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Within and Without
Some girls will go to great lengths to fit in. But how far is too far?
A stunning YA debut that touches on a teenage girl's emotionally haunting journey to self acceptance.
When sixteen-year-old Wren Newmann is forced to move from her small California town to her grandmother’s vineyard after her parent’s divorce, she’s convinced she’ll die a shriveled, wine-country virgin.
Her dating life improves when Jay, the son of Granny’s vintner and her long-time country crush, notices her. She tries to be the girl Jay would want—social, skinny, and sexy. But as their relationship heats up, so does her anxiety and the need for her secret purging sessions. Still, she insists Jay is the perfect boyfriend in spite of everyone’s warnings.
When Panayis, the cute Greek farmhand, insists on being her friend, Wren finds someone who truly sees her—trouble is she can’t bring herself to look at her own reflection, let alone allow anyone else to see her as she is.
When personal tragedy strikes the night of the Spring Break party, Wren is left to pick up the pieces of her broken relationships. Now, she must step up to the plate and decide if the illusion of being loved is worth sacrificing her health, and maybe even her life.
A stunning YA debut that touches on a teenage girl's emotionally haunting journey to self acceptance.
When sixteen-year-old Wren Newmann is forced to move from her small California town to her grandmother’s vineyard after her parent’s divorce, she’s convinced she’ll die a shriveled, wine-country virgin.
Her dating life improves when Jay, the son of Granny’s vintner and her long-time country crush, notices her. She tries to be the girl Jay would want—social, skinny, and sexy. But as their relationship heats up, so does her anxiety and the need for her secret purging sessions. Still, she insists Jay is the perfect boyfriend in spite of everyone’s warnings.
When Panayis, the cute Greek farmhand, insists on being her friend, Wren finds someone who truly sees her—trouble is she can’t bring herself to look at her own reflection, let alone allow anyone else to see her as she is.
When personal tragedy strikes the night of the Spring Break party, Wren is left to pick up the pieces of her broken relationships. Now, she must step up to the plate and decide if the illusion of being loved is worth sacrificing her health, and maybe even her life.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2019
4 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 27, 2018
This is a book to read if you like:
-Vineyards
-Yummy Greek food
-Sweet farm boys
-Seeing non-sweet jerk boys get what's coming to them
-a heart-cracking look at eating disorders
-Also, love.
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest, voluntary review.
-Vineyards
-Yummy Greek food
-Sweet farm boys
-Seeing non-sweet jerk boys get what's coming to them
-a heart-cracking look at eating disorders
-Also, love.
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest, voluntary review.
February 8, 2019
This is one of those books that touches your very core, the characters so real you feel as if you’ve been transported into another world. I laughed. I cried. I hated. I loved. I was devastated. I was hopeful. I wanted to try Greek food. But most of all, I remembered.
Deborah Maroulis catches the essence of being a teenage girl and isn’t afraid to tackle difficult topics that many teens face. WITHIN AND WITHOUT isn’t your “happily-ever-after” fairytale—it’s a heart-wrenching journey of the life of a girl, riddled with low self-esteem and the need to fit in, and the sacrifices she makes to be with the “perfect guy.” But along with the heartache, this book is full of humor and hope and a grandmother who you want to adopt. The rich settings and vivid descriptions pulled me in, and Wren’s voice and snark, as well as the “true-to-life” storyline, kept me turning the pages.
You will root for Wren. You will cry with her. You will celebrate her achievements. You will feel.
I highly recommend this book!
Rebecca Carpenter, author of Butterfly Bones and Butterfly Blood
Deborah Maroulis catches the essence of being a teenage girl and isn’t afraid to tackle difficult topics that many teens face. WITHIN AND WITHOUT isn’t your “happily-ever-after” fairytale—it’s a heart-wrenching journey of the life of a girl, riddled with low self-esteem and the need to fit in, and the sacrifices she makes to be with the “perfect guy.” But along with the heartache, this book is full of humor and hope and a grandmother who you want to adopt. The rich settings and vivid descriptions pulled me in, and Wren’s voice and snark, as well as the “true-to-life” storyline, kept me turning the pages.
You will root for Wren. You will cry with her. You will celebrate her achievements. You will feel.
I highly recommend this book!
Rebecca Carpenter, author of Butterfly Bones and Butterfly Blood
January 21, 2019
Absolutely loved this debut from an author to watch. Within and Without manages to be both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and Wren is a protagonist readers will be able to relate to. Realistic, authentic, and true-to-life. Add this one to your 2019 TBR!
February 10, 2019
Ugh, this book. Just ugh. So. Ridiculously. Good. Smooth writing, authentic characters, emotion overload. A fantastic book that I cannot recommend enough. It covers some tough topics so it's good to be prepared, but I believe a lot of teens will relate hard to Wren's story. Read it.
April 26, 2018
I was lucky enough to get to read this book early. Wren's struggle is every teen girl's struggle. This book deals with issues of self-esteem, sex, love, friendship, family and one girl's battle with an eating disorder. It is such an important book and I highly recommend.
Plus, Granny is hilarious and Panayis is pretty cute too ;)
Plus, Granny is hilarious and Panayis is pretty cute too ;)
April 26, 2018
ITS HAPPENING PEOPLE WHATTTT
March 18, 2019
My thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
This young adult novel deals with several serious issues: young Wren battles with an eating disorder and self-esteem issues, sexual assault, divorce and loss.
Wren has always believed herself to be in love with the popular boy, Jay. When she starts to lose weight and attracts his attention, she thinks things are finally going her way. But after a while, she realizes that she couldn't be more wrong. Unfortunately, her mother is dealing with her own self-esteem issues after the divorce and is not around for her when she needs her most. Wren is lucky to have a caring friend in Panayis, another student at her high school of Greek ancestry who also works as on her grandmother's fruit farm.
One Goodreads reviewer said that many YA novels tend to have a love triangle, and this book takes a bit of twist on that trope. Maroulis's writing is very good, and the dialogue runs smooth and true to life for the most part. I highly recommend this book.
This young adult novel deals with several serious issues: young Wren battles with an eating disorder and self-esteem issues, sexual assault, divorce and loss.
Wren has always believed herself to be in love with the popular boy, Jay. When she starts to lose weight and attracts his attention, she thinks things are finally going her way. But after a while, she realizes that she couldn't be more wrong. Unfortunately, her mother is dealing with her own self-esteem issues after the divorce and is not around for her when she needs her most. Wren is lucky to have a caring friend in Panayis, another student at her high school of Greek ancestry who also works as on her grandmother's fruit farm.
One Goodreads reviewer said that many YA novels tend to have a love triangle, and this book takes a bit of twist on that trope. Maroulis's writing is very good, and the dialogue runs smooth and true to life for the most part. I highly recommend this book.
April 9, 2019
What an emotional ride.
Within and Without completely gutted me and ever so carefully put me back together again.
Dear, dear Wren, my heart aches for you.
And as a mother of a teenage daughter, I'm left a little bit fearful.
Through first person POV, we are on the front lines with Wren, witnessing her desperation and the painful consequences that come from wanting to do whatever it takes to fit in. My heart twisted in knots and I occasionally had to close my eyes from the sadness of Wren's actions. I usually prefer novels that make me forget about the brutalities that life throws at us, but this story was told so delicately that, although sad, it never made me feel so miserable that I didn't still enjoy the story.
The school scenes in this novel were so real, it had me twitchy with reminders of my own high school days. The whispers, rumours, and general cruelty that comes when you put a bunch of teenagers together.
I loved Panayis, (even though I probably said his name wrong the whole way through!) and I would happily read an entire novel just about him.
Deborah Mouralis has written a beautiful debut and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Within and Without completely gutted me and ever so carefully put me back together again.
Dear, dear Wren, my heart aches for you.
And as a mother of a teenage daughter, I'm left a little bit fearful.
Through first person POV, we are on the front lines with Wren, witnessing her desperation and the painful consequences that come from wanting to do whatever it takes to fit in. My heart twisted in knots and I occasionally had to close my eyes from the sadness of Wren's actions. I usually prefer novels that make me forget about the brutalities that life throws at us, but this story was told so delicately that, although sad, it never made me feel so miserable that I didn't still enjoy the story.
The school scenes in this novel were so real, it had me twitchy with reminders of my own high school days. The whispers, rumours, and general cruelty that comes when you put a bunch of teenagers together.
I loved Panayis, (even though I probably said his name wrong the whole way through!) and I would happily read an entire novel just about him.
Deborah Mouralis has written a beautiful debut and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
May 27, 2019
I think what I loved most about Within and Without - and Deb - is the fact that she front loads this book with a trigger warning. There’s no doubt that a story of a girl spiraling into an eating disorder could be triggering for some. Thank you, Deb, for keeping people safe.
I am here for authentic and real YA contemporary. I read these stories because I like to stay grounded in reality and have books get me to think about things. Within and Without is a book the will make you think. Deb’s writing moves you seamlessly through Wren’s story and world (the two are intertwined). She’s experienced a transition with her parent’s divorce and a move to her grandmother’s home. Wren experiences assault from someone she trusted. Deb does not shy away from the emotions, something us readers will feel deeply. I grieved with Wren.
The story is not also without happiness. I loved Wren’s granny and her developing relationship with Panayis, the farmboy you can’t help but cheer for. Overall this is a story of persevering through life’s challenges and the pathways we stumble upon.
I can’t wait to see what Deb writes next! Luckily she’s local to me so I may have to poke her and ask ;).
This review was originally posted on BookCrushin
I am here for authentic and real YA contemporary. I read these stories because I like to stay grounded in reality and have books get me to think about things. Within and Without is a book the will make you think. Deb’s writing moves you seamlessly through Wren’s story and world (the two are intertwined). She’s experienced a transition with her parent’s divorce and a move to her grandmother’s home. Wren experiences assault from someone she trusted. Deb does not shy away from the emotions, something us readers will feel deeply. I grieved with Wren.
The story is not also without happiness. I loved Wren’s granny and her developing relationship with Panayis, the farmboy you can’t help but cheer for. Overall this is a story of persevering through life’s challenges and the pathways we stumble upon.
I can’t wait to see what Deb writes next! Luckily she’s local to me so I may have to poke her and ask ;).
This review was originally posted on BookCrushin
March 4, 2019
At first, the book and I got off to a rough start. Wren's struggles with self-image struck a little too close to home, and it took a while for me to warm up to some of the characters. But when I did, I was completely drawn into the story. I think the writing kept getting better and better, and by the time I was halfway through the book, I was hooked. The author did a fantastic job describing ranch life in northern California, as well as the inner workings of a small-town high school. And the changes and growth Wren goes through felt true (if not exhausting!). I highly recommend this book, but heed the warnings at the beginning; some content is very tough to read.
February 24, 2019
Maroulis captures the feelings of struggling with an eating disorder and low self-esteem with frankness and clarity. Within and Without is an honest, raw narrative which superbly balances being a romance novel with tackling the more serious issues Wren faces. It is poignant, witty, devastating, and inspiring.
Within and Without also normalises LGBT relationships by not emphasising “the gay best friend” trope or promoting the character as stereotypical and ostentatiously flaunting her in order for the author to seem progressive. Instead, the character is simply gay. No frills about it, just a matter of fact relationship.
Even though not everyone struggles with an eating disorder and sexual assault (not a spoiler btw, there’s a disclaimer in the beginning), everyone can find something to relate to in Wren. Maroulis perfectly captures the insecurities and excitements of being a teenager who feels like the world is against them. She hones in on the circuits of thinking as a developing teen and brings back those butterflies of junior year, trying to catch a boy, and finding a bump in a friendship.
Overall, Within and Without is a novel that anyone can read and relate to. It will either make you feel understood and less alone, or it will bring you insight into the mind of a damaged person who suffers the same way as Wren. I highly recommend this on your “next to read” list.
Within and Without also normalises LGBT relationships by not emphasising “the gay best friend” trope or promoting the character as stereotypical and ostentatiously flaunting her in order for the author to seem progressive. Instead, the character is simply gay. No frills about it, just a matter of fact relationship.
Even though not everyone struggles with an eating disorder and sexual assault (not a spoiler btw, there’s a disclaimer in the beginning), everyone can find something to relate to in Wren. Maroulis perfectly captures the insecurities and excitements of being a teenager who feels like the world is against them. She hones in on the circuits of thinking as a developing teen and brings back those butterflies of junior year, trying to catch a boy, and finding a bump in a friendship.
Overall, Within and Without is a novel that anyone can read and relate to. It will either make you feel understood and less alone, or it will bring you insight into the mind of a damaged person who suffers the same way as Wren. I highly recommend this on your “next to read” list.
February 28, 2019
Well-written, engaging, and thoughtful, Within and Without is not only an important read but an entertaining one as well. Deborah Maroulis does a great job at writing characters and capturing an authentic teenage voice; Wren felt very relatable to me in my high school years despite her having vastly different struggles than I did. It's quick, easy to read, and tells a story about a character that I don't think we see enough of in young adult literature.
March 14, 2019
Within and Without is a gripping YA debut focusing on a teenager struggling with body image and an eating disorder as she tries to navigate love, friendship and her parents' recent divorce. The writing is solid, and the main character Wren is appealing and sympathetic. The subject matter does touch on some darker themes, but the depiction of Wren's eating disorder is handled well. I would recommend the book for fans of YA contemporary novels that focus on real-life issues of sexuality and mental illness.
February 21, 2019
Disclaimer: I was given this ARC in exchange for a fair review.
OhMyGosh.
The feelings.
Those teen years I would never want to return to came rushing back with the incredible storytelling. Lush descriptions and evocative emotions tumbled throughout the book to give the reader perfect insight to the main character's life and turmoil. But she's so freaking funny too. I'll never be that witty.
At one point in the story, I thought, this is all too much. But I couldn't stop reading and finished it in one sitting.
Then I let myself remember those years of overwhelming feelings and insecurity and analyzing everything to see where I fit in. How amazing that the teen-years roller coaster is the same between generations, only the technology has changed. I wanted to hug the main character, throttle her mom, and plant a huge kiss on Granny's cheek.
I didn't cry while reading, but upon reflection, the tears come. The characters are real. I fell in love with them. Except for the one person. Read the book. You'll know who.
But you have to read this book.
OhMyGosh.
The feelings.
Those teen years I would never want to return to came rushing back with the incredible storytelling. Lush descriptions and evocative emotions tumbled throughout the book to give the reader perfect insight to the main character's life and turmoil. But she's so freaking funny too. I'll never be that witty.
At one point in the story, I thought, this is all too much. But I couldn't stop reading and finished it in one sitting.
Then I let myself remember those years of overwhelming feelings and insecurity and analyzing everything to see where I fit in. How amazing that the teen-years roller coaster is the same between generations, only the technology has changed. I wanted to hug the main character, throttle her mom, and plant a huge kiss on Granny's cheek.
I didn't cry while reading, but upon reflection, the tears come. The characters are real. I fell in love with them. Except for the one person. Read the book. You'll know who.
But you have to read this book.
February 25, 2019
WOW!!! I cried so many times while reading this book. Such a beautiful, poignant, gripping story. Deborah Maroulis’ depiction of the thought processes of a teenage girl dealing with the upheaval of her life, insecurities, need for control, and skewed self image was accurate and brought up so many emotions. All of this wrapped in a beautiful story of love, support, and examples of genuine admiration. Within and Without is a beautiful story that took me on a journey and left me feeling satisfied and hopeful. I HIGHLY recommend this beautiful novel.
March 1, 2019
This is a wonderful debut that touches upon no small number of important issues. Image. The pressure kids (or anyone for that matter) feel to look or a act a certain way. First love. Loss. It is about family and friendship and growing up. This book is such a good reminder to young people that our perceptions of ourselves are often flawed, and that we need to be as kind to the faces we see staring back at us in the mirror as we are to our friends and loved ones. The message is vital and the story does so many necessary things, but the heart of this book revolves around the characters themselves and Wren's fabulous voice.
Wren in smart and funny and relatable. She draws you in immediately with her voice. I flew through this book without even realizing it because it was so easy to get lost in Wren's immediate world/ seeing things through the lens of her eyes. The touches of humor and sweetness were a perfect complement to some of the more serious themes in the book. I thought the portrayal of first love was so well done. It captured all the confusion and tension and blindness that comes with it. You will find yourself cheering for Wren from the very first page to the last, which ends on the perfect note of hope.
Wren in smart and funny and relatable. She draws you in immediately with her voice. I flew through this book without even realizing it because it was so easy to get lost in Wren's immediate world/ seeing things through the lens of her eyes. The touches of humor and sweetness were a perfect complement to some of the more serious themes in the book. I thought the portrayal of first love was so well done. It captured all the confusion and tension and blindness that comes with it. You will find yourself cheering for Wren from the very first page to the last, which ends on the perfect note of hope.
February 15, 2019
I could not put this book down! It brought me right back to high school and the feeling of first love and all the insecurities that come with it. I laughed and cried and felt a lot of love for Wren, as well as my younger self.
May 27, 2019
Every Body Is Beautiful
Wow just wow. At first, I seriously didn’t think I would like this book, the blurb didn’t hook me as much as some do and I went into it expecting a mediocre read. Well, don’t I feel like an idiot now. This book is life changing.
It deals with such sensitive topics, and yet it is not depressing. It’s raw and eye-opening. There are moments when I laughed and moments when I screamed at the protagonist Wren. Some of what she said and did made me want to shake her. But that’s the beauty of Maroulis’ writing, it’s all intentional.I’m meant to see parts of myself in Wren and I am meant to be frustrated by it. The reason why I got so angry and emotional with her character is because she’s me. Well not completely, but the feelings are there. The need to fit in, to become someone you’re not, that horrible destructiveness it’s all too familiar.
Unearthing this frustration was cathartic for me. Wren was a way of facing some of my darkest thoughts and seeing how they might play out. Her story highlighted the importance of loving oneself and having people love you for who you are. I honestly don’t feel the same now that I’ve completed it.In a way, I feel sick. I am ashamed that I lost sight of myself and how beautiful I am. I find it tough sometimes when all I see is skinny beautiful people. I’ll never be as thin as them and I don’t want to be. I’m me and that’s the damned best. I just need a little reminder sometimes.
That’s what this book was for me. A reminder that everybody is beautiful in their own way. Wren lost herself and her journey back was not easy. She suffered and my heart clenched for her. I was with her every step of the way and while she was annoying at times, I never gave up on her. We made it through together and I’m proud.
I am awed by this book and by Maroulis for writing it. I honestly believe it will do some good. There is so much addressed, and I want to blurt out every detail just to show just how clever it is. How it deals with these multiple, sensitive topics. But I can’t do it - I can’t spoil it.
It’s a short review I know, but it’s not because the book is lacking. It’s me. I have no idea how to do it justice. The only way I can is by urging you to read it. Give it a chance, like I did, I guarantee you’ll take something from it.
Reviewed by Claire Knight for The Glass House Book Club
Wow just wow. At first, I seriously didn’t think I would like this book, the blurb didn’t hook me as much as some do and I went into it expecting a mediocre read. Well, don’t I feel like an idiot now. This book is life changing.
It deals with such sensitive topics, and yet it is not depressing. It’s raw and eye-opening. There are moments when I laughed and moments when I screamed at the protagonist Wren. Some of what she said and did made me want to shake her. But that’s the beauty of Maroulis’ writing, it’s all intentional.I’m meant to see parts of myself in Wren and I am meant to be frustrated by it. The reason why I got so angry and emotional with her character is because she’s me. Well not completely, but the feelings are there. The need to fit in, to become someone you’re not, that horrible destructiveness it’s all too familiar.
Unearthing this frustration was cathartic for me. Wren was a way of facing some of my darkest thoughts and seeing how they might play out. Her story highlighted the importance of loving oneself and having people love you for who you are. I honestly don’t feel the same now that I’ve completed it.In a way, I feel sick. I am ashamed that I lost sight of myself and how beautiful I am. I find it tough sometimes when all I see is skinny beautiful people. I’ll never be as thin as them and I don’t want to be. I’m me and that’s the damned best. I just need a little reminder sometimes.
That’s what this book was for me. A reminder that everybody is beautiful in their own way. Wren lost herself and her journey back was not easy. She suffered and my heart clenched for her. I was with her every step of the way and while she was annoying at times, I never gave up on her. We made it through together and I’m proud.
I am awed by this book and by Maroulis for writing it. I honestly believe it will do some good. There is so much addressed, and I want to blurt out every detail just to show just how clever it is. How it deals with these multiple, sensitive topics. But I can’t do it - I can’t spoil it.
It’s a short review I know, but it’s not because the book is lacking. It’s me. I have no idea how to do it justice. The only way I can is by urging you to read it. Give it a chance, like I did, I guarantee you’ll take something from it.
Reviewed by Claire Knight for The Glass House Book Club
May 29, 2019
*Full disclosure: I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*
Deborah Maroulis captures in raw detail the challenges that so many young adults face — often in secret.
Within and Without is, in my opinion, an important book for YA (and even parents) to read to begin the conversations that can be, at times, uncomfortable.
I personally know Deborah, and the way she wrote this novel is 100% true to her character and her voice. In other words, you will find no more honest a representation of an author's style than Within and Without. I highly recommend reading it not just for its engaging, world-building story (with wonderful descriptions of Greek food, as others have pointed out), but also as a crucial introduction to the internal struggles some teenagers and young adults grapple with on a daily basis.
Deborah Maroulis captures in raw detail the challenges that so many young adults face — often in secret.
Within and Without is, in my opinion, an important book for YA (and even parents) to read to begin the conversations that can be, at times, uncomfortable.
I personally know Deborah, and the way she wrote this novel is 100% true to her character and her voice. In other words, you will find no more honest a representation of an author's style than Within and Without. I highly recommend reading it not just for its engaging, world-building story (with wonderful descriptions of Greek food, as others have pointed out), but also as a crucial introduction to the internal struggles some teenagers and young adults grapple with on a daily basis.
June 11, 2019
Within and Without was a fantastic read! Not just YA fiction in my opinion. The characters that Deborah Maroulis creates are rich, lovable and relatable. I laughed, I cried and I got angry! I finished this book in record time because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. The author’s handling of sensitive topics was just the right balance of ugly reality and, yet extremely respectful. Sometimes these topics are presented in such a way that they are either unrealistic or so heavy that I can’t even read anymore. I work with High Schoolers and these issues are reality. The reader is left with hope and understanding that I pray will bring these topics to the forefront of everyone’s minds. Especially our TEENS. Speak out and speak up for those that are too crippled by their reality to speak for themselves! Thank you, Deborah for a fantastic read! I can’t wait to see what’s next.
January 8, 2020
WITHIN AND WITHOUT by Deborah Maroulis is an absolute hidden gem and one of the best contemporary voices I read in 2019. Wren is an authentic character, and her often self-deprecating humor gave what would have already been a strong narrative that much more dimension. What struck me about WITHIN AND WITHOUT was the experience as reader of seeing where Wren’s choices would (and wouldn’t) lead, stemming from insecurities representative of the kind many teens experience (bodily or otherwise), and being “ahead” of the protagonist in a way that felt all the more heartbreaking as the story unfolded. She was relatable because of both her strengths and her weaknesses. Deborah’s storytelling wrapped me in a story I didn’t want to leave behind, and I hope she has more stories to share with us.
Read
June 16, 2019I'm not typically a YA reader, but this is a book with definite crossover appeal. I loved that it made me remember my own awkward teenage self, while being so grateful that I grew up before texting and social media. (FWIW, I humiliated myself in other ways.)
Wren is a great character, both funny and snappy in a self-deprecating way, and realistic in her relationship turmoil and body image issues. Within and Without covers some serious topics, which makes it all the more relevant and read-worthy.
Wren is a great character, both funny and snappy in a self-deprecating way, and realistic in her relationship turmoil and body image issues. Within and Without covers some serious topics, which makes it all the more relevant and read-worthy.
August 3, 2019
A sometimes heart-wrenching but ultimately uplifting story of a junior in high school, Wren, who after struggling for so long to fit in, comes to learn that fitting in and being admired by her peers has extracted too high a cost. Nearly everyone in Wren's life has let her down but no one quite as much as Wren herself. Bulimia and body dysmorphia are dealt with frankly but compassionately. A must-read for both teens and parents of teens.
May 29, 2019
Must Read!
This book gets 5 stars!! What an amazing read! Wrens character is so relatable.. If you want to get lost in love, pain, death, and redemption..this is a must read!
This book gets 5 stars!! What an amazing read! Wrens character is so relatable.. If you want to get lost in love, pain, death, and redemption..this is a must read!
May 5, 2019
So today (literally in one day) I read Within and Without by Deborah Maroulis. This is a really amazing book that I think can be super relevant for a teenage audience right now. Many young girls might be able to relate to the story of Wren.
Wren is dealing with her parents divorce when she must go to live at her grandmother's vineyard. While quiet and reserved, she attracts the attention of her long-time crush, Jay who is a popular boy at school. While others around her see that Jay might not be the right guy for her, she enjoys his attention and does everything she can to become the girl that she thinks Jay wants. Including making herself throw-up after meals so that she can lose weight.
Luckily, she also makes friends with Panayis, a cute Greek farmhand with whom Wren feels like she can be herself. He sees the real her and she doesn't feel like she needs to change to be around him. Wren eventually realizes that she needs to decide between feeling popular and hanging on the arm of her dream boyfriend are worth giving up her true self and putting her health at risk.
Some people may struggle with reading this book. It addresses difficult topics like divorce, eating disorders, sexual assault, abusive relationships, and death. There is also some language. So if you feel like you might struggle with any of these, feel free to skip the book. I appreciated the fact that Maroulis included a brief letter of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book as these experiences can be triggering for those who have been in similar situations.
I really enjoyed reading this book because of Wren. She is a young girl and so, of course, she is worried about all the things that young girls worry about--boys, clothes, her body, her grandmother's nagging. Like I mentioned early, I feel that so many of the things Wren faces are faced by young girls of today and they could benefit from reading about Wren's journey. At first, she hides in her relationship with Jay and feels that as long as she has him, she will be fulfilled. But through the book we can see how she learns what a healthy relationship should look and the effect that this all has on her health and her perspective on her own body.
I don't mean to spoil it. But I want you to know that by the end, we receive a happy ending, a hopeful message that shows us that Wren is on the right track and that she is getting the help she needs. I feel that Maroulis did a fantastic job of writing Wren's growth and change over the course of the book and representing so many of the insecurities that girls and women all over the world feel.
I recommend this to anyone looking for some great realistic fiction that addresses difficult topics in a delicate way. I found this to be a fascinating read--as evidence by my quick devouring of it!
Wren is dealing with her parents divorce when she must go to live at her grandmother's vineyard. While quiet and reserved, she attracts the attention of her long-time crush, Jay who is a popular boy at school. While others around her see that Jay might not be the right guy for her, she enjoys his attention and does everything she can to become the girl that she thinks Jay wants. Including making herself throw-up after meals so that she can lose weight.
Luckily, she also makes friends with Panayis, a cute Greek farmhand with whom Wren feels like she can be herself. He sees the real her and she doesn't feel like she needs to change to be around him. Wren eventually realizes that she needs to decide between feeling popular and hanging on the arm of her dream boyfriend are worth giving up her true self and putting her health at risk.
Some people may struggle with reading this book. It addresses difficult topics like divorce, eating disorders, sexual assault, abusive relationships, and death. There is also some language. So if you feel like you might struggle with any of these, feel free to skip the book. I appreciated the fact that Maroulis included a brief letter of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book as these experiences can be triggering for those who have been in similar situations.
I really enjoyed reading this book because of Wren. She is a young girl and so, of course, she is worried about all the things that young girls worry about--boys, clothes, her body, her grandmother's nagging. Like I mentioned early, I feel that so many of the things Wren faces are faced by young girls of today and they could benefit from reading about Wren's journey. At first, she hides in her relationship with Jay and feels that as long as she has him, she will be fulfilled. But through the book we can see how she learns what a healthy relationship should look and the effect that this all has on her health and her perspective on her own body.
I don't mean to spoil it. But I want you to know that by the end, we receive a happy ending, a hopeful message that shows us that Wren is on the right track and that she is getting the help she needs. I feel that Maroulis did a fantastic job of writing Wren's growth and change over the course of the book and representing so many of the insecurities that girls and women all over the world feel.
I recommend this to anyone looking for some great realistic fiction that addresses difficult topics in a delicate way. I found this to be a fascinating read--as evidence by my quick devouring of it!
January 16, 2024
as i began reading i was terrified to continue reading because of how much i saw myself in wren in terms of dealing with the hyper awareness of being fat which can be so mentally exhausting especially when your think about your body in different social settings and how you think it’s supposed to look a certain way to appease social norms or what will be deemed as desirable by the male gaze. this book captured that turmoil beautifully as it was painful to relate to the many truths. so i love that in the end wren is learning to accept her self as is and that panayis saw beyond what jay could never do for wren.
i loved granny’s character and i hate that i fell for the mentor dying trope for the hero’s journey cz when she died i was like fuuuuuuckkk, the tears i had :(
grieving a friendship/friendship breakup is no joke especially when it’s your best friend. the confusion, anger, regret, sadness were well-captured emotions in the writing. although i was confused why robin didn’t overtly explain her issue with jay when at first she was encouraging wren. the switch up was crzy cz if she wanted to protect her friend she should’ve said her peace, unless it’s just teens messing up and learning how to communicate too. so i get that cz i forsure was not perfect with communication. anyways, the writing itself stirred so many emotions in me. there were many parts of the book that also made me laugh with wren’s jokes and awkwardness. also the references to harry potter and dumbledore cracked me up, they reminded me of the mythology class i took with mrs. maroulis and how she would point out how much of a jokester dumbledore was :)
lastly, i loved the moment when wren and her mom came together after learning about wren’s rape, and wren was able to see the human in her mom as she apologized and owned her flaws.
i loved granny’s character and i hate that i fell for the mentor dying trope for the hero’s journey cz when she died i was like fuuuuuuckkk, the tears i had :(
grieving a friendship/friendship breakup is no joke especially when it’s your best friend. the confusion, anger, regret, sadness were well-captured emotions in the writing. although i was confused why robin didn’t overtly explain her issue with jay when at first she was encouraging wren. the switch up was crzy cz if she wanted to protect her friend she should’ve said her peace, unless it’s just teens messing up and learning how to communicate too. so i get that cz i forsure was not perfect with communication. anyways, the writing itself stirred so many emotions in me. there were many parts of the book that also made me laugh with wren’s jokes and awkwardness. also the references to harry potter and dumbledore cracked me up, they reminded me of the mythology class i took with mrs. maroulis and how she would point out how much of a jokester dumbledore was :)
lastly, i loved the moment when wren and her mom came together after learning about wren’s rape, and wren was able to see the human in her mom as she apologized and owned her flaws.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2019
I was allowed to have an ARC for an honest review of this book through NetGalley.
When I chose Within and Without by Deborah Maroulis, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had review the preview of the book and I liked what I had read. I also liked the cover to the book which was something that drew me into the book when I chose it.
Although when I did start reading it, I felt like I might not like it since I was struggling with the time jumps at the start of the first few chapters. But once I got past those and I read more of the book I began to really enjoy the book to the point I really didn't want to put it down.
Within and Without follows Wren through a long year of changes that she is struggling with such as her recent move to her grandmother's home, her parents splitting up, and boy problems. Throughout the year she struggles to find her true self within her. Wren's changes due to her ever changing life causes her to loose her only friend, but along the way she befriends someone who will be looking out for her when she needs the help the most.
Within and Without for me was a chance to read about Wren who struggles everyday with her weight, and her everyday life. I feel like this is a good book for all young adults to read for the simple reason of if they are struggling with their own issues about their bodies, then maybe by reading Wren's story they will have the courage to seek out the help that they need. So this will be a book that I recommend to readers out there to take a chance on and read it.
When I chose Within and Without by Deborah Maroulis, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had review the preview of the book and I liked what I had read. I also liked the cover to the book which was something that drew me into the book when I chose it.
Although when I did start reading it, I felt like I might not like it since I was struggling with the time jumps at the start of the first few chapters. But once I got past those and I read more of the book I began to really enjoy the book to the point I really didn't want to put it down.
Within and Without follows Wren through a long year of changes that she is struggling with such as her recent move to her grandmother's home, her parents splitting up, and boy problems. Throughout the year she struggles to find her true self within her. Wren's changes due to her ever changing life causes her to loose her only friend, but along the way she befriends someone who will be looking out for her when she needs the help the most.
Within and Without for me was a chance to read about Wren who struggles everyday with her weight, and her everyday life. I feel like this is a good book for all young adults to read for the simple reason of if they are struggling with their own issues about their bodies, then maybe by reading Wren's story they will have the courage to seek out the help that they need. So this will be a book that I recommend to readers out there to take a chance on and read it.
May 29, 2019
Wren has a lot going on. Her parent’s recently divorced. Her mom has fully embraced the single life—almost forgetting that she has a daughter. She’s now living at her grandmother’s vineyard instead of the house she grew up in. Add to that the usual high school social dynamics and Wren’s near-crippling insecurities. But Wren has started to take a little bit of control in an effort to transform herself into what she thinks will make her better, more confident, and maybe even help her feel like she belongs.
But when Jay, the cute football player, takes notice of her, Wren becomes even more absorbed in her efforts to be a better version of herself. Before long she is left with the shattered remains of her hopes and tattered friendships.
In Within and Without, author Deborah Maroulis has tackled the devastating effects of social isolation, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and sexual assault. Her style is subtle; you find yourself aching for Wren and lost in her story, but without feeling the heavy hand of the “topic”. Wren is a likable character—I prefer mine with sass and sarcasm—and it was so easy to identify with her and the confusion and self-doubt she’s experiencing.
I highly recommend Within and Without for any teen/young adult readers—and their families!
But when Jay, the cute football player, takes notice of her, Wren becomes even more absorbed in her efforts to be a better version of herself. Before long she is left with the shattered remains of her hopes and tattered friendships.
In Within and Without, author Deborah Maroulis has tackled the devastating effects of social isolation, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and sexual assault. Her style is subtle; you find yourself aching for Wren and lost in her story, but without feeling the heavy hand of the “topic”. Wren is a likable character—I prefer mine with sass and sarcasm—and it was so easy to identify with her and the confusion and self-doubt she’s experiencing.
I highly recommend Within and Without for any teen/young adult readers—and their families!
December 28, 2019
This was such a compelling and relatable read. Maroulis presents us with Wren, a girl who struggles to see herself without filtering that self through a perception of inferiority and shame. So many moments resonated as I found myself nodding to her thoughts of wishing she was prettier, thinner, more likable, more in control, more anything but what she already is, which is pretty wonderful. I sped through the book (and I'm normally a very slow reader) thanks to the pace of the action, the wit and relate-ability of the narrative voice, and the sense of tension that built throughout. Maroulis handles the tough subject matter with a balanced hand. There's a guy who treats the heroine terribly. There's another who treats her with kindness and love. One mother figure vanishes while another takes her place. Mistakes are made but apologies are never far behind, keeping the heroine in control of her story, even when she least feels it herself. It's a dynamic portrait of a girl lost in her world, and I don't know any teenage girl who wouldn't connect to the struggle and come out rooting for Wren. I look forward to seeing what Maroulis publishes next!
May 12, 2019
Sometimes I get so caught up in wanting to write the perfect review. This is no different, but my emotions regarding Wren’s story are so strong that it almost seems impossible.
All I can really say is, there is no other kind of love than a grandmother’s love.
Thank you, Deborah Marloulis for so beautifully showing that love and for so delicately and beautifully writing the pain and heartache. With realistic characters and heartbreaking (and warming) declarations of the truth of what makes a family a family, a friend a friend, and a lover a lover.
All I can really say is, there is no other kind of love than a grandmother’s love.
Thank you, Deborah Marloulis for so beautifully showing that love and for so delicately and beautifully writing the pain and heartache. With realistic characters and heartbreaking (and warming) declarations of the truth of what makes a family a family, a friend a friend, and a lover a lover.
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