Review: Faking Normal

Title: Faking Normal

Author: Courtney C. Stevens

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: February 25, 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

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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.

I don’t know why it took me this long before I read Faking Normal, and there might be something wrong with me because this one is just absolutely beautiful, breathtaking, awesome, amazing, and I could just go on and on with the adjectives. Because it really is. I don’t think I could even put all the beauty into words, but I’ll try.

At first, I thought that this was going to be a story of how a broken girl finally found the strength as she finds herself falling in love with a cute, nice guy. While this was seen in the story, there was more to it that I didn’t expect. Everything was just so fantastic, and I didn’t think that I would be fine with someone who just kept silent with abuses. Often, I would feel frustrated and just wanted to have the character be pushed so that he / she can realize that it’s not okay. This time around, the way Alexi feels and thinks was just so raw and real that I didn’t have much problem with it. I just love how Alexi remains strong and accepting, even though when she knows that it’s not really doing much good to her.

Yes, she’s broken, but I think it’s in her brokenness that makes her even more wonderful as she stands strong and considerate to others even when it seems like she’s barely holding on to herself. This was also one of the reasons why I just absolutely love the romance. The slow development, being strangers, then friends, then falling in love with Bodee was just sweet and had me gushing at them.

Seriously. Bodee is just freaking amazing (can I please have Bodee too in my life????). He is broken, but my heart just aches for him. He has such a beautiful character. and he’s the best friend anyone could ask for. He’s always there for Alexi, to support and help her, and he’d always think of what’s best for her. And really, he’s a gentleman, and he has a way with words. I don’t think I’d even have to ask for more.

Everything with Faking Normal was just so raw and poetic, and its words just cling to me. It was so genuine and emotional, that it just made me cry. There was so much ugly, and yet there was also so much beauty. A story of healing and learning how to free oneself, Faking Normal is one incredible story. It made me smile, giddy and laugh, but it also made my heart ache, and have an tremendously emotional roller coaster ride. I don’t know why it took me this long before I read this one, but this is definitely another must-read!

      

Courtney C. Stevens grew up in Kentucky and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She is an adjunct professor and a former youth minister. Her other skills include playing hide-and-seek, climbing trees, and being an Olympic torch bearer. She is also the author of Faking Normal, which Kirkus Reviews called “a story that resonates” and Publishers Weekly called a “rich debut,” as well as the e-novella The Blue-Haired Boy, and the recently released The Lies About Truth.