Trish Cook

"We all smiled because it's the truth: Living did take a lot more guts than giving up."

After I got through the first chapters of both Justin's POV and Emmy's, I couldn't help but take a deep breath and wonder what I'd gotten myself in to. They were just so angry and so resistent.

But, quickly, I got into the routine of Heartland, the system of classes and kids and how each of them worked together. I got to know the support group and some of their quirks. And before I knew it, I was more than show more half way done and giggling, snorting and gaffawing at all their jokes and funny banter.

I was also getting teary-eyed from all their stories. Their struggles and issues...they were all so real and so right-on. What hand one person is dealt is not the same as another. And just because a situation doesn't derail me doesn't mean it won't derail you.

The struggles of each kid in this story were handled so well and with so much respect, that it made me love the book (and author) even more. Totally worth the time to read - I absolutely loved it! show less

I'm always nervous about stories with alternate narrators because sometimes you can't really distinguish between the characters. However, that was not the case here. Emmy (love that name!) and Justin have unique voices and they both acted like real teenagers.

The extended cast of characters was an interesting bunch, and all the teens at Heartland came to life as we got to know more about their backstories. I appreciated the bonds that they formed and the ways that they worked together to show more help one another overcome their problems.

Personally, I had a few issues with the way that eating disorders were portrayed, and I felt like the romantic relationship was unnecessary to the story as I was far more interested in Emmy's relationships with her family members. Overall, though, I was entertained by this book and ending up laughing quite a few times and rooting for the characters to work out their issues. I think teens will like it! show less

I don't read a lot of YA fiction. However, I'm a sucker for a Brendan Halpin book (check out Donorboy if you want to know why). I'm also skeptical about co-written works as I often find the change in perspective and voice jarring.

In this case - the dual voices work. There is no confusion where the voices of Declan and Neilly are concerned and their stories intertwine beautifully.

The novel speaks to our current culture with its blended families, progressive spirituality and even a little show more veganism in the mix.

As always, Halpin tackles grief with a deft hand and Trish Cook excavates the soft underbelly of the beauty queen in a delicate and disarming manner.

Funny, sweet and ultimately uplifting - Notes From The Blender is one of those books I wish I'd read thirty years ago. show less

This is a funny, often hilarious look at real teens with real problems stuck in a recovery center, isolated from family and friends, forced to face that they have issues and then what their issues are. As I read this novel, waiting for my sons to get out of math camp (!!), I had to cover my mouth and hide I was laughing out loud. I have never had that problem before. But some of the lines early on had me just crying from laughter.

The two main characters Emmy and Justin have funny, sarcastic show more teenage voices that ring true. Emmy is the Chinese American adopted daughter in a family where she doesn't "look" like she belongs. She lets her ideas about how things look influence her beliefs about how her family feels about her. Then a boy, of course, diminishes her self worth even more. She develops anger issues and an eating disorder that lands her at Heartland Academy. Justin is there for getting caught doing something totally embarrassing and then taking an overdose of Tylenol. But he does have anger issues and supposed sexual issues. Each chapter is told from one of their points of view.

Here's why I think the book works so well. It's funny, laugh out loud moments are interspersed with snarky teenage sarcasm and comments. A cast of characters that separately are just a mess, but in a group, in Anger Management, working together, they rock! Each one has a unique problem from sexual abuse to compulsive lying, but their very smart group leader makes them work together to earn privileges. They work together, learn together, threaten, force, lie, cheat, steal and do just about anything to make sure they get those privileges. It is a beautiful thing to see!

The authors of A Really Awesome Mess have taken some really dark and scary issues and without belittling them or making them seem any less serious, they've brought some levity and laughter to the situation. Teens suffering from anxiety, depression, eating disorders or any type of mental health issue should appreciate a little laughter as some medicine. I take mental health very serious yet found this novel a refreshing break from other "issue" books. I encourage you to read it and see if it doesn't make you smile!

Recommended for older teens due to sexual references, language and adult situations. This is a contemporary YA novel for 16 and up.

I received a review copy of this novel from MM publicity for this review. This in no way influenced my review. The opinions expressed are my own. show less