Knee Deep by Jolene Perry
Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen. He's her soul mate. He's more uptight every day, but it's not his fault. His family life is stressful, and she's adding to it. She just needs to be more understanding, and he'll start to be the boy she fell in love with. She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.
Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in her large blanketopias. He's the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she's playing opposite in Romeo and Juliet. Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close. This is new. Is Ronnie falling for him? Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.
Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both.
In a few words: Emotional, heartfelt and wonderfully paced
Full Review:
While this is a book about abuse, it is so much more. I was so touched by Ronnie, and I could see where she was coming from the whole time. While I wanted her to get out of the relationship the first time, I think that her reasons are understandable, and I *almost* want to sympathize with Shawn. I am not a bad person, trust me, you can just see the person that he used to be and how he changed through her memories of how they met and fell in love. His situation at home is just so hard and I wish that he would have gotten help instead of continuing the cycle of abuse. But, indeed that is not the case.
I also really love the character of Luke, I could not get enough of him, and he is perfect best friend material and beyond. I can totally see why Ronnie feels so safe and comfortable around him, and why she ultimately falls for him. His concern, his jokes, and his familiarity are all written so well! And while I am on characters, because I am totally a character junkie, they make or break stories for me, let me talk a bit about a few of the others in the book. I appreciated so much how Ronnie's dad was written. He was present in her life, and there for her. He could sense when things were off, no matter how she tried to hide. Sure he made mistakes, but doesn't everyone? Also, Mindy is supportive and the friend that we all wish we had.
I really like the way that everything ends, and how Ronnie accepts the time to heal and time to herself, but can eventually pick up the pieces of her life and move on. It really is a story about healing and finding yourself even in the toughest of times. I like how her and Mindy challenged themselves to do new things each year, and grow into themselves and figure out who they are.
Ms. Perry has written an emotional, heartfelt and wonderfully paced story in Knee Deep that is sure to make you feel for the characters as you fly through the pages.
Other Cool Info:
Knee Deep web site:
http://knee-deep-book.blogspot.com/
Knee Deep Twitter hashtag:
#KneeDeep
Knee Deep GoodReads page:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12987551-knee-deep
Jolene Perry's Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002038196677
Jolene Perry's Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/JoleneBPerry
Jolene Perry's Website:
http://www.jolenebperry.com/
Jolene Perry's Blog:
http://www.jolenesbeenwriting.blogspot.com/
Jolene Perry's GoodReads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4944599.Jolene_B_Perry
Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com
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Jolene Perry's Bio:
What would you do if one of your friends was in an abusive relationship?
Thanks Brandi for the awesome review!! I love Knee Deep's cover, so beautiful! I have really been wanting to this book and after reading your review definitely GOT to read Knee Deep!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty huh?
DeleteI haven't heard lots about this book, but your review certainly has made me interested. :)
ReplyDeleteI share your thoughts on this completely. I loved how moving this story was but also agree that it's a lot more than just about an abusive relationship. Funnily enough, Shawn managed to make me feel strangely sympathetic at times too. A home situation like his is always heartbreaking and I too wish he had gotten help. Anyway, fantastic review! :)
ReplyDeleteI know, I wish there would have been intervention before he kept up the cycle of abuse
DeleteI haven't heard of this book before but it sounds really good. Thanks for the awesome review.
ReplyDeleteoh man, now i have to read this book. I have never heard of it before, but it sounds really sweet. I think I am going to love Luke too. I love best friend characters when they are guys. they always make me warm and fuzzy inside. haha. well maybe not warm and fuzzy, but gooey. ok, no that is weird. warm and fuzzy it is. lol
ReplyDeleteI totally get you. Gooey is good, reminds me of a cookie. :)
DeleteI just read another review of this one. Emotional and dealing with something more than you usually get from YA
ReplyDeleteyep. very deep, but handled so well
DeleteI haven't read this one yet, but reading your review helps me see how likable the characters are, and I think I might enjoy reading this book :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a moving tale about a painful subject. Loved your thoughts on this one..well done!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to go download this one.
ReplyDeleteI just read Spill Over by Jolene a few weeks ago and loved it.
I haven't seen that one by her, will have to look up.
DeleteBrandi, thank you from a fellow character junkie.
ReplyDeleteAnd we appreciate all of the lovely comments, as well :)
I have not heard of this novel before but it seems to be interesting! The characters and the ending both sound very engaging. Thanks for sharing! Great review :-)
ReplyDeleteSeeitORreadit
It really was well done ending.
DeleteThat cover is beautiful
ReplyDeleteSad, but sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is beautiful! I've been trying to decide whether I should give this book a chance or not and I think I'm going to after reading your review! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove the cover too!
DeleteI usually don't like to read sad books but this one sounds good. Abuse is difficult to get out of and I can see how she would have fallen in love and then he changed and she didn't want to give up on him. Luke sounds awesome. I'm a huge sucker for a best friend romance and hope she ends up happy with Luke!
ReplyDelete