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A review by hedonicbooks
Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer
5.0
This was a close 5 stars, but after careful consideration I decided on 4.5. Here's why.
As much as I like drama, this felt a bit too much at times.
Take Declan, for instance. I love the kid, but boy, he was such a mess. I actually see myself in him a little bit, the constant need for validation, basically begging to be loved. I do feel he's bordering on the victim side at times, he's so up in his head that he sees everything and everyone working against him. My heart broke everytime he was surprised people actually cared about him. This boy needs to be loved. He's beautiful, inside and out. And he definitely needs therapy or some kind of professional help.
The parents in this book are awful. Not Rev's parents, but the other ones suck big time. I get that adults react differently to loss and grief, but damn, these parents are shit.
I didn't like the revelation about Juliet's mom at the end. I think it was a bit forced. Unnecessary. Yeah, Juliet likes to think she's close to her mom, but I did not get the feeling she loved her daughter that much; but that's probably because we only get Juliet's side of the story.
But that's what this book is about, isn't it? Juliet and Declan's perspective. Feeling ignored, pushed over and unloved, blaming yourself for crap that's out of your control, suffering in silence and being lost and ashamed. But if you open up to people around you (see the English teacher, Melonhead, Juliet's dad), you'll realise life's not that bad after all, there are people in your corner, rooting for you.
I'm glad they found each other through the letters and they got close. It is a beautiful relationship.
I loved this book. It hit me right in the feels.
Teenage years are hard, man. Especially when you have to deal with insecurities and loss.
As much as I like drama, this felt a bit too much at times.
Take Declan, for instance. I love the kid, but boy, he was such a mess. I actually see myself in him a little bit, the constant need for validation, basically begging to be loved. I do feel he's bordering on the victim side at times, he's so up in his head that he sees everything and everyone working against him. My heart broke everytime he was surprised people actually cared about him. This boy needs to be loved. He's beautiful, inside and out. And he definitely needs therapy or some kind of professional help.
The parents in this book are awful. Not Rev's parents, but the other ones suck big time. I get that adults react differently to loss and grief, but damn, these parents are shit.
I didn't like the revelation about Juliet's mom at the end. I think it was a bit forced. Unnecessary. Yeah, Juliet likes to think she's close to her mom, but I did not get the feeling she loved her daughter that much; but that's probably because we only get Juliet's side of the story.
But that's what this book is about, isn't it? Juliet and Declan's perspective. Feeling ignored, pushed over and unloved, blaming yourself for crap that's out of your control, suffering in silence and being lost and ashamed. But if you open up to people around you (see the English teacher, Melonhead, Juliet's dad), you'll realise life's not that bad after all, there are people in your corner, rooting for you.
I'm glad they found each other through the letters and they got close. It is a beautiful relationship.
I loved this book. It hit me right in the feels.
Teenage years are hard, man. Especially when you have to deal with insecurities and loss.