Review: Liked this book quite a bit, but a little uneven
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 25, 2013
I liked this book quite a bit, although not 5 star love. I found it was a bit too uneven for that. The character of Hank was flat and didn't seem to serve any real purpose, except for in the scene when a passing comment was made about him that caused Vinnie to doubt whether he could come out to his family and be accepted. Otherwise, his development (or really lack of) was, at times, contradictory. Speaking of contradictory, why would a family known to be very protective of their members, especially the female ones, be okay with a teenage girl being a live-in carer for an alcoholic? One who had proven time and again that they had no wish to seek help? I also didn't like the change in person from 1st to 3rd with each MC's POV. It pulled me out of the story every time it happened and I don't understand the reason for it. They also didn't illustrate the passing of time too well. Every time I thought something happened too fast, I'd go back and check and realise that the wording of, like, the first sentence of a paragraph, or something like that, could refer to time passing, but it was only referred to in passing and easily missed.I actually thought that they depicted Trey's coping with his alcoholic mother very well. All those thoughts and feelings, I could completely relate to. The wish for it to just end somehow, anyhow. The bone weary fatigue of having to cope day in, day out with not only a drunken mother, but also the unpredictability of living with an alcoholic and the gradual loss of trust and hope that comes with it. I absolutely adored both MC's. Both had a vulnerability and warmth that was very endearing. I loved Trey's quiet strength and Vinnie's need to protect and care for those he loves (even his big, crazy, interfering, loving Italian family). Most of all, I loved Trey and Vinnie together. I loved that their relationship was built slowly. Vinnie becomes the family that Trey very much needs. Trey gives the love that Vinnie has been searching for in his life. They fit together and balanced each other out beautifully.Read the full review at Live Your Life, Buy The Book