Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
This was a difficult book to rate. I just wanted John to get a clue for the first half of the story. He was whiny, selfish, and I felt little sympathy for him. We learn that his father's death hit him hard and that his stepfather was no good. His older brother, Hayden, tried to step in to guide him, but John wouldn't accept it. He spent most of high school fighting, skipping classes, and getting into trouble, then decided to join the military. Rather than straightening him out, he continued misbehaving until he was finally kicked out. Unfortunately, during his last stay in the brig, he was injured when it was bombed. He spent the first months afterward in rehab and then driving aimlessly around the country because he didn't know what to do with himself.
He finally shows up in his hometown, but he goes to his best friend Natalie's house instead of going home. They've been best friends since childhood, and John has no idea that she is also in love with him. He stays the night with her before going home and immediately having a blowup with his older brother and stalking off back to Nat's. He spends the next couple of weeks hiding out there, doing nothing but watching tv and drinking beer, with an occasional repair around her houseâsome friend.
Nat is dealing with problems of her own. After her grandfather's death, she discovered that their accountant hadn't paid taxes on the house or the bar in five years, and the government will take it if she can't produce the money. She's at a loss, and having John around distracting her isn't helping anything.
Then comes the shocker. A woman John hooked up with a year earlier shows up with a newborn baby and a bunch of papers. The little girl is John's, and it's up to him whether he keeps her or puts her up for adoption. John is ready to give her up, but Nat is enchanted and believes John will regret it if he follows through. Their adventures in baby care are pretty funny at times, as in John's nickname of Banshee Baby. But the longer they try to deal with the baby and John's apathy, the harder it is on Nat. I was thrilled when she finally had enough. I cheered when she kicked him to the curb and told him to take the baby and go home to his family. He needed to take a hard look at himself and grow up.
I ached for Nat. She loves John, but she can no longer watch him destroy himself. I loved seeing her practice tough love and make him face the truth. Nat's actions floored John. She'd never not stood behind him before, and he doesn't know how to handle it. He's also trying to deal with the other feelings that have popped up. Before, she was just a friend, but he now sees her as a woman, freaking him out. When the light bulb finally goes on, he realizes he loves her but has a long way to go to get back in her good graces.
The second half of the book was good, with John finally making peace with his past and family. I liked the support he got from his family when he stopped being a jerk. When he stopped feeling sorry for himself and started to think about his future, he came up with a doable plan. There were some sweet scenes with Banshee Baby, and I loved seeing him take to the daddy role. Best of all, he found ways to help Nat with her problems, and as they spent time together, their relationship strengthened. I liked the ending and seeing John's big moment with Nat.
He finally shows up in his hometown, but he goes to his best friend Natalie's house instead of going home. They've been best friends since childhood, and John has no idea that she is also in love with him. He stays the night with her before going home and immediately having a blowup with his older brother and stalking off back to Nat's. He spends the next couple of weeks hiding out there, doing nothing but watching tv and drinking beer, with an occasional repair around her houseâsome friend.
Nat is dealing with problems of her own. After her grandfather's death, she discovered that their accountant hadn't paid taxes on the house or the bar in five years, and the government will take it if she can't produce the money. She's at a loss, and having John around distracting her isn't helping anything.
Then comes the shocker. A woman John hooked up with a year earlier shows up with a newborn baby and a bunch of papers. The little girl is John's, and it's up to him whether he keeps her or puts her up for adoption. John is ready to give her up, but Nat is enchanted and believes John will regret it if he follows through. Their adventures in baby care are pretty funny at times, as in John's nickname of Banshee Baby. But the longer they try to deal with the baby and John's apathy, the harder it is on Nat. I was thrilled when she finally had enough. I cheered when she kicked him to the curb and told him to take the baby and go home to his family. He needed to take a hard look at himself and grow up.
I ached for Nat. She loves John, but she can no longer watch him destroy himself. I loved seeing her practice tough love and make him face the truth. Nat's actions floored John. She'd never not stood behind him before, and he doesn't know how to handle it. He's also trying to deal with the other feelings that have popped up. Before, she was just a friend, but he now sees her as a woman, freaking him out. When the light bulb finally goes on, he realizes he loves her but has a long way to go to get back in her good graces.
The second half of the book was good, with John finally making peace with his past and family. I liked the support he got from his family when he stopped being a jerk. When he stopped feeling sorry for himself and started to think about his future, he came up with a doable plan. There were some sweet scenes with Banshee Baby, and I loved seeing him take to the daddy role. Best of all, he found ways to help Nat with her problems, and as they spent time together, their relationship strengthened. I liked the ending and seeing John's big moment with Nat.
