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Things Change
They say opposites attract, and that could be the only explanation for Johanna's attraction to Paul. Wherever Paul goes, laughter follows, and Johanna longs to be a part of his inner circle. Getting Paul into her life turns out to be the easy part. Keeping Paul happy is tough, even for an overachiever like Johanna. And keeping Paul happy is a must, because when he's not, Johanna becomes his target. But can she find the strength to change her life when Paul's happiness becomes more important to Johanna than her family, her friends, and even her own safety?
228 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2004
34 people are currently reading
767 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Jones
239 books224 followersPatrick Jones is the author of five realistic teen novels, most recently Stolen Car((Walker / Bloomsbury, 2008). His first young adult novel Things Change (Walker & Company, 2004) was named by the Young Adult Library Services Association as a best book for reluctant readers, and was runner-up in the Teen Buckeye Book Award selected by Ohio teens. His second novel Nailed was published by Walker / Bloomsbury in spring 2006 and was a runner-up for the Great Lake Book Award. His 2007 novel, Chasing Tail Lights, is nominated for the Minnesota Books Awards. His most recent (and last) professional publication is Connecting with Reluctant Readers (Neal-Schuman, 2006). In 2006, he won lifetime achievement awards from both the Catholic Library Association, and the American Library Association. Jones is a frequent speaker at library conferences, having visited all fifty states, as well as in Canada, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Jones grew up in Flint, Michigan, but now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Read more at his web page www.connectingya.com, including FAQs about Things Change and Nailed (perfect for book reports!). NOTE: After a bruising experience with another author, he's limited his reviews on Good Reads to only raves as not to disturb the "fellowship" of YA writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
September 6, 2017
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...
Johanna has a crush on a senior named Paul and is surprised when he begins to pay attention to her. Everything starts out perfectly, until Paul begins to show his angry side. Now, she'll do anything to keep him happy in order to stay on Paul's good side.
I can't decide how I feel about this book. At times, I liked it but during other times I wanted to throw it across the room. The dialogue was one of the main issues I had with the book, it was very choppy and forced and got annoying quickly. I hated Paul and I hated Johanna for continuing to go back to him. The only character I actually liked was Kara... I think that the attempt at a good message was made but the execution fell a bit flat for me. Overall, it was a quick read but nothing special.
Johanna has a crush on a senior named Paul and is surprised when he begins to pay attention to her. Everything starts out perfectly, until Paul begins to show his angry side. Now, she'll do anything to keep him happy in order to stay on Paul's good side.
I can't decide how I feel about this book. At times, I liked it but during other times I wanted to throw it across the room. The dialogue was one of the main issues I had with the book, it was very choppy and forced and got annoying quickly. I hated Paul and I hated Johanna for continuing to go back to him. The only character I actually liked was Kara... I think that the attempt at a good message was made but the execution fell a bit flat for me. Overall, it was a quick read but nothing special.
November 13, 2012
Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Paul offered Johanna a ride home, and suddenly shy, "good girl" Johanna is saying, "I want you to kiss me." A junior in high school, Johanna has long admired the handsome, fast-driving senior. Now things have changed. She has found the nerve to make a move.
Although nothing happens immediately, Paul eventually begins paying attention to Johanna. Little does she know it's because he and girlfriend Carla have split up, and he needs a replacement. Whatever the reason, Paul and Johanna become a couple.
Grades used to hold top priority for Johanna, but they've been moved to second place to make room for hours spent with Paul. Needless to say, her parents are not thrilled and neither is her best friend, Pam. Paul wants to spend so much time with Johanna that he demands she choose between her best friend and him. There is no choice - Paul is the love of her life.
As time passes, Johanna begins to notice that Paul's gentle caresses are becoming painful slaps, squeezes, and pinches. His loving words are now put downs said not only in private but also in front of their friends. Johanna doesn't know about Paul's hidden problems, but she's learning fast.
Paul's personality surfaces in the novel through letters written to "Dear Dead Dad." His father left when he was twelve, and news came later that he died in a car accident. His mother lost her husband, then her home, and then she "found" Jesus, and Paul began fending for himself. Anger issues and drinking problems begin complicating his relationships. He always apologizes and promises that "things will change," but doubt about their relationship haunts Johanna.
In THINGS CHANGE, Patrick Jones paints a chilling picture of physical and emotional abuse. People often question why the abused continues to "love" the abuser and refuses to seek help. Johanna's story attempts to show how loss of friendships and alienation of family keep the abused from reaching out. This emotion-packed novel tells a story that shouldn't be ignored.
Paul offered Johanna a ride home, and suddenly shy, "good girl" Johanna is saying, "I want you to kiss me." A junior in high school, Johanna has long admired the handsome, fast-driving senior. Now things have changed. She has found the nerve to make a move.
Although nothing happens immediately, Paul eventually begins paying attention to Johanna. Little does she know it's because he and girlfriend Carla have split up, and he needs a replacement. Whatever the reason, Paul and Johanna become a couple.
Grades used to hold top priority for Johanna, but they've been moved to second place to make room for hours spent with Paul. Needless to say, her parents are not thrilled and neither is her best friend, Pam. Paul wants to spend so much time with Johanna that he demands she choose between her best friend and him. There is no choice - Paul is the love of her life.
As time passes, Johanna begins to notice that Paul's gentle caresses are becoming painful slaps, squeezes, and pinches. His loving words are now put downs said not only in private but also in front of their friends. Johanna doesn't know about Paul's hidden problems, but she's learning fast.
Paul's personality surfaces in the novel through letters written to "Dear Dead Dad." His father left when he was twelve, and news came later that he died in a car accident. His mother lost her husband, then her home, and then she "found" Jesus, and Paul began fending for himself. Anger issues and drinking problems begin complicating his relationships. He always apologizes and promises that "things will change," but doubt about their relationship haunts Johanna.
In THINGS CHANGE, Patrick Jones paints a chilling picture of physical and emotional abuse. People often question why the abused continues to "love" the abuser and refuses to seek help. Johanna's story attempts to show how loss of friendships and alienation of family keep the abused from reaching out. This emotion-packed novel tells a story that shouldn't be ignored.
June 10, 2015
I hate to rate this book badly because it was a very engaging read, but I have so many problems with the ending. I feel like a lot of young adults look for books that they can relate to, and that many who read this book may be victims of some sort of abuse. While I am glad that the main character, Johanna, stood up to Paul and got away from him, the tail end of the book didn't sit well.
In the epilogue, Paul shows up to Johanna's graduation party nine months after they break up. Nothing about the abuse Johanna endured at the hands of Paul was discussed. Instead, Johanna says that she hasn't told anyone the specifics of what happened or why they broke up. Meanwhile, Paul has a new girlfriend with a startling age difference of (approximately) three years and Johanna notices that this new girlfriend has bruises similar to the ones Paul used to give her. Still, Johanna says nothing.
For people who are reading this book because they are/have been victims of abuse, this sets a TERRIBLE example. It says to those people, "don't tell on your abuser, once it's over then it isn't your problem anymore". That sort of attitude really didn't sit well with me. I understand that Johanna would still love Paul despite the things he's done, but I do not understand why she would sit by and let another, much younger, girl be abused. Surely, being a straight A student, she would realize that Paul is going to continue this indefinitely, and knowing this, she ought to have told someone.
I just feel that this book, while being a good read, sets a bad example for young teen girls who may be going through what the protagonist experienced.
In the epilogue, Paul shows up to Johanna's graduation party nine months after they break up. Nothing about the abuse Johanna endured at the hands of Paul was discussed. Instead, Johanna says that she hasn't told anyone the specifics of what happened or why they broke up. Meanwhile, Paul has a new girlfriend with a startling age difference of (approximately) three years and Johanna notices that this new girlfriend has bruises similar to the ones Paul used to give her. Still, Johanna says nothing.
For people who are reading this book because they are/have been victims of abuse, this sets a TERRIBLE example. It says to those people, "don't tell on your abuser, once it's over then it isn't your problem anymore". That sort of attitude really didn't sit well with me. I understand that Johanna would still love Paul despite the things he's done, but I do not understand why she would sit by and let another, much younger, girl be abused. Surely, being a straight A student, she would realize that Paul is going to continue this indefinitely, and knowing this, she ought to have told someone.
I just feel that this book, while being a good read, sets a bad example for young teen girls who may be going through what the protagonist experienced.
April 4, 2015
"I guess love isn't enough sometimes." How far would you go in order to maintain a loving relationship? To what extent would you go? Where's the boundary? Before answering these questions, picture yourself as 17 year old Johanna. Johanna has had the longest crush on the bad-boy of the high school, Paul. Because Johanna's parents are beyond strict, she finds adventure and excitement with Paul.
This story takes place in recent times in Pontiac, Michigan. After dating Paul for awhile, he begins to make Johanna choose between him and her best friend, Pam. So, Johanna struggles to decide what she values: an exciting, new relationship with Paul or her long, irreplaceable friendship with Pam. Even though this is a huge decision to make, it is not the main problem in the story. So, by me telling you that she chose Paul does not ruin this story.
Before teasing you about how the book ends, I must tell you what exactly happens throughout this thrilling book. Paul and Johanna begin to fall deeply in love before they start arguing in an extensive way. Throughout these fights, Paul begins hitting her. I mean brutally hitting Johanna. She is covered with bruises and begins wearing long sleeve shirts in order to hide her humiliation. However, her biggest humiliation is the fact that the boy she is deeply in love with is willing to hit his girlfriend for no apparent reason. So, what does Johanna decide to do about Paul? Does she forgive him time after time? Does she break up with him? I guess you will have to punch into this book and see for yourself. Sometimes in life, people are really hard to trust. Sometimes you just have to trust yourself and let the heart decide what's best. Only you can determine how far you will go for the ones you love.
I wanted to read this book because I honestly just picked it up at the library hoping it was good. However, I am so glad I read it. It captures you and makes you want to keep reading. This book honestly reminds me of the book A Child Called It in a sense of learning how to overcome abuse and what decisions must be decided in order to survive. Although I can't relate to domestic violence, having read A Child Called It has made me have a better insight on the life of the abused. Both of these have contributed to my heart being torn for people going through things like this. So, if you are going through domestic violence or know of someone who is, I highly encourage you to read this book. However, if you're like me who hasn't had these kinds of experiences, reading this book gives you a whole different insight on this controversial topic. So if there's one thing I want you to think about from this review, besides reading this book, is this: how far would you go for love? To what extent would you go? Where's the line drawn?
This story takes place in recent times in Pontiac, Michigan. After dating Paul for awhile, he begins to make Johanna choose between him and her best friend, Pam. So, Johanna struggles to decide what she values: an exciting, new relationship with Paul or her long, irreplaceable friendship with Pam. Even though this is a huge decision to make, it is not the main problem in the story. So, by me telling you that she chose Paul does not ruin this story.
Before teasing you about how the book ends, I must tell you what exactly happens throughout this thrilling book. Paul and Johanna begin to fall deeply in love before they start arguing in an extensive way. Throughout these fights, Paul begins hitting her. I mean brutally hitting Johanna. She is covered with bruises and begins wearing long sleeve shirts in order to hide her humiliation. However, her biggest humiliation is the fact that the boy she is deeply in love with is willing to hit his girlfriend for no apparent reason. So, what does Johanna decide to do about Paul? Does she forgive him time after time? Does she break up with him? I guess you will have to punch into this book and see for yourself. Sometimes in life, people are really hard to trust. Sometimes you just have to trust yourself and let the heart decide what's best. Only you can determine how far you will go for the ones you love.
I wanted to read this book because I honestly just picked it up at the library hoping it was good. However, I am so glad I read it. It captures you and makes you want to keep reading. This book honestly reminds me of the book A Child Called It in a sense of learning how to overcome abuse and what decisions must be decided in order to survive. Although I can't relate to domestic violence, having read A Child Called It has made me have a better insight on the life of the abused. Both of these have contributed to my heart being torn for people going through things like this. So, if you are going through domestic violence or know of someone who is, I highly encourage you to read this book. However, if you're like me who hasn't had these kinds of experiences, reading this book gives you a whole different insight on this controversial topic. So if there's one thing I want you to think about from this review, besides reading this book, is this: how far would you go for love? To what extent would you go? Where's the line drawn?
August 15, 2009
The jury is still out on whether or not I really enjoyed reading this book, but it did make me think and that is more than I can say for a lot of books that I picked up blindly at the public library solely for the reason that there were Boss references throughout.
Unlike a lot of other abusive boyfriend tales (books and Lifetime movie affairs) I felt that this one was the first one to go there, describe scenes and aftermath, and still not glorify the violence of it all. It shoved the reality in the readers face without risking an overly described passage to pull the reader in like one is compelled to slow down and glance over at a wreck on the side of the freeway. This is skillful and hard to do.
On the other hand, I found it REALLY hard to like any of the characters. I know that in ways that is the point, that you can't, but that is the danger of these novels. I know the author does not intend me to like these people, and yet liking characters is sometimes what a story needs to carry on reading and caring what happens to them.
I think the subject matter and message is well thought out and presented, realistic and great for young adults. But to be cliche, this book somehow lacked that spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down.
Unlike a lot of other abusive boyfriend tales (books and Lifetime movie affairs) I felt that this one was the first one to go there, describe scenes and aftermath, and still not glorify the violence of it all. It shoved the reality in the readers face without risking an overly described passage to pull the reader in like one is compelled to slow down and glance over at a wreck on the side of the freeway. This is skillful and hard to do.
On the other hand, I found it REALLY hard to like any of the characters. I know that in ways that is the point, that you can't, but that is the danger of these novels. I know the author does not intend me to like these people, and yet liking characters is sometimes what a story needs to carry on reading and caring what happens to them.
I think the subject matter and message is well thought out and presented, realistic and great for young adults. But to be cliche, this book somehow lacked that spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down.
March 9, 2009
THINGS CHANGE is a YA novel about a girl named Johanna who finds herself falling for the wrong guy-- a boy named Paul, a guy from the other side of the tracks.
I had a hard time with this one. I didn't feel like Johanna had a reason to love--or even like-- Paul. I understood her need to be loved-- to fill the void left by her parents-- but Paul never swept her off her feet or said all the right things. Generally abusers are able to get away with what they do buy romancing the girl first, really saying what they need to hear. I think the story ARC should have been clearer, of how he starts out as prince charming and morphs into abuse, and she has a hard time becuase it's as if there are two distinct characters as one person. I also felt like Paul showed all the classic abuser symptoms, almost to the point of it being a checklist. Alcohol abuse? Check. Abusive father? Check. Isolate her from her friends/family? Check. Break her down with verbal abuse? Check. i wanted to see more from him.
I had a hard time with this one. I didn't feel like Johanna had a reason to love--or even like-- Paul. I understood her need to be loved-- to fill the void left by her parents-- but Paul never swept her off her feet or said all the right things. Generally abusers are able to get away with what they do buy romancing the girl first, really saying what they need to hear. I think the story ARC should have been clearer, of how he starts out as prince charming and morphs into abuse, and she has a hard time becuase it's as if there are two distinct characters as one person. I also felt like Paul showed all the classic abuser symptoms, almost to the point of it being a checklist. Alcohol abuse? Check. Abusive father? Check. Isolate her from her friends/family? Check. Break her down with verbal abuse? Check. i wanted to see more from him.
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June 6, 2011 What Happens when Teens change in High School
By Riliwan Baker
The Story of a high school student just like you and I; Her pain, her friendship, her relationship, her controlling parents, her secrets, her scars and her high school journey. For most of us our high school experience molds us into the person we ultimately become in the future. For Johanna her high school experience brought happiness, strength, courage, what it truly means to be smart, and bruises. How can an all A student, honors physics, 4.0 grade point average be so blinded by statements like “I love you”.
It all started with the statement in the back of Paul’s car “I want you to kiss me” (1) and how that took Johanna on a relationship rollercoaster that she will simply not forget. Daddy’s little girl growing up and always answering to the demands of her parents with no rebuttal Johanna meet a boy name Paul that swept her off her feet with beautiful presents and lovely roses but soon Paul delicate and gentle hands soon turn violent. The hands that once hold her gently while making love at “Grandma’s house” soon quickly turned to hands that marked her up with scars and bruise and turned a beautiful girl insecure to wearing turtle necks, sweaters during the summer to cover up the bruises. How will Johanna breakaway from her demanding parents and abuse from Paul, does she have the courage to stand up for herself and you’ll also find out do people really change.
In Things change you’ll find characters like Paul’s best friend who is extremely loyal and who demonstrates what it means to be a “best friend” also hard worker that gets into Stanford. You’ll also find characters like Paul who grows up without a father, has turned into alcohol and known for physically abusing his girlfriends. Things change will have you on an emotionally rollercoaster the moment you grab the book. You’ll be happy, sad and proud of Johanna, angry and understanding of Paul. Patrick Jones style of the writing will keep you up at night asking yourself how a brilliant girl like Johanna gets herself into a relationship like this but if you look around you, you’ll find others in her situation. The surprising ending will send chills down the readers’ spine as you find out what happens when Things change.
By Riliwan Baker
The Story of a high school student just like you and I; Her pain, her friendship, her relationship, her controlling parents, her secrets, her scars and her high school journey. For most of us our high school experience molds us into the person we ultimately become in the future. For Johanna her high school experience brought happiness, strength, courage, what it truly means to be smart, and bruises. How can an all A student, honors physics, 4.0 grade point average be so blinded by statements like “I love you”.
It all started with the statement in the back of Paul’s car “I want you to kiss me” (1) and how that took Johanna on a relationship rollercoaster that she will simply not forget. Daddy’s little girl growing up and always answering to the demands of her parents with no rebuttal Johanna meet a boy name Paul that swept her off her feet with beautiful presents and lovely roses but soon Paul delicate and gentle hands soon turn violent. The hands that once hold her gently while making love at “Grandma’s house” soon quickly turned to hands that marked her up with scars and bruise and turned a beautiful girl insecure to wearing turtle necks, sweaters during the summer to cover up the bruises. How will Johanna breakaway from her demanding parents and abuse from Paul, does she have the courage to stand up for herself and you’ll also find out do people really change.
In Things change you’ll find characters like Paul’s best friend who is extremely loyal and who demonstrates what it means to be a “best friend” also hard worker that gets into Stanford. You’ll also find characters like Paul who grows up without a father, has turned into alcohol and known for physically abusing his girlfriends. Things change will have you on an emotionally rollercoaster the moment you grab the book. You’ll be happy, sad and proud of Johanna, angry and understanding of Paul. Patrick Jones style of the writing will keep you up at night asking yourself how a brilliant girl like Johanna gets herself into a relationship like this but if you look around you, you’ll find others in her situation. The surprising ending will send chills down the readers’ spine as you find out what happens when Things change.
March 12, 2009
Things Change is about a straight A student,Johanna that likes one of the bad boys in school,Paul. Johanna does everything she could to get Paul to notice her, but what she does know is that Paul is an abusive person. Paul's dad left when he was a little boy and he use to hit his mother. When Paul grew up he caught on to his dad's bad habits. Once Johanna started going out with Paul they got into a couple fight were she ends up being the one getting hurt and his way of apoligizing was getting her chocolate chip ice cream everytime he did something wrong. As the weeks went by Johanna's grades drop and her relationship with her parents become even worst then it was in the beginning. Paul's abusive ways didnt drive Johanna out of his life instead she took it as a way that he expressed his love. Till one day it all took a turn for the best,even though the memories of Paul were still going to be fresh in her mind and the love she had for him will never go away, she broke up with him. As for Paul he got a new girlfriend.
July 8, 2009
What I learned from this book is that people, especially girls have to be very careful during their relationships. In this book it talks about a girl who falls really in "love" with this boy. Unfortunatly, since the boy does not get the girl he wants...Vickie, he sets his mind on the girl Johanna. Since johanna does not really love him... and she has personal issues at home. She likes the idea that someone else might be intrested in her.Then things start to go wrong, Paul starts treating her badly. She refuses to admit the fact, as well as destroys the friendship with her friend. Even if the the relationship is going really bad, she denies help from her mother and father due to their strictness. Finally when things start to get bad Johannna decides to breakup with Paul. At this point, it causes a scar to the person getting hurt. Especially girls. Thats why during relationships people should love each other not in wrong maniipulating way, but the real way.... with respect. that my review for the book. i enjoyed it, and recommend it!!!=]
February 1, 2012
when i found this book in the corner of the libary i picked it up and read the first page instant hook! i loved this book real page turner.
the book starts with a girl named Johanna she is smart and soposed to be perfect for her parents and at school. smart bound to go to a good college that is untill paul the bad boy with more problems than anyone else really knows dicides to get with her. he is the perfect boyfriend he buys her flowers and ice cream and gifts is nice and funny that is until he gets mad and when he gets mad or frustrated he releases that anger on johanna
She has bruses all the time and he promises to stop but never does
paul has a messed up past that haunts him throught out the whole book till the last page
they end up breaking up becuase she finally uses her smarts to be aware he is never ganna change and he doesnt
this book is really good please please read it
the book starts with a girl named Johanna she is smart and soposed to be perfect for her parents and at school. smart bound to go to a good college that is untill paul the bad boy with more problems than anyone else really knows dicides to get with her. he is the perfect boyfriend he buys her flowers and ice cream and gifts is nice and funny that is until he gets mad and when he gets mad or frustrated he releases that anger on johanna
She has bruses all the time and he promises to stop but never does
paul has a messed up past that haunts him throught out the whole book till the last page
they end up breaking up becuase she finally uses her smarts to be aware he is never ganna change and he doesnt
this book is really good please please read it
August 26, 2009
One of the worst books I've ever read. The editing was the worst part. Everything was choppy. Instead of, "Man, it's raining. Johanna and I broke up, it's a shame, but that's how it's gotta be," it was, "Man, it is raining. Johanna and I broke up. It is a shame, but that is how it has to be. Who talks like that? Paul was disgusting and gross. Johanna was also disgusting and gross. The only two characters I kind of enjoyed were Brad and Kara. The Bruce Springsteen references were awful. I love the Boss, but he was almost ruined for me. I hate that Paul kept saying, in his awkwardly choppy dialect, things like, "Johanna, this is a town full of losers, and I am pulling out of here to win." Puke. I'm pretty sure Bruce would be appalled at how corny this book made his music seem. Augh. Just never read this book ever. I want to burn it.
March 26, 2011
Things Change perfectly exemplifies the problem I have with some Young Adult Lit. It deals with an undeniably important problem (high school boys beating up their high school girlfriends), but it's so ineptly written that I think some of its import gets nullified in the process. The whole thing is phony from top to bottom – the characters are paper-thin (listening to Springsteen is counted as character development), the dialogue is hokey, and there isn't a moment in the book that feels genuine. I guess the important question is this one: if I were 15-years-old, would I notice these flaws and want something better? God, I hope so. It's a good thing if teens read Things Change and feel empowered to speak out about the problem; I just wish it were a better book.
October 10, 2009
not that i understand in that sense where i faced the same situation, but i understand that the problem Johanna faced in the book was difficult to runaway from. then again, the author wrote the story in some annoying way where you just wished it would have ended fast and that you got fed up since it was the same things being explained over again. thanks for writing about this, but i wished it was more interesting that i felt for the character...
December 6, 2010
I liked, but didn't like this book. I wanted to smack the main character and say, "WAKE UP - look what he's doing to you, don't be so stupid." But also it made me realize how girls (even especially bright girls) can get into relationships like that and want to stay. It's probably a good book for a girl to read before she starts dating, so that she already has a foundation of knowing what should and shouldn't be acceptable in a relationshp before she's ever confronted with it.
September 11, 2010
Things change is a great book about a straight A student and how she(Johanna)loves a boy who she thought loved her too.... until he abused her whenever he got drunk. she reaches out for help from one of her new friends which was also friends with her bf. she finds out the story of him(Paul) and his ex Carla. And has to make the biggest choice to either stay with him or to leave him....
May 24, 2017
I was really impressed with how he showed each character's perspective. I like how he captured both of their personalities and how they clashed emotionally. It was a gripping novel I read I didn't put down.
December 6, 2008
This was another good one from patrick jones, it's title is ironic because you learn that sometimes things or people don't change when you want them to the most.
May 8, 2022
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I am so tempted to listen to the Boss now. I only really like Westlife, BSB, and 1D. I also really want to cry so I can just taste some tears. I feel stupid and in a trance. This is a powerful book, because it just shows that we NEED to change, even if it hurts. Because to be happy you need pain. In the end, the change will be so much better for you, even if it hurts like hell in the beginning. But we need to go through it. I found myself falling in love with Paul too. I knew exactly why Star kept going back, and I wanted to rip out her hair when she finally ended it with him. But then I realized that she couldn’t live like that. Change. It hurts so much, but we fail to recognize that if we don’t we will hurt more. We are stubborn. One of my favorite quotes by an unknown person is “Everyone wants happiness, no one wants pain; but to make a rainbow, you need a little rain.” Humans are the most stubborn things that God has ever created. We are so self-centered and always want what we think is best even for just that moment. But we fail to see beyond that moment and into the long-run, the future. I am doing this. I am stalling myself. I can clearly relate to this book in so many ways, and I am so grateful right now because this book has just moved a whole spotlight onto them. I am in love with a guy who hates me and I am getting nothing out of it. I am in love with another guy who doesn’t even remember me. I am a viola player, and hence play in Alto Clef. I tried self-teaching myself the piano, but since I did that off of viola music, my whole piano system is messed up. Piano plays in Treble Clef, not Alto Clef like me. Alto is one whole lower than Treble, so my notes would have to be one lower. Your Middle C is my Middle D. One of my friends is a band guru and we were just trying to talk me into learning how to play in Treble Clef and actually learn how to turn my Middle D back into a Middle C. But I’m lazy. I know that my brain is set on thinking of it as a D. I do not want to do it. I am stalling, and it is getting me nowhere. And I feel like screaming right now. I understand how Joha feels. Change is something that humans cannot take in. It is too much for us. I wish that we were not like this, that nothing would be like this, but that is too much to ask. So don’t be blind to anything. End and fix things as soon as you can, because the more you go further, the mud just gets deeper and it is harder to back out. Please. Do not make my mistake or Jojo’s. Save yourself. She will fall in love with someone better than Paul–NOT MARCUS, NO ONE LIKES HIM–but someone who brings her more than ice-cream and roses. Paul never left her heart. And what happens is for the best. They should be blessed with all the memories they shared and will share later on as friends hopefully. That necklace better stay with her, because I bet everything she fingers it she will realize the right thing to do. They say listen to your heart’ but sometimes listening to your gut is good too. To others. They are in your life for a reason. It will all be okay, and I will learn to play the piano the right way for you and for Paul and Star. Because life is special. We will all fall down and cry the 6th Great Lake. But all that matters is that you get back up. You will always have someone with you. Just remember that it will all be okay.
I am so tempted to listen to the Boss now. I only really like Westlife, BSB, and 1D. I also really want to cry so I can just taste some tears. I feel stupid and in a trance. This is a powerful book, because it just shows that we NEED to change, even if it hurts. Because to be happy you need pain. In the end, the change will be so much better for you, even if it hurts like hell in the beginning. But we need to go through it. I found myself falling in love with Paul too. I knew exactly why Star kept going back, and I wanted to rip out her hair when she finally ended it with him. But then I realized that she couldn’t live like that. Change. It hurts so much, but we fail to recognize that if we don’t we will hurt more. We are stubborn. One of my favorite quotes by an unknown person is “Everyone wants happiness, no one wants pain; but to make a rainbow, you need a little rain.” Humans are the most stubborn things that God has ever created. We are so self-centered and always want what we think is best even for just that moment. But we fail to see beyond that moment and into the long-run, the future. I am doing this. I am stalling myself. I can clearly relate to this book in so many ways, and I am so grateful right now because this book has just moved a whole spotlight onto them. I am in love with a guy who hates me and I am getting nothing out of it. I am in love with another guy who doesn’t even remember me. I am a viola player, and hence play in Alto Clef. I tried self-teaching myself the piano, but since I did that off of viola music, my whole piano system is messed up. Piano plays in Treble Clef, not Alto Clef like me. Alto is one whole lower than Treble, so my notes would have to be one lower. Your Middle C is my Middle D. One of my friends is a band guru and we were just trying to talk me into learning how to play in Treble Clef and actually learn how to turn my Middle D back into a Middle C. But I’m lazy. I know that my brain is set on thinking of it as a D. I do not want to do it. I am stalling, and it is getting me nowhere. And I feel like screaming right now. I understand how Joha feels. Change is something that humans cannot take in. It is too much for us. I wish that we were not like this, that nothing would be like this, but that is too much to ask. So don’t be blind to anything. End and fix things as soon as you can, because the more you go further, the mud just gets deeper and it is harder to back out. Please. Do not make my mistake or Jojo’s. Save yourself. She will fall in love with someone better than Paul–NOT MARCUS, NO ONE LIKES HIM–but someone who brings her more than ice-cream and roses. Paul never left her heart. And what happens is for the best. They should be blessed with all the memories they shared and will share later on as friends hopefully. That necklace better stay with her, because I bet everything she fingers it she will realize the right thing to do. They say listen to your heart’ but sometimes listening to your gut is good too. To others. They are in your life for a reason. It will all be okay, and I will learn to play the piano the right way for you and for Paul and Star. Because life is special. We will all fall down and cry the 6th Great Lake. But all that matters is that you get back up. You will always have someone with you. Just remember that it will all be okay.
November 9, 2022
For Johanna, as far as Paul was concerned, “there is knowing and there is knowing better.” Her relationship with Paul was both beautiful and ugly, so when he calls out of the blue asking her for a favor, she was stumped. With all the lies, alcohol, beatings, and disappointments he put her through, she really should’ve have given even one minute of her time.
Brett was also a guy that’s been burned and kicked by love. Two awkward, nerdy souls that can’t let go of the past. Brett was reluctant to let another girl break his heart and Johanna couldn’t get rid of her addiction to Paul, who continues to use and abuse her.
Nonetheless, the two take a chance on each other and the chemistry between them is evident. Told in the POV of both Johanna and Brett, their stories relay the bitter realities and harsh struggles in dealing with overbearing parents, so-called friends, lousy jobs, self-esteem battles, and trust issues. The narrative was simply engaging with a clever wit and a touch of poetry.
Resentment and regret are 2 emotions these characters knew all too well. Would that keep these 2 from each other? Brett and Johanna seemed to be the light in each other’s dark world. I thought they were pretty good for each other. But, alas, first loves can never be forgotten, and, unfortunately, they continue to taint their lives. Can they give themselves to each other while still chained to others?
“There’s something between us, even it’s only a beaten-up past and a sealed-off future.”
“Your past is something you take with you every step you take, but you can’t let it control your path.”
The emotional toll and baggage of these characters were just so raw and unrelenting. Filled with heart and heartache, this is a trying love story.
Nice read about growing, learning from your mistakes, and finally letting go. It’s a good one!
Brett was also a guy that’s been burned and kicked by love. Two awkward, nerdy souls that can’t let go of the past. Brett was reluctant to let another girl break his heart and Johanna couldn’t get rid of her addiction to Paul, who continues to use and abuse her.
Nonetheless, the two take a chance on each other and the chemistry between them is evident. Told in the POV of both Johanna and Brett, their stories relay the bitter realities and harsh struggles in dealing with overbearing parents, so-called friends, lousy jobs, self-esteem battles, and trust issues. The narrative was simply engaging with a clever wit and a touch of poetry.
Resentment and regret are 2 emotions these characters knew all too well. Would that keep these 2 from each other? Brett and Johanna seemed to be the light in each other’s dark world. I thought they were pretty good for each other. But, alas, first loves can never be forgotten, and, unfortunately, they continue to taint their lives. Can they give themselves to each other while still chained to others?
“There’s something between us, even it’s only a beaten-up past and a sealed-off future.”
“Your past is something you take with you every step you take, but you can’t let it control your path.”
The emotional toll and baggage of these characters were just so raw and unrelenting. Filled with heart and heartache, this is a trying love story.
Nice read about growing, learning from your mistakes, and finally letting go. It’s a good one!
February 7, 2017
The writing style for this book was somewhat ingratiating. The characters were underdeveloped and shallow in my opinion. The dialogue was also odd. Oftentimes the characters didn't use contractions. It felt a lot like the format of "True Grit" by Charles Portis. However, whereas that decision felt like a style choice in Portis' book, "Things Change" was published in 2004 and the setting seemed as if the characters lived in the same time period as when the book was written/published. It didn't really make sense to me to have the characters speak this way.
The two main characters are Paul and Johanna. Paul has some issues stemming from issues with his parents. He's mainly something of a slacker who has a dream to graduate and go to college with a buddy and get out of his town but he has no initiative to actually help out his situation. He is an extremely shallow character with only two real points that seem to be used to attempt to make his character distinct:
1. He is described as a funny guy. He is constantly shooting out quips and one-liners and characters often respond tend to laugh at his sarcasm or at the least, shake their head at his rascally ways. The things is, most of his repartee falls flat. Or at least it did with me. His schtick feels old and tired and I was annoyed with it pretty quickly. Also he's a student council member somehow. It doesn't make sense.
2. He is obsessed with Bruce Springsteen and constantly quotes his lyrics. This is sort of a connection with his dad so I understand why it's referenced multiple times but it happens SO OFTEN that it started to be the defining aspect of Paul's character and that made him mostly just annoying.
Johanna is the classic good girl who is in love with the bad boy who ran for student council on the "do nothing" platform. Paul doesn't even want to be with her at first but when he gets rejected by the girl he wants, he decides to date Johanna. The whole idea of her playing second-string isn't really addressed after that. They just start dating. Johanna feels like her parents control her life. She paints them in a pretty bad light but sometimes her reasoning for why her parents are wrong and she's right doesn't really ring true. Her parents don't really seem awful a lot of the times aside from being somewhat distant. They have expectations for her and want her to get good grades. It's true they don't really listen to her but she also wants to date Paul which was a horrible decision so I didn't feel too bad for her.
Anyways. I don't want to ruin things too much but Paul is a garbage human being who starts to hurt Johanna physically and emotionally when he doesn't get his way or when he feels stress in his own life. Johanna stays with him despite this and I don't want to judge her character for that as I know that many individuals who are in or have been in an abusive relationship stay in those relationships for a variety of reasons and it's much easier to judge from the outside looking in.
However, Paul is such a flat character anyways that I never really understood why she wanted to date him in the first place. He's the worst.
Anyways, I don't like to spoil books. The ending is frustrating for a variety of reasons. I didn't really end up liking a single character from this book. That could be viewed as impressive or detrimental on the author's part depending on who you ask. This book tries to deal with an important topic that far too many people deal with on a daily basis. However, the lack of character development and writing style left me severely unsatisfied.
If you're looking for for YA books that delve into issues of abuse with multilayered characters and engaging plot, I recommend Bitter End or Split
Cheers to the new year, my friends. May you read plenty of 5-stars this year.
The two main characters are Paul and Johanna. Paul has some issues stemming from issues with his parents. He's mainly something of a slacker who has a dream to graduate and go to college with a buddy and get out of his town but he has no initiative to actually help out his situation. He is an extremely shallow character with only two real points that seem to be used to attempt to make his character distinct:
1. He is described as a funny guy. He is constantly shooting out quips and one-liners and characters often respond tend to laugh at his sarcasm or at the least, shake their head at his rascally ways. The things is, most of his repartee falls flat. Or at least it did with me. His schtick feels old and tired and I was annoyed with it pretty quickly. Also he's a student council member somehow. It doesn't make sense.
2. He is obsessed with Bruce Springsteen and constantly quotes his lyrics. This is sort of a connection with his dad so I understand why it's referenced multiple times but it happens SO OFTEN that it started to be the defining aspect of Paul's character and that made him mostly just annoying.
Johanna is the classic good girl who is in love with the bad boy who ran for student council on the "do nothing" platform. Paul doesn't even want to be with her at first but when he gets rejected by the girl he wants, he decides to date Johanna. The whole idea of her playing second-string isn't really addressed after that. They just start dating. Johanna feels like her parents control her life. She paints them in a pretty bad light but sometimes her reasoning for why her parents are wrong and she's right doesn't really ring true. Her parents don't really seem awful a lot of the times aside from being somewhat distant. They have expectations for her and want her to get good grades. It's true they don't really listen to her but she also wants to date Paul which was a horrible decision so I didn't feel too bad for her.
Anyways. I don't want to ruin things too much but Paul is a garbage human being who starts to hurt Johanna physically and emotionally when he doesn't get his way or when he feels stress in his own life. Johanna stays with him despite this and I don't want to judge her character for that as I know that many individuals who are in or have been in an abusive relationship stay in those relationships for a variety of reasons and it's much easier to judge from the outside looking in.
However, Paul is such a flat character anyways that I never really understood why she wanted to date him in the first place. He's the worst.
Anyways, I don't like to spoil books. The ending is frustrating for a variety of reasons. I didn't really end up liking a single character from this book. That could be viewed as impressive or detrimental on the author's part depending on who you ask. This book tries to deal with an important topic that far too many people deal with on a daily basis. However, the lack of character development and writing style left me severely unsatisfied.
If you're looking for for YA books that delve into issues of abuse with multilayered characters and engaging plot, I recommend Bitter End or Split
Cheers to the new year, my friends. May you read plenty of 5-stars this year.
November 10, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Patrick Jones and Goddess Fish Promotions. I'm excited to be a part of this tour. Now onto my review! 😀
Wow, there is a lot going on in this book and it is not for the faint of heart. The book contains descriptions of emotional and physical abuse.
In Things Changed we meet Joanna and Paul. We quickly learn that Joanna has had a crush on Paul for a long time and that Paul is not what he seems. Joanna and Paul are like any couple engaged in a toxic relationship, some parts of perfect and she can’t imagine being with anyone else, while other parts are horrible when Paul gets physical. As many women are, Joanna is stuck in the cycle of abuse and not sure how to get out.
Insert, Brett who has also been burned by love and not in a hurry to have his heart broken again. Regardless, there is chemistry between the two of them and they decide to give it a go. Told from alternating POVs, the reader gets inside Joanna and Brett’s heads and follow them as they negotiate their new relationship while trying to move past their previous relationships. This book does a good job of representing what these types of relationships look like while exploring the harsh realities of be surrounded by toxic relationships, such as over-bearing parents’ and friends who aren’t really your friends. All the while dealing with their own self-esteem and trust issues.
Overall, I recommend this to all young adults as they begin dating. The book is full of examples of what those relationships look like, the toll these relationships take on one’s self-esteem, and how difficult they are to walk away from.
Wow, there is a lot going on in this book and it is not for the faint of heart. The book contains descriptions of emotional and physical abuse.
In Things Changed we meet Joanna and Paul. We quickly learn that Joanna has had a crush on Paul for a long time and that Paul is not what he seems. Joanna and Paul are like any couple engaged in a toxic relationship, some parts of perfect and she can’t imagine being with anyone else, while other parts are horrible when Paul gets physical. As many women are, Joanna is stuck in the cycle of abuse and not sure how to get out.
Insert, Brett who has also been burned by love and not in a hurry to have his heart broken again. Regardless, there is chemistry between the two of them and they decide to give it a go. Told from alternating POVs, the reader gets inside Joanna and Brett’s heads and follow them as they negotiate their new relationship while trying to move past their previous relationships. This book does a good job of representing what these types of relationships look like while exploring the harsh realities of be surrounded by toxic relationships, such as over-bearing parents’ and friends who aren’t really your friends. All the while dealing with their own self-esteem and trust issues.
Overall, I recommend this to all young adults as they begin dating. The book is full of examples of what those relationships look like, the toll these relationships take on one’s self-esteem, and how difficult they are to walk away from.
May 25, 2018
"Things Change" written by Patrick Jones. The book was about a young couple: Paul and Johanna. Paul is the "bad boy"; he is this way due to his life events. Johanna is a perfect child and student, but when her family finds out about Paul. Johanna begins to go against her families former rules. Paul doesn't listen to his mom and he yells at her. Johanna is "in love" with Paul so she wants to spend every last second with him but what she doesn't know is that Paul's possessive nature would lead to Johanna having to break her friendship off with her best friend, Pam. Paul was saying how Pam was a dike and liked Johanna. Paul was not only possessive but he put his anger out toward Johanna; by poking and prodding her. Sometimes he grabs her wrist to hard causing her to get bruises. She has to hide them from everyone. Paul is a senior an Johanna is a junior. Paul takes her to prom. While at prom Johanna accidentally says something about Paul’s father; Paul’s father is a soft spot that hits home for him. He goes away so he doesn’t hurt her. After finding him, he take her home. On the way home he pulls over an is mad at her so he takes his anger out by slapping her with loads of strength. When she gets home her mom ask what happens. Johanna just says she fell in the ice. Things get broke off but then they get back together. Paul says things will change. They do for a little bit but slowly they go back to how they were. Its a good book for teens because it shows how a relationship can be bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2020
Really the same thing over and over. Maybe I just did not like this because I actually lived it. My first husband was very physically and emotionally abusive and was bi-polar. It may not have been as repetitive as I felt it was since it was very common with me.
If anyone is reading this just know: Patrick Jones really researched about this topic and he is spot on. "It will never happen again" is so common, and I think the abuser really feels that way, but it WILL happen again, and again, and again. These people who abuse are very insecure and they tend to choose people with big hearts and low self esteem. I stayed with my ex for 14 years while he continually beat me. He always told me that I would be alone, that I was so ugly that no one would ever want me and he made it sound like he was charitable by staying married to me. He didn't work so I supported him and our child, he never cooked or cleaned. I am now married to the most wonderful man in the world who loves me unconditionally. It's almost like I was another person back then, and it is so easy for someone who has never experienced it to say "Why didn't you leave?" believe me, it is very very complicated.
If anyone is reading this just know: Patrick Jones really researched about this topic and he is spot on. "It will never happen again" is so common, and I think the abuser really feels that way, but it WILL happen again, and again, and again. These people who abuse are very insecure and they tend to choose people with big hearts and low self esteem. I stayed with my ex for 14 years while he continually beat me. He always told me that I would be alone, that I was so ugly that no one would ever want me and he made it sound like he was charitable by staying married to me. He didn't work so I supported him and our child, he never cooked or cleaned. I am now married to the most wonderful man in the world who loves me unconditionally. It's almost like I was another person back then, and it is so easy for someone who has never experienced it to say "Why didn't you leave?" believe me, it is very very complicated.
July 14, 2021
This book struck a chord in me when I picked it out at the library many years ago.
I remembered how much Paul loved Bruce Springsteen, and until then, I had never listened to him by choice. This book changed that. This book also showed me what would be my eventual reality of being in abusive relationships. If I had only known.
I take a star off because I worry about the influence a book like this could have on other youth. It should have taught me what to look out for, but it largely has Johanna empathizing with Paul instead of looking out for her safety. I love that this book looks at both sides of this relationship, that it does take a look at dating violence for teens, and that it doesn't outright demonize Paul.
I am writing this years after having read it. It's been several years, and I've lived a lot of similar life experiences to Johanna since then. I think this book could be an excellent tool for parents to have conversations about dating violence with their teens, especially socialized young men and socialized young women because of the way Jones chooses to write from both perspectives.
I remembered how much Paul loved Bruce Springsteen, and until then, I had never listened to him by choice. This book changed that. This book also showed me what would be my eventual reality of being in abusive relationships. If I had only known.
I take a star off because I worry about the influence a book like this could have on other youth. It should have taught me what to look out for, but it largely has Johanna empathizing with Paul instead of looking out for her safety. I love that this book looks at both sides of this relationship, that it does take a look at dating violence for teens, and that it doesn't outright demonize Paul.
I am writing this years after having read it. It's been several years, and I've lived a lot of similar life experiences to Johanna since then. I think this book could be an excellent tool for parents to have conversations about dating violence with their teens, especially socialized young men and socialized young women because of the way Jones chooses to write from both perspectives.
May 14, 2017
It all started with “I want you to kiss me” and ended with bruises all over Johanna’s body. Johanna was a junior in high school and one of the smartest in her class until she fell in love with the popular senior boy Paul. Paul was all Johanna ever wanted. He made her laugh and smile, but whenever he got angry he take it out on her. Johanna would always give Paul another chance to change, but he never seemed too. The ending of the book surprised me. I wasn’t expecting the decision that Johanna made. Things Change was an excellent book. I enjoyed the way they gave some of the chapters to Paul and some to Johanna. One thing I didn’t like was that some of the chapters were short and I wish they were a tad bit longer. I also liked how the author put an epilogue at the end to show what happened to each of them. Things Change was a very heart wrenching book to read.
January 23, 2023
So I'm a little late to the game on this website but I read this book when I was in 8th grade I didn't like to read that much at that time, I wasn't really into anything but one day our teacher had class in the library that day I went into the section for mature books and this one stood out to me. Cool red book cover I started to read the cover " things change" that's what I read I checked the book out thinking nothing of it and that I wouldn't read it, but let me tell you I read the first few pages and I was pulled in I know my little 8th-grade self was so into Johanna and her life story this book changed the way outlook on my life and how I went into high school I wasn't so easily bullied, easily persuaded. When i got older i found this book somewhere in a store and finally bought a hard copy i want to say
Thank you patrick
Thank you patrick
February 16, 2022
My best friend in high school and I used to trade this back and forth. I cannot tell you how many times I read it. It's a coming of age tale of a girl caught in an abusive relationship but learning who she is and what she wants in life. It's kind of an unsung masterpiece.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2017
This book hit me hard, the representation was amazing.
November 7, 2017
I only read a little bit and I did not like it very much, kinda just boring.
August 24, 2018
Loved this book, I really related to the main character. I was in a abusive relationship and I know how scary it can be.
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