Thursday, November 7, 2019

EVERY OTHER WEEKEND


Author: Abigail Johnson
Genre: Y/A Contemporary Fiction
Year: 2020
Rate:  🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

“Adam Moynihan’s life used to be awesome. Straight As, close friends and a home life so perfect that it could have been a TV show straight out of the 50s. Then his oldest brother died. Now his fun-loving mom cries constantly, he and his remaining brother can’t talk without fighting, and the father he always admired proved himself a coward by moving out when they needed him most.
Jolene Timber’s life is nothing like the movies she loves—not the happy ones anyway. As an aspiring director, she should know, because she’s been reimagining her life as a film ever since she was a kid. With her divorced parents at each other’s throats and using her as a pawn, no amount of mental reediting will give her the love she’s starving for.
Forced to spend every other weekend in the same apartment building, the boy who thinks forgiveness makes him weak and the girl who thinks love is for fools begin an unlikely friendship. The weekends he dreaded and she endured soon become the best part of their lives. But when one’s life begins to mend while the other’s spirals out of control, they realize that falling in love while surrounded by its demise means nothing is ever guaranteed.”

… And I know you’re gonna break my heart at some point, I might even break yours. I pressed her hand firmly against my chest. “But it’s yours to break and mend and hopefully not break again.”

I finished the book two days ago, and I’m still trying to find the best words to describe how much this story made me feel.
So here, this is me trying:
The first thing I need to say is this book hit close home. I’m a divorced parents’ child, I was little when it happened and with the time, I learned to lock the memories far, far away. Also, like the characters in this book, I felt lost and with the need for belonging, I think every person in this world has felt in that way at some point in their life, and stories like this, remain us that we aren’t alone.
Every other weekend goes beyond greatness. It’s magical, full of melancholy, sweetness, and hope. Form the beginning and I mean ‘the dedication’ as the very beginning, this story promises a journey for the soul, all the way until the acknowledgment last word.
As always, the author fills the pages with power and strength, with cuteness and smiles. The narrative is excellent, hypnotic and heartfelt.
The plot is brilliant. It goes around all kinds of abuse and the reminder that it’s something real. I’d rather have a little more emphasis in therapy (I can’t say more without spoil) but that’s my belief not necessary somebody has to agree with that. However, the author handles every difficult situation told in the story like a pro.
The characters are well done portrayed, I’m happy for some twist and sad for the honesty in some realities I guess that’s part of the story… to show us that ‘happy ever after’ not necessarily means perfection.
Jolene and Adam are one of those kind couples you will remember forever. Their complement and mend each other. I love their chemistry, their passion, their innocence. And I love that despite all the awfulness in their life, they have found each other.
 Finally, this book deserves 5 stars, not just because of the craft but for every emotion that emanates from the pages.
100% recommended
Note: I received an ARC from Inkyard and Harlequin through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. And I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Note: Image was taken from www.google.com