"Faking Normal" Mini-Review

Book: Faking Normal

Author: Courtney C. Stevens

Format: Hardback

Page Count: 336

Publisher: Harper Teen

My Rating: ★★★1/2

Synopsis: Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hides in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does.

When Bodee Lennox, the quiet and awkward boy next door, comes to live with the Littrells, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in "the Kool-Aid Kid," who has secrets of his own. As they lean on each other for support, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her find the courage to finally face the truth.

      So I had heard a lot of good things about this book and the signed hardback was cheap on BookOutlet so I went ahead and bought it. Needless to say I had high hopes and those hopes weren't met. I enjoyed the book, however I didn't think it was anything really special. The plot was extremely predictable, including who assaulted her, and I wasn't that drawn to the characters or the storyline.
      I did enjoy the writing style and Alexi's thoughts, however I had a huge problem with Alexi. I couldn't identify with her and her situation and because of that I thought she was being really stupid considering everything that happened to her. She beat herself up over the situation and was kind towards her absuser. I guess I am a stronger person with more feminist ideals because there is no way in hell I would have acted like she did. Hell would have no fury compared to me.
     Another thing I didn't like was the story seemed to say that Alexi needed a special guy, Bodee, to come to terms with her rape and to finally move on. I wish the story had taken another direction and Alexi had empowered herself to take action. I find the "girl needs boy" troupe ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, I liked Bodee, but it shouldn't have taken a boy being nice to her and noticing her obvious self-hatred to change her ways.
     FAVORITE QUOTE:
     "Monsters aren't born; they become."