Review: Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Publication Date: June 19th 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens  
Pages: 224

Source: Borrowed

Rating:
 ★★★★

When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

I forgot where I heard this from but it got me so excited to read this book. Something Like Normal only has 224 pages but it's not a quick read like I expected. The story is so meaningful and the feeling is raw that it took me a few days to finish it. The way Trish Doller told the story is so realistic that I thought I was reading a real story instead of a fiction one.  

This book isn't talking about the war but about the aftermath so you can guess that this is emotional read. Travis has been through a lot and his character is not easy to understand especially about his relationship with Paige (I hated him doing that). His family, his life everything is in chaos so he needs time to think thing through. Through this book I had a chance to see how Travis pulls through the tough time and kind of sorts out his life and that made him such an incredible character to read. Harper, oh she's such a sweet girl that it's hard not to love her. I still think she deserves someone better than Travis though. And I felt really sorry for Travis's mom, I can't stop wondering how she can stand it, I meant with a husband like that I thought she'd run the other direction as soon as possible. I don't know if it's called brave, sacrifice herself so her children don't have a divorced parent or it's just simply stupid. I so hated the dad. He's just UGH I wanted to strangle him myself. He's disgusting. A big time jerk. Period. 

Something Like Normal is a book that reminds me life isn't always perfect. It is filled with twists and turns and the important thing is that life isn't fair. You just have to be strong, be bold and smile at whatever the universe decides to throw at you. I think everyone should read this book.