Book Review: Faking Normal.

Title: Faking Normal.
Author: Courtney C. Stevens.
Series: No.
Pages: 321.
Source: For Review (Me My Shelf and I)
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books.
Published Date: 2/25/14.
Links:
Goodreads.
Barnes and Noble

Summary:

"An edgy, realistic, and utterly captivating novel from an exciting new voice in teen fiction.

Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hides in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does.

When Bodee Lennox, the quiet and awkward boy next door, comes to live with the Littrells, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in "the Kool-Aid Kid," who has secrets of his own. As they lean on each other for support, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her find the courage to finally face the truth."

My Thoughts:

It’s been months since the summer, and Alexi Littrell is still trying to deal with and overcome what has been done to her. She can’t sleep through a single night, or go through a day without thinking or being reminded of it. Alexi can’t tell anyone, she’s embarrassed and afraid of what people might say and think of her, as well as the consequences that come along with talking.

Faking Normal starts with Alexi, and her family attending her mom’s best friend’s funeral. She was abused and murdered by her own husband, sending him to jail, and leaving her two sons behind to fend for themselves. Alexi was never close to Bodee, even though their moms were good friends. Her family decides to let him move into the extra bedroom above their garage, so that way he will be able to finish the school year.

Alexi and her two friends take Bodee under their wing. Alexi starts to become closer with Bodee and even spends quality time with him. Who would have known that she can talk to quiet, shy, kool-aid kid? Tell him things she couldn’t even tell her family or close friends? No one knew, not even Alexi, herself.

Alexi has never been in a relationship before, but spends most of her time swooning over Captain Lyrics. A boy she writes song lyrics to on her fourth period desk, and who replies by finishing them. But Alexi’s best friend, Heather, doesn’t believe in Captain Lyrics and tries to get Alexi to go out with Hayden, a football player.

When she finally agrees to date Hayden, Alexi learns that he isn’t anything what Heather described him to be. He’s conceded, makes fun of Bodee, and drinks…A LOT! When he pulls her outside of the dance, and takes her to his truck, he starts kissing her, and lies on top of her. Alexi doesn’t like it, and it brings back memories of the horrible experience she had in the summer. She doesn’t want this, but for some reason she can’t get herself to say no, or say anything at all. She’s choked up and stuck.

Until someone yanks Hayden off her, and starts punching him…it’s Bodee.

At that moment Alexi realizes just how important he is to her, and just how broken the two of them are. But in a strange way perfect for each other. Bodee doesn’t push the subject and doesn’t ask her questions, or say useless sorry-feeling things that don’t mean anything. Bodee helps Alexi finds the confidence to leave Hayden in the dirt, to tell her family of what happened to her in the summer so she can finally become herself again.

Faking Normal is a story of heartache, friendship, true love, and finding yourself all over again!

When I was asked to review this book, I was suckered in by the intriguing synopsis! I was dying to find out what happened to Alexi and who was involved. I did my best to ignore the weird cover, and I’m glad I did because I ABSOLUTELY enjoyed the story inside!

The characters were phenomenal, Alexi was so strong for trying to handle this on her own, and brave for finally letting someone in about what happened. Bodee was the perfect guy to tell. He knew what kind of pain she was going through, even though his wasn’t exactly the same. Both Alexi and Bodee were broken, but together they made each other better, and healthier.

Throughout the story I found myself frustrated and annoyed by Alexi’s older sister. She was COMPLETELY full of herself, and always thought that Alexi was out to get her, or ruin what she had going on. Of course by the end of the book, my mind did a three sixty and I’m proud of the way she handled everything that was thrown at her.

We the readers do find out what happened with Alexi about halfway through Faking Normal, but we spend the rest of the time, discovering and dissecting clues and hints of who did it to her, as well as who Captain Lyrics is.

Such a good read, with such a heartfelt ending! I loved it!