Friday, January 18, 2013

Sometimes Never

Sometimes Never
By Cheryl McIntyre

Sometimes Never was a much darker and probably more realistic teen romance book than many I have read. It not only dealt with relationships but also sexual abuse, blended families and cutting. On the flip side, the characters were interesting and real. You really felt for what life has dealt to both Hope and Mason and you find yourself cheering them on, hoping that they will overcome their situations and help one another be stronger in the future.

Hope Love (yes, that is her name) is a beautiful girl who does her best to play down her looks. She is so physically strong that guys are afraid of her but she is really emotionally weak. She has built a tough shell around her so that she cannot be hurt. The only one who is closest to her is her gay foster brother.

Mason is the new boy in high school. He has moved around so much due to the fact that his mother has never recovered from his father's murder. Mason is very protective of his younger brother. Mason has not allowed anyone -- especially girls -- to get emotionally close. Physically close doesn't seem to bother him. He also has a problem with his temper and often gets into fights.

When Mason first sees Hope, he falls in love and from then on does his best to break down the walls around Hope's heart. What he, and even those closest to her, don't know is that Hope deals with her problems and her pain in an awful way. When her problem become public, those around her are deeply hurt and there may not be a way for anyone to recover.

This book is not for the faint of heart. It does deal with adult issues in the context of teen angst. You have been warned. But it is worth it!

What does this book have to do with my faith? This book is about Hope and it is about hope. Despite the problems teens have today, there are possibilities for recovery and a future. Sometimes Never presents recovery in terms of romantic relationships. But what about our relationships with God? How can we present God to teens in trouble and despair in ways that will get through to them? A relationship with Jesus can be so much more powerful than romance. However, I don't think our "traditional" churchy methods are going to reach those same teens. This book made me wonder how we can reach those in that kind of despair.

I recommend this book.

Happy reading!

Amelia


No comments:

Post a Comment