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Split Decision
How was Natalie to know that the decision she was about to make between two potential dates, would forever be a pivotal point in her life? That it would mark the time where childhood innocence ended? How could she even imagine that the wrong decision would send her life spiralling into the stuff of nightmares from where she might not come out alive? Life takes a cruel twist of fate when Natalie, a completely average [almost] 16 year old, is forced to make a split-second decision... a decision that will change her future and forever alter her perception of trust, love and the realities of life.
442 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2015
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Carmen Capuano
20 books18 followersBorn into poverty in Glasgow, Scotland, Carmen Capuano moved to England at the age of eighteen. A full and varied working life saw her relocate from London to Birmingham, and finally to the small Worcestershire town of Bromsgrove, where she still resides with her children and dogs.
Critically acclaimed for her writing, Carmen has brought her unique style of intricate character exposition, blended with moving and intricate plots, to her screenplays.
Currently she has a BFI Network supported film in development and a variety of other film and TV projects in pre-production with key industry figures.
She has also recently been commissioned to polish and refine several Hollywood scripts.
A prolific writer, she has penned more than twenty screenplays and as many novels in just eight years, covering every genre from rom-com to science fiction.
Her book reviews include -
'5 Stars - Brilliant and brutal!'
'5 Stars - … began and finished in one night. Incredibly hooking story and very well written.'
'WOW! Had to sit and read the last few chapters in one go, so gripping, such a different story from the usual, well done.'
'...couldn't put it down until I'd finished it!'
(Amazon.com; Amazon.co)
Critically acclaimed for her writing, Carmen has brought her unique style of intricate character exposition, blended with moving and intricate plots, to her screenplays.
Currently she has a BFI Network supported film in development and a variety of other film and TV projects in pre-production with key industry figures.
She has also recently been commissioned to polish and refine several Hollywood scripts.
A prolific writer, she has penned more than twenty screenplays and as many novels in just eight years, covering every genre from rom-com to science fiction.
Her book reviews include -
'5 Stars - Brilliant and brutal!'
'5 Stars - … began and finished in one night. Incredibly hooking story and very well written.'
'WOW! Had to sit and read the last few chapters in one go, so gripping, such a different story from the usual, well done.'
'...couldn't put it down until I'd finished it!'
(Amazon.com; Amazon.co)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 17, 2021
Read this within 3 days - didn't want to put it down. Would definitely recommend!
October 31, 2017
4 Cranky Stars
I went into this book kind of blind not fully understanding what it was actually about until I dived in. At times I became utterly confused as to what was going on but once it all merged it just clicked.
Natalie is a typical 15 year old girl who lives a very sheltered life. She has a good family and a best friend so what more can Nat want in life? While out shopping her destines collide and something she never thought possible was asked of her. Two boys who are total opposites of each other ask her out at the same time and on the same day. One boy she grew up with and one known to everyone as a trouble maker for his appearance alone. Natalie makes her decision and that sets her and her best friends life on a path of heartache and trauma yet filled with finding love and oneself in an unlikely person.
I will admit I was unsure of this book. When the chapters started dividing into sub chapters It threw me and I didn’t know if I would be able to finish it. I persevered and discovered a heart wrenching book with a delicate subject underneath. I was intrigued and once the book picked up I didn’t want to stop. The words used at times and the descriptions of normal things at times were a bit hard to follow. All in all it’s a very interesting read that I think people should try.
I went into this book kind of blind not fully understanding what it was actually about until I dived in. At times I became utterly confused as to what was going on but once it all merged it just clicked.
Natalie is a typical 15 year old girl who lives a very sheltered life. She has a good family and a best friend so what more can Nat want in life? While out shopping her destines collide and something she never thought possible was asked of her. Two boys who are total opposites of each other ask her out at the same time and on the same day. One boy she grew up with and one known to everyone as a trouble maker for his appearance alone. Natalie makes her decision and that sets her and her best friends life on a path of heartache and trauma yet filled with finding love and oneself in an unlikely person.
I will admit I was unsure of this book. When the chapters started dividing into sub chapters It threw me and I didn’t know if I would be able to finish it. I persevered and discovered a heart wrenching book with a delicate subject underneath. I was intrigued and once the book picked up I didn’t want to stop. The words used at times and the descriptions of normal things at times were a bit hard to follow. All in all it’s a very interesting read that I think people should try.
July 25, 2017
This is the second book I have read by Carmen and this one is about Natalie and how she has to make a slit decision that could be an important point in her life. Written well and I wanted to see if Natalie made the right or wrong decision. The conversations were true to form.
January 2, 2018
Brilliant and Brutal Coming-of-Age Story
Split Decision, essentially a coming-of-age novel, is both brilliant and brutal – brilliant in its execution and brutal in the sensitive subject matter it explores. The decision Natalie makes impacts on many and she is not the same person at the end of the story as she is at the beginning… It is the second book that I have read by the author Carmen Capuano, the first being Ascension, a dystopian thriller (click on the book title for the review). Although the subject matter is completerly different, I found the story just as engaging and thought- provoking.
The plot begins in a shoe shop where best friends, teenagers Natalie and Stacey are shopping. The new pair of shoes which Natalie purchases – in a style which is way out of character for the sensible teenager, can be viewed as a metaphor for both her step into adulthood and what subsequently occurs. Natalie is soon called upon to make a split second choice and her decision heralds a chain of unexpected and shocking events.
The author does an excellent job of depicting the trials and tribulations of the teenage years and how they effect existing and new relationships: a time of burgeoning sexuality, when we strive to forge our own identity, sometimes putting us in conflict with our families who find it difficult to come to terms with their offspring entering adulthood. The balance between protecting their children whilst allowing them the freedom to grow is often a difficult one and I felt that the author touched on this in a sensitive fashion. I certainly identified with Stacey and Natalie from memories of my own teenage years and recognised how easily events could take the path they did.
The characters, the young people and the adults, were all very believable and the author is to be congratulated on using the events to illustrate their personal growth and changing family dynamics.The plot is cleverly and expertly written and certainly had me guessing and questioning my own preconceptions and prejudices.
All in all a super read. Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Split Decision, essentially a coming-of-age novel, is both brilliant and brutal – brilliant in its execution and brutal in the sensitive subject matter it explores. The decision Natalie makes impacts on many and she is not the same person at the end of the story as she is at the beginning… It is the second book that I have read by the author Carmen Capuano, the first being Ascension, a dystopian thriller (click on the book title for the review). Although the subject matter is completerly different, I found the story just as engaging and thought- provoking.
The plot begins in a shoe shop where best friends, teenagers Natalie and Stacey are shopping. The new pair of shoes which Natalie purchases – in a style which is way out of character for the sensible teenager, can be viewed as a metaphor for both her step into adulthood and what subsequently occurs. Natalie is soon called upon to make a split second choice and her decision heralds a chain of unexpected and shocking events.
The author does an excellent job of depicting the trials and tribulations of the teenage years and how they effect existing and new relationships: a time of burgeoning sexuality, when we strive to forge our own identity, sometimes putting us in conflict with our families who find it difficult to come to terms with their offspring entering adulthood. The balance between protecting their children whilst allowing them the freedom to grow is often a difficult one and I felt that the author touched on this in a sensitive fashion. I certainly identified with Stacey and Natalie from memories of my own teenage years and recognised how easily events could take the path they did.
The characters, the young people and the adults, were all very believable and the author is to be congratulated on using the events to illustrate their personal growth and changing family dynamics.The plot is cleverly and expertly written and certainly had me guessing and questioning my own preconceptions and prejudices.
All in all a super read. Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
March 17, 2022
This for me was a huge page-turner. I actually found I had to stop myself from jumping ahead because I really wanted to know what was going on.
The tension is brilliantly written and although I would put trigger warnings on this for kidnap and rape, this is dealt with very sensitively and is no way explicit or graphic. It's a coming of age story with tragic consequences, but the care taken over the characters and how they are revealed to you as a reader is really compelling. I highly recommend this book.
You can also watch my chat with the author Carmen Capuano here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oaFz...
The tension is brilliantly written and although I would put trigger warnings on this for kidnap and rape, this is dealt with very sensitively and is no way explicit or graphic. It's a coming of age story with tragic consequences, but the care taken over the characters and how they are revealed to you as a reader is really compelling. I highly recommend this book.
You can also watch my chat with the author Carmen Capuano here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oaFz...
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January 2, 2018Brilliant and Brutal Coming-of-Age Story
Split Decision, essentially a coming-of-age novel, is both brilliant and brutal – brilliant in its execution and brutal in the sensitive subject matter it explores. The decision Natalie makes impacts on many and she is not the same person at the end of the story as she is at the beginning… It is the second book that I have read by the author Carmen Capuano, the first being Ascension, a dystopian thriller. Although the subject matter is completerly different, I found the story just as engaging and thought- provoking.
The plot begins in a shoe shop where best friends, teenagers Natalie and Stacey are shopping. The new pair of shoes which Natalie purchases – in a style which is way out of character for the sensible teenager, can be viewed as a metaphor for both her step into adulthood and what subsequently occurs. Natalie is soon called upon to make a split second choice and her decision heralds a chain of unexpected and shocking events.
The author does an excellent job of depicting the trials and tribulations of the teenage years and how they effect existing and new relationships: a time of burgeoning sexuality, when we strive to forge our own identity, sometimes putting us in conflict with our families who find it difficult to come to terms with their offspring entering adulthood. The balance between protecting their children whilst allowing them the freedom to grow is often a difficult one and I felt that the author touched on this in a sensitive fashion. I certainly identified with Stacey and Natalie from memories of my own teenage years and recognised how easily events could take the path they did.
The characters, the young people and the adults, were all very believable and the author is to be congratulated on using the events to illustrate their personal growth and changing family dynamics.The plot is cleverly and expertly written and certainly had me guessing and questioning my own preconceptions and prejudices.
All in all a super read. Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Split Decision, essentially a coming-of-age novel, is both brilliant and brutal – brilliant in its execution and brutal in the sensitive subject matter it explores. The decision Natalie makes impacts on many and she is not the same person at the end of the story as she is at the beginning… It is the second book that I have read by the author Carmen Capuano, the first being Ascension, a dystopian thriller. Although the subject matter is completerly different, I found the story just as engaging and thought- provoking.
The plot begins in a shoe shop where best friends, teenagers Natalie and Stacey are shopping. The new pair of shoes which Natalie purchases – in a style which is way out of character for the sensible teenager, can be viewed as a metaphor for both her step into adulthood and what subsequently occurs. Natalie is soon called upon to make a split second choice and her decision heralds a chain of unexpected and shocking events.
The author does an excellent job of depicting the trials and tribulations of the teenage years and how they effect existing and new relationships: a time of burgeoning sexuality, when we strive to forge our own identity, sometimes putting us in conflict with our families who find it difficult to come to terms with their offspring entering adulthood. The balance between protecting their children whilst allowing them the freedom to grow is often a difficult one and I felt that the author touched on this in a sensitive fashion. I certainly identified with Stacey and Natalie from memories of my own teenage years and recognised how easily events could take the path they did.
The characters, the young people and the adults, were all very believable and the author is to be congratulated on using the events to illustrate their personal growth and changing family dynamics.The plot is cleverly and expertly written and certainly had me guessing and questioning my own preconceptions and prejudices.
All in all a super read. Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews