GIRL ON THE BRINK
by Christina Hoag
Publication Date: August 30, 2016
Published by Fire and Ice YA/Melange Books
Pages: 217
Source: YA Book Bound Tours
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Synopsis
Sometimes the one you love isn’t the one you’re meant to be with.
The summer before senior year, Chloe starts an internship as a reporter at a local newspaper. While on assignment, she meets Kieran, a quirky aspiring actor. Chloe becomes smitten with Kieran’s charisma and his ability to soothe her soul, torn over her parents’ impending divorce. But as their bond deepens, Kieran becomes smothering and flies into terrifying rages. He confides in Chloe that he suffered a traumatic childhood, and Chloe is moved to help him. If only he could be healed, she thinks, their relationship would be perfect. But her efforts backfire, and Kieran turns violent. Chloe breaks up with him, but Kieran pursues her relentlessly to make up. Chloe must make the heartrending choice between saving herself or saving Kieran, until Kieran’s mission of remorse turns into a quest for revenge.
The summer before senior year, Chloe starts an internship as a reporter at a local newspaper. While on assignment, she meets Kieran, a quirky aspiring actor. Chloe becomes smitten with Kieran’s charisma and his ability to soothe her soul, torn over her parents’ impending divorce. But as their bond deepens, Kieran becomes smothering and flies into terrifying rages. He confides in Chloe that he suffered a traumatic childhood, and Chloe is moved to help him. If only he could be healed, she thinks, their relationship would be perfect. But her efforts backfire, and Kieran turns violent. Chloe breaks up with him, but Kieran pursues her relentlessly to make up. Chloe must make the heartrending choice between saving herself or saving Kieran, until Kieran’s mission of remorse turns into a quest for revenge.
My Thoughts
When I read this synopsis of GIRL ON THE BRINK and saw the beautiful cover, I wanted to read this book. I've read several books about teenage domestic abuse, but this one more than others has left me taken aback. To be quite honest, I'm finding it difficult to share my thoughts.
Reading about Chloe and Kieran's relationship and seeing it all unfold as it was happening, was like reliving the nightmare of what my friend experienced when we were teenagers. Without revealing any specifics for the sake of her privacy, I can say that her story and Chloe's story are far too similar - the manipulation, the mind control, the separation from family and friends, the intimidation, and the physical abuse. And it was scary.
Christina Hoag is very effective in her storytelling as she depicts the many stages of this relationship and the aftermath of its demise.
Quotes to note:
When I read this synopsis of GIRL ON THE BRINK and saw the beautiful cover, I wanted to read this book. I've read several books about teenage domestic abuse, but this one more than others has left me taken aback. To be quite honest, I'm finding it difficult to share my thoughts.
Reading about Chloe and Kieran's relationship and seeing it all unfold as it was happening, was like reliving the nightmare of what my friend experienced when we were teenagers. Without revealing any specifics for the sake of her privacy, I can say that her story and Chloe's story are far too similar - the manipulation, the mind control, the separation from family and friends, the intimidation, and the physical abuse. And it was scary.
Christina Hoag is very effective in her storytelling as she depicts the many stages of this relationship and the aftermath of its demise.
Quotes to note:
"I try to stop the spin, to get back to where I know I'm right." (Ch.8) - Kieran is getting out of control again, and Chloe recognizes the manipulation in the moment.
"I never thought you'd be one of those girls who makes a boyfriend her life and forgets her best friend. Boy, was I wrong." (Ch. 11) - said by Clarissa, Chloe's best friend. She doesn't know the whole truth of the situation, and is hurt by what she thinks she knows.
"He's doing it again, twisting the truth." (Ch. 11) - Even more manipuation.
"It's my fault. Why didn't I break up with him after his fit of rage?" (Ch. 14) - Chloe blaming herself and victims are apt to do.
GIRL ON THE BRINK is a tough but necessary read. Maybe after some time, I can better express my thoughts, but right now I'm still taking it all in.
Disclaimer: I received this e-ARC as part of this blog tour in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Quotes shared in this review were taken from the e-ARC and may differ from the final published version. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
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GIVEAWAY
Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog and taking the time to review. It's an emotional read to be sure, and obviously affected you because of your close experience with this topic. Thanks again!
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