Review: A compelling new adult novel.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 29, 2014
Karlie Smith has been stuck in a rut, resisting change, since the death of her parents three years before.  Then major changes take place, starting when her elderly much loved neighbour Marita falls ill. Against her better judgement Karlie finds herself taking care of Marita’s delinquent twin grandsons, Cole and Connor, but she has no idea just how much this experience will change her life.Thrown into a quagmire of school meetings, trying to understand teenagers (Karlie had decided never to have kids herself) and struggling to manage financially Karlie embarks on a romance with Kevin, who seems nice but is totally not right for her.Tricia Drammeh has written a wonderfully heart-warming tale here of how change can be good. She captures perfectly the problems of juggling lack of money with the needs of a family. The story takes a look at the State welfare system and juvenile crime as well as dealing with death and grief in a way I have never seen any novel aimed at teens do, with the possible exception of Judy Blume’s classic Tiger Eyes.  Mrs Drammeh shows no fear in tackling the subject head on, for which I applaud her because death should never be a taboo since it’s the only thing we all have in common. She also deals candidly with relationships and sexual desire without being explicit.Through Cole and Connor, Karlie meets the man who is just perfect for her, although it takes her a while to realise it. She must also wrestle with disputes, neighbourhood tension and the kindness of virtual strangers as she adjusts to life with teenaged twins.I have read most of Tricia Drammeh’s work and I admire her storytelling flair, vivid characterisation and dialogue which bring her characters vividly to life.  You can really invest emotionally in the characters in this book and I find myself rooting for Karlie from page one. I will definitely be looking out for more from Ms Drammeh in future. I’m just annoyed I can only give 5 stars as this book deserves a whole galaxy.