Review: It was okay
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 05 12, 2014
2.5 stars*Spoilers*I have to say right off, I applaud DeAnna for writing about a girl in the Foster Care system. Too often, we hear about how the system works (or doesn't), but there are thousands of the kids that age out and never get the help, or home they deserve and need. It's heartbreaking to think about, and that aspect of the novel was handled really well.As for the rest?There was so much potential for No Place Like Home. A homeless girl aging out of the Foster Care system finding friends, family and love, is grants for a beautiful, sweet story. But for me, there were several things lacking and all the characters were sub par, to say the least.Jules was a hard character to relate to and let's be honest, like. I have to hand it to her, she is tough and independent, at times, but she was also weak and had some entitlement issues. I understand her bitterness and her hesitations, who wouldn't? In the same token, she took advantage of a few situations that didn't sit right with me. She was also a hypocrite.She talks all this s*** about Ryan, Liz's boyfriend, cheating on her when that's exactly what Jake did to his girlfriend, before breaking up with her. Granted, it was one time and the situation didn't escalate to a "Ryan scale," but cheating is cheating. Don't hold one person accountable if don't hold the others to it as well.Jake. I liked Jake in the beginning. But after the later revelations about his character? Not so much. He isn't a "bad guy" really, but the way he handled the situation with Jules and Ashley was terrible. I don't understand how Jules could possibly open up to him so fast, especially after she found out about his relationship. I don't HAVE to understand, I get that, and I can't judge someone's relationship. However, if I am to connect with their relationship, and since their connection is what causes Jules to open up, then it has to be realistic. And it wasn't. The other culprit? Insta love.So then we have the secondary characters, Liz and her cousin. They took her in, which was sweet and all, but their friendship went from 0-60 in 20 seconds. Their chattiness and banter is how I would talk to my best friend of 20 years, not 20 minutes. It's like we skate on the surface of every person and situation. There is no development, at all.As for the writing overall.. My biggest issue is again, no depth. Dig deeper and SHOW me. The flash back scenes were well written, and was handled well.Lastly, what bothered me a lot, and just one example of Jules entitlement was her reaction to what Nancy, Jake's mom, had to say about their relationship.  Nancy is the social worker that took her in. Apparently, she had warned Jake to stay away from her because she "has issues". No s***. Instead of talking it out, she gets angry about this and leaves in the middle of the night. No word to Nancy or Jake, never mind the fact that she took you in, fed you and gave you a chance, yet you were screwing her son under her roof and now you have the audacity to be mad? No. You expect HER to apologize? No.  I can't stand that. We all get bad hands dealt to us, but how you bring yourself out shows your true character.Overall -It was okay. Due to the touchy subject and situations, I needed to feel more of a connection, especially to the characters and I just didn't.