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Ways the World Could End
Dave is a Dad with Asperger's. He sees the world differently than most, and he feels like he has no idea what he’s doing when it comes to raising his 15-year-old daughter, Cleo. She also feels like he has no idea what he’s doing, especially now that her mom is gone. They were both better off when Jana was around—Dave's wife, Cleo's mother. But now she's not, and they are left to figure out life on their own. Dave dedicates his attention to his newfound hobby of doomsday prepping, researching the various ways the world could end. Cleo feels like her world already has. Everything changes when neighbors move in, threatening their isolation in the hills of San Juan Capistrano. Cleo is intrigued by the new girl, Edie, and soon finds out the intrigue is mutual. Dave, not at all intrigued, is forced to come to terms with everything he cannot control. As they struggle to live in the present, both Dave and Cleo must dare to revisit the tragic past they share. What happened to Jana? Who was she, really? Who are they without her?
326 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2022
14 people are currently reading
3621 people want to read
About the author
Kim Hooper
10 books402 followersKim Hooper's latest novel, Woman on the Verge, will be released on June 17. Her previous novels are: People Who Knew Me (2016), Cherry Blossoms (2018), Tiny (2019), All the Acorns on the Forest Floor (2020), No Hiding in Boise (2021), and Ways the World Could End (2022). She is also co-author of All the Love: Healing Your Heart and Finding Meaning After Pregnancy Loss (2021). Kim lives in Southern California with her daughter and way too many pets.
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May 10, 2022
Ways the World Could End by Kim Hooper
Narrated by Stephanie Willing & Pete Cross
Dave lives with Asperger's, it's a part of what makes him Dave. He didn't even know it was a part of him until he was given the label as an adult. It defines him but he doesn't like that he is defined by it. As a dad, it wasn't a huge issue (he thought), until his wife was gone and he was left alone to raise their teenage daughter.
Dave and Jana had already done such a great job with Cleo. She's smart, creative, sensitive, intuitive, so much a girl that any parent would be proud to parent. Cleo understands her dad's condition even better than he does and knows he's out of his element being a single parent. After Jana left them, Dave moved himself and Cleo to an isolated house, close to school, but with no neighbors in sight. And then a mother and her teen daughter move to a house not too far away, much too close for Dave's comfort level with people. Actually, Dave has no comfort level when it comes to people.
As the past gets stirred up in a variety of ways, both Dave and Cleo must decide if they are going to face the past and some of the people involved in that past. Dave is living with memories that are cemented in his brain and he really does need to face up to them since his coping methods towards Jana and her leaving are digging him into a deeper hole of isolation and avoidance, not a good situation for a man with a teenage daughter. Cleo needs to be allowed to grow up, and instead, Dave would like to pull her into his doomsday bunker with him and never let her see the light of day again.
I do think readers and the story would be better served by this story being labeled Young Adult along with it's other labels. For me, it is a coming of age story with a lot of emphasize on teen angst, although Cleo has every reason to feel angst, since not only does her dad worship the thought of bad things happening, the worst has already happened in their lives. The story is touching, dealing with unending grief about so much more than the leaving of one person. Forgiveness needs to be a part of each person's life and that is a big part of this story as Dave and Cleo attempt to live life with the heavy loads they carry, whether put on them by others or loads they pick up themselves. Both narrators of this book do an excellent job.
Pub: May 10th 2022
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC.
Narrated by Stephanie Willing & Pete Cross
Dave lives with Asperger's, it's a part of what makes him Dave. He didn't even know it was a part of him until he was given the label as an adult. It defines him but he doesn't like that he is defined by it. As a dad, it wasn't a huge issue (he thought), until his wife was gone and he was left alone to raise their teenage daughter.
Dave and Jana had already done such a great job with Cleo. She's smart, creative, sensitive, intuitive, so much a girl that any parent would be proud to parent. Cleo understands her dad's condition even better than he does and knows he's out of his element being a single parent. After Jana left them, Dave moved himself and Cleo to an isolated house, close to school, but with no neighbors in sight. And then a mother and her teen daughter move to a house not too far away, much too close for Dave's comfort level with people. Actually, Dave has no comfort level when it comes to people.
As the past gets stirred up in a variety of ways, both Dave and Cleo must decide if they are going to face the past and some of the people involved in that past. Dave is living with memories that are cemented in his brain and he really does need to face up to them since his coping methods towards Jana and her leaving are digging him into a deeper hole of isolation and avoidance, not a good situation for a man with a teenage daughter. Cleo needs to be allowed to grow up, and instead, Dave would like to pull her into his doomsday bunker with him and never let her see the light of day again.
I do think readers and the story would be better served by this story being labeled Young Adult along with it's other labels. For me, it is a coming of age story with a lot of emphasize on teen angst, although Cleo has every reason to feel angst, since not only does her dad worship the thought of bad things happening, the worst has already happened in their lives. The story is touching, dealing with unending grief about so much more than the leaving of one person. Forgiveness needs to be a part of each person's life and that is a big part of this story as Dave and Cleo attempt to live life with the heavy loads they carry, whether put on them by others or loads they pick up themselves. Both narrators of this book do an excellent job.
Pub: May 10th 2022
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC.
May 10, 2022
Kim Hooper ( No Hiding in Boise, People Who Knew Me) has solidified herself as a MUST READ author for me.
She writes characters you want to meet, and don’t want to say goodbye to!
Ways The World Could End introduces us to Dave-a Dad with Asperger’s who thought he knew all about these things-the ways the World could end.
He is a doomsday prepper, who at the start of each of his chapters, will share with you the facts of how any number of things will destroy mankind, ranging from an asteroid striking the Earth to global warming. His bunker is prepared and the pantry is stocked.
But, there was one way that life could change that he never considered-losing his wife, Jana and having to raise their 15 year old daughter, Cleo, alone.
Cleo already feels like her World has ended.
She has a wonderful relationship with her Dad, thanks to her Mom who has schooled her well, on understanding why her Dad may seem WEIRD, to those who are not familiar with Autism. But, she is “coming of age” and really wishes she could talk to her Mom about the feelings she has been having…
You see, she isn’t quite sure which letter of Acronym LGBTQ defines her.
The chapters she narrates do have a YA feel, but although I usually feel that I have outgrown this genre, I adored Cleo, and enjoyed my time spent with her, as well.
This story will give you “ALL THE FEELS” as life continues for Dave and Cleo, and the new people who enter theirs will show them both, the WAYS THAT THE WORLD COULD BEGIN AGAIN….
Available Now!!
I would like to thank Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to listen and to offer a candid review!
May 10, 2022
Kim Hooper knocked the socks off many readers with her last book, 2021’s No Hiding in Boise. That portrait of the ramifications of a mass shooting has stayed with me and put Hooper on my “must read” list.
Her latest, Ways the World Could End, has a slightly lighter tone despite still dealing with serious topics. Chapters alternate between the perspectives of Dave, a dad on the autism spectrum, and Cleo, his teenage daughter grappling with the loss of her mom from a tragic accident and her blossoming sexual identity.
The title derives from Dave’s obsession with doomsday prepping. Each of his chapters begin with him detailing a way the world could end - famine, asteroids, global pandemic (cough, cough). It’s not as depressing as it sounds though.
Where I struggled a bit was with Cleo’s chapters. At 15-going-on-16, her perspective was just too Young Adult for my reading preferences. If I was the publisher, I definitely would be marketing this as YA.
I listened to the audiobook, and it’s possible Stephanie Willing’s narration made the story come across as more juvenile than it would have had I read it in print. Dave’s chapters were performed by Pete Cross, who gave voice to Dave in an honest, respectable way.
While ultimately I was glad when Ways the World Could End came to an end, I’m already eagerly awaiting Kim Hooper’s next novel. 3.5 stars.
My thanks to Dreamscape Media and the author for the gifted advance listening copy to review via NetGalley. Now available.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com
Her latest, Ways the World Could End, has a slightly lighter tone despite still dealing with serious topics. Chapters alternate between the perspectives of Dave, a dad on the autism spectrum, and Cleo, his teenage daughter grappling with the loss of her mom from a tragic accident and her blossoming sexual identity.
The title derives from Dave’s obsession with doomsday prepping. Each of his chapters begin with him detailing a way the world could end - famine, asteroids, global pandemic (cough, cough). It’s not as depressing as it sounds though.
Where I struggled a bit was with Cleo’s chapters. At 15-going-on-16, her perspective was just too Young Adult for my reading preferences. If I was the publisher, I definitely would be marketing this as YA.
I listened to the audiobook, and it’s possible Stephanie Willing’s narration made the story come across as more juvenile than it would have had I read it in print. Dave’s chapters were performed by Pete Cross, who gave voice to Dave in an honest, respectable way.
While ultimately I was glad when Ways the World Could End came to an end, I’m already eagerly awaiting Kim Hooper’s next novel. 3.5 stars.
My thanks to Dreamscape Media and the author for the gifted advance listening copy to review via NetGalley. Now available.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com
December 8, 2022
"Ways the World Could End" by Kim Hooper is both a tragic and beautiful story!
Dad Dave is a doomsday prepper, sees the world differently and believes a natural disaster is around every corner. His Asperger's Syndrome drives that. His fifteen-year-old daughter, Cleo, loves and understands him...mostly.
It gets hard though, for both of them, since Mom Jana died. Dave's trying his best to learn how to be a single parent to Cleo. In Cleo's eyes nothing could be worse than losing her mom. Her best friend. Her world!
When Cleo meets Edie, a new girl at school, Dave feels uncomfortable with the changes in her. As they navigate their new life together and Cleo's new relationship, they begin to drift to the past and what happened to Jana. But is Dave better prepared for a 'doomsday event' than he is in living his day-to-day life with Cleo?
I didn't want this book to end. Period. I loved the story, the two main characters, how they related to each other, the emotions they experience, they way Dan describes his new hobby, how Cleo heals after the death of her mother, and what happens when forgiveness enters into the mix. This book is what I would call 'A Keeper'!
The audiobook is narrated by Stephanie Willing and Pete Cross, who do a fabulous job of becoming the characters of Cleo and Dave. Their voicing skills believable, appropriate to the characters, and a fab listen!
This is the first time I have read this author and so glad I requested this ALC. I plan to look at her backlist and begin by listening to her most recent novel No Hiding in Boise. I highly recommend Ways the World Could End! 5 tragic and beautiful stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Kim Hooper for a free ALC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
Dad Dave is a doomsday prepper, sees the world differently and believes a natural disaster is around every corner. His Asperger's Syndrome drives that. His fifteen-year-old daughter, Cleo, loves and understands him...mostly.
It gets hard though, for both of them, since Mom Jana died. Dave's trying his best to learn how to be a single parent to Cleo. In Cleo's eyes nothing could be worse than losing her mom. Her best friend. Her world!
When Cleo meets Edie, a new girl at school, Dave feels uncomfortable with the changes in her. As they navigate their new life together and Cleo's new relationship, they begin to drift to the past and what happened to Jana. But is Dave better prepared for a 'doomsday event' than he is in living his day-to-day life with Cleo?
I didn't want this book to end. Period. I loved the story, the two main characters, how they related to each other, the emotions they experience, they way Dan describes his new hobby, how Cleo heals after the death of her mother, and what happens when forgiveness enters into the mix. This book is what I would call 'A Keeper'!
The audiobook is narrated by Stephanie Willing and Pete Cross, who do a fabulous job of becoming the characters of Cleo and Dave. Their voicing skills believable, appropriate to the characters, and a fab listen!
This is the first time I have read this author and so glad I requested this ALC. I plan to look at her backlist and begin by listening to her most recent novel No Hiding in Boise. I highly recommend Ways the World Could End! 5 tragic and beautiful stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Kim Hooper for a free ALC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
May 12, 2022
This wasn’t a read I wouldn’t normally pick up. The blurb sounded a bit too contemporary, with hints of YA and coming of age. All themes that don’t normally gel well for me.
But I loved the previous book by this author, No Hiding in Boise so I put all concerns aside and jumped in! A wise choice on my part! What an amazing read (audio) this turned out to be!
Dave and his daughter Cleo are putting their lives back together without the glue that held them together. Her name was Jana, and her absence is felt in everything they do.
Dave has always relied on Jana to help him navigate the world and people around him. An interpreter of sorts. Dave has Asperger's, and it’s the confusing little nuances of everyone’s behaviors he has trouble deciphering.
Cleo is fifteen and just discovering herself and her sexuality. Of course Jana isn’t there to share her problems with. And Dad…well, looking to him for answers is simply out of the question. Cleo realizes it’s up to her to find her way on her own. But let’s not forget, she is one amazing girl!
I adored both characters as they put their lives back together and kept moving forward.
Both narrators did an amazing job on the audio version, bringing both characters to vivid life.
Kim Hooper has once again delivered a five-star read! I highly recommend!
A buddy read with Susanne that we both loved and couldn’t stop talking about!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media
But I loved the previous book by this author, No Hiding in Boise so I put all concerns aside and jumped in! A wise choice on my part! What an amazing read (audio) this turned out to be!
Dave and his daughter Cleo are putting their lives back together without the glue that held them together. Her name was Jana, and her absence is felt in everything they do.
Dave has always relied on Jana to help him navigate the world and people around him. An interpreter of sorts. Dave has Asperger's, and it’s the confusing little nuances of everyone’s behaviors he has trouble deciphering.
Cleo is fifteen and just discovering herself and her sexuality. Of course Jana isn’t there to share her problems with. And Dad…well, looking to him for answers is simply out of the question. Cleo realizes it’s up to her to find her way on her own. But let’s not forget, she is one amazing girl!
I adored both characters as they put their lives back together and kept moving forward.
Both narrators did an amazing job on the audio version, bringing both characters to vivid life.
Kim Hooper has once again delivered a five-star read! I highly recommend!
A buddy read with Susanne that we both loved and couldn’t stop talking about!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media
June 13, 2022
Quite an interesting YA novel.
Ways the World Could End is about a father and a daughter and their grief after losing Jana (wife/mom). It is also about Aspergers, coming of age, love, and forgiveness.
The audiobook is narrated by Stephanie Willing and Pete Cross. Both did a wonderful job in giving life to these wonderful characters.
Each chapter that begins with Dave starts with him narrating the many ways the world could end. This is the reason why he has a bunker stocked with everything he might need to keep himself and his daughter, Cleo alive.
You see Dave has Asperger's and dealing with people is a problem. After Jana died, he moved himself and Cleo to a remote area in the hills of San Juan Capistrano where he can have more control. He knows that he has to let Cleo live her life but he doesn't need to like it. So when Cleo strikes a friendship with Edie, a new girl recently transferred from another school, Dave has to tolerate her.
Cleo is almost sixteen. She misses her mother terribly. Jana was not only her mom but her friend. She was able to tell her mother everything including her new feelings towards girls. Cleo knows of her father's Aspergers and she knows how to help him thanks to Jana. She is a very smart and thoughtful teenager. She seems mature for her age but life might have something to do with it. Meeting Edie has been the one positive she wasn't expecting.
I truly enjoyed Ways the World Could End. I liked that in the end, forgiveness was a big statement. I would say that the one thing that I wasn't too happy with was the way sometimes Dave came across. In some instances, he sounded selfish and robotic. Thankfully most of the time, he sounded like a worried dad grieving the loss of his wife.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Dreamscape Media via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Ways the World Could End is about a father and a daughter and their grief after losing Jana (wife/mom). It is also about Aspergers, coming of age, love, and forgiveness.
The audiobook is narrated by Stephanie Willing and Pete Cross. Both did a wonderful job in giving life to these wonderful characters.
Each chapter that begins with Dave starts with him narrating the many ways the world could end. This is the reason why he has a bunker stocked with everything he might need to keep himself and his daughter, Cleo alive.
You see Dave has Asperger's and dealing with people is a problem. After Jana died, he moved himself and Cleo to a remote area in the hills of San Juan Capistrano where he can have more control. He knows that he has to let Cleo live her life but he doesn't need to like it. So when Cleo strikes a friendship with Edie, a new girl recently transferred from another school, Dave has to tolerate her.
Cleo is almost sixteen. She misses her mother terribly. Jana was not only her mom but her friend. She was able to tell her mother everything including her new feelings towards girls. Cleo knows of her father's Aspergers and she knows how to help him thanks to Jana. She is a very smart and thoughtful teenager. She seems mature for her age but life might have something to do with it. Meeting Edie has been the one positive she wasn't expecting.
I truly enjoyed Ways the World Could End. I liked that in the end, forgiveness was a big statement. I would say that the one thing that I wasn't too happy with was the way sometimes Dave came across. In some instances, he sounded selfish and robotic. Thankfully most of the time, he sounded like a worried dad grieving the loss of his wife.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Dreamscape Media via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
June 22, 2022
Kim Hooper is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, and she’s also rather prolific with a growing backlist I’m loving, too.
Ways the World Could End is her newest released in early May, and she wrote this novel as a way of understanding her husband. He was recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, specifically high functioning autism, a diagnosis also known as Asperger Syndrome.
Dave has autism, and he’s 15 year old Cleo’s dad. His wife, Jana, is gone, and Dave and Cleo are left to figure things out; to figure each other out and walk through their grief. Cleo does a pretty good job with her dad because her mom was a great role model and teacher.
This book has a strong coming-of-age feel in many ways, and it’s a story of friendship, the love between fathers and daughters, hope, forgiveness, acceptance, and understanding. Kim Hooper’s novels are emotionally intelligent and just what I’m looking for when I’m reading. If you are looking for that same thing, definitely check her books out. I’ll be missing Cleo and Dave.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Ways the World Could End is her newest released in early May, and she wrote this novel as a way of understanding her husband. He was recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, specifically high functioning autism, a diagnosis also known as Asperger Syndrome.
Dave has autism, and he’s 15 year old Cleo’s dad. His wife, Jana, is gone, and Dave and Cleo are left to figure things out; to figure each other out and walk through their grief. Cleo does a pretty good job with her dad because her mom was a great role model and teacher.
This book has a strong coming-of-age feel in many ways, and it’s a story of friendship, the love between fathers and daughters, hope, forgiveness, acceptance, and understanding. Kim Hooper’s novels are emotionally intelligent and just what I’m looking for when I’m reading. If you are looking for that same thing, definitely check her books out. I’ll be missing Cleo and Dave.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
May 5, 2022
Another fabulous book by Kim Hooper! Ways The World Could End by Kim Hooper was a sensitive book that explored the challenges Asperger’s might present upon an individual and their family. Dave and Jana met, having lived on the same floor of the apartment building they both resided at. They fell in love and got married. Jana was instrumental in helping Dave discover that he had Asperger’s. Through therapy, they discovered how to navigate their way through Dave’s diagnosis. The two of them had a baby daughter, Cleo, together. Dave left most of the day to day parenting decisions up to Jana. Cleo and Jana grew close. At work, Jana had started to grow close with a woman she worked with. They enjoyed participating in a yoga class together and sometimes shared a meal together. When the woman admitted that she was having marital issues, Jana invited her friend and her daughter to stay with her, Dave and Cleo until she and her daughter could find a place of their own. Then the unthinkable happened. There was a terrible incident at Jana’s workplace. Jana was stabbed while she tried to protect her friend from her irate husband. She died from the injury she endured. Upon Jana’s death, Dave and Cleo had to learn how to navigate their world without Jana’s presence, wisdom and compassion. This proved to be difficult for both Dave and Cleo.
After Jana’s murder, Dave and Cleo moved into a new home in the hills of San Juan Capistrano. Its location was isolated and felt quite quiet which served Dave well. He became obsessed with preparing and planning for any doomsday scenario that might occur. Dave saw the world in black and white with no gray areas. He found himself absolutely clueless about how to raise his fifteen year old daughter. Cleo was lost without her mother. She loved Dave but knew he was not like other fathers. When Cleo had to describe her father she often used the word “weird” or different. Jana and Dave had told Cleo about Asperger’s when she was twelve and she had come to accept and love her father unconditionally but it was still difficult to introduce him to her friends. Jana’s death greatly impacted Cleo’s life. She had become lonely after Jana’s murder. Her old friends were not as Cleo had thought they were. She often preferred to be by herself and was often consumed with her own thoughts. Everything changed, though, when a new girl named Edie enrolled at her school. Cleo was immediately drawn to Edie. There was a mutual attraction and over time the two girls explored their sexual preferences and came to terms with them. Edie and her mom were going to move into the abandoned property behind Cleo’s home. It had belonged to Edie’s mother’s family. When Edie’s mother left her father, this property proved to be the best place for them to put down roots and start over again. Edie’s presence and involvement in Cleo’s life proved to be the best medicine for Cleo. With Edie’s help, support and love Cleo could begin to let herself heal from her loss.
Ways the World Could End by Kim Hooper was the third book I have had the privilege of reading by this talented author. Kim Hooper is a masterful storyteller and her books are so well written. Ways the world Could End was a little personal for Kim Hooper and her family. She admitted that her own husband was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s so she was able to use first hand experience when she developed Dave’s character. All the characters were strong, complex and most believable. Ways the World Could End explored love, loss, forgiveness, isolation, connections, grief, friendship, acceptance and flexibility. I listened to the audiobook that was performed so well by Stephanie Willing and Pete Cross. It was quite insightful and touching.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media LLC for allowing me to listen to this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Publication is set for May 10, 2022.
After Jana’s murder, Dave and Cleo moved into a new home in the hills of San Juan Capistrano. Its location was isolated and felt quite quiet which served Dave well. He became obsessed with preparing and planning for any doomsday scenario that might occur. Dave saw the world in black and white with no gray areas. He found himself absolutely clueless about how to raise his fifteen year old daughter. Cleo was lost without her mother. She loved Dave but knew he was not like other fathers. When Cleo had to describe her father she often used the word “weird” or different. Jana and Dave had told Cleo about Asperger’s when she was twelve and she had come to accept and love her father unconditionally but it was still difficult to introduce him to her friends. Jana’s death greatly impacted Cleo’s life. She had become lonely after Jana’s murder. Her old friends were not as Cleo had thought they were. She often preferred to be by herself and was often consumed with her own thoughts. Everything changed, though, when a new girl named Edie enrolled at her school. Cleo was immediately drawn to Edie. There was a mutual attraction and over time the two girls explored their sexual preferences and came to terms with them. Edie and her mom were going to move into the abandoned property behind Cleo’s home. It had belonged to Edie’s mother’s family. When Edie’s mother left her father, this property proved to be the best place for them to put down roots and start over again. Edie’s presence and involvement in Cleo’s life proved to be the best medicine for Cleo. With Edie’s help, support and love Cleo could begin to let herself heal from her loss.
Ways the World Could End by Kim Hooper was the third book I have had the privilege of reading by this talented author. Kim Hooper is a masterful storyteller and her books are so well written. Ways the world Could End was a little personal for Kim Hooper and her family. She admitted that her own husband was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s so she was able to use first hand experience when she developed Dave’s character. All the characters were strong, complex and most believable. Ways the World Could End explored love, loss, forgiveness, isolation, connections, grief, friendship, acceptance and flexibility. I listened to the audiobook that was performed so well by Stephanie Willing and Pete Cross. It was quite insightful and touching.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media LLC for allowing me to listen to this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Publication is set for May 10, 2022.
March 2, 2022
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS NOVEL…..totally mushy-in-love with it.
Other books I’ve read - and loved - by Kim Hooper….
“No Hiding in Boise”,
“People Who Knew Me”,
“All the Acorns on the Forest Floor”,
“Cherry Blossoms”…..
And now….
“Ways the World Could End”.
Kim Hooper writes intelligent, marvelous, very enjoyable novels.
In “Ways the World Could End”, she blends intimate relationship- warmth with cerebral cyberespionage brainpower fascinations.
I love Kim Hooper’s writing style, how close I feel to her characters, and the stories she gives us.
I always learn interesting tidbits ….
For example … “Doomsday prepping” wasn’t a term wasn’t familiar with.
Preppers are people who anticipate and attempt to adapt for what they see as probable or inevitable and pending conditions—It’s a popular term for a person preparing for the end of the world.
…..global warming, earthquakes, fires, Dead Zones, mosquito borne illnesses, yellow fever, malaria, pandemics, Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, the apocalypse….etc. > anything that could wipe out a community.
Dave said:
“If I was interested in connecting with other like-minded individuals (which I am not), I would join the American Preppers Network. According to their website, the mission of the APN is to help every American family become self-reliant so they
can better weather disasters, catastrophes, and hardships.
It’s not the End of the World they care about; it’s the End of the World As We Know It”……
DAVE GARRISON - has a BUNKER…. custom built, underground shelter — ( sounded pretty cool to me)…
He and his daughter could survive for weeks in it if they had to. It was stocked with non perishable foods, first aid, warm clothes, bedding, batteries, tools, water, air ventilation, etc. I thought it sounded like an enchanting place to tuck away in for awhile.
Cleo…..is Dave’s daughter …
…..she is math wiz smart, a non-rebellious teenage girl who is clearly is a sparklingly product of both her great parents.
Believe me….we love this girl.
Cleo says her Dad is obsessed with the apocalypse and his bunker. Well…..he kinda is!
But…..
Fact is we care deeply for both Dave and Cleo. We hear what they each say….and we feel the things they don’t say, even more.
We also become attached to ‘everyone’ they care about too.
In other words the secondary characters fill our hearts, too, and entertain us page after page.
Dave’s aloof cerebral unemotional natural ways - and Cleo’s rolling-of-the-eyes observations of her weirdo (sometimes embarrassed by him- but then feels bad), Dad is a relationship that ANY PARENT or CHILD would wish to have —
This father/daughter relationship is wonderfully inspiring and deeply touching.
The added characters who come into this story do too….are seriously equally touching.
Dave Garrison, is on the spectrum: High functioning ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Empathy, and understanding emotions was challenging for Dave.
His wife Jana, Cleo’s mom, who had been deceased for ten years, spent diligent time bridging family needs when she was alive.
Their problem solving solutions were encouraging.
But for all and sudden purposes— Jana died ….and Dave was now a single parent. (with ASD) ….and Cleo was an only child.
DAVE:
“All my idiosyncrasies may be explained by a few simple acronyms and initialisms”. ASD and OCD.
This is one of the most loving, charming, enjoyable books of the year….
Within this story we bump up against grief, tragedy, loss, quality therapy sessions, awkwardness, coming of age situations, LGBTQ themes, in-depth exploring autism, relationships, friendships, an adorable cat - an adorable dog - daily life situations — beach days - kissing - a visit to yummy meals (thank you Camila), great warmth and humor, and wonderful dialogue—
We are left fully satisfied…..from having read a really delicious heart-endearing novel.
I personally think they should make a movie from this script…..
And….for now…’adding’ with the love of this novel ….
There is Netflix series called “As We See it”….that I also recommend.
WE ARE JUST RECENTLY getting some EXCELLENT- well rounded stories examining Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Hallelujah!
Kudos to Kim Hooper for doing the topic great justice.
Other books I’ve read - and loved - by Kim Hooper….
“No Hiding in Boise”,
“People Who Knew Me”,
“All the Acorns on the Forest Floor”,
“Cherry Blossoms”…..
And now….
“Ways the World Could End”.
Kim Hooper writes intelligent, marvelous, very enjoyable novels.
In “Ways the World Could End”, she blends intimate relationship- warmth with cerebral cyberespionage brainpower fascinations.
I love Kim Hooper’s writing style, how close I feel to her characters, and the stories she gives us.
I always learn interesting tidbits ….
For example … “Doomsday prepping” wasn’t a term wasn’t familiar with.
Preppers are people who anticipate and attempt to adapt for what they see as probable or inevitable and pending conditions—It’s a popular term for a person preparing for the end of the world.
…..global warming, earthquakes, fires, Dead Zones, mosquito borne illnesses, yellow fever, malaria, pandemics, Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, the apocalypse….etc. > anything that could wipe out a community.
Dave said:
“If I was interested in connecting with other like-minded individuals (which I am not), I would join the American Preppers Network. According to their website, the mission of the APN is to help every American family become self-reliant so they
can better weather disasters, catastrophes, and hardships.
It’s not the End of the World they care about; it’s the End of the World As We Know It”……
DAVE GARRISON - has a BUNKER…. custom built, underground shelter — ( sounded pretty cool to me)…
He and his daughter could survive for weeks in it if they had to. It was stocked with non perishable foods, first aid, warm clothes, bedding, batteries, tools, water, air ventilation, etc. I thought it sounded like an enchanting place to tuck away in for awhile.
Cleo…..is Dave’s daughter …
…..she is math wiz smart, a non-rebellious teenage girl who is clearly is a sparklingly product of both her great parents.
Believe me….we love this girl.
Cleo says her Dad is obsessed with the apocalypse and his bunker. Well…..he kinda is!
But…..
Fact is we care deeply for both Dave and Cleo. We hear what they each say….and we feel the things they don’t say, even more.
We also become attached to ‘everyone’ they care about too.
In other words the secondary characters fill our hearts, too, and entertain us page after page.
Dave’s aloof cerebral unemotional natural ways - and Cleo’s rolling-of-the-eyes observations of her weirdo (sometimes embarrassed by him- but then feels bad), Dad is a relationship that ANY PARENT or CHILD would wish to have —
This father/daughter relationship is wonderfully inspiring and deeply touching.
The added characters who come into this story do too….are seriously equally touching.
Dave Garrison, is on the spectrum: High functioning ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Empathy, and understanding emotions was challenging for Dave.
His wife Jana, Cleo’s mom, who had been deceased for ten years, spent diligent time bridging family needs when she was alive.
Their problem solving solutions were encouraging.
But for all and sudden purposes— Jana died ….and Dave was now a single parent. (with ASD) ….and Cleo was an only child.
DAVE:
“All my idiosyncrasies may be explained by a few simple acronyms and initialisms”. ASD and OCD.
This is one of the most loving, charming, enjoyable books of the year….
Within this story we bump up against grief, tragedy, loss, quality therapy sessions, awkwardness, coming of age situations, LGBTQ themes, in-depth exploring autism, relationships, friendships, an adorable cat - an adorable dog - daily life situations — beach days - kissing - a visit to yummy meals (thank you Camila), great warmth and humor, and wonderful dialogue—
We are left fully satisfied…..from having read a really delicious heart-endearing novel.
I personally think they should make a movie from this script…..
And….for now…’adding’ with the love of this novel ….
There is Netflix series called “As We See it”….that I also recommend.
WE ARE JUST RECENTLY getting some EXCELLENT- well rounded stories examining Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Hallelujah!
Kudos to Kim Hooper for doing the topic great justice.
May 19, 2022
Ways this could be better.
With a rating of 4. 4 on Goodreads I hadn't read a totally different story than everyone else did.
If it didn't present a narrow image of what a character with Asperger's Syndrome looks like.
If it didn't feel like the author knew someone diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, did a ton of reading on it, and then created a character around what she learned (is what she did do) by reducing the character to a robotic checklist of symptoms that felt forced on me.
If it didn't feel like all the ways, Jana and Cleo wanted to change Dave rather than accept that his brain works differently from theirs and he experiences the world differently.
If, for the first 100 pages, Dave wasn't telling us all the ways Jana defined him by his disorder and how she could identify with all his flaws because of the label. According to Jana and Cleo, everything Dave likes, feels, his choices, and how he behaves are because of his disorder. Some of the things Jana tells him are "you are a robot," "your behavior is not typical," "read the room," "be nice, "and "try not to embarrass" them. He innocently tells us that Jana treats him like an idiot, and he sees Jana and Cleo looking at him like they are assessing a monkey in a zoo. I know I am sensitive, but this was too much for me. It felt like a list of all his personality deficits and Jana's grievances replaying in my head repeatedly. I felt sad for Dave.
If it wasn't ok for Jana and Cleo say anything, they wanted to Dave without considering his feeling because it's difficult to hurt his feelings.
If it wasn't for all the ways, I decided not to add to the list because it feels like I am ranting.
Ways I did enjoy listening to the story.
I liked how Kim Hooper slowly reveals how Jana died and how forgiveness is explored from Cleo's POV. She created enough suspense and questions to keep me wanting to listen and discover what happened and I like how things wrapped up.
I liked Cleo's story as she tries to figure out who she is and her place in the world as she navigates life without her mother. Even though I thought she was an annoying teenager who needed to be nicer to her Dad and her character falls into some stereotypes around her sexuality, she is mature and smart with the way she processed grief and forgiveness. I felt her chapters were the best part of the story.
I enjoyed listening to the story and thought both narrators did a good job.
From the summary, "They were both better off when Jana was around." In the end, I thought they both were better off without Jana, and that was the strongest message I got from this story. Good thing this is fiction.
I received the audiobook version on NetGalley from the publisher.
With a rating of 4. 4 on Goodreads I hadn't read a totally different story than everyone else did.
If it didn't present a narrow image of what a character with Asperger's Syndrome looks like.
If it didn't feel like the author knew someone diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, did a ton of reading on it, and then created a character around what she learned (is what she did do) by reducing the character to a robotic checklist of symptoms that felt forced on me.
If it didn't feel like all the ways, Jana and Cleo wanted to change Dave rather than accept that his brain works differently from theirs and he experiences the world differently.
If, for the first 100 pages, Dave wasn't telling us all the ways Jana defined him by his disorder and how she could identify with all his flaws because of the label. According to Jana and Cleo, everything Dave likes, feels, his choices, and how he behaves are because of his disorder. Some of the things Jana tells him are "you are a robot," "your behavior is not typical," "read the room," "be nice, "and "try not to embarrass" them. He innocently tells us that Jana treats him like an idiot, and he sees Jana and Cleo looking at him like they are assessing a monkey in a zoo. I know I am sensitive, but this was too much for me. It felt like a list of all his personality deficits and Jana's grievances replaying in my head repeatedly. I felt sad for Dave.
If it wasn't ok for Jana and Cleo say anything, they wanted to Dave without considering his feeling because it's difficult to hurt his feelings.
If it wasn't for all the ways, I decided not to add to the list because it feels like I am ranting.
Ways I did enjoy listening to the story.
I liked how Kim Hooper slowly reveals how Jana died and how forgiveness is explored from Cleo's POV. She created enough suspense and questions to keep me wanting to listen and discover what happened and I like how things wrapped up.
I liked Cleo's story as she tries to figure out who she is and her place in the world as she navigates life without her mother. Even though I thought she was an annoying teenager who needed to be nicer to her Dad and her character falls into some stereotypes around her sexuality, she is mature and smart with the way she processed grief and forgiveness. I felt her chapters were the best part of the story.
I enjoyed listening to the story and thought both narrators did a good job.
From the summary, "They were both better off when Jana was around." In the end, I thought they both were better off without Jana, and that was the strongest message I got from this story. Good thing this is fiction.
I received the audiobook version on NetGalley from the publisher.
November 22, 2022
I loved this story and didn't want it to end. It's my favorite book of 2022. I highly recommend it, especially the audiobook.
Full review at LucyKnowsThings.com.
Full review at LucyKnowsThings.com.
May 9, 2022
This book has so many great messages - about acceptance, about understanding, about forgiveness, about self-discovery and about love. I only wish I knew it was going to have such a YA feel. I'm not the right audience for YA, but I still really enjoyed so much about this read.
Dave is on the autism spectrum - labeled-as he calls it. He was married to Jenna and they have a teenage daughter, Cleo. Earlier on, the reader learns that Jenna died a year ago, but it takes about 3/4 of the book before the reader is privy to the reason for her death. I didn't find that a problem - the story prior to that is about the ways Dave and Cleo are grieving, the ways they are trying to live a life as a family of 2, and the ways they are trying to find a way to communicate with each other without Jenna. Jenna was always the emotional side for Dave. He is literal, he is singularly focused and he does not have the capacity to "read the room." The best thing about Dave is that he knows these things about himself. Now that Jenna is gone, it is evident that he really wants to be better at the things that are so difficult for him and don't come naturally. The voice narrating Dave was excellent is portraying him.
Cleo is a teenage girl dealing with the death of her mother. She feels lost, she feels insecure, she feels confused and she feels alone. Her father can only offer so much. She feels his "differences" keenly. She is hesitant to have friends over - it overwhelms her Dad and she does whatever she can to keep him balanced. She feels the weight of this much more so now that her Mom is gone and can't share that load. She has become selective about her friendships, after she felt the stares and separation after her mother's death. When a new girl moves to town, Cleo feels an immediate connection and their friendship blooms. The story then covers subjects of sexuality, orientation, vulnerability, trust and acceptance.
This book will be such a hit with YA audiences, and readers who love coming of age stories. The author was deft at character development, tension and handling grief without making the story too depressing. I loved the inclusion of a main character on the spectrum. I loved his thoughts at the beginning of each chapter about ways in which the world could end. He even had a bunker so he could be prepared for any situation. In the end, I think he finally found that he could let those thoughts go. They would always be there, but he didn't have to dwell on them always. With overarching themes of forgiveness, acceptance, grieving and finding a new normal, this is a book many will enjoy reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC to listen to and review. Pub date: 5.10.22
Dave is on the autism spectrum - labeled-as he calls it. He was married to Jenna and they have a teenage daughter, Cleo. Earlier on, the reader learns that Jenna died a year ago, but it takes about 3/4 of the book before the reader is privy to the reason for her death. I didn't find that a problem - the story prior to that is about the ways Dave and Cleo are grieving, the ways they are trying to live a life as a family of 2, and the ways they are trying to find a way to communicate with each other without Jenna. Jenna was always the emotional side for Dave. He is literal, he is singularly focused and he does not have the capacity to "read the room." The best thing about Dave is that he knows these things about himself. Now that Jenna is gone, it is evident that he really wants to be better at the things that are so difficult for him and don't come naturally. The voice narrating Dave was excellent is portraying him.
Cleo is a teenage girl dealing with the death of her mother. She feels lost, she feels insecure, she feels confused and she feels alone. Her father can only offer so much. She feels his "differences" keenly. She is hesitant to have friends over - it overwhelms her Dad and she does whatever she can to keep him balanced. She feels the weight of this much more so now that her Mom is gone and can't share that load. She has become selective about her friendships, after she felt the stares and separation after her mother's death. When a new girl moves to town, Cleo feels an immediate connection and their friendship blooms. The story then covers subjects of sexuality, orientation, vulnerability, trust and acceptance.
This book will be such a hit with YA audiences, and readers who love coming of age stories. The author was deft at character development, tension and handling grief without making the story too depressing. I loved the inclusion of a main character on the spectrum. I loved his thoughts at the beginning of each chapter about ways in which the world could end. He even had a bunker so he could be prepared for any situation. In the end, I think he finally found that he could let those thoughts go. They would always be there, but he didn't have to dwell on them always. With overarching themes of forgiveness, acceptance, grieving and finding a new normal, this is a book many will enjoy reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC to listen to and review. Pub date: 5.10.22
September 5, 2022
Astounding.
A novel about family, friendship, forgiveness, grief, hope, loss, and most of all, love.
Dave is a father, a widow, and a doomsday prepper (for good reason, truth be told). He is also on the autism spectrum, thus he thinks and reacts to situations differently than most. His daughter Cleo is fifteen, is struggling to cope with life, and is desperately trying to figure out who she is. Jana, Dave’s wife, and Cleo’s mom, died suddenly, and both have to figure out a new normal, and quite frankly, it has left them both reeling.
How do you talk about something that you don’t understand? Especially when talking and feeling is not something that comes naturally? How do you figure out who you are, when there’s no one to show you the way?
A book that explores so many important subjects and explores them with grace and absolute perfection. Ways the World Could End is character-driven fiction, which I truly adored.
4.65 stars
A buddy read with Kaceey that we both loved desperately.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the alc.
A novel about family, friendship, forgiveness, grief, hope, loss, and most of all, love.
Dave is a father, a widow, and a doomsday prepper (for good reason, truth be told). He is also on the autism spectrum, thus he thinks and reacts to situations differently than most. His daughter Cleo is fifteen, is struggling to cope with life, and is desperately trying to figure out who she is. Jana, Dave’s wife, and Cleo’s mom, died suddenly, and both have to figure out a new normal, and quite frankly, it has left them both reeling.
How do you talk about something that you don’t understand? Especially when talking and feeling is not something that comes naturally? How do you figure out who you are, when there’s no one to show you the way?
A book that explores so many important subjects and explores them with grace and absolute perfection. Ways the World Could End is character-driven fiction, which I truly adored.
4.65 stars
A buddy read with Kaceey that we both loved desperately.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the alc.
May 2, 2022
Ways the World Could End appeals to the inner doomsday of our bruised souls, and the roadmap to repairing our crushed hearts. Dave is a Doomsday Prepper (yes, it’s a thing!) and a high-functioning widow with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Or, as Dave would drily call it, The Label. His daughter, Cleo, is 15 and lonely for her mother, Jana, who died over a year ago. They live in the hills of San Juan Capistrano in southern Cali (a gorgeous place, if you’ve never been there), on a property far from anyone else. They love each other, but Dave’s impairment on recognizing emotions puts a few knots in their relationship. If you’ve ever wanted to understand the functionality of someone with autism, well, Hooper nails it!
“…preppers are not only concerned with the apocalypse; they are concerned with preparing for any and all events that would have a major impact on a family’s life. In other words, it’s not just The End of The World they care about; it’s The End of The World As We Know It.”
Each chapter builds on the last one, with sub-header sections that are compact and alternate between Dave and Cleo. As Dave gives us fun facts about the sexuality of giraffes or discusses the earth’s magnetic field (to name a few), and continues to stock his Doomsday bunker in the basement, you start understanding him more, and rooting for his success, for both of them to achieve rewards. At first, there seems to be only one thing tethering Cleo to Dave, and that’s Jana. The awkward father-daughter pair are forced to search deeper, though, in order to themselves feel complete.
Initially, I wasn’t sure if I would connect with this story. The opening pages threatened to connote a YA narrative, or perhaps a too-giddy one, as it had a hysterical tinge to the voice. However, that all went away as the pages flew, and I realized how authentic and contagious this novel actually is, and how it grows on you in each successive chapter. Hooper has a flair for conveying Dave’s temperament. Funny, with a side of sad. Cleo’s story is a neurotypical teen girl’s coming of age, with some twists, but Dave IS a twist!
Dave is unable to relate to the things that are missing in Cleo’s life, except, of course, her mother. And even that shared gap is stunted by Dave’s flat manner of connecting, the way he is wired to perceive and respond. What Cleo needs is a more contemporary relatable. She has her sidekick, Carter, plus a female role model at school, a counselor who actively listens and gives comfort. Then enters Eden, the new friend, the one moving in across the way. Two adventurous, thoughtful, reflective girls with a dynamite wit. Their relationship brings out the reader’s wanting side, the part of us who aims high and with a smile. Remember that time before you got jaded?
Dave doesn’t need other people outside his unit of two. New people and situations provoke his anxiety. He just wants to get on with it—love the one person who he loves, be angry at certain folks, and stay within his circumscribed routine. And he tries to understand that Cleo is very unlike him. Cleo and Dave have some growing to do; life has recently been about grieving Jana’s absence. There has to be a way to mend, move on, and dial up the fun a bit. But when Dave finds out he will have new neighbors, his anxiety spikes. Is he his own worst enemy, or is he just being the dad trying to protect his daughter from catastrophe? Cleo wants emotional connection, romance, a future.
WAYS THE WORLD COULD END is not without a familiar formula in its broad strokes. But I’ll take it, because it is wily, witty, and infectious. It was refreshing and honest, especially when Dave’s awkwardness betrays him during key moments in the narrative, and Cleo’s disarming little rebellions. It’s gentle, humorous, with a few dark moments that caught me off guard.
“…I am predispositioned to being a neglectful husband and father…And though I can blame The Label for certain things, I still have to do what I can to improve, and sooner rather than later. Because there are so many ways the world could end.” 4.5 rounded up
Thank you to Keylight Books and the Turner Publishing Company for sending me a galley to review. This is hands down the best Kim Hooper book I’ve read!
“…preppers are not only concerned with the apocalypse; they are concerned with preparing for any and all events that would have a major impact on a family’s life. In other words, it’s not just The End of The World they care about; it’s The End of The World As We Know It.”
Each chapter builds on the last one, with sub-header sections that are compact and alternate between Dave and Cleo. As Dave gives us fun facts about the sexuality of giraffes or discusses the earth’s magnetic field (to name a few), and continues to stock his Doomsday bunker in the basement, you start understanding him more, and rooting for his success, for both of them to achieve rewards. At first, there seems to be only one thing tethering Cleo to Dave, and that’s Jana. The awkward father-daughter pair are forced to search deeper, though, in order to themselves feel complete.
Initially, I wasn’t sure if I would connect with this story. The opening pages threatened to connote a YA narrative, or perhaps a too-giddy one, as it had a hysterical tinge to the voice. However, that all went away as the pages flew, and I realized how authentic and contagious this novel actually is, and how it grows on you in each successive chapter. Hooper has a flair for conveying Dave’s temperament. Funny, with a side of sad. Cleo’s story is a neurotypical teen girl’s coming of age, with some twists, but Dave IS a twist!
Dave is unable to relate to the things that are missing in Cleo’s life, except, of course, her mother. And even that shared gap is stunted by Dave’s flat manner of connecting, the way he is wired to perceive and respond. What Cleo needs is a more contemporary relatable. She has her sidekick, Carter, plus a female role model at school, a counselor who actively listens and gives comfort. Then enters Eden, the new friend, the one moving in across the way. Two adventurous, thoughtful, reflective girls with a dynamite wit. Their relationship brings out the reader’s wanting side, the part of us who aims high and with a smile. Remember that time before you got jaded?
Dave doesn’t need other people outside his unit of two. New people and situations provoke his anxiety. He just wants to get on with it—love the one person who he loves, be angry at certain folks, and stay within his circumscribed routine. And he tries to understand that Cleo is very unlike him. Cleo and Dave have some growing to do; life has recently been about grieving Jana’s absence. There has to be a way to mend, move on, and dial up the fun a bit. But when Dave finds out he will have new neighbors, his anxiety spikes. Is he his own worst enemy, or is he just being the dad trying to protect his daughter from catastrophe? Cleo wants emotional connection, romance, a future.
WAYS THE WORLD COULD END is not without a familiar formula in its broad strokes. But I’ll take it, because it is wily, witty, and infectious. It was refreshing and honest, especially when Dave’s awkwardness betrays him during key moments in the narrative, and Cleo’s disarming little rebellions. It’s gentle, humorous, with a few dark moments that caught me off guard.
“…I am predispositioned to being a neglectful husband and father…And though I can blame The Label for certain things, I still have to do what I can to improve, and sooner rather than later. Because there are so many ways the world could end.” 4.5 rounded up
Thank you to Keylight Books and the Turner Publishing Company for sending me a galley to review. This is hands down the best Kim Hooper book I’ve read!
June 9, 2023
Wow! Would give this book five million stars if I could. I believe it has ruined me for any other book. Don’t pay attention to the description, it’s the storytelling that makes it so immersive. I just had the hardest laugh and most emotional cry of my adult life. That was very cathartic. Usually I don’t enjoy reading about young adults, but much was about the father. I also feel the storyline about LGBTQ is being overused, but that was so very well incorporated that I appreciated it. Do yourself a favor and read this book. But only if you have the time to shut out everything else in your life for a day or two! Thank you to Above The Treeline, the publisher and Kim Hooper, my new favorite author, for this ARC.
April 24, 2022
5 stars. Dave and Cleo live in Southern California. Their house is on the outskirts of the city where Cleo attends high school, with no one around for Dave to have to socialize with. Dave has Asperger Syndrome, works from home, and spends his spare time as a doomsday prepper when not watching episodes of The Office. It’s been just the two of them for a year now, and Dave and Cleo are navigating life without Cleo’s mother, Jana. She’s constantly on their minds, and they have to grapple with what happened and the aftermath. The appearance of new neighbors and the return of previous acquaintances cause Dave and Cleo to open up again after a year of grief and isolation.
I loved both characters’ perspectives. I do not have firsthand experience of what living with ASD is like, but Dave’s inner thoughts were presented respectfully and made me appreciate his view of the world. I enjoyed seeing how Cleo and Dave interacted, how they viewed things so differently while still wanting the best for each other. I enjoyed some of the information overload from Dave and personally would have loved to hear more of it. Although Cleo is a young character, her story still feels mature and enjoyable by adults. Nothing felt too YA or mushy for me. This is a beautiful story, with moments that made me laugh and many more that made me smile. Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the audiobook ARC.
I loved both characters’ perspectives. I do not have firsthand experience of what living with ASD is like, but Dave’s inner thoughts were presented respectfully and made me appreciate his view of the world. I enjoyed seeing how Cleo and Dave interacted, how they viewed things so differently while still wanting the best for each other. I enjoyed some of the information overload from Dave and personally would have loved to hear more of it. Although Cleo is a young character, her story still feels mature and enjoyable by adults. Nothing felt too YA or mushy for me. This is a beautiful story, with moments that made me laugh and many more that made me smile. Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the audiobook ARC.
July 18, 2022
Books about people on the autism spectrum are popping up everywhere lately. This one is thoughtfully done. Dave received "the Label" after his wife began questioning why he was so emotionally unavailable. Following his wife's tragic death, he has to father a teenage girl without guidance from his wife, who has always helped him navigate the neurotypical world.
The book is told in alternative viewpoints of Dave and his daughter, Cleo. Both are still reeling from the death of Jana. Dave has become a hard-core doomsday prepper. Cleo has to deal with her "weird" dad, "friends" who let her down following the death of her mom, and her awakening bisexuality.
Each of Dave's chapters start with fun facts about potential ways the world could end, ranging from climate change to a deadly pandemic. I personally loved these snippets of information. Then Dave navigates some issue with Cleo, always with Jana's voice in his head. He is well-aware of the need to alter his actions, words and even facial expressions with his daughter and others because none of them think the way he does.
Dave was very happy in his marriage, but had come into knowledge just before his wife's death, after more after it, that she was less so, and had been thinking about leaving him. His wife found the challenges of dealing with her husband's Asperger's difficult. And Dave was at a loss as to how to change his behavior to meet her emotional needs since emotions aren't his strong suit.
A new girl moves into a house near Dave and Cleo, and Cleo has her first girlfriend. Her mom knew she was bisexual, but Cleo is reluctant to tell her father because she's not sure it's something he can handle.
Dave and Cleo have a loving relationship, despite the challenges of his Asperger's. This is a story of a family who has had its own private apocalypse and is trying to find a way to survive. The way Jana died weighs on both of them and they need to find a way to work through those feelings. The author did a great job of shining a light on how difficult it can be for someone on the spectrum to function as part of a family unit, but Dave does a pretty good job of it. I loved this little family unit.
The book is told in alternative viewpoints of Dave and his daughter, Cleo. Both are still reeling from the death of Jana. Dave has become a hard-core doomsday prepper. Cleo has to deal with her "weird" dad, "friends" who let her down following the death of her mom, and her awakening bisexuality.
Each of Dave's chapters start with fun facts about potential ways the world could end, ranging from climate change to a deadly pandemic. I personally loved these snippets of information. Then Dave navigates some issue with Cleo, always with Jana's voice in his head. He is well-aware of the need to alter his actions, words and even facial expressions with his daughter and others because none of them think the way he does.
Dave was very happy in his marriage, but had come into knowledge just before his wife's death, after more after it, that she was less so, and had been thinking about leaving him. His wife found the challenges of dealing with her husband's Asperger's difficult. And Dave was at a loss as to how to change his behavior to meet her emotional needs since emotions aren't his strong suit.
A new girl moves into a house near Dave and Cleo, and Cleo has her first girlfriend. Her mom knew she was bisexual, but Cleo is reluctant to tell her father because she's not sure it's something he can handle.
Dave and Cleo have a loving relationship, despite the challenges of his Asperger's. This is a story of a family who has had its own private apocalypse and is trying to find a way to survive. The way Jana died weighs on both of them and they need to find a way to work through those feelings. The author did a great job of shining a light on how difficult it can be for someone on the spectrum to function as part of a family unit, but Dave does a pretty good job of it. I loved this little family unit.
May 26, 2022
Another win by Kim Hooper!! I loved her last book and this one was another insightful, feel good and so relatable read.
The story follows a neurodivergent dad and a bisexual teen girl trying to overcome the loss of their wife/mother. Told in alternating perspectives between the father and daughter, I loved getting to see the world through each character's eyes as they try to bridge their differences and come together when the woman that linked them is no longer alive.
Full of heart and humor, I fell in love with these characters and really enjoyed this story on audio narrated by Stephanie Willing & Pete Cross. Much thanks to NetGalley, Libro.fm and the publisher for my ALC!
The story follows a neurodivergent dad and a bisexual teen girl trying to overcome the loss of their wife/mother. Told in alternating perspectives between the father and daughter, I loved getting to see the world through each character's eyes as they try to bridge their differences and come together when the woman that linked them is no longer alive.
Full of heart and humor, I fell in love with these characters and really enjoyed this story on audio narrated by Stephanie Willing & Pete Cross. Much thanks to NetGalley, Libro.fm and the publisher for my ALC!
May 2, 2022
This book!! I always so grateful for my book reviewing friends who introduce me to new authors, and I have my friend Shannon to thank for this one. I started Ways the World Could End last week and ended up listening to it every chance I could, and now that it's over, I am missing these multifaceted characters so much.
I was immediately dawn into the storyline, which introduces the reader to Cleo and her dad David, about a year after they experienced a family tragedy and lost their mom/wife Jana. Little by little we get to know teenager Cleo, and dad David who is also on the autism spectrum.
There's grief and loss and there's also a coming of age storyline as Cleo experiences young love and explores her sexuality. David works hard to understand himself and also how to parent Cleo as she starts her process into young adulthood.
There's a lot going on in this story, but it all flows so well. The main characters journey to understand one another and themselves as they navigate life after losing Jana. The first half of the book builds upon itself and I loved how it all came together in the second half. The perfectly imperfect characters, pulling back the layers of their relationships made this a book I will never forget. It's an incredible read with so much to take away from it as well.
I am having a hard time summing this once up except to say that this is must read and I can't wait to read author Kim Hooper's backlist now.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for my gifted audiobook copy. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was immediately dawn into the storyline, which introduces the reader to Cleo and her dad David, about a year after they experienced a family tragedy and lost their mom/wife Jana. Little by little we get to know teenager Cleo, and dad David who is also on the autism spectrum.
There's grief and loss and there's also a coming of age storyline as Cleo experiences young love and explores her sexuality. David works hard to understand himself and also how to parent Cleo as she starts her process into young adulthood.
There's a lot going on in this story, but it all flows so well. The main characters journey to understand one another and themselves as they navigate life after losing Jana. The first half of the book builds upon itself and I loved how it all came together in the second half. The perfectly imperfect characters, pulling back the layers of their relationships made this a book I will never forget. It's an incredible read with so much to take away from it as well.
I am having a hard time summing this once up except to say that this is must read and I can't wait to read author Kim Hooper's backlist now.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for my gifted audiobook copy. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 6, 2022
“Ways the World Could End”, by Kim Hooper, is a straight-up Young Adult (YA) novel. One character even says her life is straight out of a John Green novel. This isn’t a bad thing necessarily, I generally enjoyed the story, but I think it should have been classified YA so readers who have loved Hooper’s other work know what to expect.
The novel alternates first person points of view between “Asperger’s Dad”, Dave, and his teen daughter, Cleo. They are grieving the loss of their wife/mother, Jana. There is a lot of mystery in the first third of the book about where Jana is and how she got there – I won’t spoil it. The rest of the novel is about how Dave and Cleo attempt “closure”, and how Cleo, who identifies as bisexual, experiences her first love.
Each of Dave’s sections start with a detailed description of how the world could end: he’s convinced it will be sooner rather than later. Dave is very skilled at catastrophizing all the possibilities; asteroid hit, climate change, wildfires, gamma rays, even a flu-like virus (the story is set during the summer of 2019 – so he gets to be prescient about that one.) These apocalyptic scenarios are a metaphor for Dave’s loss of control regarding what happened to Jana.
For a set stories with more adult gravitas, I highly recommend Kim Hooper’s, “All the Acorns on the Forest Floor”, a wonderful example of her writing talent!
Thanks to Turner Publishers for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) in exchange for a fair review.
The novel alternates first person points of view between “Asperger’s Dad”, Dave, and his teen daughter, Cleo. They are grieving the loss of their wife/mother, Jana. There is a lot of mystery in the first third of the book about where Jana is and how she got there – I won’t spoil it. The rest of the novel is about how Dave and Cleo attempt “closure”, and how Cleo, who identifies as bisexual, experiences her first love.
Each of Dave’s sections start with a detailed description of how the world could end: he’s convinced it will be sooner rather than later. Dave is very skilled at catastrophizing all the possibilities; asteroid hit, climate change, wildfires, gamma rays, even a flu-like virus (the story is set during the summer of 2019 – so he gets to be prescient about that one.) These apocalyptic scenarios are a metaphor for Dave’s loss of control regarding what happened to Jana.
For a set stories with more adult gravitas, I highly recommend Kim Hooper’s, “All the Acorns on the Forest Floor”, a wonderful example of her writing talent!
Thanks to Turner Publishers for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) in exchange for a fair review.
May 20, 2022
I was hesitant about this one. Realistic fiction is sometimes to painful to read so basically I was weary. It’s told from father and daughter POVs. There’s a big life event in this story. Many things, uncomfortable things are tackled in this novel. I couldn’t imagine dealing with some of the stuff this family had to face but enjoyed it overall.
I fell hard for Dave and Cleo. I couldn’t help but root for them and hoped that they’d find their way through it all.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and loved Stephanie Willing & Pete Cross narrating this. They were awesome.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.
I fell hard for Dave and Cleo. I couldn’t help but root for them and hoped that they’d find their way through it all.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and loved Stephanie Willing & Pete Cross narrating this. They were awesome.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.
January 1, 2023
I was a little distracted by my terror over the many ways that the world could, indeed, end 😳 — but beneath all that, this is an engaging book about parenting as a neurodivergent, father-daughter relationships, grief, coming of age, and finding your way to contentment.
Dave, an autistic dad, and his 15-year old daughter are left reeling after a tragedy hits his wife/her mother. Together, they have to work to find a new footing and learn when (and how) to lean into each other and when to step forward with independent confidence.
Dave, an autistic dad, and his 15-year old daughter are left reeling after a tragedy hits his wife/her mother. Together, they have to work to find a new footing and learn when (and how) to lean into each other and when to step forward with independent confidence.
October 7, 2022
this is a ya read. it is john greenesque + a dash of The Girl from the Sea, & sprinkle of The Rosie Project, Tiger Eyes, & I'll Give You the Sun. very sweet & earnest.
November 16, 2021
*I received an advanced copy of this book
I could not put this book down! It re lit my excitement to read again and have been on a Kim Hooper binge ever since! It’s an easy read with depth and substance. The references to one of my other favorite author just added a little something for me that I appreciate. Highly recommend and look forward to everything Kim writes!
I could not put this book down! It re lit my excitement to read again and have been on a Kim Hooper binge ever since! It’s an easy read with depth and substance. The references to one of my other favorite author just added a little something for me that I appreciate. Highly recommend and look forward to everything Kim writes!
August 2, 2022
Audiobook- I absolutely loved this book!
Dave is a Dad with Asperger’s and a recent widow. Cleo, Dave’s teenager daughter is learning about herself in today’s world. The two suffer an unimaginable loss and learn to support each other in their differences. This book truly gave me all the feels.
Dave is a Dad with Asperger’s and a recent widow. Cleo, Dave’s teenager daughter is learning about herself in today’s world. The two suffer an unimaginable loss and learn to support each other in their differences. This book truly gave me all the feels.
August 15, 2022
4.5 stars - not quite as good as "No Hiding in Boise," but a solid, entertaining read.
Told in alternating chapters, Dave and his daughter, Cleo, are trying to cope in the wake of Jana's unexpected death. It's clear early on that whatever happened to Jana was an awful tragedy and the reader is slowly led to the circumstances that lead to her passing. Told in both the present day with recollections of the past, this book is about survival, personal growth, managing expectations, teenage love, confronting our fears, etc.
Dave has ASD (formerly referred to as Asperger's) and we get a glimpse inside his mind and his inner thoughts. I really liked the portrayal of Dave and it reminded me of the lead character from the show "Atypical" so it was easy to imagine his social interactions. When Jana presented him with the quiz to determine if he has ASD, I started thinking that I might have a mild case because I felt myself really relating to Dave's mindset multiple times throughout the book. For example: "I find tardiness both extremely anxiety-provoking and disrespectful." Then you have Dave's obsession with watching reruns of "The Office" and his backup shows of Storage Wars and Pawn Stars (some of my personal guilty pleasures if nothing else is on). I really enjoyed how each Dave chapter started with him discussing a natural disaster or catastrophe that could potentially wipe out civilization. It was incredibly educational with lots of interesting facts. I especially liked Chapter 19's discussion of a looming pandemic since the book was written during COVID, but takes place in 2019.
Cleo is now in her junior year of high school and mostly keeps to herself after Jana's passing. She tries to cope with Dave's eccentricities while trying to maintain her sanity as a teenager on the verge of getting her license and exploring young love when the new kid in school quickly befriends Cleo. I really enjoyed seeing the start of Cleo's relationship with Edie and her angst over whether Edie shared the same feelings. Edie's mother, Camila, was a great addition to the book (Dave describing her sangria as "deceptive fruit punch.") with her intuition.
I highly recommend this book and now intend to go back and read Ms. Hooper's earlier works.
Told in alternating chapters, Dave and his daughter, Cleo, are trying to cope in the wake of Jana's unexpected death. It's clear early on that whatever happened to Jana was an awful tragedy and the reader is slowly led to the circumstances that lead to her passing. Told in both the present day with recollections of the past, this book is about survival, personal growth, managing expectations, teenage love, confronting our fears, etc.
Dave has ASD (formerly referred to as Asperger's) and we get a glimpse inside his mind and his inner thoughts. I really liked the portrayal of Dave and it reminded me of the lead character from the show "Atypical" so it was easy to imagine his social interactions. When Jana presented him with the quiz to determine if he has ASD, I started thinking that I might have a mild case because I felt myself really relating to Dave's mindset multiple times throughout the book. For example: "I find tardiness both extremely anxiety-provoking and disrespectful." Then you have Dave's obsession with watching reruns of "The Office" and his backup shows of Storage Wars and Pawn Stars (some of my personal guilty pleasures if nothing else is on). I really enjoyed how each Dave chapter started with him discussing a natural disaster or catastrophe that could potentially wipe out civilization. It was incredibly educational with lots of interesting facts. I especially liked Chapter 19's discussion of a looming pandemic since the book was written during COVID, but takes place in 2019.
Cleo is now in her junior year of high school and mostly keeps to herself after Jana's passing. She tries to cope with Dave's eccentricities while trying to maintain her sanity as a teenager on the verge of getting her license and exploring young love when the new kid in school quickly befriends Cleo. I really enjoyed seeing the start of Cleo's relationship with Edie and her angst over whether Edie shared the same feelings. Edie's mother, Camila, was a great addition to the book (Dave describing her sangria as "deceptive fruit punch.") with her intuition.
I highly recommend this book and now intend to go back and read Ms. Hooper's earlier works.
June 9, 2022
“That feeling of being prepared- it is the dragon I continue to chase.” - Dave
Oh this book.
Dave and Cleo are in the midst of immense grief after losing Jana, wife and mother respectively. The manner of her death is completely devastating. That’s all I’ll say.
Dave has Aspergers and Cleo is 15, both navigating unknown waters. Dave is a “prepper” and each of his chapters begin with a different disaster scenario and statistics.
Cleo is just trying to be a teenager which is already difficult without a mother (who she was extremely close to) and a father who she feels like she almost has to parent in some ways.
Such great lgbtq representation in here, also some lessons for parents. Dave ultimately shines as a parent and I ended up crying my eyes out several times.
Loved loved loved this book.
Oh this book.
Dave and Cleo are in the midst of immense grief after losing Jana, wife and mother respectively. The manner of her death is completely devastating. That’s all I’ll say.
Dave has Aspergers and Cleo is 15, both navigating unknown waters. Dave is a “prepper” and each of his chapters begin with a different disaster scenario and statistics.
Cleo is just trying to be a teenager which is already difficult without a mother (who she was extremely close to) and a father who she feels like she almost has to parent in some ways.
Such great lgbtq representation in here, also some lessons for parents. Dave ultimately shines as a parent and I ended up crying my eyes out several times.
Loved loved loved this book.
May 16, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the free audiobook version in exchange for an honest review. This audiobook was not to my liking. The narrator for Dave’s story had a very robotic voice, presumably because Dave had Asperger’s. The vice droned and I actually had to speed the voice up, which helped a little. The female narrator had an amiable voice. I found the story depressing ( I should have realized by the title) and more appropriate as a YA novel.
January 27, 2024
I loved this book.
The characters felt authentic and the story arc did not seem over-the-top as so many do to me.
A lovely study in many relationships - between spouses, parents and children, friends, and more.
The characters felt authentic and the story arc did not seem over-the-top as so many do to me.
A lovely study in many relationships - between spouses, parents and children, friends, and more.
May 30, 2022
I’m really enjoying many Kim Hooper books, having discovered her work on a flukey recommendation. This one is pretty much a family drama, integrating a great treatment of a dad with ASD. I listened to the a/bk version and narration was excellent.
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