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Ripple
by
When their too-adult lives lead them down self-destructive paths, these broken teens find a way to heal in this YA novel perfect for fans of Ellen Hopkins.
With her impossible-to-please grandmother on her back about college and her disapproving step-dad watching her every move, Tessa would do anything to escape the pressure-cooker she calls home. So she finds a shot of ...more
With her impossible-to-please grandmother on her back about college and her disapproving step-dad watching her every move, Tessa would do anything to escape the pressure-cooker she calls home. So she finds a shot of ...more
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Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Published
September 20th 2016
by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
(first published 2016)
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
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Jul 28, 2016
Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
author-pub-giveaways,
young-adult
OMG! This book was painful to read at times. The things the people go through in this book, I can't even!
This is a story about Tessa and Jack.
Tessa lives with her mom, stepdad and little sister Willow. Tessa's stepdad is an alcoholic. Things are not all that great. Tessa's grandmother (who is the mom of her biological dad that walked out on Tessa and her mom) is rich and owns a business called Leighton Custom Homes. She wants Tessa to go to the U of M and work at LCH and take over one day. ...more
Jul 27, 2019
Cortney LaScola - The Bookworm Myrtle Beach
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
I've had Ripple sitting on my shelf for years... I cannot believe I waited so long to read. It was so good! I was off yesterday, so I literally spent my whole day reading it.
This is a beautifully written dark and suspenseful YA debut. Two high schoolers, Tessa and Jack, navigate lives filled with pain, grief and anxiety by engaging in dangerous and harmful actions. Tessa battles the abandonment of her father, the emotional abuse by her stepfather and the rigid college and career demands of her grandmother. Her coping mechanism: casual sexual encounters with strangers all the while keeping it from her quarterback boyfriend. Jack's family has been destroyed by the
...more
* I received a copy of this via my local bookstore. This does not impact my review in any way.
Sometimes you read a book that's just utterly forgettable in every way, and that's how I felt here. Ripple has a lot of potential with its characters, but ended up as a simple bad boy meets good girl romance.
This book doesn't really have a ton of positives, but it did manage to avoid outright slutshaming. Tessa's sleeping around is a specific issue because it involves cheating, not because she's ...more
Sometimes you read a book that's just utterly forgettable in every way, and that's how I felt here. Ripple has a lot of potential with its characters, but ended up as a simple bad boy meets good girl romance.
This book doesn't really have a ton of positives, but it did manage to avoid outright slutshaming. Tessa's sleeping around is a specific issue because it involves cheating, not because she's ...more
Well, "Ripple" by Heather Smith Meloche was a disappointment. I had such high hopes for the books, maybe they were too high. And maybe I made the mistake to let the cover do the talking when buying this book.
It's been a week now that I finished and I already can't tell you much about the characters. Or the story. There was nothing memorable for me about this book.
Maybe it was me, maybe it was the story. Maybe it just wasn't the right time for me to read it. I don't know.
What I do know is that ...more
It's been a week now that I finished and I already can't tell you much about the characters. Or the story. There was nothing memorable for me about this book.
Maybe it was me, maybe it was the story. Maybe it just wasn't the right time for me to read it. I don't know.
What I do know is that ...more
*I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. This has not influenced my opinion in any way.*
Actual rating is probably around a 2.5-ish? Yeah, that seems about right.
Well, well, well....
So, I must admit that I approached this book expecting a lot more than what I received instead. So frankly, this was a bit underwhelming.
Wait, scratch that. This was very underwhelming, and my expectations for this book weren't even that high to begin with. ...more
Actual rating is probably around a 2.5-ish? Yeah, that seems about right.
Well, well, well....
So, I must admit that I approached this book expecting a lot more than what I received instead. So frankly, this was a bit underwhelming.
Wait, scratch that. This was very underwhelming, and my expectations for this book weren't even that high to begin with. ...more
Ive been looking forward to this novel ever since I read Heathers award-winning short story in verse in Hunger Mountain a few years ago. Her writing is lyrical and evocative, and her debut novel lived up to my high expectations.
This is a story for older teens with cross-over appeal into the New Adult market. At first glance, it might sound like a familiar tale, two struggling teens intensely attracted to one another, who finally help each other recognize and move beyond their self-defeating ...more
This is a story for older teens with cross-over appeal into the New Adult market. At first glance, it might sound like a familiar tale, two struggling teens intensely attracted to one another, who finally help each other recognize and move beyond their self-defeating ...more
3.5 stars
Tessa and Jack have a lot on their plates for being so young, but they find an uneasy solace in each other. To read my full review for Ripple, visit Books & Beauty Are My Bag.
ARC from Penguin First to Read.
Tessa and Jack have a lot on their plates for being so young, but they find an uneasy solace in each other. To read my full review for Ripple, visit Books & Beauty Are My Bag.
ARC from Penguin First to Read.
Oh wow, what a gem of a story that I might not have gotten to for a long time. But once I started reading it, I could. not. stop. I LOVED IT. I loved the two main characters; two broken, scarred kids just trying to grasp some kind of power while their lives spiral out of control. But this never became a story about two teens saving each other, never became a love cures all type of deal. Tessa and Jack helped each other, challenged each other, and fell hard. But only THEY could turn their lives
...more
This is a fast-paced story about addictions ripple effect on families and two teenagers who find a way to leave the ever-widening circle of self-destruction.
Through the alternating voices of Tessa and Jack, Meloche reveals the psyches of teenagers who find temporary affirmation in the wrong places when their parents alcoholism and other troubles at home become too much to bear. Jack compares the thrill he gets from pulling pranks to climbing cliffs. Its like Im dangling up high, seeing ...more
Through the alternating voices of Tessa and Jack, Meloche reveals the psyches of teenagers who find temporary affirmation in the wrong places when their parents alcoholism and other troubles at home become too much to bear. Jack compares the thrill he gets from pulling pranks to climbing cliffs. Its like Im dangling up high, seeing ...more
Tessa and Jack, two teenagers whose lives are spinning out of control, become one anothers unlikely confidants and maybe more in this gripping coming-of-age story. Paralyzed by her stepfathers drunken verbal abuse and her wealthy grandmothers well-meaning yet myopic plans for her future, Tessa seeks comfort in a series of meaningless hook-ups that she will do anything to hide from her popular boyfriend. Jack is flip and cocky, but also hard working, earnest, and fiercely protective of his
...more
I received a free e-copy of RIPPLE in exchange for my honest review
GRADE: B
Tessa deals with the stress of her absent father and drunk, verbally abusive stepfather by sleeping with random guys to blunt her emotions. Jack copes with his brother's death and his alcoholic, schizophrenic mother with his smart ass mouth and harmless but illegal pranks. The two open up to each other about their secrets, but danger lurks around every corner, for Borg Tessa and Jack and the loved ones they're trying to ...more
GRADE: B
Tessa deals with the stress of her absent father and drunk, verbally abusive stepfather by sleeping with random guys to blunt her emotions. Jack copes with his brother's death and his alcoholic, schizophrenic mother with his smart ass mouth and harmless but illegal pranks. The two open up to each other about their secrets, but danger lurks around every corner, for Borg Tessa and Jack and the loved ones they're trying to ...more
Review Originally Posted on Books & Prejudice
This book guys. This book. I'm not even totally sure what to say.
We follow Jack and Tessa, who have both had to grow up a bit too fast. Tessa sleeps around to deal with her problems. And Jack causes as much mischief and trouble for authority figures as he can. Tessa's home life is terrible. Whereas Jack is hiding a secret. If anyone learns the secret, his life will forever change.
I didn't think I would like this book as much as I did. There were ...more
This book guys. This book. I'm not even totally sure what to say.
We follow Jack and Tessa, who have both had to grow up a bit too fast. Tessa sleeps around to deal with her problems. And Jack causes as much mischief and trouble for authority figures as he can. Tessa's home life is terrible. Whereas Jack is hiding a secret. If anyone learns the secret, his life will forever change.
I didn't think I would like this book as much as I did. There were ...more
I LOVED this book! Perhaps growing up in a blended family with addiction issues and mental illness made these characters believable and real to me, but I fell in love with them! Jack and Tessa are complex characters that navigate not only the day-to-day issues facing high schoolers, but the very real issues of growing up in highly dysfunctional families while finding ways to both cope and escape. I loved the storyline and enjoyed Meloche's writing style. There were sentences and phrases I
...more
Great read!! The characters are fascinating, the plot satisfying, and the writing superb.
The story revolves around Tessa and Jack, who each have their own troubled home lives to deal with while navigating the minefield that is their senior year of high school. They find each other and the stakes intensify as they fight their mutual attraction and attempt to keep secrets that refuse to stay hidden.
The book is intense as it deals with the issues surrounding addiction and mental illness, but more ...more
The story revolves around Tessa and Jack, who each have their own troubled home lives to deal with while navigating the minefield that is their senior year of high school. They find each other and the stakes intensify as they fight their mutual attraction and attempt to keep secrets that refuse to stay hidden.
The book is intense as it deals with the issues surrounding addiction and mental illness, but more ...more
This provocative novel is about two teens whose lives are like pressure cookers. Tessa feels she needs to meet her wealthy grandmother's expectations or her family will lose her grandmother's support and become homeless. Jack has a mother whose mental illness is rapidly causing her to unravel. He feels obligated to take care of her and hide the extent of her disability.
Both teens engage in destructive behaviors in order to let off steam. But, it they are caught, their carefully constructed ...more
Both teens engage in destructive behaviors in order to let off steam. But, it they are caught, their carefully constructed ...more
I really loved this book. At first I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but the more I read the more I was drawn into the lives of the characters. The topics the author tackles are tough - promiscuous sex, schizophrenia, alcoholism, verbal abuse, low self-esteem. By the end of the book I was pulling for the two main characters to find a way through the chaos of their lives and come out stronger. Very emotional at times. I would definitely recommend this book to teens and adults. I received an
...more
Aug 14, 2016
Sara Grochowski
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
penguin,
contemporary,
bullying,
mental-illness,
family,
addiction,
michigan,
multiple-pov,
september-2016
I think, because I picked this up shortly after reading FIRSTS and THE YEAR WE FELL APART, both of which deals with many similar themes to RIPPLE, the fact that this MC Tessa paled in comparison was especially distracting.
I found Jack's story and perspective much more interesting, but his descriptions of Tessa were so cliched and, in the end, I was very put off.
Not for me, but check out some other reviews as some seemed to really love this one!
I found Jack's story and perspective much more interesting, but his descriptions of Tessa were so cliched and, in the end, I was very put off.
Not for me, but check out some other reviews as some seemed to really love this one!
This is a quick YA read which deals with really heavy subject matter of alcohol abuse, mental illness (schizophrenia), and teenagers making self destructive choices to try to feel in control in reaction to a horrible home environment. I would have rated this higher if Tessa had been more likable. Jack made the book for me. I did feel like things tied up a bit too neatly but appreciate the author's willingness to address such difficult subject matter.
Tessa and Jack both have issues but are dealing with it in different ways. Tessa is hooking up others and Jack is causing mischief. They meet and are friends and neighbors. This book deals with mental illness and family, and drinking. This book is amazing and made me cry a couple of times. ❤❤❤❤
Aug 27, 2016
Brittany (Brittany's Book Rambles)
marked it as dnf
DNF at 1/4 mark
Though I know that self-destructive characters in contemporaries are not usually my thing I decided to give this one a go anyway. I went in with a clear mind but I just wasn't feeling it. For me, the stakes just weren't high enough and I didn't feel enough of an emotional connection to continue on with this book.
Though I know that self-destructive characters in contemporaries are not usually my thing I decided to give this one a go anyway. I went in with a clear mind but I just wasn't feeling it. For me, the stakes just weren't high enough and I didn't feel enough of an emotional connection to continue on with this book.
Dark and moody, I read this book in one sitting. Because I had to know what happened. And because I wanted to see how Heather put words together. I loved the writing as much as the vibrant and dark story that unfolded.
DNF - This one sounded like it should have been for me, but ultimately it wasn't my kind of book. I had to put it down.
Enjoyable. Interested in seeing how the final version ends up after a bit of editing.
An amazing book that I couldn't put down. Heartbreaking yet full of hope and beautifully written. It made me cry just a little, but in a good way. A must-read.
Tessa lives on the wrong side of the tracks in a nasty house permeated with the smell of their wood burning stove. Her stepdad is a drunk and is mentally abusive. Although her immediate family is poor, her paternal grandmother is loaded and has grand plans for Tessa. Grandmother paid for Tessas mom and stepdads hovel but with the expectation that Tessa will go to the college of Grandmothers choosing and will major in business so that Tessa will one day take over Grandmothers real estate
...more
To get inside both of the characters' heads is likely one of the reasons the book is okay. I think I've read way too many YAs recently that are contemporary fiction where it seems like the only way the characters can be saved is through a relationship. Is it me? No? I didn't think so. Jack is struggling with working, playing his violin, and taking care of his mentally unwell mother. Tessa is torn between loyalties to her grandmother, her artistic talent, and her penchant to cheat on her
...more
This book had interesting - if dysfunctional characters. As Tessa enters her senior year in high school, she is trying to balance extreme pressure: her biological father never sees her, her alcoholic step-father hates himself, but takes his hate out on Tessa, her mother and step-father owe her grandmother a lot of money, so grandmother is using this as leverage to make Tessa get into a top-ranked college, major in business and take over the family business, her star quarter-back, nice guy
...more
"Chaos theory is the theory that a single event can begin a cataclysmic series of events. Like, actions have reactions. ... I mean, you and I, we have our issues. ... They seem like different problems." I shake my head. "But they aren't. Not really. Not if you think about chaos theory."
Ripple is a rollercoaster ride. That's the best way I can say it.
Tessa and Jack have had to grow up too quickly. Tessa, abandoned by her father, suffering the emotional abuse of her stepfather, and struggling ...more
Ripple is a rollercoaster ride. That's the best way I can say it.
Tessa and Jack have had to grow up too quickly. Tessa, abandoned by her father, suffering the emotional abuse of her stepfather, and struggling ...more
This was a pleasant surprise. It's very rare that I find a great book while perusing the library shelves, more often I've heard buzz about the book beforehand. I liked the writing style, characters and flow. I am not one for alternating POVs (I like to get to know one character and stick with them) but it was done very well. I gave it 4 stars because it felt like there was no big BANG of a climax, but it wrapped up well. I will be watching this author.
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Heather Smith Meloche has had the honor of winning the Katherine Paterson Prize and the Writer's Digest National Competition for her children's/Young Adult writing. She studied video production and poetry at Michigan State University, and then got her Master's in Teaching English as a Second Language at Bowling Green State University. She spends her days in her home in Michigan sampling a wide
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