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Nothing to Lose
I shouldn't have come back to Miami . . . I've been escaping cops' notice for a year now. I'm no longer Michael Daye, high school athlete with a promising future. Now I look like someone with no future.
When Michael saw a chance to leave town with a traveling carnival a year ago, he took it. Back then, his home life was spinning violently out of control. The carnival, with its "no questions asked" policy, seemed like a welcome escape. But now Michael's job has brought him back to Miami, where his mother is on trial for murder, making him wonder how much longer he can hide from his past . . . and his future.
When Michael saw a chance to leave town with a traveling carnival a year ago, he took it. Back then, his home life was spinning violently out of control. The carnival, with its "no questions asked" policy, seemed like a welcome escape. But now Michael's job has brought him back to Miami, where his mother is on trial for murder, making him wonder how much longer he can hide from his past . . . and his future.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2004
37 people are currently reading
1727 people want to read
About the author
Alex Flinn
29 books5,646 followersLove Jacaranda is out in the world! Hope you'll check out this fun wish-fulfillment romance!
Now, bio:
I grew up on a street called Salem Court. This probably influenced my interest in witches. When I was five, my mom said I should be an author. And when I was eight, I got my first rejection letter from Highlights Magazine.
I learned to read early. But I compensated for this early proficiency by absolutely refusing to read the programmed readers required by the school system -- workbooks where you read the story, then answered the questions. When the other kids were on Book 20, I was on Book 1! My teacher, Mrs. Zeiser, told my mother, "Alexandra marches to her own drummer." I don't think that was supposed to be a compliment.
My family moved to Miami when I was in middle school. I had a really hard time making friends, so I spent a lot of time reading and writing then. By high school, I'd made some friends and gotten involved in various "gifted and talented" performing arts programs. I studied opera in college (I'm a coloratura -- the really loud, high-pitched sopranos.) and then went to law school.
It was law school that probably helped with my first novel. Breathing Underwater deals with the serious and all-too-common problem of dating violence. I based the book on my experiences interning with the State Attorney's Office and volunteering with battered women. I thought this was a really important topic, as 27 percent of teenage girls surveyed have been hit by a boyfriend. I'm happy that the book is so popular, and if you are reading this bio because the book was assigned for school, I'm happy about that too.
I think I write for young-adults because I never quite got over being one. In my mind, I am still 13-years-old, running laps on the athletic field, wearing this really baggy white gymsuit. I’m continually amazed at the idea that I have a checking account and a mortgage. So I try to write books that gymsuit girl might enjoy. It’s a way of going back to being thirteen . . . knowing what I know now.
Right now, I live half a mile away from my old middle school, in Palmetto Bay, a suburb of Miami, with my husband, daughters, dogs, and cats.
Now, bio:
I grew up on a street called Salem Court. This probably influenced my interest in witches. When I was five, my mom said I should be an author. And when I was eight, I got my first rejection letter from Highlights Magazine.
I learned to read early. But I compensated for this early proficiency by absolutely refusing to read the programmed readers required by the school system -- workbooks where you read the story, then answered the questions. When the other kids were on Book 20, I was on Book 1! My teacher, Mrs. Zeiser, told my mother, "Alexandra marches to her own drummer." I don't think that was supposed to be a compliment.
My family moved to Miami when I was in middle school. I had a really hard time making friends, so I spent a lot of time reading and writing then. By high school, I'd made some friends and gotten involved in various "gifted and talented" performing arts programs. I studied opera in college (I'm a coloratura -- the really loud, high-pitched sopranos.) and then went to law school.
It was law school that probably helped with my first novel. Breathing Underwater deals with the serious and all-too-common problem of dating violence. I based the book on my experiences interning with the State Attorney's Office and volunteering with battered women. I thought this was a really important topic, as 27 percent of teenage girls surveyed have been hit by a boyfriend. I'm happy that the book is so popular, and if you are reading this bio because the book was assigned for school, I'm happy about that too.
I think I write for young-adults because I never quite got over being one. In my mind, I am still 13-years-old, running laps on the athletic field, wearing this really baggy white gymsuit. I’m continually amazed at the idea that I have a checking account and a mortgage. So I try to write books that gymsuit girl might enjoy. It’s a way of going back to being thirteen . . . knowing what I know now.
Right now, I live half a mile away from my old middle school, in Palmetto Bay, a suburb of Miami, with my husband, daughters, dogs, and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
March 30, 2009
This is probably the fourth or fifth book I've read from Alex Flinn, and although it was one of her first novels published way back in 2005, I still loved it just as much as some of her more recent novels. In "Nothing to Lose" Michael Daye's mother is being prosecuted for killing her abusive husband, who is also Michael's stepfather. The book alternates chapters to retell the events that Michael experienced under Walker's (the stepfathers) roof and explain what Michael is currently experiencing; living life as a Carny, and taking small steps to save his mom from what seems to be an inevitable fate.
Flinn has an extraordinary talent to suck readers in and keep them there. I just couldn't put this book down and had to finish it in one day (when I should've been studying). I give this book 4/5 stars because although it was an interesting read, I felt that it lacked a bit in certain areas. For instance, although Michael went through some very, very awesome character development I don't think any of the other characters went through any change besides some slight modifications. Also, this book was just a tad light-hearted in some areas of the plot that would've seemed tougher if described in real life times.
Still, "Nothing to Lose" was definetly worth the day I spent to read it.
Flinn has an extraordinary talent to suck readers in and keep them there. I just couldn't put this book down and had to finish it in one day (when I should've been studying). I give this book 4/5 stars because although it was an interesting read, I felt that it lacked a bit in certain areas. For instance, although Michael went through some very, very awesome character development I don't think any of the other characters went through any change besides some slight modifications. Also, this book was just a tad light-hearted in some areas of the plot that would've seemed tougher if described in real life times.
Still, "Nothing to Lose" was definetly worth the day I spent to read it.
March 3, 2018
I'm going to keep this short because I'm feeling a little underwhelmed.
I picked this up because Alex Flinn's Breathing Underwater has stayed with me for the last fifteen years. It punched me right in the gut. This book also tackled a tough topic - domestic abuse. While both are YA, Nothing to Lose felt much younger. I may have been more affected had I been a teenager reading this.
This was more of a 2.5 Star read for me, but I still think it's an important topic that shouldn't be shied away from.
(For what it's worth, a book I felt did a better job tackling this topic was Split.)
I picked this up because Alex Flinn's Breathing Underwater has stayed with me for the last fifteen years. It punched me right in the gut. This book also tackled a tough topic - domestic abuse. While both are YA, Nothing to Lose felt much younger. I may have been more affected had I been a teenager reading this.
This was more of a 2.5 Star read for me, but I still think it's an important topic that shouldn't be shied away from.
(For what it's worth, a book I felt did a better job tackling this topic was Split.)
February 2, 2024
Un travagliato Young Adult ambientato a Miami (e credo che la città sia stata scelta anche perché in Florida vige ancora la pena di morte, per dare più pathos alla situazione), che parla di maltrattamenti verso le donne, delle situazioni in cui si possono trovare dei ragazzi adolescenti quando le madri diventano le vittime di uomini-padroni dai quali non riescono a liberarsi, anche per incoraggiarli a denunciare la situazione senza gettare la spugna al primo tentativo fallito.
È passato un anno da quando Michael Daye è fuggito di casa e si è unito a un luna-park itinerante in cui nessuno gli fa domande circa il suo passato. Ma quando il luna-park fa di nuovo la sua tappa a Miami, il ragazzo capisce che ci sono delle cose importanti in sospeso che deve sistemare, come per esempio andare a trovare sua madre, che è in carcere per aver ucciso il suo patrigno.
E così seguiamo la sua storia, narrata alternando ciò che succede oggi a quel che è successo un anno prima.
Un anno prima Michael era un sedicenne normale, che ama giocare a football, uno sport in cui eccelle, ma che è costretto ad abbandonare per poter vegliare meglio sulla madre, che viene picchiata sistematicamente dal patrigno a ogni suo minimo sbalzo d'umore; e siccome Walker è un perdente frustrato, succede un giorno sì e uno no.
Adesso la madre di Michael è in attesa di giudizio e potrebbe essere condannata alla pena di morte: infatti ha confessato di aver ucciso il marito per legittima difesa, ma la dinamica dell'omicidio fa pensare che lo abbia colpito alle spalle; ecco perché i giornali l'hanno bollata come un'arrampicatrice sociale, che prima si è fatta sposare dal suo capo e poi l'ha ucciso per averne l'eredità.
Ma i ricordi di Michael rivelano ben altro: sua madre non era affatto un'arrampicatrice sociale, e quel che ha dovuto subire nei due anni di matrimonio con Walker l'hanno completamente distrutta come persona.
Parallelamente, seguiamo la fascinazione di Michael l'anno precedente per il luna park che è in città e per la bella e seducente Kirstie, una ragazza delle giostre che ha a sua volta un passato difficile alle spalle, e il desiderio del ragazzo di abbandonare tutto e di essere finalmente libero.
È passato un anno da quando Michael Daye è fuggito di casa e si è unito a un luna-park itinerante in cui nessuno gli fa domande circa il suo passato. Ma quando il luna-park fa di nuovo la sua tappa a Miami, il ragazzo capisce che ci sono delle cose importanti in sospeso che deve sistemare, come per esempio andare a trovare sua madre, che è in carcere per aver ucciso il suo patrigno.
E così seguiamo la sua storia, narrata alternando ciò che succede oggi a quel che è successo un anno prima.
Un anno prima Michael era un sedicenne normale, che ama giocare a football, uno sport in cui eccelle, ma che è costretto ad abbandonare per poter vegliare meglio sulla madre, che viene picchiata sistematicamente dal patrigno a ogni suo minimo sbalzo d'umore; e siccome Walker è un perdente frustrato, succede un giorno sì e uno no.
Adesso la madre di Michael è in attesa di giudizio e potrebbe essere condannata alla pena di morte: infatti ha confessato di aver ucciso il marito per legittima difesa, ma la dinamica dell'omicidio fa pensare che lo abbia colpito alle spalle; ecco perché i giornali l'hanno bollata come un'arrampicatrice sociale, che prima si è fatta sposare dal suo capo e poi l'ha ucciso per averne l'eredità.
Ma i ricordi di Michael rivelano ben altro: sua madre non era affatto un'arrampicatrice sociale, e quel che ha dovuto subire nei due anni di matrimonio con Walker l'hanno completamente distrutta come persona.
Parallelamente, seguiamo la fascinazione di Michael l'anno precedente per il luna park che è in città e per la bella e seducente Kirstie, una ragazza delle giostre che ha a sua volta un passato difficile alle spalle, e il desiderio del ragazzo di abbandonare tutto e di essere finalmente libero.
April 15, 2021
I think Alex Flinn is quite good at writing male characters, but this book was extremely predictable and I saw the end coming a mile away. It was also quite short and didn't give me very much time to connect with the characters. It has themes of domestic abuse, but it doesn't make any new or unique points.
July 11, 2016
"She was the one who started me on the road I'm on now. If I can find her, maybe she'll help me figure out where I'm going."
Michael had a decent life. Sure, it had its ups and downs but he always knew he would get through it. He was a great football player and had a group of people that cared about him. This all changed when his single mom married Walker. For two years Michael watched as his mother was hit and abused by his stepfather. Feeling too weak to do anything, the vicious cycle of abuse continued. He even quit football in order to make sure that no harm came to those he loved.
Reluctantly he broke this norm, and instead of staying home, he went to the carnival one night. There he met and fell in love with a girl named Kirstie. The carnival season brought so many things including love . . . and the death of Walker.
One year later, Michael's mother is put on trial for the mysterious death of her spouse. Michael, now a runaway and an employee of the carnival, has returned and wants to save his mother from the inevitable outcome of prison.
Nothing to Lose is a story of love, forgiveness, and discovering that you are not to blame for another's actions. The book frequently changes from Michael's past to present with each passing chapter. I loved that this was done due to the suspense between each piece. I would recommend this book to anyone who has read Alex Flinn's amazing writing style and for those who haven't. You will not be disappointed that you did!
Michael had a decent life. Sure, it had its ups and downs but he always knew he would get through it. He was a great football player and had a group of people that cared about him. This all changed when his single mom married Walker. For two years Michael watched as his mother was hit and abused by his stepfather. Feeling too weak to do anything, the vicious cycle of abuse continued. He even quit football in order to make sure that no harm came to those he loved.
Reluctantly he broke this norm, and instead of staying home, he went to the carnival one night. There he met and fell in love with a girl named Kirstie. The carnival season brought so many things including love . . . and the death of Walker.
One year later, Michael's mother is put on trial for the mysterious death of her spouse. Michael, now a runaway and an employee of the carnival, has returned and wants to save his mother from the inevitable outcome of prison.
Nothing to Lose is a story of love, forgiveness, and discovering that you are not to blame for another's actions. The book frequently changes from Michael's past to present with each passing chapter. I loved that this was done due to the suspense between each piece. I would recommend this book to anyone who has read Alex Flinn's amazing writing style and for those who haven't. You will not be disappointed that you did!
May 14, 2009
This is a book about a young boy who's life starting spinning out of control when he step father is abusing his mother and there is nothing that he can do to stop. Then one day, after he quit the football team and left all of his friends, an old friend asked to take him to the fair. When Michael gets tot he fair, what does he find? Trouble? How about love? After meeting someone new at the fair his life seems ot be getting a little better. He spends time with his new "friend" and forgets all about home. He keeps his mothers beeper with him just in case. Although, he knows that his mother would never page him if somethign went wrong. This book just made me want to keep reading and never put it down.
August 3, 2013
Not sure why this was on my shelf, but there it was when I needed a quick read and it wasn't bad. I think young adults will enjoy it; I was pretty certain failry early what the ending would be, and I was right, but maybe a newer reader won't. I thought about giving 2 stars, but since I finished, and quickly, I kicked it up one. I am not sure what book of hers is the best, but if I find out, I might read it.
March 25, 2015
I am almost give this book by 5 rate but one little thing that I dislike about this book so I give this book by 4.5 because of Kristie. I am hope that Kristie and Michael will meet up in the end of book but it didn't. ugh... But it is so good book.
August 3, 2016
Originally rated E by Rosanne Cipollone
Michael Daye has a secret as to who killed his stepfather which could send someone to prison but he is not ready to reveal it yet. This story is well written and holds the reader's attention.
Michael Daye has a secret as to who killed his stepfather which could send someone to prison but he is not ready to reveal it yet. This story is well written and holds the reader's attention.
March 26, 2015
Goodreads lost my review... -_- I read this book, two times and I wanted to revise my old review but my old review is gone -_0
Whatever
Whatever
February 26, 2019
12 February 2004 NOTHING TO LOSE by Alex Flinn, Harper Tempest, March 2004, ISBN 0-06-051750-6
"I raised my mallet and began pounding, pounding, pounding. In front of me, it was this little mole, trying to pop out of its mole hole to safety. But in my head it was everything else. Mom, sitting with her hand on the telephone, afraid to pick it up. Boom! People at school, who used to be my friends, but now they crapped on me. Bam! Dutton, holding his fingers up in the shape of an L. Boom, bam! Karpe, pathetically begging me to come here, and my going. Boom! Boom! Boom! Walker, hitting my mother. Bam! Me, never doing anything about it.
"Pop!
"When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal."
--Dylan, "Like A Rolling Stone"
At the moment, Michael Daye is doing his best to appear invisible. These days he's behind the counter at that Whack-a-Mole game--working as a carny--and going by the name of Robert Frost. Traveling the circuit with Corbett's Amusements, he's back on his home turf for the first time in a year and is thus forced to come face to face with those dark memories of his not-so-distant past as a high school student with an abusive stepfather and a life that had spiraled so rapidly downward out of control.
"It was like playing Hot Potato with a hand grenade. You never knew when he might explode."
And upon his somewhat disguised return to his hometown, he learns that his mother is about to go on trial for murdering Walker, that vicious stepfather.
"Behind me the cops are still talking...
" 'I don't get it. What's the big deal about this case?'
"The fat cop snorts. 'What you don't get is a lot. You been on the force as long as I have, you know which cases'll get the attention. This one's got it all: a violent murder, a rich guy, and a beautiful woman who's guilty as sin.'
"I feel myself flinch, knowing for sure now. The woman they're talking about is my mother.
" 'You think?' the female cop asks. 'I'm not so sure.'
" 'What's her defense?' the other cop says. 'She brained him with a stinking fire poker.'
" 'She's saying he beat her up.'
" 'That's what they all say. If it was so bad, why didn't she leave the poor slob? That's what I want to know. Why didn't she leave?' "
That is the question that we must come to terms with as Michael's story alternates in time between his current, uneasy stop with the fair in the town where he's the missing son of an accused murderer, and those horrific months last year preceding his decision to finally leave his mother on her own and hit the road.
"Once in driver's ed we saw this movie about hydroplaning. That's when the road's wet and the water picks up your car and makes it skid. The movie said the reason hydroplaning causes accidents is, people fight it. It's instinct to try not to skid.
"But what you really need to do is the opposite. Accept it. You want to be safe, just keep your hands on the wheel and turn into the skid. "I was in a skid those weeks before I left--with Walker, my mom, my friends. And if I fought it, I'd crash and burn.
"I fought it."
"But, you see the colors in me like no one else
And behind your dark glasses you're...
You're something else"
--No Doubt, "Underneath It All"
A graphic tale of abuse, and a penetrating look at both the limitations of The System and why someone like Michael's mom would continue to stay with Walker, NOTHING TO LOSE is equally a superb story about the strong, lasting, if sometimes invisible bonds between two teen friends with a long history. As the relationship between Michael and Karpe is revealed, we see that it sometimes takes falling off the mountain to discover that you are actually tied to another person.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
"I raised my mallet and began pounding, pounding, pounding. In front of me, it was this little mole, trying to pop out of its mole hole to safety. But in my head it was everything else. Mom, sitting with her hand on the telephone, afraid to pick it up. Boom! People at school, who used to be my friends, but now they crapped on me. Bam! Dutton, holding his fingers up in the shape of an L. Boom, bam! Karpe, pathetically begging me to come here, and my going. Boom! Boom! Boom! Walker, hitting my mother. Bam! Me, never doing anything about it.
"Pop!
"When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal."
--Dylan, "Like A Rolling Stone"
At the moment, Michael Daye is doing his best to appear invisible. These days he's behind the counter at that Whack-a-Mole game--working as a carny--and going by the name of Robert Frost. Traveling the circuit with Corbett's Amusements, he's back on his home turf for the first time in a year and is thus forced to come face to face with those dark memories of his not-so-distant past as a high school student with an abusive stepfather and a life that had spiraled so rapidly downward out of control.
"It was like playing Hot Potato with a hand grenade. You never knew when he might explode."
And upon his somewhat disguised return to his hometown, he learns that his mother is about to go on trial for murdering Walker, that vicious stepfather.
"Behind me the cops are still talking...
" 'I don't get it. What's the big deal about this case?'
"The fat cop snorts. 'What you don't get is a lot. You been on the force as long as I have, you know which cases'll get the attention. This one's got it all: a violent murder, a rich guy, and a beautiful woman who's guilty as sin.'
"I feel myself flinch, knowing for sure now. The woman they're talking about is my mother.
" 'You think?' the female cop asks. 'I'm not so sure.'
" 'What's her defense?' the other cop says. 'She brained him with a stinking fire poker.'
" 'She's saying he beat her up.'
" 'That's what they all say. If it was so bad, why didn't she leave the poor slob? That's what I want to know. Why didn't she leave?' "
That is the question that we must come to terms with as Michael's story alternates in time between his current, uneasy stop with the fair in the town where he's the missing son of an accused murderer, and those horrific months last year preceding his decision to finally leave his mother on her own and hit the road.
"Once in driver's ed we saw this movie about hydroplaning. That's when the road's wet and the water picks up your car and makes it skid. The movie said the reason hydroplaning causes accidents is, people fight it. It's instinct to try not to skid.
"But what you really need to do is the opposite. Accept it. You want to be safe, just keep your hands on the wheel and turn into the skid. "I was in a skid those weeks before I left--with Walker, my mom, my friends. And if I fought it, I'd crash and burn.
"I fought it."
"But, you see the colors in me like no one else
And behind your dark glasses you're...
You're something else"
--No Doubt, "Underneath It All"
A graphic tale of abuse, and a penetrating look at both the limitations of The System and why someone like Michael's mom would continue to stay with Walker, NOTHING TO LOSE is equally a superb story about the strong, lasting, if sometimes invisible bonds between two teen friends with a long history. As the relationship between Michael and Karpe is revealed, we see that it sometimes takes falling off the mountain to discover that you are actually tied to another person.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
November 5, 2018
Did you ever dream about joining the circus and running away when you were a kid? Did the thought of never-ending popcorn and cotton candy thrill you? What if it was more than a simple desire to escape chores and cleaning your room? For Matthew, that decision has a much darker motivation than riding the Tilt-A-Whirl all day.
At one time Matthew was a star football player one of the lucky few to be part of the upper crust of his high school. When his mother marries Walker, everything changes. Instead of scraping by and eating out of cans, they are eating lamb chops and watching the ocean from the windows of the mansion they live in. People on the outside think Matthew is fortunate, but they do not know that his mother has become a slave and is beaten more days than not.
By his sixteenth birthday, Matthew has decided that he can no longer live a carefree life and continue playing ball and going to parties. He hopes that sacrificing his youth will protect his mother. So far, his presence at home has done nothing to keep her safe, but feeling trapped, he gives up. Fortunately, on his birthday he dares to go to the fair, filled with dreams of the days when his mother would take him. This time, he does not get lost in the joy of the side-show but falls in love. A week later, Walker is dead and his mother is on trial for murder. With no other way out, Matthew becomes carnie Robert Frost and a missing teen. A year can really change a person, and when the fair returns, Robert is faced with the choice between hiding with the circus and putting on Matthew’s shoes again to help his mother.
It is not often that a story blows me away, but this one did. I was afraid that the back and forth from the present and the future that is throughout the entire book would distract me. Luckily, it added to the story and created a rich mystery. Ideas swirled around in my head as I tried to figure out where the story was headed, and while I did eventually reach the correct conclusion, it was a joy to get there. The characters were splendid and the pace was fast, keeping perfectly in synch with the past and present. The journey of Matthew was fantastic to read, and was easier to see having a more realistic outcome than other books with a similar plot. This book might be labeled Young Adult, but it is a wonderful read for those who are looking for something deeper to tug on the heartstrings.
The rating:
Genre and general reading age – mystery/social and abuse issues for teens and adults.
Level of sexuality – very low and appropriate for teens.
Is there graphic language? Only a few words.
Did I cry? No, but it is far from a light story.
Did I laugh? No.
Is there part of a series? It is a standalone.
Level of character development – very high. From Matthew to the girl he loves to his broken mother, each character has a clearly defined purpose and they meet those needs perfectly. It was easy to slip into Matthew’s shoes and feel what he was going through.
This book does not disappoint. From start to finish it is a rollercoaster of emotions and tough choices. Do not jump in expecting a fluffy feel-good YA. It is heavy and can elicit some strong feelings. Abuse is a major theme, so be prepared when you pick this up. I hope you love it as much as I did. I am excited to give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars.
At one time Matthew was a star football player one of the lucky few to be part of the upper crust of his high school. When his mother marries Walker, everything changes. Instead of scraping by and eating out of cans, they are eating lamb chops and watching the ocean from the windows of the mansion they live in. People on the outside think Matthew is fortunate, but they do not know that his mother has become a slave and is beaten more days than not.
By his sixteenth birthday, Matthew has decided that he can no longer live a carefree life and continue playing ball and going to parties. He hopes that sacrificing his youth will protect his mother. So far, his presence at home has done nothing to keep her safe, but feeling trapped, he gives up. Fortunately, on his birthday he dares to go to the fair, filled with dreams of the days when his mother would take him. This time, he does not get lost in the joy of the side-show but falls in love. A week later, Walker is dead and his mother is on trial for murder. With no other way out, Matthew becomes carnie Robert Frost and a missing teen. A year can really change a person, and when the fair returns, Robert is faced with the choice between hiding with the circus and putting on Matthew’s shoes again to help his mother.
It is not often that a story blows me away, but this one did. I was afraid that the back and forth from the present and the future that is throughout the entire book would distract me. Luckily, it added to the story and created a rich mystery. Ideas swirled around in my head as I tried to figure out where the story was headed, and while I did eventually reach the correct conclusion, it was a joy to get there. The characters were splendid and the pace was fast, keeping perfectly in synch with the past and present. The journey of Matthew was fantastic to read, and was easier to see having a more realistic outcome than other books with a similar plot. This book might be labeled Young Adult, but it is a wonderful read for those who are looking for something deeper to tug on the heartstrings.
The rating:
Genre and general reading age – mystery/social and abuse issues for teens and adults.
Level of sexuality – very low and appropriate for teens.
Is there graphic language? Only a few words.
Did I cry? No, but it is far from a light story.
Did I laugh? No.
Is there part of a series? It is a standalone.
Level of character development – very high. From Matthew to the girl he loves to his broken mother, each character has a clearly defined purpose and they meet those needs perfectly. It was easy to slip into Matthew’s shoes and feel what he was going through.
This book does not disappoint. From start to finish it is a rollercoaster of emotions and tough choices. Do not jump in expecting a fluffy feel-good YA. It is heavy and can elicit some strong feelings. Abuse is a major theme, so be prepared when you pick this up. I hope you love it as much as I did. I am excited to give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars.
January 19, 2018
This story was about a boy named Michael Daye that goes by the name of Robert Frost that ran away from Miami and dropped out of school because of a mother that commited a crime that he wanted to get away from. Michael works at a carnival as a carny. The main characters are Michael and his mother Lisa Monroe and his wealthy yet abusive father and step father. His mother is on trial for murder and his step father is now dead. Michaels main problem in the story was running away and keeping his fake identity and not getting caught by the cops. His mother's problem was obviously not getting put in prison and being called a murderer. Michaels father faced the problem of giving up his hard earned money on Lisa and his son. My favorite character was Michael because I can relate to a lot of his actions and life choices in the story. I can relate to Michael in the story because he feels that he needs to get away from his family and change his whole demeanor because of his family's actions. I felt the same as Michael in a way because he hates his family yet he still cares about what happens to them. He also is made to take a side between his mother and father and i've been put in that situation when a divorce happened in court.I liked this book yet it was kinda hard to follow and get to know who and what everyone's point in the story was. I liked this book because I love books with suspense, mystery and crime. My favorite part was at the end when his mother found out she was pregnant with a father that is now dead. That is crazy to think about because imagine having to tell that kid later on in life that their father is dead and your very own mother killed him. The author portrayed domestic violence very well and the impact it can put on kids and a family bond. This subject is taboo to talk about and the author shows it all. The author could have showed the characters charistics more.
Yes I would recommend this book to someone who has went through domestic violence and needs some comfort with it and advice. The type of person who would like this is someone like me.
Yes I would recommend this book to someone who has went through domestic violence and needs some comfort with it and advice. The type of person who would like this is someone like me.
April 4, 2020
This story is well written and holds the reader's attention. I was not disappointed reading this book. I was initially drawn in because of the description. I was just as interested in finishing the book and solving the mystery as I was when I started reading it.
Matthew was at one time a star football player, one of the lucky few to be apart of the in crowd of his high school. When his mother marries Walker, their whole lives change. From the outside people think Matthew and his mom are lucky to no longer be just scraping by, people even call his mother a gold digger. Few people know whats really going on inside the house and even less people care about the situation at hand. Abuse is a major theme in this book, so be prepared when you pick this up.
Matthew was at one time a star football player, one of the lucky few to be apart of the in crowd of his high school. When his mother marries Walker, their whole lives change. From the outside people think Matthew and his mom are lucky to no longer be just scraping by, people even call his mother a gold digger. Few people know whats really going on inside the house and even less people care about the situation at hand. Abuse is a major theme in this book, so be prepared when you pick this up.
April 8, 2020
This book was fairly mediocre. A 2.5, really. Not something that's going to stick with me, either positively or negatively. Parts of it were well-written, and I was entertained by it overall, but the "twist" was SO obvious that it made the book feel really drawn out, just waiting for that part to hurry up. I don't regret listening to it, but I'm not going to rush out telling others about it.
I listened to it because this was one of Audible's free audiobooks, during COVID. I'm impressed and grateful that they've released these for folks! It's not something I would have paid for, so I likely wouldn't have listened to it otherwise.
I listened to it because this was one of Audible's free audiobooks, during COVID. I'm impressed and grateful that they've released these for folks! It's not something I would have paid for, so I likely wouldn't have listened to it otherwise.
August 9, 2020
Thank you to audible stories for allowing us to stream for free during the pandemic.
This story maybe is a bit unrelatable to me because I have never had to deal with child abuse. Or domestic violence in this way. Though I hear many women in situations where a spouse or male intimate partner is extremely abusive and does create multiple problems that the woman just cannot tear herself away from. It's an interesting yet sad commentary. So though the story was a little interesting it probably would be more interesting to somebody who maybe could relate perhaps.
This story maybe is a bit unrelatable to me because I have never had to deal with child abuse. Or domestic violence in this way. Though I hear many women in situations where a spouse or male intimate partner is extremely abusive and does create multiple problems that the woman just cannot tear herself away from. It's an interesting yet sad commentary. So though the story was a little interesting it probably would be more interesting to somebody who maybe could relate perhaps.
October 1, 2018
3 STARS!
Breathing Underwater is my absolute favorite novel from Alex Flinn. That book stuck with me since I was 12 or 13 (now im 24). This story wasn't bad but it was alright. I liked the storyline surrounding the drama that was going on in Michael's household and why he acted the way he did with his social life. The ending was surprisingly good. Mrs. Flinn does a great job when it comes to penning stories about domestic abuse.
Breathing Underwater is my absolute favorite novel from Alex Flinn. That book stuck with me since I was 12 or 13 (now im 24). This story wasn't bad but it was alright. I liked the storyline surrounding the drama that was going on in Michael's household and why he acted the way he did with his social life. The ending was surprisingly good. Mrs. Flinn does a great job when it comes to penning stories about domestic abuse.
September 24, 2020
Hooked from the very first page, I could not put the book down! The book alternates from last year to this year from Michael’s perspective. Every chapter simply compels you to continue reading to find out how things happened and how things turn out at the end.
The book is about domestic abuse and while you would expect more or some deep realization, there is none that can make sense of the trauma. This is realistic narrative from Michaels view.
The book is about domestic abuse and while you would expect more or some deep realization, there is none that can make sense of the trauma. This is realistic narrative from Michaels view.
January 10, 2024
I read this in 7th grade on an audiobook and have been searching for it for SO LONG. I haven't been able to stop thinking about the ending. It is my roman empire. I am so glad I found it. I don't think it was great but God that ending killed something deep inside me. If you're a bit of a funky 7th grader try it out it slaps when you're actually supposed to be working on homework. Idk even know if it's actually good but I have never been happier than right now. (I'm a freshman now) ✌️
June 22, 2020
This book held a special place in my heart as it was a book I remember liking for a library book club in Middle School and one of the first times I remember being introduced to anything remotely concerning sex. There are some bits and characteristics that have not aged well but the passages about abuse and poverty do stick and the fact of what some people do to handle bad situations.
July 18, 2020
I was disappointed. But perhaps my sights were too high. I’ve read two of Flinn’s books before, both from a different genre though. I flew through both. They took me a day each to finish. So I expected the same with this one, where I wouldn’t want to put it down. But it was kind of boring at times. It wasn’t bad, it was just... okay. Maybe I’ll just stick to her fantasy retellings instead.
June 10, 2021
What can a boy do when his stepfather beats his mother and threatens to kill her? How does that affect his life, his career, his friendships. A well-paced story that throws light on domestic abuse, lies told, desires to change things, as well as complacency, inertia, and how the system doesn't do enough to protect vulnerable children.
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July 31, 2018One of Flinn's better stories. She tends to be really hit or miss for me- (Breathing Underwater was INCREDIBLE, most others are just, okay). While I don't think this one is as good as BU, I do think it's probably her second best... Or close to it :)
February 7, 2023
Read this book a good few years ago. Caught onto the author after reading Beastly. Read the book on holiday. It’s a slight what is the twist which I believe you start to realise. It’s a good book with some adult or darker themes to think about.
October 24, 2016
It was a dramatic story, with a very ironic ending. I really enjoyed the irony but I'm not sure many people can relate to the story, and I find it enjoyable when you can relate to the characters.
June 20, 2017
It's easy to read but highly predictable, and the story and narration is not as good as Flinn's Breathing Underwater.
March 10, 2018
Another solid novel by a talented author.
April 28, 2018
When it all goes wrong, I often say I want to join the circus. This is what happens when the circus brings you back.
October 16, 2018
Sad but understandable. Abuse is sad and frustrating. Answers why she "doesn't" leave. Loved the main characters.
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December 9, 2019good book
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