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Dad's Girlfriend and Other Anxieties
2023 Colorado Book Awards Juvenile Literature Finalist
Anxiety has always made Ava avoid the slightest risk, but plunging headfirst into danger might be just what she needs. Dad hasn't even been dating his new girlfriend that long, so Ava is sure that nothing has to change in her life. That is, until the day after sixth grade ends, when Dad whisks her away on vacation to meet The Girlfriend and her daughter in terrifying Colorado, where even the squirrels can kill you! Managing her anxiety, avoiding altitude sickness, and surviving the mountains might take all of Ava's strength, but at least this trip will only last two weeks. Right?
Anxiety has always made Ava avoid the slightest risk, but plunging headfirst into danger might be just what she needs. Dad hasn't even been dating his new girlfriend that long, so Ava is sure that nothing has to change in her life. That is, until the day after sixth grade ends, when Dad whisks her away on vacation to meet The Girlfriend and her daughter in terrifying Colorado, where even the squirrels can kill you! Managing her anxiety, avoiding altitude sickness, and surviving the mountains might take all of Ava's strength, but at least this trip will only last two weeks. Right?
288 pages, Hardcover
Published November 22, 2022
3 people are currently reading
1783 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
November 5, 2022
Dad's Girlfriend and other Anxieties is a well written and insightful story for both children and adults alike. The story is about Ava who is twelve years old and suffers with anxiety. Avas father takes her on holiday to meet his girlfriend and her daughter Mackenzie. Poor Ava struggles with anxiety on a daily basis so you can just imagine how she must feel going away to meet people she doesn't know. I thought the author did a great job capturing the thoughts and feelings of somebody at such a young age suffering with anxiety. As an anxiety sufferer myself I found the book relatable and handled very well. This is such an important book for youngsters to be able to read to make them not feel so alone if they suffer with anxiety and also open the minds and eyes of people without anxiety to help them understand it and recognise it much better in others.
April 13, 2024
3.5 stars
A very relatable story about a young girl with chronic anxiety, who goes to extreme lengths to keep her world from spinning totally out of her control. Her methods are often annoying, but also amusing, as Eva desperately resists changes in her life.
Relatable, because I have anxiety bad enough to take medication for. I have had that same feeling that Ava experiences, that she’s caught in a spiral, unable to breathe or free herself. Thankfully for Ava, she has a supportive father and a good therapist, both of whom want to help her in the best ways. (For me, the meds have proven very effective, and my family is also supportive.)
I think pre-teens would really get into this one, especially with all the blended-family and Colorado adventure drama that takes place!
A very relatable story about a young girl with chronic anxiety, who goes to extreme lengths to keep her world from spinning totally out of her control. Her methods are often annoying, but also amusing, as Eva desperately resists changes in her life.
Relatable, because I have anxiety bad enough to take medication for. I have had that same feeling that Ava experiences, that she’s caught in a spiral, unable to breathe or free herself. Thankfully for Ava, she has a supportive father and a good therapist, both of whom want to help her in the best ways. (For me, the meds have proven very effective, and my family is also supportive.)
I think pre-teens would really get into this one, especially with all the blended-family and Colorado adventure drama that takes place!
July 29, 2022
What a great Middle School book. It is well written where it encompasses what a typical 6th grader feels along with situations that a lot of them are going through. Friends changing as you get older, two families coming together, anxiety and much more.
Great appreciation to Albert Whitman & Company for an E-ARC via NetGalley. Anticipated publication date is 9/1/2022.
Great appreciation to Albert Whitman & Company for an E-ARC via NetGalley. Anticipated publication date is 9/1/2022.
Want to read
March 16, 2022I know this is technically for kids but I need all the help I can get LOL
(( Let's burn her, plz ))
(( Let's burn her, plz ))
March 23, 2022
Firstly, I would like to thank Albert Whitman & Company for providing me with an ARC of this novel.
Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties tells the story of Ava, a twelve year old girl from Iowa who suffers from anxiety. Having recently finished grade six, Ava is whisked away to travel with her father to Colorado for a two week trip to meet The Girlfriend and her daughter, Mackenzie.
Kellye Crocker’s first novel is a moving and lighthearted look at anxiety and relationships and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the adventure! Crocker does a great job capturing the voice and thoughts of those suffering from anxiety and stylistically expresses those in an unmistakably tween way. Frequently, Ava will express her initial thoughts on the perils of a situation and then continue to process and manifest those thoughts with short pauses, followed by secondary thoughts. Some adults might find that annoying but I found it to be one of my favourite stylistic elements of the novel.
This book has an intended audience of 9-12 year olds but it has a much larger appeal than that. Everyone can relate to Ava and her anxiety, even if it is not to the same extreme. Who hasn’t had moments when the fear of something new or change causes unexpected uneasiness as we try to mentally cope with the possible outcomes? Awkward and realistic parental relationships? Yep, all too familiar.
When this novel becomes available I will be acquiring a copy for our school library knowing that it will serve as an avenue to have thoughtful conversations on mental health issues. Plus: It’s just an awesome book!
Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties tells the story of Ava, a twelve year old girl from Iowa who suffers from anxiety. Having recently finished grade six, Ava is whisked away to travel with her father to Colorado for a two week trip to meet The Girlfriend and her daughter, Mackenzie.
Kellye Crocker’s first novel is a moving and lighthearted look at anxiety and relationships and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the adventure! Crocker does a great job capturing the voice and thoughts of those suffering from anxiety and stylistically expresses those in an unmistakably tween way. Frequently, Ava will express her initial thoughts on the perils of a situation and then continue to process and manifest those thoughts with short pauses, followed by secondary thoughts. Some adults might find that annoying but I found it to be one of my favourite stylistic elements of the novel.
This book has an intended audience of 9-12 year olds but it has a much larger appeal than that. Everyone can relate to Ava and her anxiety, even if it is not to the same extreme. Who hasn’t had moments when the fear of something new or change causes unexpected uneasiness as we try to mentally cope with the possible outcomes? Awkward and realistic parental relationships? Yep, all too familiar.
When this novel becomes available I will be acquiring a copy for our school library knowing that it will serve as an avenue to have thoughtful conversations on mental health issues. Plus: It’s just an awesome book!
June 7, 2023
I very much enjoyed this charming debut novel from Kellye Crocker. Her young heroine Ava struggles with serious anxiety issues, and I was so happy when she triumphs over them by the end. The author did an excellent job of depicting the stresses and strains of blending families, a situation many kids can relate to (or find themselves in) today. Ms. Crocker also knows Colorado well, and the various fears Ava had about vacationing in the high country were amusing. I particularly recommend this hopeful read for young people struggling with anxiety.
June 11, 2023
The main character is quite frustrating as it should be when parents do not listen and behave like teens themselves. However, the story feels quite wholesome though.
Thank you, publisher, for the ARC copy.
Thank you, publisher, for the ARC copy.
August 18, 2024
I have to be real, as someone who also has anxiety, Ava's decisions had me STRESSED. What that girl really needed was some help with communication skills! But the book did address that, which I appreciated. The relationships were delightfully complex and I enjoyed the repair process that each character went through with the others.
I really did wish that Ava was in therapy, and I was a bit shocked that the topic didn't come up. Therapy would be such a great way for Ava to develop strategies for thriving with her anxiety, and it's so sad that she has to rely on advice from strangers (e.g. the possible vs probable discourse) instead of receiving professional help. It seems apparent that Ava's family has the resources to pursue therapy, especially since her anxiety was diagnosed by a doctor, so... maybe a sequel?
I really did wish that Ava was in therapy, and I was a bit shocked that the topic didn't come up. Therapy would be such a great way for Ava to develop strategies for thriving with her anxiety, and it's so sad that she has to rely on advice from strangers (e.g. the possible vs probable discourse) instead of receiving professional help. It seems apparent that Ava's family has the resources to pursue therapy, especially since her anxiety was diagnosed by a doctor, so... maybe a sequel?
March 8, 2023
What it’s about: When Ava's father tells her they're going to Colorado to visit his new girlfriend, Ava's anxiety immediately kicks in. Doesn't her father know about all the dangers in Colorado? And how serious could his relationship be - they've only known each other a few months, and they met while Dad was on a work trip.
Ava's worries continue to intensify when she meets The Girlfriend's daughter, who is an unstoppable talker and thrill seeker, when she's not deeply engaged with a book. Clearly she doesn't know that skateboarding is a great way to break bones.
But Ava is not at all prepared to learn that not only are the four of them going to a cabin in the mountains (So high up! Filled with dangerous animals!), but even worse - Ava accidentally finds several positive pregnancy tests hidden in the back of The Girlfriend's bathroom closet. None of the possibilities that brings forth are good - either her dad and The Girlfriend are a lot more serious than they've told Ava and they're lying to her about it; or The Girlfriend cheated on her dad with her ex-husband or someone else; or The Girlfriend's twelve year old daughter is pregnant. Whatever the answer is, Ava is not prepared to deal with it.
Fortunately, Ava hatches a series of plans she is sure will drive Dad and The Girlfriend apart, and hopefully push The Girlfriend back into the arms of her ex-husband.
But as their vacation falls to pieces, Ava finds herself wondering whether she is the good person she thinks she is. And she starts to wonder if she'll ever get out from underneath the lung-crushing anxiety that makes all the change even worse.
What I thought: I had to check this book out to see if it was worth getting for my middle school library. I'm not sure if it is. I will probably end up getting it, though it's about a sixth-going-into-seventh grader (a little young for my population). Some readers with anxiety or from single parent homes might find some solace in a character they can identify with, and others might benefit from looking through a window into how other kids might experience the world in ways different from their own experiences.
Why I chose those shelves: anxiety, mental health: The central issue in the story is how Ava's anxiety affects her and influences many of her actions and decisions; death-dying: Ava's mother died in childbirth, and some of Ava's anxiety relates to it; divorce: The Girlfriend is divorced, and her daughter wants to spend more time with her father, who is not great; family issues: All of the characters in this book are dealing with different issues related to family; friendship found-family: Ava forms a friendship with The Girlfriend's daughter, and has to make some decisions about how that affects her plans to break up their parents; issue, anxiety: The main spoke of this story is Ava's anxiety and how she's trying (and failing) to deal with it effectively; racism: Ava learns that her mother was part of an anti-racism campaign in her town, which led to some unpleasantness;
Why I rated it like I did: 3.5-The main character is dealing with lots of anxiety, which is a great topic for a middle grades book. But toward the end, it sort of seems like the author is saying if you just think about it hard enough, you can "get over it". To be clear, this is not explicitly stated, and the character still has anxiety at the end, but it's implied that she has managed to reduce her anxiety by reframing situations in a simple binary way - possible v probable.
This story is also about single parents dating, which, again, great topic for a middle grades book. But it's undercut by how selfish the main character is - EVEN WHEN she thinks that she shouldn't be doing what she's doing. She harms the people around her. I try to offer lots of leeway to kids (fictional or real), but I found myself disliking this kid for most of the story.
But middle grades readers might empathize - I might just be too out of touch with my middle school lack of judgment.
Ava's worries continue to intensify when she meets The Girlfriend's daughter, who is an unstoppable talker and thrill seeker, when she's not deeply engaged with a book. Clearly she doesn't know that skateboarding is a great way to break bones.
But Ava is not at all prepared to learn that not only are the four of them going to a cabin in the mountains (So high up! Filled with dangerous animals!), but even worse - Ava accidentally finds several positive pregnancy tests hidden in the back of The Girlfriend's bathroom closet. None of the possibilities that brings forth are good - either her dad and The Girlfriend are a lot more serious than they've told Ava and they're lying to her about it; or The Girlfriend cheated on her dad with her ex-husband or someone else; or The Girlfriend's twelve year old daughter is pregnant. Whatever the answer is, Ava is not prepared to deal with it.
Fortunately, Ava hatches a series of plans she is sure will drive Dad and The Girlfriend apart, and hopefully push The Girlfriend back into the arms of her ex-husband.
But as their vacation falls to pieces, Ava finds herself wondering whether she is the good person she thinks she is. And she starts to wonder if she'll ever get out from underneath the lung-crushing anxiety that makes all the change even worse.
What I thought: I had to check this book out to see if it was worth getting for my middle school library. I'm not sure if it is. I will probably end up getting it, though it's about a sixth-going-into-seventh grader (a little young for my population). Some readers with anxiety or from single parent homes might find some solace in a character they can identify with, and others might benefit from looking through a window into how other kids might experience the world in ways different from their own experiences.
Why I chose those shelves: anxiety, mental health: The central issue in the story is how Ava's anxiety affects her and influences many of her actions and decisions; death-dying: Ava's mother died in childbirth, and some of Ava's anxiety relates to it; divorce: The Girlfriend is divorced, and her daughter wants to spend more time with her father, who is not great; family issues: All of the characters in this book are dealing with different issues related to family; friendship found-family: Ava forms a friendship with The Girlfriend's daughter, and has to make some decisions about how that affects her plans to break up their parents; issue, anxiety: The main spoke of this story is Ava's anxiety and how she's trying (and failing) to deal with it effectively; racism: Ava learns that her mother was part of an anti-racism campaign in her town, which led to some unpleasantness;
Why I rated it like I did: 3.5-The main character is dealing with lots of anxiety, which is a great topic for a middle grades book. But toward the end, it sort of seems like the author is saying if you just think about it hard enough, you can "get over it". To be clear, this is not explicitly stated, and the character still has anxiety at the end, but it's implied that she has managed to reduce her anxiety by reframing situations in a simple binary way - possible v probable.
This story is also about single parents dating, which, again, great topic for a middle grades book. But it's undercut by how selfish the main character is - EVEN WHEN she thinks that she shouldn't be doing what she's doing. She harms the people around her. I try to offer lots of leeway to kids (fictional or real), but I found myself disliking this kid for most of the story.
But middle grades readers might empathize - I might just be too out of touch with my middle school lack of judgment.
June 14, 2022
*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review *
This book does a great job of depicting what anxiety can look and feel like. Ava's struggles are something I'm sure all young people with anxiety disorders go through on a daily basis. In addition, having a character in therapy and not embarrassed to be getting help also sends sends strong message to young readers. I really liked that the author also slips in some strategies for dealing with anxiety. I'm not a "everyone should be medicated" person, but considering how much Ava's anxiety disrupted and took over her life I was surprised she wouldn't have been prescribed something, I also think having the character taking medication would have helped in lessening the stigma.
Now, for the actual story. I had planned to only read a few chapters but found I could not (and didn't want to) put it down. My heart went out to Ava so many times I lost count - and it broke a little for her every time she tried to talk with her dad and he blew her off. I didn't full on hate her father, but he was so frustrating! He doesn't give Ava a heads up about the trip to the mountains or how serious he was about Jenn. The author does a good job of showing the difficulties of parents of children with severe anxiety - they love them and want to support them, but they are also exhausted by the constant worrying and inability to just do simple activities. One of my favorite parts of the book was when Ava finally confronts her father about how he has been treating her by not telling her important things. You really get the sense that their relationship is moving in the right direction and things will work out. I also liked Ava's growing friendship with Z. They are different and yet have so much in common. Their heart-to-heart toward the end of the book was really sweet. And Jenn is really good with Ava - she tries to create a connection but doesn't overdo it.
Overall, this is a great book. I highly recommend it to teachers and Librarians for classroom and school libraries. I also think it's a great book for parents of children with anxiety, it may give them some further insight into what their child might be going through.
This book does a great job of depicting what anxiety can look and feel like. Ava's struggles are something I'm sure all young people with anxiety disorders go through on a daily basis. In addition, having a character in therapy and not embarrassed to be getting help also sends sends strong message to young readers. I really liked that the author also slips in some strategies for dealing with anxiety. I'm not a "everyone should be medicated" person, but considering how much Ava's anxiety disrupted and took over her life I was surprised she wouldn't have been prescribed something, I also think having the character taking medication would have helped in lessening the stigma.
Now, for the actual story. I had planned to only read a few chapters but found I could not (and didn't want to) put it down. My heart went out to Ava so many times I lost count - and it broke a little for her every time she tried to talk with her dad and he blew her off. I didn't full on hate her father, but he was so frustrating! He doesn't give Ava a heads up about the trip to the mountains or how serious he was about Jenn. The author does a good job of showing the difficulties of parents of children with severe anxiety - they love them and want to support them, but they are also exhausted by the constant worrying and inability to just do simple activities. One of my favorite parts of the book was when Ava finally confronts her father about how he has been treating her by not telling her important things. You really get the sense that their relationship is moving in the right direction and things will work out. I also liked Ava's growing friendship with Z. They are different and yet have so much in common. Their heart-to-heart toward the end of the book was really sweet. And Jenn is really good with Ava - she tries to create a connection but doesn't overdo it.
Overall, this is a great book. I highly recommend it to teachers and Librarians for classroom and school libraries. I also think it's a great book for parents of children with anxiety, it may give them some further insight into what their child might be going through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2022
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxities
Author: Kellye Crocker
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Anxiety Disorder MC, ADHD character, Hispanic characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, contemporary, blended families, children of divorce, anxiety disorder
Publication Date: November 22, 2022
Genre: MG Contemporary
Age Relevance: 10+ (pregnancy, gore, anxiety attacks, period talk, HP reference, parental death, sexist remark, grief, racism)
Explanation of Above: There is pregnancy mentioned and some period talk. There is a slight mention of blood. There are showings of anxiety attacks. There is one slight HP reference. There are mentions of a parental death and grief. There is one sexist remark and mentions of racism.
Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company
Pages: 288
Synopsis: Dad hasn't even been dating his new girlfriend that long, so Ava is sure that nothing has to change in her life. That is, until the day after sixth grade ends, when Dad whisks her away on vacation to meet The Girlfriend and her daughter in terrifying Colorado, where even the squirrels can kill you! Managing her anxiety, avoiding altitude sickness, and surviving the mountains might take all of Ava's strength, but at least this trip will only last two weeks. Right?
Review: I loved this book so much! As someone with anxiety I deeply related to this character and her struggles. I don’t like surprises and I am always thinking of the worst case scenario. The book did well to present an anxious character and then give really good advice on calming your anxiety down, with 2 techniques and some advice to remember. The book also did well to be relatable to kids who are about to be apart of blended families and those going through their parents divorcing. The book had really well done character development and world building and this will definitely be a book I remember for a long time.
The only issue I had with the book was the HP reference. It really could have been any other book mentioned in the context it was mentioned in (“that was as thick as the ____ books”).
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend.
Book: Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxities
Author: Kellye Crocker
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Anxiety Disorder MC, ADHD character, Hispanic characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, contemporary, blended families, children of divorce, anxiety disorder
Publication Date: November 22, 2022
Genre: MG Contemporary
Age Relevance: 10+ (pregnancy, gore, anxiety attacks, period talk, HP reference, parental death, sexist remark, grief, racism)
Explanation of Above: There is pregnancy mentioned and some period talk. There is a slight mention of blood. There are showings of anxiety attacks. There is one slight HP reference. There are mentions of a parental death and grief. There is one sexist remark and mentions of racism.
Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company
Pages: 288
Synopsis: Dad hasn't even been dating his new girlfriend that long, so Ava is sure that nothing has to change in her life. That is, until the day after sixth grade ends, when Dad whisks her away on vacation to meet The Girlfriend and her daughter in terrifying Colorado, where even the squirrels can kill you! Managing her anxiety, avoiding altitude sickness, and surviving the mountains might take all of Ava's strength, but at least this trip will only last two weeks. Right?
Review: I loved this book so much! As someone with anxiety I deeply related to this character and her struggles. I don’t like surprises and I am always thinking of the worst case scenario. The book did well to present an anxious character and then give really good advice on calming your anxiety down, with 2 techniques and some advice to remember. The book also did well to be relatable to kids who are about to be apart of blended families and those going through their parents divorcing. The book had really well done character development and world building and this will definitely be a book I remember for a long time.
The only issue I had with the book was the HP reference. It really could have been any other book mentioned in the context it was mentioned in (“that was as thick as the ____ books”).
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend.
July 25, 2022
This Review will include mild spoilers!
I requested „My Dad’s Girlfriend and other Anxieties“ because I really liked the idea of the story.
Ava has anxiety and that makes her life pretty hard some times. Her dad met someone new and wants Ava to meet her as well. They meet up in the terrifying Colorado, where nearly everything cann kill you. Ava tries to manage her anxiety and at the same time she tries to survive the mountains. But it’s all not as easy as she thought.
First the good things. I really liked to read about a young girl with anxiety and how she was portraied (at least most of the time) and that she spoke up for herself. Sadly it was only in the last chapter but at least she did it.
My favorite character was the Girlfriend, Jenn. She always tried to help everyone and make the trip as pleasent as possible even when everything went wrong. She also tried to understand what was going on with Ava even though she didn’t knew that Ava has anxiety. I think thats really odd because why didn’t told her Ava’s Dad, her boyfriend, about his daughters problems?
That’s also a huge thing that annoyed me in the story. Nobody, except for Ava’s Dad, knew that Ava has anxiety and nobody cared about her fears. If Jenn and Z, her daughter (very annoying and kind of ignorant), knew that Ava has anxiety, they would definetly would have acted different in a lot of situation.
My biggest problem in the book is the dad. He really just cared about everything but Ava and her anxiety. He knew from the beginning that she’s afraid oft he mountains but plans a week long stay in the mountains and didn’t wanted to tell her until they were in the mountains. I understand that he wanted a nice trip with his girlfriend and that they all get to know each other but he should have told Ava earlier about it. In the end the dad said that he cared about Ava and her feelings and that he worries too much sometimes but as a reader I don’t really believe it after seeing how he treated her.
I enjoyed the writing and the idea oft he story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Albert Whitman & Company for this E-ARC!
I requested „My Dad’s Girlfriend and other Anxieties“ because I really liked the idea of the story.
Ava has anxiety and that makes her life pretty hard some times. Her dad met someone new and wants Ava to meet her as well. They meet up in the terrifying Colorado, where nearly everything cann kill you. Ava tries to manage her anxiety and at the same time she tries to survive the mountains. But it’s all not as easy as she thought.
First the good things. I really liked to read about a young girl with anxiety and how she was portraied (at least most of the time) and that she spoke up for herself. Sadly it was only in the last chapter but at least she did it.
My favorite character was the Girlfriend, Jenn. She always tried to help everyone and make the trip as pleasent as possible even when everything went wrong. She also tried to understand what was going on with Ava even though she didn’t knew that Ava has anxiety. I think thats really odd because why didn’t told her Ava’s Dad, her boyfriend, about his daughters problems?
That’s also a huge thing that annoyed me in the story. Nobody, except for Ava’s Dad, knew that Ava has anxiety and nobody cared about her fears. If Jenn and Z, her daughter (very annoying and kind of ignorant), knew that Ava has anxiety, they would definetly would have acted different in a lot of situation.
My biggest problem in the book is the dad. He really just cared about everything but Ava and her anxiety. He knew from the beginning that she’s afraid oft he mountains but plans a week long stay in the mountains and didn’t wanted to tell her until they were in the mountains. I understand that he wanted a nice trip with his girlfriend and that they all get to know each other but he should have told Ava earlier about it. In the end the dad said that he cared about Ava and her feelings and that he worries too much sometimes but as a reader I don’t really believe it after seeing how he treated her.
I enjoyed the writing and the idea oft he story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Albert Whitman & Company for this E-ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Albert Whitman & Company for the eARC!
DAD'S GIRLFRIEND AND OTHER ANXIETIES is a warm, fun-filled MG contemporary debut that takes an honest look at anxiety, blended families, and embracing what it means to be brave. I can already tell that this is going to be one of my top MG reads from this year!
Recently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, middle-grader Ava is terrified of anything unpredictable. So when her father whisks her away to Colorado to meet his new girlfriend and her daughter — and fails to mention that they'll be spending their trip in the dangerous Colorado mountains — Ava isn't happy. Hijinks ensue as she tries her best to spoil her dad's plans, despite growing to care for The Girlfriend, Jenn, and her daughter, Z.
I tend to read mostly first-person POV when it comes to MG, but I absolutely loved the close third-person narrative voice of this story. Crocker gave us so much insight into Ava's fears and emotions, and she did it with warmth and honesty. I really appreciated how she never shied away from talking about "tougher" topics for her MG audience, and she never spoke down to the reader.
The portrayal of Ava's anxiety was so real and relatable, and I loved watching her face her fears and learn new coping techniques. She made plenty of mistakes, but I spent the whole book rooting so hard for her!
This story also had a great cast of side characters. Jenn ("The Girlfriend") was one of my favourites — I loved how Ava came to care for her in spite of herself. Z was also very fun (and I really appreciated what we found out about her at the end). The setting itself felt like a character, too, and it was nice seeing Ava's perception of it change throughout the story.
Overall, this was a wonderful debut with great messages about bravery, family, and accepting yourself. I absolutely loved reading it and will be eagerly waiting future books from Kellye Crocker!
DAD'S GIRLFRIEND AND OTHER ANXIETIES is a warm, fun-filled MG contemporary debut that takes an honest look at anxiety, blended families, and embracing what it means to be brave. I can already tell that this is going to be one of my top MG reads from this year!
Recently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, middle-grader Ava is terrified of anything unpredictable. So when her father whisks her away to Colorado to meet his new girlfriend and her daughter — and fails to mention that they'll be spending their trip in the dangerous Colorado mountains — Ava isn't happy. Hijinks ensue as she tries her best to spoil her dad's plans, despite growing to care for The Girlfriend, Jenn, and her daughter, Z.
I tend to read mostly first-person POV when it comes to MG, but I absolutely loved the close third-person narrative voice of this story. Crocker gave us so much insight into Ava's fears and emotions, and she did it with warmth and honesty. I really appreciated how she never shied away from talking about "tougher" topics for her MG audience, and she never spoke down to the reader.
The portrayal of Ava's anxiety was so real and relatable, and I loved watching her face her fears and learn new coping techniques. She made plenty of mistakes, but I spent the whole book rooting so hard for her!
This story also had a great cast of side characters. Jenn ("The Girlfriend") was one of my favourites — I loved how Ava came to care for her in spite of herself. Z was also very fun (and I really appreciated what we found out about her at the end). The setting itself felt like a character, too, and it was nice seeing Ava's perception of it change throughout the story.
Overall, this was a wonderful debut with great messages about bravery, family, and accepting yourself. I absolutely loved reading it and will be eagerly waiting future books from Kellye Crocker!
September 22, 2022
When twelve-year-old Ava’s dad takes her on a camping trip in Colorado to introduce her to his new girlfriend, Ava prepares herself by researching all the potential dangers: altitude sickness, mountain lions, flash floods, and, worst of all, adorable ground squirrels that could carry bubonic plague! Ava suffers from anxiety, and her fears spin out of control at the prospect of meeting the Girlfriend and her daughter Z and the changes these new people may bring to her life. Despite the fact that the Girlfriend is pretty nice, Z is pretty interesting, and Ava is not usually the sort of girl to make trouble, she decides to sabotage the trip in hopes that everyone will come to their senses and they can all return to their nice, safe homes. Ava’s plans keep backfiring on her, however, such as when she cancels her dad’s reservation at the lodge and they end up having to camp in a hut with no electricity. Humor is infused throughout, and Ava remains likable even as she dumps glitter in her dad’s sleeping bag and then blatantly denies it, because she is horrified at herself, too! Though readers may laugh out loud at some of Ava’s pranks and her obsession with “dangerous” ground squirrels, Ava’s anxiety is never trivialized. She talks about working with a therapist back home, and handwritten-style lists are interspersed through the book, some of them offering tips on how to work through anxiety attacks. Ava’s relationship with her single dad is realistic, as she is by turns annoyed at how he treats like her a child and at the same time wants to be protected by him. When Ava finally realizes she’s gone too far and her actions have hurt others, she finds the courage to face her fears and own up to her deeds, sparking a satisfying resolution. I highly recommend this book, an unusual combination of adventure, humor, and heartfelt emotions.
May 26, 2023
Why I chose this book: The premise intrigued me as the main character goes to Colorado with her family, and she's anxious about all the dangers there, like falling rocks, wildfires, and prairie dogs, oh my!
Brief summary: Ava struggles with anxiety, which makes fun things, like staying in the cabin in the mountain, dreadful. When her dad springs a vacation on her to Colorado to spend time with his new girlfriend, Ava begins brushing up on her dangerous Colorado facts and increasing her anxiety. When they get to Denver and Ava learns they'll be going for a ten week trip to a mountain cabin, she tries to cancel the trip. Her plans don't work out, so she tries to sabotage everyone by making them have as miserable a time as her. Will Ava see how her behavior is hurting others? Will she learn more healthy ways to cope with her anxiety?
What I didn't like about this book: This is a relatively small nitpick , but Ava's friends back home are unrealistically mature. They sound like thirty-year-old aunties talking to her about her anxiety. She doesn't talk to them much, but when she does, I found it hard to believe these were friends her own age.
What I like about his book: I like the portrayal of anxiety in this book because it shows an ugly side of it while giving the character the opportunity to grow. Ava lashes out at her friends and family because she feels unsafe and uncomfortable. She hasn't learned the best ways to cope, so she's expecting others to make her feel better. When they don't, she retaliates. While Ava's behavior is annoying, I also think it's realistic and I think kids struggling with anxiety would relate a lot to Ava.
Brief summary: Ava struggles with anxiety, which makes fun things, like staying in the cabin in the mountain, dreadful. When her dad springs a vacation on her to Colorado to spend time with his new girlfriend, Ava begins brushing up on her dangerous Colorado facts and increasing her anxiety. When they get to Denver and Ava learns they'll be going for a ten week trip to a mountain cabin, she tries to cancel the trip. Her plans don't work out, so she tries to sabotage everyone by making them have as miserable a time as her. Will Ava see how her behavior is hurting others? Will she learn more healthy ways to cope with her anxiety?
What I didn't like about this book: This is a relatively small nitpick , but Ava's friends back home are unrealistically mature. They sound like thirty-year-old aunties talking to her about her anxiety. She doesn't talk to them much, but when she does, I found it hard to believe these were friends her own age.
What I like about his book: I like the portrayal of anxiety in this book because it shows an ugly side of it while giving the character the opportunity to grow. Ava lashes out at her friends and family because she feels unsafe and uncomfortable. She hasn't learned the best ways to cope, so she's expecting others to make her feel better. When they don't, she retaliates. While Ava's behavior is annoying, I also think it's realistic and I think kids struggling with anxiety would relate a lot to Ava.
February 12, 2023
Dad takes rising seventh-grader Ava from their home in Iowa to visit his new girlfriend Jenn and her daughter “Z”—six months older than Ava--in Colorado, a place Ava knows from her research is actually quite dangerous (Altitude sickness! Snakes! Lightening!). Ava struggles with anxiety that is skillfully and convincingly depicted, and is a complex character who (usually) tells the truth. She’s brave. She loves her father and their quiet life in Iowa. She’s going to put an end to this hare-brained scheme of spending time with Dad’s girlfriend and Z, and she does everything she can to sabotage the trip. But her lies and deceit catch up with her and she must reckon with not only her fears but her conscience, stretching, learning, and growing along the way. Funny, intense, and big-hearted, Ava is a character to root for, along with three-dimensional characters Dad, “the Girlfriend,” and Z. The mental health aspect of this engaging story, is handled ideally because her anxiety is just one aspect of Ava’s character, it has been diagnosed and treated after a harrowing and humiliating panic attack at school, her family and friends are supportive, and she knows many effective and entertaining way to cope with it—but with so much going on and so many threats to her calm, normal life being thrown at her, it’s proving challenging to stay on top of it.
An accurate, humorous, tense, charming, and triumphant story about a girl who would like everything to stay as it’s always been (like so many of us).
An accurate, humorous, tense, charming, and triumphant story about a girl who would like everything to stay as it’s always been (like so many of us).
July 31, 2022
I want to thank NetGalley for giving me a digital copy of “Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties” to review.
This book follows a young girl during the summer between elementary and middle school as she takes a trip to Colorado with her dad, his new girlfriend, and the girlfriend’s daughter. She’s recently been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and she’s not looking forward to anything Colorado has in store for her.
I was really excited to read this book. I’m a huge fan of middle grade novels especially ones that focus on disability. However, I have to say that there were multiple parts of this book that just fell short for me. I enjoyed most of the characters and felt that Crocker did a good job of creating varying dynamics, but the actual writing wasn’t strong enough for my personal taste. I felt like there were moments where it was being simplified to fit the middle grade genre and it distracted from the intentions of the book.
I thought the pacing of this book was well done and the emotions were written with so much weight behind them. You could definitely step into the character’s shoes and feel how they were feeling.
Overall, I think that this was a cute book for kids who are struggling with anxiety and changing family dynamics, but it’s not a favorite of mine.
My CAWPILE score for this book was 7.0 which is equivalent to four stars.
This book follows a young girl during the summer between elementary and middle school as she takes a trip to Colorado with her dad, his new girlfriend, and the girlfriend’s daughter. She’s recently been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and she’s not looking forward to anything Colorado has in store for her.
I was really excited to read this book. I’m a huge fan of middle grade novels especially ones that focus on disability. However, I have to say that there were multiple parts of this book that just fell short for me. I enjoyed most of the characters and felt that Crocker did a good job of creating varying dynamics, but the actual writing wasn’t strong enough for my personal taste. I felt like there were moments where it was being simplified to fit the middle grade genre and it distracted from the intentions of the book.
I thought the pacing of this book was well done and the emotions were written with so much weight behind them. You could definitely step into the character’s shoes and feel how they were feeling.
Overall, I think that this was a cute book for kids who are struggling with anxiety and changing family dynamics, but it’s not a favorite of mine.
My CAWPILE score for this book was 7.0 which is equivalent to four stars.
November 6, 2022
Ava worries. Most people do,as they approach their teen years. Ava, however, worries a lot--or as her dad's girlfriend's daughter Mackenzie would say, "a lot, a lot." She's seeing a therapist for her anxiety. It's helping.
A visit to Colorado is not helping. Ava has lived all her life in Iowa. She loves it there. Her grandparents are there, and Mrs. Mendoza, the neighbor and family friend who's been part of Ava's life since Ava's mother's early death.
Colorado offers a long list of dangerous things. The air has little oxygen. The squirrels can give you the plague. And people keep telling her things will be "fun" when Ava really doubts it. Her dad keeps not telling her things ahead of time.
Her dad's girlfriend, Jenn, is actually rather nice. If she just weren't so fit and determined to go hiking in those dangerous mountains, Ava could like her.
There are secrets here, though. Machinations and plots. This reader felt a sense of worry herself as the complications piled up. How would Ava ever untangle all that she'd done?
I read an early draft of this back when Kellye and I were in the same critique group, and I remembered quite a lot of it. The book has just gotten better. I'd recommend it for all girls that age, with or without anxiety issues, and the adults who want to understand.
Edited to add: This reveiw was done from an advance copy.
A visit to Colorado is not helping. Ava has lived all her life in Iowa. She loves it there. Her grandparents are there, and Mrs. Mendoza, the neighbor and family friend who's been part of Ava's life since Ava's mother's early death.
Colorado offers a long list of dangerous things. The air has little oxygen. The squirrels can give you the plague. And people keep telling her things will be "fun" when Ava really doubts it. Her dad keeps not telling her things ahead of time.
Her dad's girlfriend, Jenn, is actually rather nice. If she just weren't so fit and determined to go hiking in those dangerous mountains, Ava could like her.
There are secrets here, though. Machinations and plots. This reader felt a sense of worry herself as the complications piled up. How would Ava ever untangle all that she'd done?
I read an early draft of this back when Kellye and I were in the same critique group, and I remembered quite a lot of it. The book has just gotten better. I'd recommend it for all girls that age, with or without anxiety issues, and the adults who want to understand.
Edited to add: This reveiw was done from an advance copy.
June 18, 2023
I haven’t read much middle-grade aged literature since college, but man! I loved every page of this (literally!) The title and cover immediately drew me in, and once I started the first chapter, I knew this would be an instant favorite. I’m pleased to say that I was right. I could feel so much for Ava, the main character. Heck, I am Ava in so many ways because when I was 13 years old, I struggled with anxiety and panic attacks, having no idea what was wrong with me. This is a beautiful story of family, new friends, new adventures and beginnings, and so much more! It touched my heart! I’m
So thankful this is here for young tween/teen readers to enjoy because I sure needed something like this when I was going through tough times during puberty. If this isn’t an award-winning read, I will be shocked and utterly disappointed. Balm to the soul!!!! PS- I am tempted to send this to someone who wasn’t very nice to me or supportive of me when going through dark times with my own anxiety disorder. It goes to
Show that you can be anxious and scared and brave, strong, and courageous at the same time!!! Being brave means doing things scared!!! Just do it!!!
So thankful this is here for young tween/teen readers to enjoy because I sure needed something like this when I was going through tough times during puberty. If this isn’t an award-winning read, I will be shocked and utterly disappointed. Balm to the soul!!!! PS- I am tempted to send this to someone who wasn’t very nice to me or supportive of me when going through dark times with my own anxiety disorder. It goes to
Show that you can be anxious and scared and brave, strong, and courageous at the same time!!! Being brave means doing things scared!!! Just do it!!!
Read
September 12, 2024It's been just Ava and her dad for as long as she can remember. Her mother died when she was just a baby. Father and daughter get along quite well, that is until he gets a girlfriend.
Having a girlfriend is okay with Ava, but when Ava's dad announces a trip to Colorado to meet the girlfriend and her daughter, it triggers Ava's anxiety. They will be gone for two weeks! They will be flying! And, they will be going to one of the most dangerous states in the U.S.! Mountains, bears, altitude sickness - how will they ever survive.
Once they arrive, even more surprises pop up. They will be going up into the mountains for days. There will be hiking, horseback riding, and a Mud Run obstacle course. What is her father thinking? Will Ava discover that she is braver than she thought? Will she discover other people have similar worries? Will she discover her father doesn't know everything there is to know about the girlfriend?
Author Kellye Crocker takes readers into Ava's world where they will experience her worries and her fears. She doesn't always make good choices and learns there can be consequences she never anticipated.
Having a girlfriend is okay with Ava, but when Ava's dad announces a trip to Colorado to meet the girlfriend and her daughter, it triggers Ava's anxiety. They will be gone for two weeks! They will be flying! And, they will be going to one of the most dangerous states in the U.S.! Mountains, bears, altitude sickness - how will they ever survive.
Once they arrive, even more surprises pop up. They will be going up into the mountains for days. There will be hiking, horseback riding, and a Mud Run obstacle course. What is her father thinking? Will Ava discover that she is braver than she thought? Will she discover other people have similar worries? Will she discover her father doesn't know everything there is to know about the girlfriend?
Author Kellye Crocker takes readers into Ava's world where they will experience her worries and her fears. She doesn't always make good choices and learns there can be consequences she never anticipated.
June 8, 2022
This review is based on an ARC
Ava has anxiety and panic attacks. When she has to go to Colorado to meet her father's girlfriend and her daughter, her anxieties come to the head, it's different than Iowa, and everything, from the Mountains to the cute ground squirrels might be dangerous. Ava needs to protect herself, her father, and her new friends from those dangers...even if it isn't what they want.
This is probably one of the best examples of an anxiety disorder in children's fiction I've seen. Ava's inner monologue and her rationales for eveey step she takes is clear to the reader, but the costs to those around her and that these are her acting on her anxiety is clear. It makes her a sympathetic protagonist and puts the reader in the position of both being frustrated with her and understanding her. I also like that there isn't a clear, magical solution, which, again, is true.
This is a wonderful book for kids understanding anxiety in themselves and others, and is an excellent addition to libraries and public collections.
Ava has anxiety and panic attacks. When she has to go to Colorado to meet her father's girlfriend and her daughter, her anxieties come to the head, it's different than Iowa, and everything, from the Mountains to the cute ground squirrels might be dangerous. Ava needs to protect herself, her father, and her new friends from those dangers...even if it isn't what they want.
This is probably one of the best examples of an anxiety disorder in children's fiction I've seen. Ava's inner monologue and her rationales for eveey step she takes is clear to the reader, but the costs to those around her and that these are her acting on her anxiety is clear. It makes her a sympathetic protagonist and puts the reader in the position of both being frustrated with her and understanding her. I also like that there isn't a clear, magical solution, which, again, is true.
This is a wonderful book for kids understanding anxiety in themselves and others, and is an excellent addition to libraries and public collections.
August 1, 2024
My rating for this book is 3.5-4. I don't endorse lying and being mean and the main character in this book does a lot of both, and it has nothing to do with her anxiety! However....I believe the story with the issues it contains is an important one for middle grade readers. Ava has severe anxiety and is working with a counselor to deal with it. She is comfortable in her life with her dad (her mom died when Ava was born) and her friends and the neighbor who has taken care of her since she was a baby. When her father throws a wrench in her schedule by saying they will be going away on a vacation with his out-of-town girlfriend and her daughter, Ava tries everything in her power to railroad the vacation.
A parent beginning to date again, meeting children of those who are dating, lying, being malicious and mean, the possibility of moving away from all you have known....all of this is covered in the book and they are important issues. What is good about the book is that there is growth in the characters and while it's not a "happily ever after" ending, it is a hopeful one.
A parent beginning to date again, meeting children of those who are dating, lying, being malicious and mean, the possibility of moving away from all you have known....all of this is covered in the book and they are important issues. What is good about the book is that there is growth in the characters and while it's not a "happily ever after" ending, it is a hopeful one.
May 24, 2022
Dad's Girlfriend and Other Anxieties was a fun read but it also was much deeper (in a good way) than I anticipated it would! Kellye Crocker did a great job developing her characters - Ava's struggles with figuring out strategies that work for her anxiety and overcoming her worries (while balancing a big change with the intro of both dad's girlfriend AND her daughter) will resonate with readers. Z, the girlfriend's daughter, has an outgoing, adventurous personality that seems to be the polar opposite of Ava's but also has her own struggles with what she wants from her relationship with her father. Dad and the Girlfriend are both likeable characters trying to figure it all out and make it all work - but making mistakes along the way. I thought the focus on these four characters and what they brought to the story really made this read a fun one for middle grades.
Ava makes some pretty big mistakes in her struggles to solve the challenges her anxiety brings forward, but the problem solving and love throughout the book are great - and her responses are very typical for kids her age. Overall, I think that middle grade readers will really enjoy this book and find glimpses of themselves in it!
Ava makes some pretty big mistakes in her struggles to solve the challenges her anxiety brings forward, but the problem solving and love throughout the book are great - and her responses are very typical for kids her age. Overall, I think that middle grade readers will really enjoy this book and find glimpses of themselves in it!
August 28, 2022
This book was an unexpected surprise, in a very good way. It didn't hook me right away because despite totally getting the mc is young & that she has anxiety, she was acting up a bit too much. She lied and did harmful things and she continued to act this way throughout more than half of the book. While it did keep me interested, it also frustrated me a lot. However, I'm so glad I stuck with it because by the end, we see such a huge change in her and realize it's all part of the character development and how necessary her whole "acting up" behavior was. I found all the side characters well shaped and interesting too! When I finished the book I had a smile on my face. The story was quite an adventure and it ended up being so meaningful and heartwarming with a wonderful message. I really enjoyed it and the anxiety representation was really good though a bit overwhelming at times. I can't wait to recommend it to everyone!
*Thanks to Netgalley and Albert Whitman & Company for the e-arc*
*Thanks to Netgalley and Albert Whitman & Company for the e-arc*
August 23, 2024
This was a tough look at what near debilatating anxiety could feel like. 12 year old Ava has recently started to have panic attacks though she has been suffering from anxiety for a lot longer. Her fears and worries are starting to take over and scare her so much that she only wants to do very small, comfortable things...be with her best friends, play with her dog, stay at home. Suddenly her father announces that he has a new girlfriend, far away from Iowa, in Colorado. Suffice it to say, Ava does not handle all this new-ness well.
I really want to remember a few interesting ideas I learned from this story:
1. Possible vs. Probable (Is it possible Ava will die from a falling rock in the mountains? Yes. Is it probable? No.)
2. Ava's worries are like "jumping monkeys," thoughts that just can't settle.
3. You can't be brave if you aren't a little bit scared.
Grades 5 and up.
I really want to remember a few interesting ideas I learned from this story:
1. Possible vs. Probable (Is it possible Ava will die from a falling rock in the mountains? Yes. Is it probable? No.)
2. Ava's worries are like "jumping monkeys," thoughts that just can't settle.
3. You can't be brave if you aren't a little bit scared.
Grades 5 and up.
June 3, 2022
This was such a strong, relatable portrayal of living with a newly diagnosed anxiety disorder. Ava felt very real to me, and it was so easy to empathize with her throughout the book. Even when she didn't make the best choices, I still felt for her. The writing did an excellent job of capturing Ava's internal struggles, as well as showing her strength of character.
I also particularly liked Jenn, Dad's girlfriend. She was a sweet, fully-realized character, dealing with a pretty tough situation of her own which was an interesting counterpoint to Ava's struggles. I was absolutly rooting for her, as well.
The Colorado setting was vividly described, and the Mud Run segment was so interesting and fun.
I thorougly enjoyed this book and will definitely be recommending this book to middle-grade students!
I also particularly liked Jenn, Dad's girlfriend. She was a sweet, fully-realized character, dealing with a pretty tough situation of her own which was an interesting counterpoint to Ava's struggles. I was absolutly rooting for her, as well.
The Colorado setting was vividly described, and the Mud Run segment was so interesting and fun.
I thorougly enjoyed this book and will definitely be recommending this book to middle-grade students!
August 5, 2022
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.
This is the story of Ava who travels to Colorado with her dad during the summer between elementary and middle school to meet her dad's new girlfriend. They head off to a wilderness resort and end up camping...which gives Ava lots of anxiety. Things do not go according to plan.
By the way, I went back and forth between being really frustrated with Ava's behavior (which I think middle school students will think perfectly fit the situation...like disabling the car!) and being frustrated with the dad for not being more understanding of Ava's anxiety.
Note: As an elementary teacher I personally wouldn't want to explain the situation Jenn finds herself in, so I would probably save this for upper MG (6th-8th grade readers)
This is the story of Ava who travels to Colorado with her dad during the summer between elementary and middle school to meet her dad's new girlfriend. They head off to a wilderness resort and end up camping...which gives Ava lots of anxiety. Things do not go according to plan.
By the way, I went back and forth between being really frustrated with Ava's behavior (which I think middle school students will think perfectly fit the situation...like disabling the car!) and being frustrated with the dad for not being more understanding of Ava's anxiety.
Note: As an elementary teacher I personally wouldn't want to explain the situation Jenn finds herself in, so I would probably save this for upper MG (6th-8th grade readers)
December 28, 2022
Ava has anxieties, Ava’s dad either forgets or dismisses her anxieties when he books a vacation in another state with his barely mentioned new girlfriend and her daughter. And so begins a roller-coaster ride of, oh-nos! and, what-ifs, up and down and all around a Colorado mountain resort. Add in the new girlfriend’s ex-husband, a super-star totally consumed with Self and a terrible dad, and you have a picture of the most miserable vacation ever shared. Will Ava and Eric (dad) and Jenn and Z (McKenzie’s trying to be hip like her dad, nickname) survive Ava’s shocking attempts at destroying her dad’s new relationship with its threatened upheaval?
Reading this book caused me anxiety. That said I still recommend it. I’m not going to spoil anyone’s read but there were parts I found hard to believe a twelve year old could pull off.
Reading this book caused me anxiety. That said I still recommend it. I’m not going to spoil anyone’s read but there were parts I found hard to believe a twelve year old could pull off.
August 14, 2022
12-year-old Ava’s story made me laugh, ache, and cringe, all in the best middle grade way. Struggling with anxiety that affects almost everything she does—emotions she describes as more like her dad’s jumbled soup than the organized Legos her therapist would like her to characterize them as—Ava is thrown by her trip to Colorado to meet her father’s serious girlfriend. Hijinks ensue that are both funny and touching at the same time. Middle grade readers curious about shifting family dynamics, perseverance, unconditional love, and trying new things that can be very hard will fall for this big-hearted story.
Thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Kellye Crocker’s wonderful debut.
Thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Kellye Crocker’s wonderful debut.
January 5, 2023
Oh, Ava is such a mess and I really liked that about her. She is quirky and sneaky and anxious and quite the catastrophizer, yet she's also a little kid going through some pretty big changes in life. Her dad's lack of communication is to blame for a whole lot of her issues, which is unfortunate, but his girlfriend is genuinely helpful to Ava.
I am too used to reading YA literature, I guess, because the fact that the dad slept on the couch while they were at the girlfriend's house took me right out of the story. I mean, a large chunk of the book was devoted to Ava realizing that the girlfriend is pregnant, which is a huge disconnect with making a point of mentioning the dad sleeping on the couch.
I am too used to reading YA literature, I guess, because the fact that the dad slept on the couch while they were at the girlfriend's house took me right out of the story. I mean, a large chunk of the book was devoted to Ava realizing that the girlfriend is pregnant, which is a huge disconnect with making a point of mentioning the dad sleeping on the couch.
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