by Jolene Perry
Book Description:Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen. He's her soul mate. He's more uptight every day, but it's not his fault. His family life is stressful, and she's adding to it. She just needs to be more understanding, and he'll start to be the boy she fell in love with. She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.
Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in her large blanketopias. He's the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she's playing opposite in Romeo and Juliet. Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close. This is new. Is Ronnie falling for him? Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.
Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both.
Book Review: 3/5
Because sometimes all we need is somebody to sit in silence with.
Can you possibly let go of someone you love for a very long time? Would it make you a bad person for wanting to let go when he needs you the most? Are the bruises and hurts worth it?
I like this book, and it took me a while to finish it because a lot of books came up in between, but I'm glad I did. Jolene Perry made a very beautiful novel. A very sensitive topic was threaded carefully. She did not overdo it that you might want to close the book and not read it again, instead she presented it really well, with situations that are serious, but can be really happening in the real world to some people who can barely recognize abuse all because they are in love.
But, how much are you willing to give for love? How much are you going to sacrifice for it?
Ronnie has been in love with Shawn since she was young, and after being separated for a couple of years, he was back in town, and they continued their relationship. But things weren't the same anymore. Shawn was different - he was easily angered and could hardly control his actions.
Balancing the school play Romeo and Juliet, her problematic boyfriend and a weird feeling she has for one of her closest friend - left Ronnie confused. She didn't want anyone to know what's happening to her and Shawn, not even to her father, Luke or even her best friend. She tried to understand him and hope that the boy she fell in love with back then will come back the moment his problems go away. But it did not, and bruises starts to show - both her best friend and Luke tries to tell her to talk to someone.
Abuse starts small. For Ronnie, it started with commenting on the way she dress, or ordering her which shoes to wear. It revolved into grabbing her wrist and into something unthinkable (sorry no spoilers!:)). If someone loves you, they would love you for who you are - no questions asked. They would never hurt you, emotionally and most especially physically. People should not stay in relationships because of the years they are together. They should stay because they both love each other, they respect each other, and each feels a sense of security. If you don't feel these things anymore, and if the person you're with is hurting you - the most logical (albeit, the hardest) thing to do is to let go.
Here is one of my favorite poems since then, it is written for the women who, in one way or the other, are/were victims of abuse. I hope all of them will have the courage to stand up, walk through the door and ask for help.
I Got Flowers Today
I got flowers today.
It wasn't my birthday or any other special day.
We had our first argument last night,
And he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt me.
I know he is sorry and didn't mean the things he said.
Because he sent me flowers today.
I got flowers today.
It wasn't our anniversary any other special day.
Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke me.
It seemed like a nightmare.
I couldn't believe it was real.
I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over.
I know he must be sorry.
Because he sent me flowers today.
I got flowers today,
and it wasn't Mother's Day or any other special day.
Last night, he beat me up again.
And it was much worse than all the other times.
If I leave him, what will I do?
How will I take care of my kids?
What about money?
I'm afraid of him and scared to leave.
But I know he must be sorry.
Because he sent me flowers today.
I got flowers today.
Today was a very special day.
It was the day of my funeral.
Last night, he finally killed me.
He beat me to death.
If only I had gathered enough courage and strength to leave him,
I would not have gotten flowers...today.
By Paulette Kelly
Favorite Quote:
- “Because sometimes all we need is somebody to sit in silence with.”
- “The problem is that when you change Romeo and Juliet’s story it ends up like that ridiculous Taylor Swift song. And that’s not what people love about Romeo and Juliet.”
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