Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay
Summary from Goodreads:
My wish is to fall cranium over Converse in dizzy daydream-worthy love.
If only it were that easy.
Marcie has been dragged away from home for the summer--from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She's left behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.
By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "summer vacation" has become permanent. She has to start at a new school, and there she leaves behind her Leftover status when a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? Can you even know it until you've lost it?
Love & Leftovers is a beautifully written story of one girl's journey navigating family, friends, and love, and a compelling and sexy read that teens will gobble up whole.
Love and Leftovers is your everyday coming of age story about a teenage girl. Here's the low down: Marcie has a broken family. After years of marriage, her dad admits to being gay leaving their family in disarray. She is left with her mother who is suffering depression and now seems more broken that ever. She finds solace in her group of friends called the leftovers. But her mom had to move away from Idaho to New Hampshire, dragging Marcie with her, the latter had no choice but to try and make this long distance relationship with her emo-rocker boyfriend work. But over at her new school, a popular jock named J.D. begins to catch her attention.
Marcie's life started with a crack when her dad and mom split ways. It spiderwebbed from there when she is dragged from her home in Idaho, to New Hampshire and then back to Idaho. A chip, when she had a fling with J.D. behind Linus' back; a nick, when she chose not to come clean about it to her bestfriend, Katie and to Linus; a crash when she eventually loses the friendship of The Leftovers. She breaks down, amidst a broken family, broken friendships and a broken heart.
See? It is nothing that you've never heard before. Nothing ground breaking here. But the thing that gives the story that extra something is that it is done in verse. It makes a usual story fresher and more compelling. The fluidity of the string of words and sentences gives much depth and texture. An otherwise dull story suddenly became alive.
Plus, Marcie came across as such a real girl. Her voice is genuine, raw, and earnest. Her group of friends are also a bright spot. I even like what they call themselves: "The Leftovers". Those who can't fit the usual categories of high school. They are not popular nor are they outcasts. Just something in between. Then there's her emo-rocker boyfriend Linus. Such a sweet sweet boy. I did not thought of him much during the start of the novel. But he had my heart in the end.
If you want a refreshing Contemporary YA read, or if you are afraid of trying anything in verse, now is the time to be brave and try one. Make Love and Leftovers your first because it's worth it. :D
If only it were that easy.
Marcie has been dragged away from home for the summer--from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She's left behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.
By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "summer vacation" has become permanent. She has to start at a new school, and there she leaves behind her Leftover status when a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? Can you even know it until you've lost it?
Love & Leftovers is a beautifully written story of one girl's journey navigating family, friends, and love, and a compelling and sexy read that teens will gobble up whole.
Love and Leftovers is your everyday coming of age story about a teenage girl. Here's the low down: Marcie has a broken family. After years of marriage, her dad admits to being gay leaving their family in disarray. She is left with her mother who is suffering depression and now seems more broken that ever. She finds solace in her group of friends called the leftovers. But her mom had to move away from Idaho to New Hampshire, dragging Marcie with her, the latter had no choice but to try and make this long distance relationship with her emo-rocker boyfriend work. But over at her new school, a popular jock named J.D. begins to catch her attention.
Marcie's life started with a crack when her dad and mom split ways. It spiderwebbed from there when she is dragged from her home in Idaho, to New Hampshire and then back to Idaho. A chip, when she had a fling with J.D. behind Linus' back; a nick, when she chose not to come clean about it to her bestfriend, Katie and to Linus; a crash when she eventually loses the friendship of The Leftovers. She breaks down, amidst a broken family, broken friendships and a broken heart.
See? It is nothing that you've never heard before. Nothing ground breaking here. But the thing that gives the story that extra something is that it is done in verse. It makes a usual story fresher and more compelling. The fluidity of the string of words and sentences gives much depth and texture. An otherwise dull story suddenly became alive.
Plus, Marcie came across as such a real girl. Her voice is genuine, raw, and earnest. Her group of friends are also a bright spot. I even like what they call themselves: "The Leftovers". Those who can't fit the usual categories of high school. They are not popular nor are they outcasts. Just something in between. Then there's her emo-rocker boyfriend Linus. Such a sweet sweet boy. I did not thought of him much during the start of the novel. But he had my heart in the end.
If you want a refreshing Contemporary YA read, or if you are afraid of trying anything in verse, now is the time to be brave and try one. Make Love and Leftovers your first because it's worth it. :D
Much thanks to Fats of Gathering Books for the heads up about this title. :)
And if you have any recommendations of YA Verse Novels, they are more than welcome. :)
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