Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Review: Smashed by Lisa Luedeke

Smashed
Smashed by Lisa Luedeke
A field hockey star grapples with addiction in this riveting debut that will appeal to fans of Laurie Halse Anderson’sSpeak.
Stay out of trouble for one more year, and Katie Martin can leave her small town loneliness behind forever. She is a field hockey star on the fast track to a college scholarship, but her relationship with alcohol has always been a little questionable. Then trouble finds her. Alec is the most popular guy in school, and also the biggest bully—with his sights set firmly on Katie. When Alec turns on the charm, Katie thinks she must have been wrong about him.
Except that she wasn’t. On a rain-soaked, alcohol-drenched night, one impulsive decision leaves Katie indebted to Alec in the worst possible way. This debut novel is a fast-paced and compelling story of addiction, heartbreak, and redemption.

Publishes in US: August 21st 2012 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Genre: Contemporary
Source: Traded with Jen at YA Romantics
Series? no

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Blkosiner's Book Blog review 
    Smashed is a gritty and hard hitting book. I connected with Katie and it was hard to watch her spiral down and lose so much and be in so much pain. I could predict what would happen, just not how she would get there, but it was still a hard and emotional journey.
    Smashed is for mature teens because of the drinking, drugs, and hard and dark issues. While Lisa handles everything with finesse, it is still a dark book. It is laced with hope and healing, but it is a long journey to get there.
    I was invested in Katie and the characters, especially her best friends Matt and Cassie. I really loved their friendship and how it is not perfect but they are there for each other no matter what. I can't imagine being in their shoes, seeing Katie in so much pain, and not knowing what to do, especially when she starts withdrawing, and looking so bad.
     I can totally understand though where Katie is coming from, the rough home, the questions of being loved because of her father abandoning them and her absent mom. On top of the roller coaster of a  relationship with Alec, and the guilt that comes from "the event."
    Smashed deals with some important issues, drinking and its negative consequences, bullying, and how things can escalate... intentionally or not. There are some omissions of truth that Katie lets happen, and it snowballs on her and leaves her with a lot of guilt and a sense of owing someone that gets her into worse positions.
    The pacing was good, there was always something going on and character development. I didn't want to put it down, and I wanted the best for Katie.

Bottom Line: Darkly beautiful journey that led Katie down a hard road and to her healing.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Have you ever had a lie or omission that escalated (whether you told it or was involved somehow)?

39 comments:

  1. I have a hard time with dark teen books, probably because I work with teens and hate to think that this happens to them (I know it does. But I just want to wrap them in cotton and protect them from the big bad, yanno?). Still, these dark books are some of my reading teens' favorites so I'll have to suggest it to them!

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    1. I can understand wanting to protect them! I might not be able to read these when my girls are a little older

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  2. I won a copy of this and have been meaning to get to it. Sounds sad but like a hard journey to hopefully eventually come out of it better. Depression, drinking, drugs, and bullying are all difficult but very real issues that are important to feature. One little lie can definitely escalate and take on a life of its own. Curious about what lie got Katie wrapped up into a lot of trouble.

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  3. Man, I want this book now!.!. Great review. I am going to have to find this and soon.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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    1. Hope you enjoy when you get it. Let me know if you want to trade

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  4. I don't read very much contemporary but this one sounds intriguing, I may just pick it up. Thanks for the informative review Brandi :)

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  5. Yes, I'm a very bad liar.
    This book sounds really interesting and I love the cover! Might have to invest in a copy of this :)

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  6. Oh poor Katie it sounds so sad! I can understand that I would have wished the best for her as well.

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  7. Imperfect, but realistic friendships like theirs are so rare and I love that there is one in this book.
    It sounds lovely, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

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  8. This sounds intense. As for lies or omissions ..i am not a drama mama, so I do not get caught up in these things.

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  9. Glad to learn that the story is laced with hope and healing. I feel like wanting to read it but unsure if I may feel drown by the grittiness of the story.

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  10. I like that it doesn't shy away from the heavy topics it revolves around. Often you find books will introduce the topic and then quickly turn from the heavy and dark reality. I like that and I'm thinking I need to add this one to the ever growing wishlist.

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  11. I do love good I can't put this book down books :)

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  12. Wow! This sounds intense, great review!

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  13. This sounds like a challenging read, but well worth it. Great review!

    To answer your question, I've never been involved in something like that, but I have seen it in action. It usually doesn't end well.

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  14. These smashed glass covers are getting quite popular! You read the most emotional taxing novels :) Mature YA? Like kind of New Adult or no? Great review! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  15. I love an issue book with great character development, so it sounds like I should keep an eye out for Smashed!

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  16. Nice review Brandi, I've been wanting to read this book for some time now. Both the cover and the storyline are intriguing and I can't wait to finally get it :)

    Neyra-

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  17. Great review! I look forward to reading this book. :)

    I have been caught in a lie before,but it didn't really escalate into a big deal. I don't like lying, and I would never keep anything HUGE from others. But sometimes white lies are needed to sugarcoat the truth.

    Have a happy Tuesday,
    Jelly

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  18. Wonderful review, Brandi :) I am such a horrible liar that I learned early just to stick to the truth. It keeps you out of trouble anyway. I did just recently find out that someone has hated me since high school because they thought their boyfriend cheated on them with me. He apparently told her that in a heated argument. I would NOT go after another girl's guy so that was a huge lie. Still not sure what the purpose behind it was, but there ya go. Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven

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  19. It seems like you've been reading a lot of hard hitting books recently. This one sounds really good and I'm glad that there is a sense of hope about it. I think this is one I could relate to a bit and really connect with.

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  20. This sounds like an emotional but great read. I will have to keep it in mind. Amazing review!

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  21. I most definitelty had lies if omission as a teen. Lots.

    Smashed sounds amazing. I loved Speak, do that comparison sold me. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

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  22. I love gritty books like this. Plus it deals with important issues. Sounds like a great read.

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  23. Oh when emotional books are written well I tend to enjoy them a lot. This one sounds like something that will keep me awake at night. Great review :)

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  24. Great review, Brandi! This book sounds intense and super gritty, and I can't believe it's not on my TBR list yet! Thanks for sharing!

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  25. This one does sound dark, but I have a special place in my reader's heart for them. I can't remember being in a situation like that before, but I'm sure I did something equally as bad when I was younger!

    - Jessica @ Book Sake

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  26. Oof, this sounds like it's a hard read! Though hopefully rewarding in the end, at least! I don't think I've ever been involved in a lie that escalated like that, thankfully!

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  27. I love gritty contemporaries, so thin sounds like it would be right up my alley.


    Kate @ Ex Libris

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  28. This sounds as good them Ellen Hopkins' books! I love the whole concept.of this Brandi!

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  29. Great review. <3 It seems like a pretty awesome broken book. And I do love the cover; so pretty :D I'm glad you enjoyed this book Brandi :)

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  30. This one sounds like it's worth reading! I haven't read many gritty YA/NA contemporaries.

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