An ambitious and entirely successful debut novel.
To say that life has been unfair or difficult for Rose is a ridiculous understatement. At a vulnerable age, Rose loses her father and is left in the care of her negligent, even noxious mother. Neglect escalates into something far worse and Rose runs away. But the haunting memories follow, so no matter where she finds herself, Rose has to keep running to try and outpace the mental repercussions. And she is not alone in her particular brand of misery. Though not a smooth road, Rose finds a family born not from blood, but from kindred spirits. Together, they navigate the treachery and beauty that life throws at them.
An ambitious and entirely successful debut novel, Broken Like Me is an earnest story about reconciling our past and how our experiences mold our future. Kaitie Howie’s writing style is forthright, a true breath of fresh air. The characters are not so extreme as to be unbelievable; rather each flawed soul is grounded and genuine, making readers share in the anguish, the joy, the heartbreak, and the love. This book has moments that will have you spilling tears of joy even as you’ve barely recovered from tears of sadness. At the same time, it tells an incredibly compelling story filled with complex and distressing themes such as rape and abuse. One of the best new adult books I’ve read in years, Broken Like Me will grab hold of your heart and never let go.
