Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer Published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA on June 25, 2019
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Family, General, Romance, Contemporary, Social Themes, Emotions & Feelings, Young Adult, Juvenile Nonfiction
Pages: 304
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer pens a new emotionally compelling story about two teens struggling in the space between right and wrong.
When his dad is caught embezzling funds from half the town, Rob goes from popular lacrosse player to social pariah. Even worse, his father's failed suicide attempt leaves Rob and his mother responsible for his care.
Everyone thinks of Maegan as a typical overachiever, but she has a secret of her own after the pressure got to her last year. And when her sister comes home from college pregnant, keeping it from her parents might be more than she can handle.
When Rob and Maegan are paired together for a calculus project, they're both reluctant to let anyone through the walls they've built. But when Maegan learns of Rob's plan to fix the damage caused by his father, it could ruin more than their fragile new friendship . . .
In her compulsively readable storytelling, Brigid Kemmerer pens another captivating, heartfelt novel that asks the question: Is it okay to do something wrong for the right reasons?
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Why Did I Read?
I really enjoyed Brigid Kemmerer’s Letters to the Lost and was excited to see what her latest contemporary was like!
My Thoughts:
Well, I know one thing. I can always trust Brigid to really hit me in the feels with her contemporaries. She manages to craft such heartbreaking stories with realistic family relationships. The push and pull of family and societal expectations and what would you do for those that you love? Where is the line between right and wrong and how big a gray area is there, really? There’s a lot of food for thought in this one that left me considering how I would respond in a particular situation. I really love that about her contemporaries – letting the reader be so invested in the story and the tough issues and situations her characters face.
Maegan and Rob are each going through their own personal trials and when they’re thrown together for a school project, it turns out that each other is just what they need. They’re able to have an outlet, an understanding listening ear. I really loved both of them and most of the time just wanted to give each of them a giant hug. Like, it sucks what’s happening! I really enjoyed seeing the evolution of their friendship. I feel like Brigid really nails the intricacies of friendship and relationships here. Especially with Rob and Owen and Connor! Owen was my favorite, he seriously was such a shining spot in this story. And what Rob goes through with Connor is painful but also so true to life, in a lesser degree to what happened with them. It just shows how friendships can change and evolve and how strong those ties can be.
The family issues are intense in this one, you guys. This really is an issue heavy book but I never felt like it was too much and instead just loved being in these characters lives. I think what really shines for me, as someone who doesn’t typically read that many serious contemporaries, is that the facets of ALL the relationships in this book are so real! I’ll always love Brigid’s contemporaries.
In Short…
Highly recommend this YA contemporary tackling tough issues that is heartfelt, emotional and so good. A realistic look at how there isn’t ever a hard and fast rule to right and wrong and what happens when things fall in between. Pick this one up if you’re looking for a story with characters you you will love and a story that will pull you in!
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