REVIEW--Waiting

Happy Thursday!  Today's review is on the book Waiting by Carol Lynch Williams.  It's a novel in verse, which always means a fast read for me.  I've really enjoyed novels in verse--they look like poetry but read like prose.  That means quick reading with little "poetry interpretation"--the best of both worlds for me!

 

• Standalone novel
• Realistic, Novel in Verse

Summary from Goodreads:  
Growing up in Africa and Latin America as the children of missionaries, London and Zach were as close as could be. And then Zach dies, and the family is gutted. London’s father is distant. Her mother won’t speak. The days are filled with what-ifs and whispers: Did Zach take his own life? Was it London’s fault?
Alone and adrift, London finds herself torn between her brother’s best friend and the handsome new boy in town as she struggles to find herself—and ultimately redemption—in this authentic and affecting novel from award-winning novelist Carol Lynch Williams.

The Gist:
London has grown up in a faith-based missionary family; together, the family has traveled to Africa and Latin America spreading the Good News.  But everything isn't so happy under the outer surface of the family.  And this leads London's older brother Zach to commit suicide.  As a result of this, their father engrosses himself in his work and their mother blames London to the point of not acknowledging him.  
So London turns to two guys for comfort--Taylor, Zach's best friend, and Jesse, the new boy in town.  It is here where she will rediscover love and find redemption.  

What I Loved:

• The emotion.  So much emotion in this book, probably since there is a very distinct point of view and it is a novel in verse.  
• Zach's story and why he inevitably committed suicide takes awhile to be revealed, which ultimately keeps you interested in the story.  
• The title fits the book--London waiting for acceptance and forgiveness.
• The book is about being hopeful in the midst of a dark topic.  

What I Didn't Love:

• I have known many missionary families, so I expected more compassion from this family.  I never would have pegged them as missionaries based on their behavior toward each other.
• London's flipping between two guys over and over was a little frustrating.  And both boys seem to notice it but don't care. 

 

My favorite quote: "Here's the thing about life.  It twists away.  It feels right-perfect--and then it makes a wild turn worse than a roller coaster."

So a decent story but one whose characters really frustrated me.  But that's life, right?

Tomorrow I'll be back with a beauty product recommendation based on the book!  See you then!