Review: Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens

Faking Normal

By: Courtney C. Stevens

Pub. Date: April 1, 2014

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 323

Source: Edelweiss

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.

I received this galley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Edelweiss and Harper Teen.

I knew that I had to read Faking Normal as soon as I read the synopsis and when I saw it on edelweiss, I jumped at the chance to read it early. It's one of the stories that stays with you long after you finish reading it and I couldn't get the characters of Alexi and Bodee out of my head!  They were both so beautifully written, and it was hard not to fall in love with either of them or this story.

Faking Normal starts off at the funeral of Bodee's mom, and even though he and Alexi aren't friends, she was there for him when he had no one else. After her parents take him in, the two of them form the most beautiful bond. She helped him deal with his mothers death while he helped her face the secrets she has been holding in for years. I loved watching there connection grow from friendship to something so much more.

There was something about Bodee that got to me. He never spoke, unless he was around Alexi, and every time he said something, my heart broke a little more for the pain he was holding in and dealing with alone. I am so excited to read the prequel short story, The Blue-Haired Boy, told exclusively in Bodee's POV. I am so interested to get in the head of this sad and complicated character.

Faking Normal is one of those books that will break your heart but you will love every single moment of it. This is Courtney C. Stevens debut novel and you wouldn't even believe it! She has such an amazing talent and I can not wait to read what she has in store for us next! It's only the beginning of the year and Faking Normal has become a 2014 favorite!