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Strong Stuff
Strong Stuff is the story of Ruby, a young carer who finds her world turned upside down when her mother dies. She is forced to live with her estranged father on the wrong side of the tracks, where her life as a teenager really begins.
Ruby finds love and friendship in the most unlikely of places – but when forces conspire to take it all away, she must fight to keep what matters to her, at all costs.
Ruby finds love and friendship in the most unlikely of places – but when forces conspire to take it all away, she must fight to keep what matters to her, at all costs.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2021
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 12, 2022
Strong Stuff is a fitting title. There is a nod to the Sheffield setting, borrowing the Henderson’s Relish strapline, but it also describes the main character, Ruby, and her abilities as a survivor. Ruby is a young teenager and carer who is thrust by circumstances into a difficult world. This teen/YA novel has a strong plot and plenty going on to keep the reader turning the pages – even if it seems unrelentingly grim at times. But – keep going - it is not too much of a spoiler to say that “Strong Stuff” Ruby comes through it okay in the end.
There are quite a few typos and so on in the version I read, which is always disappointing in a professionally published book, but that won’t spoil things for most readers.
Though the book is set in Sheffield, there isn’t much in it to tie it there – Strong Stuff could be set pretty much anywhere. Speech patterns aren’t noticeably “Sheffield,” only one or two locations are non-fictional: making it difficult for a reader who knows the city to place the action. (One exception being the scene on the excellent front cover – but then anything in red, white and black looks great!) Nonetheless, a good read for those who like a bit of gritty realism in their fiction.
There are quite a few typos and so on in the version I read, which is always disappointing in a professionally published book, but that won’t spoil things for most readers.
Though the book is set in Sheffield, there isn’t much in it to tie it there – Strong Stuff could be set pretty much anywhere. Speech patterns aren’t noticeably “Sheffield,” only one or two locations are non-fictional: making it difficult for a reader who knows the city to place the action. (One exception being the scene on the excellent front cover – but then anything in red, white and black looks great!) Nonetheless, a good read for those who like a bit of gritty realism in their fiction.
June 12, 2021
Fantastic story from the brilliant A F Stone. Full review on YouTube - YouTube.com/c/sparklesbooks
September 27, 2022
This book! Omg! What an emotional roller-coaster this book was! It got me crying and it got me laughing and smiling and it even got me upset and angry. Loved this book! The writing of it is beautiful, the characters are so real and raw, and each page is full of emotion. This is one of the books that need to be shouted about from the rooftops, as it explores so much in such a short book, from the life of a young carer to abusive relationships with a parent, to alcoholism and friendships. Although this book doesn’t shy from heavy topics it has some very light and lovely moments of everyday life of a young girl, who is trying to take the first steps into independent young adult life.
The story follows Ruby, who is fourteen and looks after her ill mum. However, soon her life turns upside down as her mum passes away. With being a teenager, social services move her to Denby House, a place for kids to stay until they are found a foster home. Soon, however, Ruby’s father takes her in and she needs to adapt to a life with him, even though she barely knows him. Ruby knows that she needs to make the most of the situation and that she only has to live with her father for two years before she can move and live on her own. However, it is not as easy to live with someone who has an addiction, can barely look after a child and is abusive…
Ruby’s journey is so raw and emotional, but even though life throws so much at her, she doesn’t give up even just for a moment. Her strong spirit and ability to look after herself, whilst also looking after others around her, including her father, her friends and her dog Bella, is just amazing.
Other characters in the book were also very well explored and each of them is just as complex as Ruby is. Each character also added so much depth to this book. My favourite part, however, was the exploration of the different types of friendships and trust that Ruby had with all of these characters and the different types of support they all gave to her, whether it is emotional or physical support.
I love how this book doesn’t shy from very hard topics such as the reality of young carers' everyday life, rough neighbourhoods and abusive home life. All of these topics are explored through Ruby’s situation and presented so well by the author, with strong empathy, sensitivity, understanding and care. I also liked that this book is set in one of the northern UK cities, Sheffield, and not London as most books of this genre usually is set there. For me the setting of this story, Sheffield, made the story itself stand out so much more and made it unique.
Overall: Such a raw, emotional and heart-wrenching story about someone who has so much that life threw at her, at a young age, but who is a fighter and her strong spirit helped her overcome hard parts of her life. Honestly, a MUST-READ book, as it explores so many important topics that I believe we shouldn’t shy away from talking about more openly.
Thank you so much to SRL Publishing for sending me a copy of this book to read and review.
The story follows Ruby, who is fourteen and looks after her ill mum. However, soon her life turns upside down as her mum passes away. With being a teenager, social services move her to Denby House, a place for kids to stay until they are found a foster home. Soon, however, Ruby’s father takes her in and she needs to adapt to a life with him, even though she barely knows him. Ruby knows that she needs to make the most of the situation and that she only has to live with her father for two years before she can move and live on her own. However, it is not as easy to live with someone who has an addiction, can barely look after a child and is abusive…
Ruby’s journey is so raw and emotional, but even though life throws so much at her, she doesn’t give up even just for a moment. Her strong spirit and ability to look after herself, whilst also looking after others around her, including her father, her friends and her dog Bella, is just amazing.
Other characters in the book were also very well explored and each of them is just as complex as Ruby is. Each character also added so much depth to this book. My favourite part, however, was the exploration of the different types of friendships and trust that Ruby had with all of these characters and the different types of support they all gave to her, whether it is emotional or physical support.
I love how this book doesn’t shy from very hard topics such as the reality of young carers' everyday life, rough neighbourhoods and abusive home life. All of these topics are explored through Ruby’s situation and presented so well by the author, with strong empathy, sensitivity, understanding and care. I also liked that this book is set in one of the northern UK cities, Sheffield, and not London as most books of this genre usually is set there. For me the setting of this story, Sheffield, made the story itself stand out so much more and made it unique.
Overall: Such a raw, emotional and heart-wrenching story about someone who has so much that life threw at her, at a young age, but who is a fighter and her strong spirit helped her overcome hard parts of her life. Honestly, a MUST-READ book, as it explores so many important topics that I believe we shouldn’t shy away from talking about more openly.
Thank you so much to SRL Publishing for sending me a copy of this book to read and review.
May 5, 2021
I was sent a copy of this book for review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
Ruby Morton has a hard life. She is 15 and the sole Carer of her mother who has Motor Neurone Disease. Her school work is slipping, she has lost all her friends except one and she feels terribly alone. When her mother dies suddenly things go from bad to worse. Ruby is sent to a group home and ultimately taken in by her alcoholic and estranged dad. But unexpectedly some good things happens to her – she meets a guy called Leo who lives in her housing estate and starts to fall in love. She also makes new friends that have also gone through tough times, she stays in contact with her old friend Annabelle and she rescues the cutest puppy ever!
Ruby finally sees a ray of hope for her life until the criminal boss that has enslaved Leo's mother also gets control over her dad. Her dad starts to drink more, act more aggressive at home and on top of that Leo and his mother may have to make a run for it. When the shit hits the fan, will everything that Ruby has built since her mother's death be taken away from her and will she lose the young love that she so recently found?
Powerful, moving and shocking story of the reality of child Carers, what happens to them when they are left alone, poverty and living in fear of abusive situations. My sister is a full time Carer to my nephew and I know from her how hard that life can be and I felt this aspect was written very thoughtfully. Ruby was a strong yet vulnerable character whose plight pulled at my heart strings and had me tearing up more than once. I was in awe of her ability to keep pushing on and feeling the possibility of hope considering the hell she was sometimes subjected to. She was a natural carer and a loving person despite her age. Ruby was the heart and soul of this story and her innocence and forced adulthood brought a gravity to the plot. Though a story about teenage lives it had adult sensibilities and themes which provided an amazingly honest and compelling narrative throughout. Another 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 fantastic story from this gifted author and I highly recommend it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
Ruby Morton has a hard life. She is 15 and the sole Carer of her mother who has Motor Neurone Disease. Her school work is slipping, she has lost all her friends except one and she feels terribly alone. When her mother dies suddenly things go from bad to worse. Ruby is sent to a group home and ultimately taken in by her alcoholic and estranged dad. But unexpectedly some good things happens to her – she meets a guy called Leo who lives in her housing estate and starts to fall in love. She also makes new friends that have also gone through tough times, she stays in contact with her old friend Annabelle and she rescues the cutest puppy ever!
Ruby finally sees a ray of hope for her life until the criminal boss that has enslaved Leo's mother also gets control over her dad. Her dad starts to drink more, act more aggressive at home and on top of that Leo and his mother may have to make a run for it. When the shit hits the fan, will everything that Ruby has built since her mother's death be taken away from her and will she lose the young love that she so recently found?
Powerful, moving and shocking story of the reality of child Carers, what happens to them when they are left alone, poverty and living in fear of abusive situations. My sister is a full time Carer to my nephew and I know from her how hard that life can be and I felt this aspect was written very thoughtfully. Ruby was a strong yet vulnerable character whose plight pulled at my heart strings and had me tearing up more than once. I was in awe of her ability to keep pushing on and feeling the possibility of hope considering the hell she was sometimes subjected to. She was a natural carer and a loving person despite her age. Ruby was the heart and soul of this story and her innocence and forced adulthood brought a gravity to the plot. Though a story about teenage lives it had adult sensibilities and themes which provided an amazingly honest and compelling narrative throughout. Another 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 fantastic story from this gifted author and I highly recommend it.
May 28, 2021
This is the first book I've read by A.F Stone and just wow! What an emotional ride this book took me on. Days later and I'm still constantly thinking about the characters.
Strong Stuff tells the story of Ruby, a teenager who is a young carer. Her Mother has motor neurone disease and isn't going to get better, It's just the two of them and even though life is hard and Ruby misses out on teenage activities other girls her age are enjoying her mum is her best friend.
When her Mother unfortunately passes away Ruby is sent to live with her father, an absent figure from her life and its worlds away from what she's used to. To start with it's on the wrong side of the tracks. Kids there don't get the same opportunities, rife with crime and poverty how will Ruby cope?
Ruby's life is not easy, Her father is in the throes of alcohol addiction and she's pretty much left to fend for herself, she makes friendships and a romance is blossoming with one of the boys who lives in the same block, Leo. The only thing is Leo and his mother come from The Ukraine and their visa is running out. When Leo's Mum meets a criminal he promises her the world and moves her to the UK where he plans to marry her and be a family. This doesn't happen and she's ensnared into criminal activity. Now Ruby's Dad has been recruited and Ruby is left fighting for everything she cares about.
I love love love this book! Its fresh and raw and emotional. A.F Stone has written a character in Ruby whos brave and strong and loyal and I adore that shes a young carer as its not a topic that I've seen written about before in great depth. Strong Stuff is such a captivating read where I became so emotionally invested in Ruby, especially her relationship with Leo.
Tough issues are dealt with compassionately such as alcoholism and addiction and it really makes for a powerful read.
Strong Stuff tells the story of Ruby, a teenager who is a young carer. Her Mother has motor neurone disease and isn't going to get better, It's just the two of them and even though life is hard and Ruby misses out on teenage activities other girls her age are enjoying her mum is her best friend.
When her Mother unfortunately passes away Ruby is sent to live with her father, an absent figure from her life and its worlds away from what she's used to. To start with it's on the wrong side of the tracks. Kids there don't get the same opportunities, rife with crime and poverty how will Ruby cope?
Ruby's life is not easy, Her father is in the throes of alcohol addiction and she's pretty much left to fend for herself, she makes friendships and a romance is blossoming with one of the boys who lives in the same block, Leo. The only thing is Leo and his mother come from The Ukraine and their visa is running out. When Leo's Mum meets a criminal he promises her the world and moves her to the UK where he plans to marry her and be a family. This doesn't happen and she's ensnared into criminal activity. Now Ruby's Dad has been recruited and Ruby is left fighting for everything she cares about.
I love love love this book! Its fresh and raw and emotional. A.F Stone has written a character in Ruby whos brave and strong and loyal and I adore that shes a young carer as its not a topic that I've seen written about before in great depth. Strong Stuff is such a captivating read where I became so emotionally invested in Ruby, especially her relationship with Leo.
Tough issues are dealt with compassionately such as alcoholism and addiction and it really makes for a powerful read.
April 27, 2021
👊🌸🐶Sƚɾσɳɠ Sƚυϝϝ!🐶🌸👊
By A.F.Stone
@a.f.stone
This is the second book I've read by A.F. Stone and it did not disapoint.
Strong Stuff follows a young teenager called Ruby who cares for her Mum.
She struggles with the day to day hardships, going to school, shopping, cleaning, general housework, missing out on hanging out with her friends and doing things that teenagers should be able to do.
But she loves her mum and would do anything for her.
Until one day her mum sadly dies and Ruby's world is turned upside down.
What now?
A life in Foster care or the choice of living with a dad who's never been there for her?
Watch Ruby grow and adapt to life, find love in the most unlikely of places and seek a life that she feels safe and comfortable in.
👊Loss
👊Hardship
👊Homelessness
👊Friendship
👊Love
👊A sense of belonging.
A gentle, sensitive book about a young carer and the risk of Homelessness.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!🤓
This book is available to buy now and the author proceeds will go towards supporting the work of Roundabout www.roundabouthomeless.org
Roundabout is South Yorkshires local youth housing charity providing shelter, support and life skills to young people like Ruby, aged 16-25 who are at risk of being homeless.
By A.F.Stone
@a.f.stone
This is the second book I've read by A.F. Stone and it did not disapoint.
Strong Stuff follows a young teenager called Ruby who cares for her Mum.
She struggles with the day to day hardships, going to school, shopping, cleaning, general housework, missing out on hanging out with her friends and doing things that teenagers should be able to do.
But she loves her mum and would do anything for her.
Until one day her mum sadly dies and Ruby's world is turned upside down.
What now?
A life in Foster care or the choice of living with a dad who's never been there for her?
Watch Ruby grow and adapt to life, find love in the most unlikely of places and seek a life that she feels safe and comfortable in.
👊Loss
👊Hardship
👊Homelessness
👊Friendship
👊Love
👊A sense of belonging.
A gentle, sensitive book about a young carer and the risk of Homelessness.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!🤓
This book is available to buy now and the author proceeds will go towards supporting the work of Roundabout www.roundabouthomeless.org
Roundabout is South Yorkshires local youth housing charity providing shelter, support and life skills to young people like Ruby, aged 16-25 who are at risk of being homeless.
May 12, 2021
I've been a big fan of Stone since I read the Raven Wheel, so I was delighted to hear this book was coming out. And it did not disappoint!
The story of Ruby, a young carer thrust into adult life far too young, Strong Stuff is a difficult book to read in terms of its subject matter. 15 years old, Ruby seems to lurch from one awful circumstance to another - and she's always the innocent victim. She learns far too young just how unfair life can be.
Whilst the subject matter is tough, the way it's presented is flawless. Stone tackles incredibly difficult and sensitive topics with empathy and understanding; we're on Ruby's side from the off, and we never have to doubt her; though she lies a lot, and skips school, she has a good heart, and is trying her best. Stone presents her as a flawed but likeable heroine, one we can't help rooting for.
This book was a treat to read from start to finish - which I did in 2 sittings, such was a gripped by it. And not only is it a brilliant book, but Stone is working with conjunction with a Sheffield based charity, to which she's donating all proceeds. Fantastic stuff all round. You have no excuse not to buy this book.
The story of Ruby, a young carer thrust into adult life far too young, Strong Stuff is a difficult book to read in terms of its subject matter. 15 years old, Ruby seems to lurch from one awful circumstance to another - and she's always the innocent victim. She learns far too young just how unfair life can be.
Whilst the subject matter is tough, the way it's presented is flawless. Stone tackles incredibly difficult and sensitive topics with empathy and understanding; we're on Ruby's side from the off, and we never have to doubt her; though she lies a lot, and skips school, she has a good heart, and is trying her best. Stone presents her as a flawed but likeable heroine, one we can't help rooting for.
This book was a treat to read from start to finish - which I did in 2 sittings, such was a gripped by it. And not only is it a brilliant book, but Stone is working with conjunction with a Sheffield based charity, to which she's donating all proceeds. Fantastic stuff all round. You have no excuse not to buy this book.
June 5, 2021
Like her first novel, 'The Raven Wheel', Stone creates a psychogeographical cornerstone which allows her to powerfully explore the relationship between urban and rural spaces: their interdependence alongside the escape (and threat) which both can present. Complex characters are developed, warts and all, with sensitivity, without judgement and with on-point dialogue which could be lifted, directly, and transplanted into any top-notch screenplay. It is brilliantly paced, too, with a compelling central narrative coupled with powerful subplots and vignettes centred around left-behind communities and the vulnerably housed. There's also a real sense of menace and violence diffused throughout the novel which builds toward a heart-in-the-mouth final act which doesn't reveal its hand until the 11th hour, deftly ratcheting up the tension to almost unbearable levels. This is a hugely important and brilliantly executed novel, exploring contemporary issues and delving into the darkest underbelly of society.
December 17, 2021
Good read
Enjoyed the story, made more interesting because it was based in my home city. Brought the plight of kids in care to life and gave me food for thought. Supports a good cause too.
Enjoyed the story, made more interesting because it was based in my home city. Brought the plight of kids in care to life and gave me food for thought. Supports a good cause too.
May 5, 2021
Absolutely incredible. Gritty, heartbreaking, powerful and inspiring. Great to recognise the Sheffield backdrops throughout too. Totally 100% recommend.
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