Life, Redefined in return for an honest review. My reviews are my own and are 100% honest.
I found this very easy to fall into and actually once started very hard to put down. Tracy has delivered a perfect mix of raw emotion, a twist I didn't seen coming, very 3D characters in a great no waffle and non procrastinating way.
All of the characters have relevance, the emotional scale had me near to tears one minute, sighing with comfortable enjoyment and slightly gripping the kindle hard with tension at other times.
The weight and the magnitude of what Rowan carries with her with what happen 7 years ago is the bones and the crux of the whole story. How her family deal with that fateful night and all the repercussions since has made them what they are today, a very disfunctional family. The strongest character of the whole family is Rowan herself, at seventeen years old she's responsible for her sister and for making sure the house is running while her mum is incapacitated and shut in her bedroom.
Now I am not a lover of college reads, coming of age reads etc etc, but this....this was a whole ballgame encompassing both those areas that are not my flavour choice to read and done in such a way that it was absolutely more than a coming of age college read. Very emotional, very deep, very moving and very well written.
I received a copy of A Life, Redefined in return for an honest review. My reviews are my own and are 100% honest.
April 30, 2014
In Rowan's family, she is known as the girl who ruined everything after her baby brother died when she was eight years old. From that moment on, it seems that whenever anything goes wrong, it is Rowan's fault despite the rest of her family's failings. Rowan is the reason her father hates her family, the reason her mum won't get out of bed and the reason her sister is traipsing all around the school. What will happen though when something positive happens to Rowan as Mike - the school quarterback asks her to the Prom . Will her family stand in the way of her happiness once again, especially when her younger sister spreads lies about Mike which end up getting the police involved. Will Rowan discover a guardian angel that will help her to escape the past she has been caged in , in order to move on with her future plans and what will happen when the truth about why and how her baby brother "really" died comes pouring out in the end?
Find out in this edgy novel, which if you loved Rebecca Donovan's Reason to Breathe series - you will really enjoy "A Life, Redefined" as it touches on similar but less abusive issues and scenarios as where Rebecca's books are more physical violence, Tracey Hewitt Meyer's tend to be more emotional and verbal abuse.
Find out in this edgy novel, which if you loved Rebecca Donovan's Reason to Breathe series - you will really enjoy "A Life, Redefined" as it touches on similar but less abusive issues and scenarios as where Rebecca's books are more physical violence, Tracey Hewitt Meyer's tend to be more emotional and verbal abuse.
June 25, 2014
***AUDIOBOOK REVIEW***
I was given a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I've listened to audiobooks a lot, but this was my first time doing so using audible from my phone. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to use.
As for this book - I planned on listening to it throughout the week while I was driving to and from work. Yeah... that didn't work out. Once it began, I had a difficult time turning it off.
The main character, Rowan - a 17 year old high school junior, is living her life in constant guilt over the accidental death of her infant brother when she was 10 years old. She just wants to graduate high school, and go to a college far away from her family so she can move on with her life.
Between the actual story and the narrator, it was enthralling. Being able to use the audible app meant I could listen to it while I was at work - bad idea. Not only could I not turn it off, but I was unable to keep myself from bawling.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I agreed to review this book, and I'm glad I did. It was definitely a story that will stick with me.
5/5 Platypires
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/a...
I was given a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I've listened to audiobooks a lot, but this was my first time doing so using audible from my phone. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to use.
As for this book - I planned on listening to it throughout the week while I was driving to and from work. Yeah... that didn't work out. Once it began, I had a difficult time turning it off.
The main character, Rowan - a 17 year old high school junior, is living her life in constant guilt over the accidental death of her infant brother when she was 10 years old. She just wants to graduate high school, and go to a college far away from her family so she can move on with her life.
Between the actual story and the narrator, it was enthralling. Being able to use the audible app meant I could listen to it while I was at work - bad idea. Not only could I not turn it off, but I was unable to keep myself from bawling.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I agreed to review this book, and I'm glad I did. It was definitely a story that will stick with me.
5/5 Platypires
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/a...
May 1, 2014
" When the darkness is too great,
When the pain is too real,
There is nothing but sharp edges,
Razor slices,
To remind me that I am alive."
Oh Rowan.
I started reading this expecting a typical story about a girl inside a high school drama. True, there is a drama. But oh my goodness, I didn't expect it to be a hardcore drama or that I will shed a lot of tears. A Life, Redefined, was a very emotional, realistic and heart touching read.
I really felt for Rowan. It's like, I want to climb inside the book and be her friend.
What I really loved about this book is that it's very realistic. People need to understand that this things happen! And I think it's great that Rowan is not keeping her all by herself. Sure, there are some things that she did that I do not approved. But jeez, look at her life.
Thank goodness for people like Mike and her best friend who, yes, is also battling their own wars in life but are always there for Rowan. They bring hope to her. And hope is exactly what she needs.
When the pain is too real,
There is nothing but sharp edges,
Razor slices,
To remind me that I am alive."
Oh Rowan.
I started reading this expecting a typical story about a girl inside a high school drama. True, there is a drama. But oh my goodness, I didn't expect it to be a hardcore drama or that I will shed a lot of tears. A Life, Redefined, was a very emotional, realistic and heart touching read.
I really felt for Rowan. It's like, I want to climb inside the book and be her friend.
What I really loved about this book is that it's very realistic. People need to understand that this things happen! And I think it's great that Rowan is not keeping her all by herself. Sure, there are some things that she did that I do not approved. But jeez, look at her life.
Thank goodness for people like Mike and her best friend who, yes, is also battling their own wars in life but are always there for Rowan. They bring hope to her. And hope is exactly what she needs.
June 4, 2015
When Rowan was just ten years old, she helped care for her little brother one night as her parents were fighting. The two month old baby boy appeared to be cold, so she covered him with a blanket. The next morning he was found dead. Rowan's family blamed her and despised her for the loss of his life.
A Life Redefined is a dramatic depiction of one girl's story as she struggles through grief, loss and self-doubt. At times her pain is so great that she turns to cutting as a way to deal with the agony her heart cannot suppress. She works out a plan to escape the family which seems intent on keeping her from ever finding any sort of happiness.
Author Tracy Hewitt Meyer has skillfully crafted a book which will hold great appeal to a young adult audience. Strong character development and heartfelt introspection provide a greater depth to this book which is full of valuable life lessons. A Life Redefined is highly engaging and full of interesting plot twists which keep readers engrossed from the beginning clear through to the powerful finish.
A Life Redefined is a dramatic depiction of one girl's story as she struggles through grief, loss and self-doubt. At times her pain is so great that she turns to cutting as a way to deal with the agony her heart cannot suppress. She works out a plan to escape the family which seems intent on keeping her from ever finding any sort of happiness.
Author Tracy Hewitt Meyer has skillfully crafted a book which will hold great appeal to a young adult audience. Strong character development and heartfelt introspection provide a greater depth to this book which is full of valuable life lessons. A Life Redefined is highly engaging and full of interesting plot twists which keep readers engrossed from the beginning clear through to the powerful finish.
Read
August 18, 2013 this was a very good book. Is a very realistic book about of teen and adsolents and the trials and pain they face. The girl in this story if burdened with much pain and guilt feeling she was the cause of her baby brothers death. with a mother who is trying to purge her pain with food and a father who has distanced himself from the family she has no support. yet this book shows with determination and the help of a friend how she does get help. I would recommend this book and author. Am buying several for young teenage readers. Will read more by this author.
I received this book to review free. Was glad I did found a wonderful new author.
I received this book to review free. Was glad I did found a wonderful new author.
July 22, 2016
A Life, Redefined is a captivating, beautifully written book. The characters are engaging and believable. The storyline is raw and powerful. It is the kind of story that is difficult to put down once you start because there is so much emotion woven into the character's journey it just pulls you right into the pages. I appreciate the way the author introduced some seriously dark subject matter by making it both realistic and believable. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
August 26, 2016
A life Redefined tells the story of Rowan Slone. Instead of actually reading this, I listened to this as to give the audio book a review. I actually enjoyed the story, and the voice of the reader, Becca Ballenger, and her youthful sounding voice does a remarkable job of telling it. Five stars for both the content of the story and the voice telling it, and I hope to hear more from Becca Ballenger in the future.
February 12, 2014
Meyer threw every trick in the YA realistic fiction- teen in crisis hat in this novel to ill effect. The characters are flat, the plot points are trite and the meaty issues are treated rather flippantly. The 17 year old voice of the narrator reads more amateur than authentic. All-in-all, a miss. Reach for Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park instead.
October 3, 2013
What a wonderful book. My heart went out for Rowan. I could not put this book. It broke my heart.
August 11, 2016
A Really Great read. I really enjoyed this as fast moving, kept attention and had great dialogue. It was fun to read and has a palatable plot with believable characters. Nicely done.
January 3, 2019
I don't know what I was expecting when I went into this novel, but I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. It's definitely more deep and emotional, not light and fluffy. It was one of those books I didn't want to put down, I just wanted to keep going. I read almost all of it in one sitting, a rarity for me nowadays.
Seven years ago, Rowan was led to believe that she was responsible for killing her baby brother. Her family is broken, with a father who holds her in contempt, a morbidly obese mother who sleeps all day, and younger sister that is out of control. Rowan just wants to get good grades and get out of this place.
Honestly, when Mike was first introduced, I thought it was going to be one of those "Girl has huge crush on super hot, really popular guy who shockingly does pay attention to her but turns out to be a joke/he's a huge jerk/something". So I am pleased to announce that Mike actually was just a nice guy.
I liked Rowan. She's been dealt a hard lot in life, yet she still stays focused on her goal, of going to college and getting out of her terrible house. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to go through the things that she did. But Rowan was a very complex, well-rounded character, and was very well written. I ached for her when sad things happened, I felt happy for her when (rare) happy things occurred. I felt the myriad of emotions right alongside Rowan.
I also like how Meyer spotlighted on deeper issues, like cutting. Rowan is a very strong character, and it was nice to be able to see inside her head for issues like this.
The pacing was well-done also. Even in parts where not as many things seemed to be happening, there was never a lull or a time when I was bored with the story. And maybe I was just too caught up in the story to think about it, but the twist in the end did catch me by surprise.
This was a very good book that I would definitely recommend. Meyer has a great writing style that will suck you in and hold you. Even if this isn't your normal type of book, I think you would enjoy it. But be warned, this isn't something light and fluffy. It is definitely deeper and more emotional.
I received an eARC from the publisher. This did not affect my honest opinion.
This review first appears on The NerdHerd Reads
Seven years ago, Rowan was led to believe that she was responsible for killing her baby brother. Her family is broken, with a father who holds her in contempt, a morbidly obese mother who sleeps all day, and younger sister that is out of control. Rowan just wants to get good grades and get out of this place.
Honestly, when Mike was first introduced, I thought it was going to be one of those "Girl has huge crush on super hot, really popular guy who shockingly does pay attention to her but turns out to be a joke/he's a huge jerk/something". So I am pleased to announce that Mike actually was just a nice guy.
I liked Rowan. She's been dealt a hard lot in life, yet she still stays focused on her goal, of going to college and getting out of her terrible house. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to go through the things that she did. But Rowan was a very complex, well-rounded character, and was very well written. I ached for her when sad things happened, I felt happy for her when (rare) happy things occurred. I felt the myriad of emotions right alongside Rowan.
I also like how Meyer spotlighted on deeper issues, like cutting. Rowan is a very strong character, and it was nice to be able to see inside her head for issues like this.
The pacing was well-done also. Even in parts where not as many things seemed to be happening, there was never a lull or a time when I was bored with the story. And maybe I was just too caught up in the story to think about it, but the twist in the end did catch me by surprise.
This was a very good book that I would definitely recommend. Meyer has a great writing style that will suck you in and hold you. Even if this isn't your normal type of book, I think you would enjoy it. But be warned, this isn't something light and fluffy. It is definitely deeper and more emotional.
I received an eARC from the publisher. This did not affect my honest opinion.
This review first appears on The NerdHerd Reads
April 26, 2020
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: A Life, Redefined
Thank you to LibraryThing for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
As a child, Rowan made a mistake. One that cost her baby brother his life. From that point on she is constantly blamed for everything wrong that happens to the family. Years of being subjected to abuse and blame, she has become a shattered person. At seventeen, her goal is to graduate high school and escape her dreadful life by going to college. But will the guilt finally overcome her? Can she keep moving forward when the weight of her family threatens to drag her back every step of the way?
Guilt is a powerful emotion. Over time it can consume a person, pulling them down bit by bit. Until the person they were no longer exists. Rowan is drowning as her story begins. She is subjecting herself to self-harm and miserable with her life. Every time she seems to take one step forward, her sister or father knows exactly what to say to break her down.
This is not a book for people who enjoy a light read. Rowan’s story is filled with heartbreak, abuse, and poor judgment. She finds herself in situations that she thinks are her only option because she is so young and so naïve. Rowan has a small shred of self-confidence left and she must fight against everything that is holding it back.
Rowan’s story will leave you speechless. It touches on so many different issues that can affect a young person. And it shows what can happen when a family fails to be the support system children need. The characters are realistic, heartbreakingly so. This a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Thank you to LibraryThing for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
As a child, Rowan made a mistake. One that cost her baby brother his life. From that point on she is constantly blamed for everything wrong that happens to the family. Years of being subjected to abuse and blame, she has become a shattered person. At seventeen, her goal is to graduate high school and escape her dreadful life by going to college. But will the guilt finally overcome her? Can she keep moving forward when the weight of her family threatens to drag her back every step of the way?
Guilt is a powerful emotion. Over time it can consume a person, pulling them down bit by bit. Until the person they were no longer exists. Rowan is drowning as her story begins. She is subjecting herself to self-harm and miserable with her life. Every time she seems to take one step forward, her sister or father knows exactly what to say to break her down.
This is not a book for people who enjoy a light read. Rowan’s story is filled with heartbreak, abuse, and poor judgment. She finds herself in situations that she thinks are her only option because she is so young and so naïve. Rowan has a small shred of self-confidence left and she must fight against everything that is holding it back.
Rowan’s story will leave you speechless. It touches on so many different issues that can affect a young person. And it shows what can happen when a family fails to be the support system children need. The characters are realistic, heartbreakingly so. This a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
June 28, 2021
2 stars
I thought this would be a more positive story about someone overcoming struggles. My biggest takeaway was that it was an exercise in seeing how many times characters could say the name Rowan over and over and over again. In every conversation between Rowan and someone else, the someone else needed to say her name in every line of dialogue they say, sometimes even in two sentences in a row. "Rowan, all those years ago when you thought you were responsible for your brother's death, you weren't. Rowan it wasn't your fault." Does he think she forgot her name in the three seconds it took to say the first sentence? Did he think her mind wandered so far that maybe she thought he started to talking to someone else? This nonsense of name tagging is not for emphasis; it's just very poor writing. I started to feel ill from the number of times people repeatedly said Rowan and had to skim the rest of the story which turned out to be predictable from the description on the back of the book. It does call into question the decency of people who were supposedly there for Rowan throughout the book.
Trina is also the worst character I have ever read since Betty in Wolf Hollow. She has absolutely no redeeming qualities but is not held accountable for any of her actions and apparently from what I've read about the second book she keeps up her bullshit which is the main reason I will not continue with this series.
I thought this would be a more positive story about someone overcoming struggles. My biggest takeaway was that it was an exercise in seeing how many times characters could say the name Rowan over and over and over again. In every conversation between Rowan and someone else, the someone else needed to say her name in every line of dialogue they say, sometimes even in two sentences in a row. "Rowan, all those years ago when you thought you were responsible for your brother's death, you weren't. Rowan it wasn't your fault." Does he think she forgot her name in the three seconds it took to say the first sentence? Did he think her mind wandered so far that maybe she thought he started to talking to someone else? This nonsense of name tagging is not for emphasis; it's just very poor writing. I started to feel ill from the number of times people repeatedly said Rowan and had to skim the rest of the story which turned out to be predictable from the description on the back of the book. It does call into question the decency of people who were supposedly there for Rowan throughout the book.
Trina is also the worst character I have ever read since Betty in Wolf Hollow. She has absolutely no redeeming qualities but is not held accountable for any of her actions and apparently from what I've read about the second book she keeps up her bullshit which is the main reason I will not continue with this series.
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