Welcome to my stop on the Stuck in a Good Book Giveaway Hop! This hop is being hosted by Kathy at I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and #MyPalVal at Stuck in Books. This hop is a chance to celebrate great books; books that suck you in and won't let go. There are over 100 blogs participating in sharing the book love.
My Giveaway:
Streamline by Jennifer Lane (click title for GRs page) is a book that I simply can't let go of. This story is so emotionally draining, and beautiful. I want others read it, so I'm giving a copy away!
Welcom to The Bookish Babe's stop on the STREAMLINE Blog Tour. This tour is hosted by the lovely ladies at AToMR Book Tours. You can find the complete schedule here. My stop inclued a review of STREAMLINE and information about the giveaway hosted by the author.
Seems like Leo Scott has it all: looks, brains, and athletic talent. He’s captain of his high school swim team with a bright future in college and beyond. But Leo has secrets. His mother’s crippling car accident has devastated his family and left Leo to deal with his father’s abuse, battered and alone.
Leo’s girlfriend Audrey Rose is poised for her own share of success. As one of Florida’s top high school swimmers, Audrey dreams of college swimming stardom. But there’s an obstacle to her glorious rise to the top. Her number-one supporter--her father--is in prison for murder.
Part murder mystery, part tale of young love in a military family, this gripping story takes readers on a journey from Pensacola to Annapolis. Leo and Audrey must band together to rise above the adversity they encounter and find their true selves in the process. When everything’s on the line . . . streamline. ~From GoodReads
This review is so hard for me to write. To be honest, and this is a little embarrassing, I'm tearing up just thinking about it STREAMLINE. It has been enlightening and thought-provoking, to say the very least. So I'm not going to recap the synopsis. I'm not going to dissect the characters. I just want to touch on the impact of STREAMLINE.
The issues that are touched upon in the story: family, substance abuse, teen relationships, trust, honor...they were all dealt with in an amazingly realistic, unglossed manner. The thread of the story that impacted me most was that of domestic abuse. As the child of a child of abuse, my heart literally aches. The author's detail is unflinching. Not only does the story put abuse in the spotlight, but it also delves into the reasons the victim feels shame, responsiblity and sometimes can't walk away. I personally appreciate that that angle of abuse, the victim's, was delved into. Many times, when a situation becomes to painful, we look away. I couldn't look away and I appreciate that this story gave me so many insights into the mindset of the victim.
STREAMLINE is also a love story. A beautiful, sweet, and touching love story. Leo and his girlfriend, Audrey, are the kind of couple that I love to read about. They are a true match, a team. Their relationship is basically healthy, honest, and doesn't revolve around drama. They are quick to apologize and to forgive. Audrey and Leo are a couple that I'll hold close and won't soon forget.
Ultimately, STREAMLINE is a story of love and triumph. It's a story that could have tremendous impact on anyone, but especially a teen in a precarious situation. I would love to see available to every teen.To give those who are troubled hope and encouragement, to give those who encounter the troubled, empathy and understanding. I intend to recommend it to as many people as possible.
Favorite Quote:
"The bleeding was swift and sharp. It left Leo dazed on the floor, bleeding from the lip and moaning. His head pounded with each beat of his heart. As he watched his father stalk away in disgust, Leo realized the irony of his dad teaching him not to be violent by beating the crap out of him."
(ebook, 7%)
"Unencumbered by sopping clothing and unburdened of family worries, Leo felt what Audrey had tried to describe: liberated and uninhibited." (ebook, 59%)
