Their worlds are about to come crashing down…
At sixteen years old, Harper Lyon’s life is spinning out of control. She threatens her parents with suicide unless she can meet her drug-dealing boyfriend, a college student who doesn’t know she’s pregnant. Cooper Lyons, her estranged grandfather, lives in rural Alaska with only his dog and cat for company. He has just been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, and he doesn’t plan on letting the disease run its course. Harper needs to escape her parents and decide what to do about the baby. She and her grandpa are worlds apart, but they may be exactly what the other needs. When Harper calls her grandfather, he welcomes the opportunity to help her and redeem his previous failure with his daughter Heather, who died from a drug overdose years ago.
Can they save each other?
Plot/Idea: 8 out of 10
Originality: 7 out of 10
Prose: 8 out of 10
Character/Execution: 7 out of 10
Overall: 7.50 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: Sobey's plot is quick-witted and heartfelt, and continually pulls the reader in. Harper navigating her pregnancy and dealing with her grandfather's dementia makes for a dynamic and fast-paced read.
Prose/Style: Sobey's prose is eloquent and dynamic. Each character's voice is distinct and unique, while still sounding real and genuine.
Originality: Though largely hitting the notes of your standard contemporary novel, the blossoming of the central relationship between Harper and Cooper as they write their book adds warmth and depth to the book.
Character Development: Harper is a bold character whose risky behavior will make for an interesting, anxiety-inducing read. As a protagonist she is engaging, and her growth as a character, as well as her relationship with her grandfather, is beautiful and deeply felt.
Date Submitted: July 12, 2020
