Author: Swati Avasthi
From GoodReads, "Sixteen-Year-Old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother Christian with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father’s fist), $3.84, and a secret.
He tries to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can’t make him forget what he left behind—his mother, who is still trapped with his dad, and his ex-girlfriend, who is keeping his secret.
At least so far.
Worst of all, Jace realizes that if he really wants to move forward, he may first have to do what scares him most: He may have to go back. First-time novelist Swati Avasthihas created a riveting and remarkably nuanced portrait of what happens after. After you’ve said enough, after you’ve run, after you’ve made the split — how do you begin to live again?"
This book was an amazing read! I'm always trying to find great books for guys and I am really happy that this book is written from a guy's perspective. I think that author, Swati Avasthi, (a woman, which I didn't realize until I read the back flap) did an amazing job portraying the feelings of someone like Jace, a teenager who purposefully takes the abuse of his father to protect his mother. The book is a roller coaster ride of emotions and it is easy to see how even in a bad experience, family is one of those things that is permanent.
I loved the dynamic between Jace and his brother, Christian, who left the family when Jace was eleven to escape the abuse. It is understanding that Jace would be somewhat untrusting of Christian and vice-versa. The thing that is difficult to understand, both before and after reading the book, is why someone stays in an abusive relationship. The book gave me some insight into the reasons, but I still don't understand it fully... and maybe, fortunately for me, I never will.
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