Sunday, July 24, 2011

In Leah's Wake - Terri Giugliano Long

Publisher:  CreateSpace
Pages:  368
Source:  Review copy from author
Genre:  Young Adult/Adult, realistic fiction
Warning :  This book is for the more mature reader 16 and above.

Blurb:
The Tyler family had the perfect life - until sixteen-year-old Leah decided she didn't want to be perfect anymore.

While her parents fight to save their daughter from destroying her brilliant future, Leah's younger sister, Justine, must cope with the damage her out-of-control sibling leaves in her wake.
Will this family survive? What happens when love just isn't enough?


My Review:
The family that seems like they have it all together can be very dysfunctional.  No matter what your profession, when your family is having problems, everyone in the family is affected.  Leah was the member of the family who seemed to have everything.   That is until she met her boyfriend.  Instead of pulling him up to her standards, she lowered her own.  She started drinking, smoking and doing drugs.  Then she is kicked off of the soccer team.  Leah makes one bad decision after another.  She blames everyone around her instead of taking responsibility for her mistakes.  You’d think Leah’s mom would have seen the signs since she was a family counselor.  Unfortunately, she was too close to the problem. 
I also think Leah was trying to please everyone.  She didn’t want to disappoint anyone when it came to her playing soccer.  Her parents were so excited for her.  It became their dream for her to become a soccer star and not necessarily  her dream. Those we think should have seen trouble heading their way often turn a blind eye to the problems.  Another problem with a rebellious teen is that younger sibling might be tempted to follow in their steps.  This is what happened to Justine.  She wanted to fix things and help her sister and her mother.  Instead she started down the same path.  I think all parents should read this book before they ever have children.  Parents can’t use the excuse that they have raised their children in the church or sent them to a private Christian school so they won’t rebel.  I am here to tell you that under the right circumstances even those children can take a wrong turn.  This was an excellent book, especially since it was her first.  I do believe we will see more from this author in the future.


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