Faking Normal (Faking Normal #1) by Courtney C. Stevens - MMC GBR - Starting August 1st 2020

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hides in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does.

When Bodee Lennox, the quiet and awkward boy next door, comes to live with the Littrells, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in "the Kool-Aid Kid," who has secrets of his own. As they lean on each other for support, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her find the courage to finally face the truth.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Faking Normal (Faking Normal #1) by Courtney C. Stevens will be our 4th GBR for August 2020.

Please read at your own pace, and hide any spoilers ☺ You are welcome to join at any time during the month ☺

Happy Reading Everybody!

Our MMC GBR review thread can be found here - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Pre-Reading Questions -

Anybody got any thoughts on this one before we start?

Has anyone read anything similar to this before?

Anybody read anything else by this author previously?

[Karen]

Don’t know the author, but the book sounds interesting. Up to ch4 and we’ve had an intro to most of the characters, though the identity of the guy who’s done this hasn’t been revealed.

[Karen]

Up to ch9. I’m liking the way the friendship between Bodee and Lexi is developing. Got a nasty feeling about the potential identity of Lexi’s rapist (and I’m hoping I’m wrong but the info being dropped seems to be trying too hard to steer us in a certain direction).

[Karen]

Up to ch20. The fixation with the boys and their relationships is starting to grate. I’m also saddened by the fact that people seem so immune to the signs of other’s hurt.

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. Hard not to post more on this one, but it’s important to not go into this with too many preconceptions. Subject matter makes it hard to say it’s a book I enjoyed reading, but it was sensitive in approach and the bond between the two characters was genuinely heartwarming.

[Sharon]

Chapter 1: (view spoiler)[ This is my second time reading the story. This time around, I hope to understand the story much more and catch the things that I might have missed from October 2016. I feel so bad for Bodee. Losing a loved one is always a hard pill to swallow, and when it is your mother, I think it hurts all the more. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Just started listening

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Don’t know the author, but the book sounds interesting. Up to ch4 and we’ve had an intro to most of the characters, though the identity of the guy who’s done this hasn’t been revealed."

Yeah (view spoiler)[ I can't tell if she knows and doesn't want to say or if she doesn't know either? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 7 (view spoiler)[ Alexi should really tell her parents what happened and get some therapy at least. Hopefully she can even prosecute who raped her (hide spoiler)] the audiobook has a southern accent and I don't love it. It makes Alexi sound kind of hick

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch9. I’m liking the way the friendship between Bodee and Lexi is developing. Got a nasty feeling about the potential identity of Lexi’s rapist (and I’m hoping I’m wrong but the info being dro..."

Yeah I'm feeling that way too about her rapist. I am glad Alexi has Bodee

[Aly]

ch 13 (view spoiler)[ Okay so her rapist is Collie. I can't believe she can stand to be around him after what happened. Then Hayden was drinking and seemed like he was forcing Alexi to go further than she wanted.
What is up with these terrible guys who don't care about what girls want? This whole school needs a wake up call. And Kayla is a terrible sister ugh (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch20. The fixation with the boys and their relationships is starting to grate. I’m also saddened by the fact that people seem so immune to the signs of other’s hurt."

Agreed. The guys being so special and the girls, especially Heather, pushing Hayden on Alexi is frustrating

[Aly]

ch 21 (view spoiler)[ I'm upset that Alexi keeps defending the guys, especially Collie. He raped her! Why would she defend what he did and push Heather together with Collie? Agh!! And Hayden and Ray suck and I don't even like her friends at this point. Bodee stands alone as the only good person (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 23 (view spoiler)[ Clearly I was way wrong. I did think it was Craig at the beginning, but then Alexi really made it seem like it was Collie. This is so messed up and I'm mad at Alexi for trying to vindicate Craig and I just want her to tell everyone already.

At this point, I really want Bodee to tell for her if she won't do it (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

finished (view spoiler)[ I didn't like this. The ending wasn't as vindicating as I wanted. Why wouldn't they call the police? He gets to run off and maybe do this again? At least her sister believed her.

I was frustrated the whole time I listened to this (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Finished. Review on home page. Hard not to post more on this one, but it’s important to not go into this with too many preconceptions. Subject matter makes it hard to say it’s a book I enjoyed read..."

It was definitely difficult subject matter and I enjoyed the relationship between Alexi and Bodee

[Aly]

Sharon wrote: "Chapter 1: [spoilers removed]"

Agreed (view spoiler)[ Losing your mom, especially in such a violent way, would be awful (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Sharon wrote: "Chapter 1: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I’ve only read 2 chapters and I can already tell this is gonna be a book I will have to reread. There’s been a lot of characters introduced so far so I’m already getting a bit confused (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Up to chapter 3
(view spoiler)[ I really hope captain lyric isn’t Bodee but I know it’s gonna be. It’s way too obvious (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[ It’s become pretty clear who the rapist is for the last couple of chapters. I feel like there Is meant to be a mystery aspect to this book but it’s all too easy to guess. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[ Bodee and Alexi are going to be living in the same house. I like the friendship that they are building. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Aly wrote: "ch 7 [spoilers removed] the audiobook has a southern accent and I don't love it. It makes Alexi sound kind of hick"

Agreed! (view spoiler)[ I do think she should tell her parents about what happened because then she would not have to suffer alone. Also, I think therapy would have really benefited her as she would have an outlet to let all of those feelings out. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Aaron wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Chapter 1: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I hope you enjoy the book. Also, I agreed with you, it is confusing to read at times. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch9. I’m liking the way the friendship between Bodee and Lexi is developing. Got a nasty feeling about the potential identity of Lexi’s rapist (and I’m hoping I’m wrong but the info being dro..."

I, too, am liking the friendship between Bodee and Lexi. They seem to understand each other, and support each other. I am glad that they have each other.

[Sharon]

Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[When Bodee tells Lexi that she is his only friend besides his mom, I felt so bad for him. Everyone calls him the "Kool-Aid Kid", and did not truly get to know the real him. It really shows that people judge others by our appearances more than who we are. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Sharon wrote: "Aly wrote: "ch 7 [spoilers removed] the audiobook has a southern accent and I don't love it. It makes Alexi sound kind of hick"

Agreed! [spoilers removed]"
Up to chapter 10
(view spoiler)[ I think she should try a little step first and open up to Bodee. Sometimes talking to a friend you trust is better than therapy and it’s way easier than talking to you parents no matter how chill they are. He might also help her build courage to talk to someone else and get professional help. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Aaron wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Aly wrote: "ch 7 [spoilers removed] the audiobook has a southern accent and I don't love it. It makes Alexi sound kind of hick"

Agreed! [spoilers removed]"
Up to chapter 10
[spoiler..."

That's another good point. (view spoiler)[ Now that she has Bodee, she may open up more about her feelings of that day, and I think he can help her out, or at least understand her. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 23
(view spoiler)[ I’m glad she finally opened up to Bodee. Hopefully she can start dealing with what happened even if she can’t talk to anyone else yet. I thought it would be Collie so I’m glad there was a twist. Thinking back, she did say “I didn’t say it was one of the players” when talking about the rapist so i should’ve figured it out sooner. I’m not a fan of any of the guys so far except for Bodee. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Done
(view spoiler)[ pretty sure Craig should’ve been arrested rather than sent away. He got of lightly. And Bodee being captain lyric was pretty obvious from the first time captain lyric was mentioned. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Ending Thoughts: (view spoiler)[ I thought the ending could have ended with Craig being arrested rather than just leaving the house. Also, I think I understood the story better. I enjoyed Bodee and Lexi’s relationship throughout the book, it was probably my favourite thing about the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Aaron wrote: "Done
[spoilers removed]"

Totally agree!

[Aly]

Sharon wrote: "Ending Thoughts: [spoilers removed]"

Same

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

25%

(view spoiler)[ I'm liking this. It's two broken people trying to fix each other. I also think that the desk writer is Brodee. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

59%

(view spoiler)[ I'm loving this. I like it when the quiet kid is finally noticed and we see how great they are. For someone that went through what he did Brodee is very well adjusted and very kind. It's like his fixing Alexi and not the other way around. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

78%

(view spoiler)[ Well i didn't see that one coming. i agree with Bodee he knew what he was doing and that's why he kept his eyes closed so he couldn't face it. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Finished

(view spoiler)[ Although her sister stood up for in the end i think she was a disgusting person the way she acted towards her was just wrong. I like the way that they ended up together but I do feel like all the healing and support was one way. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch20. The fixation with the boys and their relationships is starting to grate. I’m also saddened by the fact that people seem so immune to the signs of other’s hurt."

(view spoiler)[ I agree. I can't believe that no-one has noticed that something is wrong with Lexi. I also got a bit frustrated at this part with the it's him, no it's him. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Aly wrote: "Karen wrote: "Up to ch9. I’m liking the way the friendship between Bodee and Lexi is developing. Got a nasty feeling about the potential identity of Lexi’s rapist (and I’m hoping I’m wrong but the ..."

(view spoiler)[ I had no idea who it was at this point but I agree I'm glad they have each other. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Aly wrote: "ch 23 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ yeah she makes out it's someone else and to me that's wrong. I know she couldn't quite remember but she could have caused a lot of trouble if others came to the same conclusion. I also hated the way she was like well if I tell it'll ruin his life....he works in a school you are putting all those girls at risk by not telling. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Sharon wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]"

That's so true.

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Aaron wrote: "Chapter 23
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ yeah all the guys are pretty crap in this book. ,/spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Sharon wrote: "Chapter 1: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[This was such a sad start! That would have been me over my grandmother, unable to even speak (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Aaron wrote: "Chapter 9
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Agreed, way too easy to figure out (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Aaron wrote: "Chapter 23
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[She needed that. All that bottled up couldn't be good. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Finished

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah I am still mad at Kayla. She was the beginning of her brainwashing after all. Although I don't get how Alexi didn't figure out it was Bodee as the Captain! (hide spoiler)]