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The Right and the Real

Joelle Anthony (Goodreads Author)

3.65 · Rating details · 265 ratings · 62 reviews

Kicked out for refusing to join a cult, seventeen-year-old Jamie must find a way to survive on her own.

Jamie should have known something was off about the church of the Right and the Real from the start, especially when the Teacher claimed he wasn’t just an ordinary spiritual leader, but Jesus Christ, himself. But she was too taken by Josh, the eldest son of one of the chu ...more

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Hardcover, 288 pages

Published April 26th 2012 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers (first published April 1st 2012)

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Jul 03, 2012 Kelly rated it it was ok

Shelves: ya-fiction, read-in-2012

2.5.

Jamie's father just got married to Mira, and they've both signed themselves over to the church of The Right & The Real. But when Jamie's standing there with them and asked to give herself over, she can't. Though she was the one to initially suggest this church as the right one for her and her family, signing over everything to the Teacher feels wrong. It feels too . . . cult-like.

When she leaves, everything else in her world crumbles. She loses all contact with her father, who packs up her t 2.5.

Jamie's father just got married to Mira, and they've both signed themselves over to the church of The Right & The Real. But when Jamie's standing there with them and asked to give herself over, she can't. Though she was the one to initially suggest this church as the right one for her and her family, signing over everything to the Teacher feels wrong. It feels too . . . cult-like.

When she leaves, everything else in her world crumbles. She loses all contact with her father, who packs up her things and leaves them for her. She loses her house. And she even loses her long-time boyfriend Josh, who is a member of the church himself. Now she has to figure out where to live and how to survive completely alone and abandoned. But what she really wants is to have her father back.

Though I enjoyed the story and thought the idea was great, I didn't necessarily find the execution that strong. Because we know so little about the cult and what goes on, it's challenging to build an emotional connection or to understand the real risks involved in leaving. Although it's clear there are consequences, they don't necessarily feel dire (even though they are). There's a distance between Jamie and the reader.

My biggest challenge with the story is that the subplots felt underdeveloped. Since the initial plot was in and of itself a little lacking (again -- I needed more about the cult and what the horror was that forced Jamie not to sign and forced her to fear for her adult father's future), I found the other story lines even weaker. I didn't care about the relationship between Jamie and Josh, and I found myself even further disinterested in the emerging relationship between Jamie and Trent. (view spoiler)

While the book didn't knock it out of the park for me, I see appeal for fans of Holly Cupala (there are a lot of parallels to "Don't Breathe a Word"), for fans of Carol Lynch Williams's "The Chosen One," and Michele Green's "Keep Sweet." This story investigates life on the outside of the cult, rather than life on the inside, which is an interesting twist on that storyline.

Longer review to come probably. ...more

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Mar 20, 2012 Jenni Arndt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-own, favorites

You can read all of my reviews at Alluring Reads.

A big thank you to Penguin/Putnam Juvenile for providing me an ARC for review.

The Right & The Real is too right and way too real. Joëlle Anthony has weaved a story that feels as if it was ripped from the headlines. It's a story of fanaticism and how it affects your life. It's a scary thing, and I too have been outcasted from the life of a person who was very important to me for not succumbing to their beliefs. It's a harsh reality that someone can You can read all of my reviews at Alluring Reads.

A big thank you to Penguin/Putnam Juvenile for providing me an ARC for review.

The Right & The Real is too right and way too real. Joëlle Anthony has weaved a story that feels as if it was ripped from the headlines. It's a story of fanaticism and how it affects your life. It's a scary thing, and I too have been outcasted from the life of a person who was very important to me for not succumbing to their beliefs. It's a harsh reality that someone can be introduced to a belief or a way of life that consumes them in such a way that if has grave effects on their relationships with the people around them.

Jamie was a very lovable character with whom I empathised with immensely. She was facing some very heavy stuff for a 17 year old, yet she handled it the best she possibly could. I believed this character, I felt her emotions and I understood her reactions. The story of her father, Richard, was a difficult one. He was a weak man with an addictive personality and although I hated the choices he made in this book, I felt bad for him. It is way too easy for an organisation or a belief to get their claws into the people who are missing something from their lives and alter them in an immeasurable way. Richard was quite clearly an unhappy man who was looking for anything to cling to that could in some way bring him resolve and happiness. I appreciated the dynamic of the three best friends in this book. They all stood out in their own way, yet their love of theatre gave them an impenetrable bond. I liked that they weren't carbon copies of each other.

The relationship between Jamie and Josh was so frustrating to me. She put up with so much from Josh, and never got to experience what a real relationship is. Trent was a breath of fresh air, the scenes with him made me happy and every time I realised I had a silly grin on my face. At time's I found myself frustrated with Jamie because she wouldn't take the plunge, but that's what young love does, makes you do stupid things! Another relationship in this that was great was between Jamie and LaVon. He stepped in as a sort of skewed father figure for Jamie and it felt so natural.

The Church of The Right & The Real was haunting. A Teacher who projected that he was the second coming of Christ, and a whole congregation of people who believed it, who would give up their life, and everyone in to to serve in any way they can. Haven't we all heard about this before? This story is all too real and so well written that it reaches down and pulls emotions out of you that you didn't even know were there. I will most definitely be recommending The Right & The Real to anyone looking for an Alluring Read. ...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Laura rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2012

Wow.

That was just... wow.

The Right & the Real is hardcore. Like, I totally believed every word of it, and would have to put the book down due to chill bumps.

It tells the story of Jamie, a high schooler that has adulthood thrust onto her unjustly. Basically, she falls for this guy that goes to this "church." She starts attending said "church," and brings her dad along. He gets wrapped up in it, marries into the "faith," and it all goes downhill from there.

Joëlle Anthony has created a compelling ...more

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Aug 15, 2011 Lenore Appelhans added it

Jaime is so into her new boyfriend Josh that she doesn't realize the danger his fanatical church poses until it's too late and her own father has joined their cult and disowned her. Jamie is only a few months from turning 18, but until then, she has to find a way to live on her own without raising the suspicions of her friends or the authorities who might send her off to live with her estranged mother in another state.

For some reason, I've always been drawn in by stories of people surviving cult ...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Melanie Goodman added it

I can’t remember the last book that kept me up reading through the night. They don’t come along often. I really love my sleep. But I loved The Right and The Real even more. I started it before bed, figuring I would read a few chapters, but ultimately could not put it down. And it was worth every bit of book hangover the next day.

It’s hard enough for Jamie to watch her father get remarried, but things get a lot more complicated when his new marriage leaves her out on the streets. In marrying Mira I can’t remember the last book that kept me up reading through the night. They don’t come along often. I really love my sleep. But I loved The Right and The Real even more. I started it before bed, figuring I would read a few chapters, but ultimately could not put it down. And it was worth every bit of book hangover the next day.

It’s hard enough for Jamie to watch her father get remarried, but things get a lot more complicated when his new marriage leaves her out on the streets. In marrying Mira, Jamie’s dad pledges to enter the church of The Right and The Real, a cult in which members believe that The Teacher is in fact Christ on Earth. At the group wedding ceremony, Jamie is expected to sign her pledge to the church, too, but she refuses. Since Jamie will not commit to the church, she is no longer allowed to communicate with her family or her boyfriend, who is also a church member.

Jamie hasn’t exactly lived the good life–her dad is an ex-alcoholic and her mom took off years ago–but she has always had a roof over her head, food in her stomach, and somebody else to clean the bathroom. She took the basics for granted until she didn’t have them anymore. Kicked to the curb, Jamie is forced to get back on her feet and find a place to stay and a job to support herself, all while trying to appear normal in front of her friends and teachers.

When the church begins to ask for more from Jamie’s father than he anticipated, can she forgive him? Can she get him out? Or is it too late?

Oh, The Right and The Real, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…

This book scores major bonus points for its remarkable characterization, complete with teens who have genuine interests, hobbies, and ambitions. Fashion, theater, film. I love to read about people who are passionate about what they do and willing to fight to make their dreams a reality.
There is suspense! There is action! There is romance! This is a contemp with a little of everything for everyone, and a pace that keeps propelling you forward until you’ve reached the last page and can’t believe what time it is and how long it’s been since you last remembered to breathe or eat or stretch your legs. It is completely and utterly engrossing.
Anthony’s characters are unlike those in any other book I’ve read recently, or possibly ever. Jamie moves into a seedy rent-by-the-week (and possibly the hour, if that’s what you need) kind of building. Her neighbor, LaVon, is an intimidating ex-con who turns out to have a big heart and a love of fair trade chocolate and gourmet hot plate cooking. He may look like he can kick your ass–and he can–but when it comes to protecting Jamie, he uses his powers for good and not for evil.
I probably should have led with this, but The Right and The Real includes a hot barista. I know, chocolate and coffee. Between that and the sleep deprivation from reading, I am more than willing to join Joelle Anthony’s cult of YA. Jamie gets a job at a coffee shop that happens to be managed by Trent, an amazing guy who comes with free mochas. Nothing makes me swoon like free coffee.

I could go on and on, but my raving cannot do this book justice. This is the kind of book that makes it difficult for me to think in complete sentences because there’s just so much book love sloshing around in my brain (and also maybe coffee). The fact of the matter is that the characters of The Right and The Real are the ones who can most easily convince you to fall in love with their story. This is a book that I’ll be keeping on my shelf so that I can open its pages and spend time with some of my favorite fictional friends again and again.

Fans of Tara Kelly’s Amplified and Denise Jaden’s Losing Faith are sure to fall in love with The Right and The Real. ...more

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Mar 28, 2012 Elle! rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Anyone who loves YA

Recommended to Elle! by: Sister <3

Shelves: a-surprise, ya, enjoyable, teens, reality, great-narration, favorites, high-school

I could not stop reading this novel. I finished it in one night! My heart is still pounding. This book was like a jog and I was the jogger. This book was a drum and I was the drummer.... Well you get it. This book is cinematic, superb , RIPPED FROM TODAY'S HEADLINES. You know those books written by dowdy woman who can't get the "aura of a teenager"....Well this woman did, she wrote and tapped right into this generation and no. THIS WASN'T SOME PSEUDO TEEN READ this was real. Real everything, rea ...more

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Mar 24, 2012 Amy Acosta rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya-contemporary

When Jamie refuses to join the cult-like church of The Right and The Real, she never imagined life as she knew it would cease to be. Kicked out from church and home, and unable to confide or count on anyone Jamie has to learn to survive on her own. As she soon finds out, it’s a hard, dangerous world for an underage girl, with little money, and no friends out there. Joelle Anthony's The Right & the Real is about mistakes, hardships, and forgiveness, and how a young teenage girl finds a way to pu When Jamie refuses to join the cult-like church of The Right and The Real, she never imagined life as she knew it would cease to be. Kicked out from church and home, and unable to confide or count on anyone Jamie has to learn to survive on her own. As she soon finds out, it’s a hard, dangerous world for an underage girl, with little money, and no friends out there. Joelle Anthony's The Right & the Real is about mistakes, hardships, and forgiveness, and how a young teenage girl finds a way to put her life back together.

Jamie is one of those characters that you look up to. She's lovable, she's fun, and very determined. When she's kicked out of her house, she doesn't know what to do. She's been counting on these people—dad, friends, boyfriend—for so long that now that her life has been swept from under her feet and now she can't count or confide in them. Rather than give up, Jamie keeps trying and trying, and even as things get worse for her she never gives up. She's scared, alone, and she cries most nights, but there's never a moment where she thinks it’s the end. Jamie keeps looking for solutions even when they seem out of reach. There's one line she says that really stuck with me, "I ached for my old easy life." Sometimes we don't know what we have until we lose it, and then we don't know what to do. If I've learned anything from this book is not to panic, and always look for a solution no matter how impossible it seems.

Aside from trying to get her father back from the claws of the church of The Right & the Real, another of her ordeals is with her boyfriend Josh. He's part of the church, and he's trying to keep things the same yet they clearly can't, and she's suffering for it. The way he ends up treating her is horrible. Honestly, Jamie was too good for him anyways. That's why I loved Trent from the start. Not only is he charming—I just love a boy that babbles like he does—but he is always good to Jamie, even when he has no idea how much his little acts of kindness light up her day. LaVon is another favorite character. He becomes a sort of surrogate parent to her, and puts his life on the line to help her.

The fanaticism of the church and the way they end up treating Jamie's dad, was very hard for me to read. I got so angry several times, that I just had to close the book and breathe. However, the ending was a breath of fresh air. Opening that final box cracked my heart in half, and it was just perfect. Like, I don't read many contemporary stories, much less one with religion involved, but I'm so grateful to have received and gotten the chance to read this! It's really one of the greatest contemporary YA novels I've read this year, right up there with Paper Towns, and Mare's War.

*I received this book from the publisher*
...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Videoclimber(AKA)MTsLilSis rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, cults, homeless

I really enjoyed this story because Anthony wrote Jamie as such a strong female character. It was amazing that she was able to overcome everything that was thrown at her at such a young age. It was quite easy to sympathize and identify with Jamie. I was so glad that she found a friend in LaVon, and he was one of my favorite things about the book. The writing was wonderful and I was able to finish reading in a few hours. The ending to the story was just what I was hoping for, and I felt was a per ...more

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Dec 06, 2017 Carol rated it really liked it

Take a girl who has grown up privileged for her 18 years, and throw her out on the street. Cancel her cell phone and the insurance on her vehicle. This is what happened to Jaimie when her Dad joins a cult religion. She makes a lot of stupid mistakes which make her situation worse….starting with lying to her friends who would be willing to assist her, and clinging to a boyfriend who clearly isn’t willing to help. I think the author has perfectly captured a realistic series of events. She has succ ...more

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Dec 27, 2019 Jenee Rager rated it really liked it

Shelves: general-fiction, ya

17 year old Jamie thought we was lucking out when popular jock, Josh showed an interest in her. In order to spend more time with him she starts attending his church, The Right and the Real, and eventually invites her father to attend services as well. Her father has an addictive personality and turns out he is prime pickings for the church, which is a cult once you get past the shiny facade. When Jamie refuses to sign a pledge to the church her father kicks her out of the house. She is forced to ...more

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Oct 04, 2018 Jesten rated it it was amazing

This book was a great coming of age story about a girl who has to deal with a religion that reminded me of a rather crazy one I try not to ever mention online, because I’m convinced they’d track me down. I recommend if you want to read something that isn’t overdone, but still has those YA elements you (probably) love— romance and identify and all that jazz.

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May 07, 2012 Ashe rated it did not like it

Shelves: high-school-fiction, wtf

"I was pretty.
My naturally light blond hair framed a face with perfect skin, sparkling blue eyes, deep dimples, and straight teeth." - Page 3 of The Right & the Real

... And that's when I knew I wasn't going to like this book. Actually, no, I knew that when the first scene was two teenagers sneaking around, making out in a church (Note: I am still a teenager.) The church is a cult, so eff the rules, but any book that opens on a make out scene instantly loses a few points.

The inner flap synopsis ...more

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Oct 04, 2011 Melissa (i swim for oceans) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own-arcs, contemporary

Jamie's life is on the brink. There is beauty in first loves, but there is also that touch of hidden danger in taking the plunge and diving headfirst into a maelstrom of emotions. When Josh gives Jamie a second glance, Jamie is smitten, and the wheels of her young teenage life start turning. Piece by piece, she watches as her family is drawn into a world of deceit and lies surrounding the Church of the Right & the Real. It's a church where they not only worship Christ, but the head of the church Jamie's life is on the brink. There is beauty in first loves, but there is also that touch of hidden danger in taking the plunge and diving headfirst into a maelstrom of emotions. When Josh gives Jamie a second glance, Jamie is smitten, and the wheels of her young teenage life start turning. Piece by piece, she watches as her family is drawn into a world of deceit and lies surrounding the Church of the Right & the Real. It's a church where they not only worship Christ, but the head of the church claims to be the second coming of Christ, himself. Her world is crumbling around her, and when Jamie realizes she has to step out, she finds herself on the outside, watching the inevitable collapse of all she holds dear. Can she fix it in time, or will all be lost forever?

Oh, hello, issue book! The Right & The Real is only the second book I've read with cults, and I have to say that it certainly is one heck of a no-holds-barred account of life within the confines of a strict, fanatical cult. Author, Joelle Anthony, has painted a haunting backdrop in which her teenage MC must learn to survive by all means necessary. Baring the heart and soul of a teenage girl in the clutches of the dark and twisted nature of a dangerous church, The Right & The Real holds nothing back. Giving the readers everything from love, to loss, to the very roots of forgiveness, this is one novel that promises the true art of human nature in its most basic form, and we're invited to share in the journey.

There is something so very, very troubling about The Right & The Real, and I found myself thinking about that fact long after I closed the book. It's simple, actually. This book could very well be real. In fact, there are most likely people out there in the world going through somewhat similar circumstances, and it's both painful and terrifying to think about. Through Jamie's eyes, we see just how very barren her world becomes with the Church of the Right & the Real throws her out. Left to her own devices, Jamie is helpless but to watch as her father continues in his path to self-annihilation within the church. Her father was a complex character whom I felt myself alternating between hating and pitying. He was a weak man, and the church clearly preyed on his need to find a sense of belonging. Yet, there was a part of me that wanted to kick his teeth in for overlooking the fact that his teenage daughter was struggling simply to make it from day to day. The throes of young love were sweet and dark, twirling through the mess of the story as we watch as Jamie attempts to somehow put her life back together. I have to mention above all else though, that The Right & The Real is one of those books where a secondary character steals the show. When you meet a LaVon, a caring, kindhearted and true man, you will understand the true nature of human compassion. It's incredible. Were a few things in the story a bit unbelievable? Sure. Overall though, the pieces fit together seamlessly.

All in all, I was, yet again, blown away by an incredible issue book. There's something to be said for horror stories that are scary simply because they could be real. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to both adult and YA audiences, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction and issue books.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book. ...more

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Jun 15, 2011 Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya, for-review, 2012, april12

Joëlle Anthony’s sophomore novel is a harsh and severe look into the life of struggling teen Jamie, in the aftermath of her refusal to join a cult. The Church of the Right & the Real looks okay from the outside. Members are religious and kind and care for one another, but in reality, they worship a man who claims he is the Jesus and they give up their life at the drop of a hat. When Jamie’s dad gets sucked in, brainwashed, marries another member, and kicks Jamie to the curb, her life falls apart Joëlle Anthony’s sophomore novel is a harsh and severe look into the life of struggling teen Jamie, in the aftermath of her refusal to join a cult. The Church of the Right & the Real looks okay from the outside. Members are religious and kind and care for one another, but in reality, they worship a man who claims he is the Jesus and they give up their life at the drop of a hat. When Jamie’s dad gets sucked in, brainwashed, marries another member, and kicks Jamie to the curb, her life falls apart. But with her dreams of NYC and more determination and strength than most others her age, she manages. Barely.

Jamie is easily one of the strongest female heroines I’ve read. Despite losing everything, she soldiers on and fights to follow her dreams. She suffers, sure, but at one point, she realizes she’s just getting by and that’s not enough. Not to make a life. So she changes that. Readers will be completely taken by Jamie; by her will to move on, but also by her need to do something to save her father. Even though she has so many strengths, Anthony is sure to make her vulnerable, because she is vulnerable. A 17 year old girl, all alone for the first time ever cannot have it easy, and Jamie doesn’t.

But that’s where the big, hulking, scary motel neighbor LaVon comes in. He’s incredible and I love him! LaVon and Jamie almost have that parent/child relationship that’s lacking because Jamie’s dad lost his marbles and joined a cult. LaVon's there for Jamie when no one else is. He's not perfect and he's certainly a little terrifying, but he's there.

The story deals with quite a few issues, but there’s also this deliciously sweet and perfect build-up to a relationship for Jamie. She has a boyfriend who’s a member of the Right & the Real and there’s clearly a lot of struggle for them because of it, but Jamie sticks to her guns when it’s the hardest. She stands up for her beliefs and she grows so much throughout the book because of it. The new guy Trent also sneaks into the story and brings a lighthearted edge to an otherwise serious plot. He is fabulous in so many ways and I want him for myself.

The Right & The Real is one of those books that take you by surprise. You pick it up expecting a good story, but then find yourself unable to put it down. I was reading into the late hours of the night/wee hours of the morning because I had to know how Jamie would survive, if her dad would wake up, whether or not the Right & the Real would win, if she’d dump her somewhat douchey boyfriend, and if she could let the harmless flirting with coffee boy Trent turn into something more. Believe me when I say that the love story aspect plays very little into the plot, but the characters, oh the characters, they are phenomenal. Read it for Jamie. Read it every little thing I said here and for every little thing I had to leave out. You won’t be disappointed. ...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Book Whales rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Originally posted @ Book Whales

I totally enjoyed this book! Special thanks to Putnam Juvenile for giving us an ARC. Wow, the story blew me away. It is beautifully written, a light and fast read for readers who wants to read a book with no commitments.

The story is about a “Cult” called The Right & the Real Church of Christ. Jaime was in a situation of loosing her dad to them. She was asked to sign a pledge, which she didn’t believe in. Her life has completely fallen apart. Not only didn’t she wa Originally posted @ Book Whales

I totally enjoyed this book! Special thanks to Putnam Juvenile for giving us an ARC. Wow, the story blew me away. It is beautifully written, a light and fast read for readers who wants to read a book with no commitments.

The story is about a “Cult” called The Right & the Real Church of Christ. Jaime was in a situation of loosing her dad to them. She was asked to sign a pledge, which she didn’t believe in. Her life has completely fallen apart. Not only didn’t she want to sign the pledge, but her dad is now married to Mira, a fanatic to the church.Will she sign the pledge, she didn't believe in? Or Will she take the consequences of
loosing her dad and be mark as a devil? You have to pick up this book to find out.

The world-building is very believable. Joelle created a world that is startling. Cults really do exist, where people worships false God. The story appeals to me. I was curious about what goes on inside the cult. The author did a good job in connecting the readers. I was absorbed inside instantly. The Church and its teachings are shocking. It depicts women as the weaker sex. There was also“Brainwashing”. People are easily influenced by a psycho leader. This book gave me chills! It was brilliantly written; simple with array of emotions.

The character building is excellent. They were realistic! I connected to Jaime instantly. She is strong- minded. I love her courage to stand up against the Cult. I also admire her love and dedication to her dad. She really did not loose hope; even if, her dad had hurt her. As for the two drool worthy boys, Trent is my favorite. I love how funny and sweet he is to Jaime. I love their goofy dialogues. I ‘am not a fan of Josh, I see him as a weak character. It breaks my heart every time he hurts Jaime. I hate their screwed relationship. Then her dad, Richard is irresponsible and weak minded. He was easily influenced by Mira and the Cult. La Von is also my favorite. He is the epitome of “Don’t judge a book by its cover”.

As for the love angle, YES! There is a love triangle. But the story did not revolve around Jaime’s feelings toward the two boys. For me, it was believable. Trent and Jaime’s blossoming relationship gave butterflies to my stomach.

Overall, this book is a marvelous read. I recommend this to contemporary lovers. It was a light and fast read. Beautifully written! I look forward to read another book from Joelle Anthony.

Rating:

...more

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Sep 24, 2011 Book Sp(l)ot rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own, upcoming-to-read, upcoming-release, 2012-release, arc, challenge-src-2012, challenge-sarc-2012, authors-i-want-new-from

Author interview & book giveaway (ends May 13)

Jamie always knew something was off about the church of the Right & The Real but she never thought too much about it because she was only there in order to spend time with her boyfriend. Josh was a member but one who claimed to also see faults with the church. A church whose leader, Teacher, sees as, literally, Jesus Christ - as do his devout followers. But Josh, the oldest son of one Teacher's disciples is also one of the high school's most popular Author interview & book giveaway (ends May 13)

Jamie always knew something was off about the church of the Right & The Real but she never thought too much about it because she was only there in order to spend time with her boyfriend. Josh was a member but one who claimed to also see faults with the church. A church whose leader, Teacher, sees as, literally, Jesus Christ - as do his devout followers. But Josh, the oldest son of one Teacher's disciples is also one of the high school's most popular students and star athletes and Jamie's too enamored with him to full grasp just how wrong the church is . . . even when her father starts attending.

Even as he's marrying marrying Mira, a fanatical member of the Right & the Real, she still thinks she can get him out of it.

But then he kicks her out for refusing to sign a membership pledge. Seventeen-year-old Jamie is on her own. Her father, the one person she thought would never turn his back on her has abandoned her. And Josh, the person who got her (and her father involved with the church - a cult, really - in the first place) can only see her in secret now.

With her world crumbling around her will Jamie be able to survive? And will she ever get her father back? Will she want to?

I dare you to read the first chapter - or the first two chapters - of The Right & The Real and decide to put it down. If you do a) you're possibly crazy and/or b) you have much more willpower than I.

If you do make what I consider to be the wise choice and keep reading, you definitely won't be disappointed. Joëlle Anthony's second novel is a fantastic contemporary YA that's a just a bit darker - it's also perfect for older readers.

Jamie is put into an incredibly tough situation - or situations, really - the most major of is her father kicking her out (which leads to other things). I loved how nothing ever seemed melodramatic. There were incredibly dramatic things happening for sure, but things played out incredibly realistically (or what I imagine is realistically for the given situations). While Jamie was confused as to what decision to make, what to do, I found myself confused as well. I wasn't reading each page, all the while thinking, "Why doesn't she just ...."

I loved being so drawn into the story and also being so in sync with the choices that the author made while writing the story (or perhaps just lacking in anything obvious for the character to do).

If you're looking for a contemporary YA (with a bit of an edge) where the story just works and the plot doesn't take the easy way out, please read The Right & The Real when it's out April 26th!

Rating: 9/10 ...more

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May 17, 2012 Gary rated it it was amazing

Doesn't the cover model look like Emma Watson to you? For some reason I just kept picturing her as Jamie, the lead character.

Anyway.

So allow yours truly to lay down the drama for you and see if it gets your attention:

17-year-old Jamie's (the Emma Watson lookalike) father joins a religious cult at The Right & The Real church and kicks out his own daughter who refuses to join.

Jamie's boyfriend Josh who belongs to the church has a dictating father and doesn't allow Josh to see Jamie.

Josh, a selfish ...more

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May 19, 2012 Sally Kruger rated it it was amazing

The Right and The Real is a church with over 1,000 followers. Jamie's father, on a search for meaning in his life, becomes involved in the religious group. Jamie finds something other than spiritual meaning; she finds Josh. It's hard to believe such a hot guy would find her interesting, but he seems to be head-over-heels in love with her.

Jamie's early life was one train wreck after another because in her father's attempt to "rescue" her mother from a life of substance abuse, their family almost The Right and The Real is a church with over 1,000 followers. Jamie's father, on a search for meaning in his life, becomes involved in the religious group. Jamie finds something other than spiritual meaning; she finds Josh. It's hard to believe such a hot guy would find her interesting, but he seems to be head-over-heels in love with her.

Jamie's early life was one train wreck after another because in her father's attempt to "rescue" her mother from a life of substance abuse, their family almost fell apart. Since her mother left to live in California, Jamie and her father have been able to put together a solid life. Jamie's grandfather's trust fund has also provided stability and the possibility of the future in acting that Jamie dreams about every day.

When her father meets Mira at church, she is happy for him. It's his first relationship with a woman since her mother left, but it doesn't take long for things to get weird. When the two decide to get married, Jamie learns that she will be expected to sign a pledge with the church. Though she believes she is in love with Josh and she is happy for her father, she isn't ready to commit herself to the strict rules of The Right and The Real, especially when she is told she will have to quit school and live in the church compound. There is no way she is giving up her dream of acting school in New York City.

Despite Jamie's reservations, her father marries Mira and Jamie's life falls apart. She comes home from school to find all her possessions packed in boxes on the front porch. She's been kicked out of the only home she's ever known and forced to survive on her own. Her friends would surely help, but Jamie can't bring herself to tell them the truth. Jamie is determined to handle her own problems until things spiral completely out of her control.

Author Joelle Anthony takes readers on a roller coaster of emotions as Jamie attempts to keep her life together and still achieve her goals. THE RIGHT AND THE REAL is filled with pain and vulnerability, and at the same time, heartfelt determination. Jamie is faced with one obstacle after another, but she holds on, exhibiting a faith no church can match.
...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Shyleen rated it really liked it

Shelves: july-2012

This book was absolutely amazing to me atleast. I would say 4.5 stars is well deserved. I fell in love with so many of the characters along the way and grew to hate some. The ending was one of the most predictable, but there are some twist and turns along the way.

At the beginning of the book it basically jumped into the plot. In music we have "pick-up" notes before you jump into the first measure and this book absolutely had no pick-up notes. I feel like Jamie's dad was a very weak individual be ...more

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Apr 15, 2011 Tez rated it liked it

Joëlle Anthony's The Right & the Real has a great concept, about a teen attempting to rescue her father from a cult. Who wouldn't want to read this? And it starts off strong, with Chapter 2 particularly heart-breaking, as a dad chooses his new love and the Right & the Real church over his daughter. Since Jamie Lexington-Cross won't sign the Pledge, she's forced out of her home and onto the streets. But instead of confiding about her homelessness to a trusted adult, or even her friends, she keeps ...more

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Nov 15, 2011 Leann rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review, printed-book, arc

Mini-Thoughts: Seventeen-year-old Jaime is blindsided by her father when he kicks her out of their home after he marries into a cult-like church that Jaime refused to join*. Joining would mean losing everything she loves – her acting, her education, her future – so she's far from interested. Jaime's strength in facing exile from her home and her normal life is admirable. I quickly became captivated by such an intriguing if slightly terrifying premise. Fortunately, Anthony balances out the more s ...more

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Mar 13, 2012 Chelsea rated it it was amazing

Joelle Anthony has cemented her place on my shelf as an author I love. Her first book, Restoring Harmony, blew me away with it's originality and great characters. The Right & the Real has done it again.

This is a scary book, but not because of anything paranormal. This story is very frightening because it feels so real. Ripped from the headlines. LaVon is such a cool character. I wish I could meet him in real life. He's one of those characters that I like to see so much in YA books - the one that ...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Christianne rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult

Draft BAYA review

Jamie, a high school senior, started going to The Right and the Real Church because of her hunky, football-playing boyfriend Josh. Even after she learned that the church was really a cult whose leader claimed to be Jesus, she went along with it. Her recovering alcoholic dad follows her lead and ends up in a marriage with a fanatical church member. When Jamie refuses to sign the church's pledge, her dad disowns her. She ends up homeless and worried that her dream of attending col ...more

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Jul 18, 2012 BAYA Librarian rated it liked it

Jamie, a high school senior, started going to The Right and the Real Church because of her hunky, football-playing boyfriend Josh. Even after she learned that the church was really a cult whose leader claimed to be Jesus Christ, she went along with it. Her recovering alcoholic dad follows her lead and ends up in a marriage with a fanatical church member. When Jamie refuses to sign the church's pledge, her dad disowns her. She ends up homeless and worried that her dream of attending college is ov ...more

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Aug 05, 2014 Ciarra rated it liked it

Shelves: contemporary, love-triangle, woah-there-dynamic-character, stand-alone

I liked it, especially the idea.

My main blurbs/thoughts:
- The plot was actually pretty good.
- Jamie's boyfriend Josh was an idiot.
- Jamie's whole mindset was completely melodramatic, but obviously her whole experience must not have been that bad if she kept the whole crisis a secret and got NO police involvement or help.
- Where's the conclusive ending...? What did happen to the Right and the Real?
- The church was freaking creepy.
- I was a sucker for the suspense.
- Jamie = MAJOR dyna ...more

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Apr 15, 2011 Julie added it

Shelves: arc, 2012-debuts, pub-penguin

So, cults right? Religious cults. Creepy and weird and make me feel icky. But I also find them fascinating. I was intrigued by the premise of the story and remember hearing a lot of good things about Restoring Harmony, so I decided to try this one.

I really liked it while I was reading, but there was no major wow factor for me. It might just be me because as much as I've been enjoying what I read lately, most of them lack that special something that makes me fall head over heels, obsessively in l ...more

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Dec 04, 2011 Mesa rated it liked it

This book is a complete surprise. I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading, but I was sure, especially after watching the trailer, that I’ll enjoy it. However, I’m sad to say, I didn’t liked this book. It was an okay read.

The concept of the book is very different from any YA books I read, which I loved. I’m a kind of person who gets tired reading the same thing over and over again. And in the novel, the concept was the only thing I liked.

I didn’t like any of the main characters. I w ...more

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May 17, 2012 Melody rated it really liked it

I couldn't put this one down, I read it in one go. The plotting is excellent, the protagonist clearly drawn and very believable. "Relatable", I think they are calling it these days. I was swept up and carried along, hoping for the best. I flat-out adored LaVon.

I loved the backstory, and found myself speculating about the mom, and how Jamie might be wrong about her. I'm always up for a story about an evil church, and the church in this book does not fail to disappoint.

My only (minor) complaint i ...more

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Mar 14, 2014 Deborah rated it it was ok

Shelves: reviewed, 2014

Had this book been advertised as the story of a teenager trying to make her dreams come true in a realistic fashion after her father kicks her out of the house, I wouldn't have picked it up. That's what it is, so I feel a bit cheated.

The cult angle is there for maybe a third of the book, but it feels forced and bland, like someone felt the story lacked a hook. It wasn't even consistent. A conflict was concluded at the end, but it wasn't the conflict focused on for the majority of the book.

A lot ...more

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Aug 28, 2012 Carro Herdegen rated it liked it

Shelves: kiss-the-book

Language - R (111 swears, 6 "f"), Sexual Content - PG-13; Violence - PG
Jamie's life has always been in the drama department, but, when her father joins a cult during her senior year, life takes drama to the next level. Jamie is kicked out of the house with only her acting skills and the boxes her dad left on the porch for her. Life seems impossible, but by focusing on her dream and leaning on her friends, Jamie just might pull through.
At first, the whole cult idea made me nervous, but The Right ...more

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About Joelle Anthony

Joelle Anthony

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I was born in Portland, Oregon and went to school with the same kids from kindergarten through high school. I always wondered why kids in books were depressed about having to move. That sounded so exciting to me. So as an adult, I packed up my husband and cats and moved all the way to a new country! I now live on a small island in BC, Canada. It was definitely an adventure to love.
I'm the author ...more