It's defo not recommended for those who see things in absolutes and aren't open to controversial POVs. Before the downvotes come, pls bear in mind that delving into the mind of such a heinous criminal doesn’t mean I condone anything the MC does.
The book is a quick read and almost mundane with domestic life, if not for the fact that Noah is a juvenile s** offender. The formerly all-rounder titular character has done his time for committing sexual offenses against 2 minors from his swim class. But the power of convicted labels stick as the system and society refuses to give the repentant a chance (is he really, though? Because Noah’s self awareness is unusually mature for his age), despite moving to a new town. Even Noah's own dad, Lucas, evicts him from the family home upon his discharge from rehab.
But upon reflection, the characters pretty much stay the same throughout the book. Avoidant, unforgiving dad, enabling (?), protective mother. Neither parents' reactions are right or wrong, but if only they'd been supportive, maybe Noah wouldn't have continued to spiral downward.
His sister Katie is the only one holding the family together merely by her presence. She at best serves as a temporary distraction and heart that remains within the fractured family.
Some brief bits about aversion therapy might give you a clue who is actually retelling the flashback chapters, because it's a practice outlawed in most modern rehabilitation centres. I raised an eyebrow at Adrianne when she whinged, twice, that the police didn’t act on Noah’s 2nd beating once they knew who he was.
Noah's fate is predictable (expected). That twist at the end though…it makes you wonder sometimes about those who appear the most zealous against wrongs!
by emoduke101