Title: Some Kind of Normal by Juliana Stone
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
What is Normal?
For Trevor normal was fast guitar licks, catching game-winning passes and partying all night. Until a car accident leaves Trevor with no band, no teammates and no chance of graduating. It’s kinda hard to ace your finals when you’ve been in a coma. The last thing he needs is stuck-up Everly Jenkins as his new tutor–those beautiful blue eyes catching every last flaw.
For Everly normal was a perfect family around the dinner table, playing piano at Sunday service and sunning by the pool. Until she discovers her whole life is a lie. Now the perfect pastor’s daughter is hiding a life-changing secret, one that is slowly tearing her family apart. And spending the summer with notorious flirt Trevor Lewis means her darkest secret could be exposed.
This achingly beautiful story about two damaged teens struggling through pain and loss to redefine who they are–to their family, to themselves, and to each other–is sure to melt your heart.
Review:
Some Kind of Normal by Juliana Stone is a poignant yet very sweet young adult romance. It is a riveting story about two teenagers who are trying to come to terms with serious, life altering situations before they leave their small home town for college. Although this beautifully written novel deals with realistic problems, there is very little angst or unnecessary drama but this does not lessen the emotional impact of the overall story.
The past year has been difficult for both Trevor Lewis and Everly Jenkins. Trevor is still trying to deal with the long term effects from the traumatic brain injury (TBI) he sustained in a car accident. Everly is working up the courage to confront her father about information that could destroy her family. The two form an unlikely friendship that slowly turns to romance but will their relationship survive the burdens both are carrying?
Trevor’s recovery from the car accident has been long but he has overcome the worst of his injuries. He is just now coming to the realization that he will never be the same person he was before the accident but he is still having trouble accepting this newfound knowledge. Just as he begins to adjust to his new “normal”, unexpected complications arise and this setback means another possible alteration to his goals and dreams.
Everly has had a pretty charmed life. Her father is the pastor of a small church and she has never really had her faith tested. But the secret she has been keeping makes her doubt everything she knows about her life, her parents and her beliefs. Everly has been unable to confront her father about a conversation she overheard, but things are rapidly deteriorating at home. A crisis is building but Everly still cannot find the courage to get answers to the questions that are haunting her.
The romance between Everly and Trevor slowly grows over the course of the novel. At first reluctantly forced to spend time together as Everly tutors Trevor, they quickly realize they have misjudged each other. As trust builds between them, they support one another as problems crop up and their concern gives way to deeper emotions. Trevor is extremely patient with Everly as their relationship evolves from friendship to love, but will their fledgling romance survive when real life complications arise?
Written in first person from alternating points of view, Some Kind of Normal is a well-written novel with multi-faceted, likable characters. Juliana Stone deftly handles difficult topics with a great deal of sensitivity and she does not downplay the repercussions that occur during the resolution of the various story arcs. The novel ends with a realistic conclusion that is immensely satisfying. It is a marvelous young adult romance that I heartily recommend to readers of all ages.
