Synopsis:
When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.
When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.
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Review:
Rating:
Memorable Quotes:
I think
this is the best shortest book I’ve ever read.
Travis is a
19-year old marine who came home from a one year duty in Afghanistan. He has a
very supporting mom and a not-so-supporting dad and a brother who hooked up
with his girlfriend.
I think it’s
a typical story of a guy who went to serve his country and comes back a bit
shattered and in a deeper perspective in life. You may think it’s like Dear
John, which was mentioned several times in the book but it’s totally different.
Travis has
experienced a lot of encounters in Afghanistan and one of them is the unlikely
death of his friend, Charlie. He became a changed man since the incident and a
more mature one. Coming back means being with his family-mom, dad and brother.
But a lot has changed since then. I love his mom. She’s so supportive of him in
all of his choices unlike his dad. I can’t help but feel for her, for all her
sacrifices, not just for her son but for her family.
Then there’s
Harper, a girl she knew in middle school who isn’t charmed by him, maybe, just
in the beginning. Eventhough she hates Travis, their relationship gotten so
much better and she became his salvation to pass through the trauma he’s
experienced.
I only have
two complaints. One is that the story was too short. Or maybe I just felt I
need more! I even thought I have an incomplete copy when I saw the number of
pages the book has. Second, I felt that there’s a need for closure between
Travis and his dad, also his brother. So there!
Recommended?
YES!
Rating:
Memorable Quotes:
“He was the person all of us should be, but most of us aren't. And if I could have taken his place to buy him a little more time in the world, I'd have done it. I'm sorry I couldn't.”
“Maybe someday we'll see each other again, Charlie. For real I mean. Until then, save me a seat, okay?
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Tenth book for
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