18-year-old Vincent Hazelwood has spent his entire life being shuffled from one foster home to the next. His grades sucked. Making friends? Out of the question thanks to his nervous breakdowns and unpredictable moods. Still, Vince thought when Maggie Atkins took him in, he might’ve finally found a place to get his life—and his issues—in order.
But then Maggie keels over from a heart attack. Vince is homeless, alone, and the inheritance money isn't going to last long. A year ago, Vince watched a girl leap to her death off a bridge, and now he's starting to think she had the right idea.
Vince stumbles across a website forum geared toward people considering suicide. There, he meets others with the same debate regarding the pros and cons of death: Casper, battling cancer, would rather off herself than slowly waste away. And there’s quiet, withdrawn Adam, who suspects if he died, his mom wouldn't even notice.
As they gravitate toward each other, Vince searches for a reason to live while coping without Maggie's guidance, coming to terms with Casper's imminent death, and falling in love with a boy who doesn't plan on sticking around.
But then Maggie keels over from a heart attack. Vince is homeless, alone, and the inheritance money isn't going to last long. A year ago, Vince watched a girl leap to her death off a bridge, and now he's starting to think she had the right idea.
Vince stumbles across a website forum geared toward people considering suicide. There, he meets others with the same debate regarding the pros and cons of death: Casper, battling cancer, would rather off herself than slowly waste away. And there’s quiet, withdrawn Adam, who suspects if he died, his mom wouldn't even notice.
As they gravitate toward each other, Vince searches for a reason to live while coping without Maggie's guidance, coming to terms with Casper's imminent death, and falling in love with a boy who doesn't plan on sticking around.
I don't even know where to begin with this review. You guys know I love books that hit on tough topics and mrs. York addressed so many. I have so many highlights for this book. It was truly a memorable read through the eyes of a teenager in the foster care system transitioning into adult hood.
The main character Vincent, my heart utterly broke for him though out this book. He was a product of the foster care system and BROKEN. The one person in the world that loved him was Maggie his latest foster mom. But Vincent's world is turned upside Down when Maggie dies of a heart attack on his graduation day from high school. Equipped with Maggie's savings in hand and no clue of what the world has to offer him, Vincent is ALONE and lost. As the book progresses and he goes through life trying to find his way, his mind wanders back to a girl he saw jump off a bridge/commit suicide. Was her life really that bad amongst the living? He feels his is and thus his tale of leaving this world behind begins.
When I hear of parents monitoring their children's internet access I see why now especially after reading this book. Vincent's research of suicide leads him to a website for those like him that are considering the same route. That's how he befriends Casper (who is dieing of cancer and is honestly the glue holding this group/threesome of friends together) and adam( a musical genius/gay/neglected young man) .
The journey of these friends was an amazing read. Mrs. York gave her readers a tale of death, hope, love, forgiveness, friendships and cherishing life. I could talk forever about this book. READ IT you won't regret it!
Great job Mrs. York!!
Cheers,
Dr. Books
The main character Vincent, my heart utterly broke for him though out this book. He was a product of the foster care system and BROKEN. The one person in the world that loved him was Maggie his latest foster mom. But Vincent's world is turned upside Down when Maggie dies of a heart attack on his graduation day from high school. Equipped with Maggie's savings in hand and no clue of what the world has to offer him, Vincent is ALONE and lost. As the book progresses and he goes through life trying to find his way, his mind wanders back to a girl he saw jump off a bridge/commit suicide. Was her life really that bad amongst the living? He feels his is and thus his tale of leaving this world behind begins.
When I hear of parents monitoring their children's internet access I see why now especially after reading this book. Vincent's research of suicide leads him to a website for those like him that are considering the same route. That's how he befriends Casper (who is dieing of cancer and is honestly the glue holding this group/threesome of friends together) and adam( a musical genius/gay/neglected young man) .
The journey of these friends was an amazing read. Mrs. York gave her readers a tale of death, hope, love, forgiveness, friendships and cherishing life. I could talk forever about this book. READ IT you won't regret it!
Great job Mrs. York!!
Cheers,
Dr. Books
Book rating: 4.5 stars
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00APOUS1M
“Then how can you just...plan it out so calmly? Put an expiration date on your existence?"
"Because unlike you two," she hisses, scooping up her soda, "I. Am. Unfixable.”
“You have forever. You have a choice.”
. "I don't have a lot of time. But I have an awful lot of regrets. The most I can do is make sure I don't leave behind a mess I could've helped clean up. I want you and Adam to be taken care of.”
“It's not your fault your parents gave you up. It's not your fault the foster homes wouldn't help you.
It's not your fault Maggie and Casper died; there was nothing you could do.”
“We go to the bridge every week and miss you.
Once upon a time, I lost everything and I was so alone. The sadness, the hurt, it all seemed so infinite. When you're wandering alone in a storm, you can't see the end, or if there even is one, and how close it might be.
I'm still wandering, but maybe I don't feel so lost now.
I'll keep trying. I promise.
-Vinny”
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