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Taking Root
Seventeen-year-old Delaney Moran is trying to make it on her own but panic attacks threaten to undermine her independence. Luella, a determined social worker and Murray, the owner of a music store, want to help her but in doing so, they uncover a secret from her past.
239 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2020
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 29, 2020
A decent-enough Y.A. read about a teenage girl who strikes out on her own to escape her mother’s substance abuse and neglect. Luckily, Delaney is very self-motivated and determined to make something of her life. She is a strong character, one who would be a good example for Y.A. readers.
The story is written in 3rd person present tense, mostly from Delaney’s viewpoint. In some chapters, however, the reader is in the mind of Delaney’s mother Liz, , or a caring friend named Luella, or even that of Murray, Delaney’s landlord. These changes come along without warning, so it makes for some confusion.
For me, most of the story fell flat. It seemed almost as if it wasn’t really leading toward a conclusion, and then the book just ends abruptly, without any rhyme or reason for that ending to occur. In fact, I think that pretty much sums this read up; it wanders around, with lots of different characters coming and going, then drops off.
*I received a free digital copy of this from Netgalley. All opinions are strictly my own.*
The story is written in 3rd person present tense, mostly from Delaney’s viewpoint. In some chapters, however, the reader is in the mind of Delaney’s mother Liz, , or a caring friend named Luella, or even that of Murray, Delaney’s landlord. These changes come along without warning, so it makes for some confusion.
For me, most of the story fell flat. It seemed almost as if it wasn’t really leading toward a conclusion, and then the book just ends abruptly, without any rhyme or reason for that ending to occur. In fact, I think that pretty much sums this read up; it wanders around, with lots of different characters coming and going, then drops off.
*I received a free digital copy of this from Netgalley. All opinions are strictly my own.*
January 19, 2021
* i got this book in exhange for a honest review from Netgalley *
It was not strong character or story development, i did not feel anything for the book`s story or characters.
It was not strong character or story development, i did not feel anything for the book`s story or characters.
August 27, 2020
***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of TAKING ROOT by Brenda Bellinger in exchange for my honest review.***
TAKING ROOT is a slow moving story that never really grabbed me. After a slow start, I did feel Delaney as a character. Though I empathized with her situation, Brenda Bellinger never made me feel Delaney’s pain. Murray was the only character that evoked emotion.
I really wanted to like TAKING ROOT as much as I did the premise, but the execution fell short in writing, plot and character. Murray saved the story from being a one star review.
TAKING ROOT is a slow moving story that never really grabbed me. After a slow start, I did feel Delaney as a character. Though I empathized with her situation, Brenda Bellinger never made me feel Delaney’s pain. Murray was the only character that evoked emotion.
I really wanted to like TAKING ROOT as much as I did the premise, but the execution fell short in writing, plot and character. Murray saved the story from being a one star review.
September 24, 2020
I'm honestly not sure what this was meant to achieve. There wasn't very strong character building or development, and the ending was very rushed and underdeveloped. There was way to much telling rather than showing, and there wasn't enough focus on the main characters anxiety.
Want to read
September 26, 2020I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley.
September 19, 2020
The Omniscient Narrator was a bit strange for me as ai am not used to it in a contemporary fiction piece. Her toxic and complicated relationship with her mother and their past is quite intriguing.
The changes in viewpoint were nice, but it took me a while to get used to them. Nonetheless, it helped the plot and character development.
I must say that the several errors in spacing and absences of capital letters was quite bothersome and distracting. As someone who has dealt with panic attacks, I can identify how they can affect one's relationships with others.
Throughout the book I wondered if Julian knew about Delaney's age. Although his age is not said, it is clear that his is older than her. Des he know she still a minor? Would he be okey with it? It felt like it was a strange relationship.
As heartbreaking and, at some points, pitiable as this story is, I cannot help but really like this story. I hope there will be a continuation to this book. If there us none, I will be deeply disappointed the story ended in such. a cliffhanger. (Though, I must admit it is quite realistic.)
The changes in viewpoint were nice, but it took me a while to get used to them. Nonetheless, it helped the plot and character development.
I must say that the several errors in spacing and absences of capital letters was quite bothersome and distracting. As someone who has dealt with panic attacks, I can identify how they can affect one's relationships with others.
Throughout the book I wondered if Julian knew about Delaney's age. Although his age is not said, it is clear that his is older than her. Des he know she still a minor? Would he be okey with it? It felt like it was a strange relationship.
As heartbreaking and, at some points, pitiable as this story is, I cannot help but really like this story. I hope there will be a continuation to this book. If there us none, I will be deeply disappointed the story ended in such. a cliffhanger. (Though, I must admit it is quite realistic.)
September 6, 2020
I am so glad I read this book! Am thinking this is a wonderful book for YA readers maybe going through difficult times. Delaney, the main character is a young 17 year old girl alone and on her own. She has left her home due to her mother's drug use, behavior, and her constant need to surround her self with lowlife unsuitable men.
What I like about Delaney is her absolute resourcefulness and determination. She finds herself a place to live, creates a job for herself and starts to find herself some very good friends including her landlord, and a former social worker, and a young man she meets in a coffee shop.
Honestly I could have kept reading about Delaney forever. Was sorry the book ended!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.
What I like about Delaney is her absolute resourcefulness and determination. She finds herself a place to live, creates a job for herself and starts to find herself some very good friends including her landlord, and a former social worker, and a young man she meets in a coffee shop.
Honestly I could have kept reading about Delaney forever. Was sorry the book ended!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.
November 1, 2020
Thank you to netgally for providing an ARC of Taking Root by Brenda Bellinger in exchange for an honest review.
Taking Root follows the story of 17 year old Delany who leaves home after becoming sick and tired of her mothers drug use and the abusive men her mother surrounds herself with. On top of dealing with her mother Delany also suffers from panic attacks. This YA novel although had an interesting blurb was a little too slow moving for myself. The characters point of view also would change often without warning, making it slightly confusing when reading the novel. Due to this I was unable to connect with Delany's character, I wasn't able to feel what she was going through and fully understand her emotions.
Taking Root follows the story of 17 year old Delany who leaves home after becoming sick and tired of her mothers drug use and the abusive men her mother surrounds herself with. On top of dealing with her mother Delany also suffers from panic attacks. This YA novel although had an interesting blurb was a little too slow moving for myself. The characters point of view also would change often without warning, making it slightly confusing when reading the novel. Due to this I was unable to connect with Delany's character, I wasn't able to feel what she was going through and fully understand her emotions.
April 10, 2021
Taking Root
I wasn't sure what to expect. I have eight grandchildren so this story was hard to imagine that Liz, Delaney's mother was such a selfish, manipulative person. I don't know if I would call her a mother. Lie, lie, and lie some more. Never thinking of her daughter as a child to be loved. I think Liz was incapable of that emotion. Somewhere her wiring was off. Thank heavens Delaney was smart enough to care for herself and met good people along the way, when she left her mother in the dust.. This was a type of story which could have gone good or bad for Delaney but as Luella already knew, Delaney's fate was in God's and Jesus's hands. Thank you Brenda for an uplifting book.
I wasn't sure what to expect. I have eight grandchildren so this story was hard to imagine that Liz, Delaney's mother was such a selfish, manipulative person. I don't know if I would call her a mother. Lie, lie, and lie some more. Never thinking of her daughter as a child to be loved. I think Liz was incapable of that emotion. Somewhere her wiring was off. Thank heavens Delaney was smart enough to care for herself and met good people along the way, when she left her mother in the dust.. This was a type of story which could have gone good or bad for Delaney but as Luella already knew, Delaney's fate was in God's and Jesus's hands. Thank you Brenda for an uplifting book.
July 31, 2021
I would like to thank Wordrunner Press and the Netgalley website for allowing me to read this book.
We find the young teenager Delaney who has to manage by herself to the San Francisco Bay Area, except that she suffers from panic attacks that lower her morale. She will meet a social worker Lulella and a music store manager who will try to cheer her up except that they will learn something about Delaney's past that they will have to share together. All is not well in Delaney's life. How will she react when she learns the truth?
A book that I read in one sitting because I was immediately hooked on the story, which was so moving at times, captivating, addictive, full of intrigue, suspense and twists and turns with very endearing characters. I love the author's writing.
We find the young teenager Delaney who has to manage by herself to the San Francisco Bay Area, except that she suffers from panic attacks that lower her morale. She will meet a social worker Lulella and a music store manager who will try to cheer her up except that they will learn something about Delaney's past that they will have to share together. All is not well in Delaney's life. How will she react when she learns the truth?
A book that I read in one sitting because I was immediately hooked on the story, which was so moving at times, captivating, addictive, full of intrigue, suspense and twists and turns with very endearing characters. I love the author's writing.
September 4, 2020
A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is not my usual genre, however I wanted to take the opportunity to read something from outside my norm. And I am glad I did!! Thank you for opening up my mind to something totally different. Characters were so well developed that I felt as though I knew them. I love when a book draws you into the story and it feels like you are living it with them.
There is a similarity between Delainey and Eleanor Oliphant which I enjoyed very much too.
This is not my usual genre, however I wanted to take the opportunity to read something from outside my norm. And I am glad I did!! Thank you for opening up my mind to something totally different. Characters were so well developed that I felt as though I knew them. I love when a book draws you into the story and it feels like you are living it with them.
There is a similarity between Delainey and Eleanor Oliphant which I enjoyed very much too.
August 30, 2020
Delaney Moran is a character unlike any other I've met. She's 17 and living on her own, to escape her mother's toxic lifestyle and dangerous boyfriends. Delaney manages to find a way to earn money and secure lodging. But it's the friends she makes along her way that are her greatest accomplishment. Each one of them will stay with me for a long time. While this is a YA book, and very simply written, it really packed a punch for me. I flew threw it in one sitting. It was nice to spend time in Delaney's world.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
August 28, 2020
I received a free copy from Netgalley. I am leaving my honest review.
This should definitely be classified as a middle school or YA book. The writing is simplistic and the plot predictable.
Delaney, age 17, is trying to establish a life for herself in Oakland, CA. On her journey she meets several people who assist her in finding her way.
There are no surprises. Everything falls neatly into place.
I didn't find the book engaging or ibteresting
This should definitely be classified as a middle school or YA book. The writing is simplistic and the plot predictable.
Delaney, age 17, is trying to establish a life for herself in Oakland, CA. On her journey she meets several people who assist her in finding her way.
There are no surprises. Everything falls neatly into place.
I didn't find the book engaging or ibteresting
September 15, 2020
DNF-For some reason the writing style of this book bothered me so much and I can't quite put my finger on what it was. The story seemed really good, but it needed more rounds of editing, and the characters were all extremely flat. I could never keep track of who was who because they all had the same voice.
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2021
If anything got to me while reading this is the courage and fear that Delaney exhibited and for her to choose to stay on her own at 17 escaping the toxic lifestyle her Mom is into, and along the way she encounters people who build up on her character and perspective on life- it's an easy read and quite enjoyable. I read this on one sitting.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
October 6, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for granting an ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. The book was equal parts interesting and devastating. It’s a YA novel which covers a lot on mental health issues.
October 25, 2020
Taking Root is a wonderful read. Every character is so believable and well written that you connect with every single one of them and feel like you know them perfectly. Making you feel as if you are experiencing everything they go through with them.
September 19, 2020
A first novel by Brenda Bellinger. Vivid, likable characters, nice use of language. I really enjoyed it and look forward to seeing what comes next...who knows...maybe for the same protagonist?
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews