Kevin
4.5/5
I highly enjoyed this book, though "enjoyed" feels like a complicated word for such a heavy read. Kate Fagan does an incredible job of slowly bringing us into Maddy’s life, making you feel like you are truly getting to know her and understanding the deeply rooted dynamics within her family.
As I got closer to the end of the book, I found myself wanting to read less and less. It wasn't because the story was less enthralling; rather, I knew how the story was going to end and I simply wasn't ready to take on that emotional weight. Getting through those final chapters required me to carve out some time alone where I could just sit, read, and cry as the story wrapped up.
I highly recommend this to anyone with teenagers, or anyone wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the mental health struggles young adults face today. The book does a brilliant job highlighting the dangerous disconnect between a perfect social media presence and reality. It serves as a stark, necessary warning: much like a duck, everything can look perfectly calm above the water, but the legs are frantically kicking away just beneath the surface.
4.5/5
I highly enjoyed this book, though "enjoyed" feels like a complicated word for such a heavy read. Kate Fagan does an incredible job of slowly bringing us into Maddy’s life, making you feel like you are truly getting to know her and understanding the deeply rooted dynamics within her family.
As I got closer to the end of the book, I found myself wanting to read less and less. It wasn't because the story was less enthralling; rather, I knew how the story was going to end and I simply wasn't ready to take on that emotional weight. Getting through those final chapters required me to carve out some time alone where I could just sit, read, and cry as the story wrapped up.
I highly recommend this to anyone with teenagers, or anyone wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the mental health struggles young adults face today. The book does a brilliant job highlighting the dangerous disconnect between a perfect social media presence and reality. It serves as a stark, necessary warning: much like a duck, everything can look perfectly calm above the water, but the legs are frantically kicking away just beneath the surface.