Title: We're All Damaged
Author: Matthew Norman
Format: ARC
Publisher: Little A
Publish Date: June 1, 2016
Source: TLC Book Tours
What's the Story?:
From Goodreads.com: "
Andy Carter was
happy. He had a solid job. He ran 5Ks for charity. He was living a nice,
safe Midwestern existence. And then his wife left him for a handsome
paramedic down the street.
We’re All Damaged begins after
Andy has lost his job, ruined his best friend’s wedding, and moved to
New York City, where he lives in a tiny apartment with an angry cat
named Jeter that isn’t technically his. But before long he needs to go
back to Omaha to say good-bye to his dying grandfather.
Back home,
Andy is confronted with his past, which includes his ex, his ex’s new
boyfriend, his right-wing talk-radio-host mother, his parents’ crumbling
marriage, and his still-angry best friend.
As if these old
problems weren’t enough, Andy encounters an entirely new complication:
Daisy. She has fifteen tattoos, no job, and her own difficult past. But
she claims she is the only person who can help Andy be happy again, if
only she weren’t hiding a huge secret that will mess things up even
more. Andy Carter needs a second chance at life, and Daisy—and the
person Daisy pushes Andy to become—may be his last chance to set things
right."
My Two Cents:
I read Matthew Norman's debut book, "Domestic Violets" and really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading this book. "We're All Damaged" is another story about family ties. Andy changes his entire life after his wife cheats on him. He leaves everything behind in Omaha to make a new life for himself in NYC. He may be done with the past but the past is not done with him.
Poor Andy can't catch a break! The book follows him as he goes back home to Omaha to see his dying grandfather and contend with his mother, who dreams of being one of the pundits on lovely Fox News. I really like how the author explores the relationship between the members of the Carter family. Andy's family feels like he abandoned them and all they want is for him to come home. Andy isn't ready. The relationship between Andy and Daisy and Daisy and Andy's family was also very interesting. This is very much a character driven book.
As the title suggests, everyone in this story is a damaged in some way. What damaged means for each character differs from character to character. Some of the damage is very apparent. Some of it is very hidden at first. These differences made for a great story!
The writing in the book is good. Like I saw in "Domestic Violets," Norman has a great knack for writing vivid characters. This book was a treat!
Giveaway:
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Sounds perfect to take on vacation,
ReplyDeleteYour review was excellent and caught my interest. Thanks for this intriguing and unique giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI love when writers create 3D characters to care about. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI kept meaning to pick up Domestic Violets but never did ... looks like I now have two books to catch up on!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour.
Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDelete