27.4.18

Review: Girl Unmoored by Jennifer Gooch Hummer


Girl Unmoored by Jennifer Gooch Hummer 
Release Date: March 6, 2012  
Publisher: Fiction Studio Books 
Genre: Adult - YA crossover  
SourceARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Amazon | BN | Indiebound 
Apron Bramhall has come unmoored. It's 1985 and her mom has passed away, her evil stepmother is pregnant, and her best friend has traded her in for a newer model. Fortunately, she's about to be saved by Jesus. Not that Jesus--the actor who plays him in "Jesus Christ, Superstar". Apron is desperate to avoid the look-alike Mike (no one should look that much like Jesus unless they can perform a miracle or two), but suddenly he's everywhere. Until one day, she's stuck in church with him--of all places. And then something happens; Apron's broken teenage heart blinks on for the first time since she's been adrift.

Mike and his grumpy boyfriend, Chad, offer her a summer job in their flower store. With the sweet smells and creative arranging of bouquets, Apron's world seems to calm. But when she uncovers Chad's secret, coming of age becomes almost too much to bear. She's forced to see things the adults around her fail to--like what love really means and who is paying too much for it.
Review: 

I've had Girl Unmoored on my shelf for far too long. I'm not quite sure why I put off reading it. It has received wonderful praise, and the synopsis intrigued me. Recently, I decided to give it a go, and now I only have three thoughts on my mind in regards to it: 

1) Why didn't I read it sooner?! 
2) Wow. Wow. Wow. That was AMAZING! 
3) Why didn't I read it sooner?! 

Girl Unmoored introduces Apron Bramhall, a pre-teen experiencing one of the worst yet best summers of her life. Things haven't been the same for Apron and her father since her mother passed away suddenly. Her dad quickly found a replacement girlfriend - one who despises Apron - while Apron feels unsure in her new skin. She doesn't quite know how to go on without her mother, or with a dad she barely knows these days. I found Apron's voice to be raw as well as endearing. From the very first page, I was hooked. I want to know more about her - her family, her dad's evil girlfriend, her goals and her fears. Adding to that, Apron was one strong girl. She's not afraid to take risks, or care about people, no matter their background. She lives with her heart on her sleeve and craves for her house to feel like a home once again. That's not to say that Apron doesn't have moments of weakness or that she doesn't sometimes say or do the wrong thing at the wrong time, because she does, but it just made her story more believable and honest. Gosh, I wanted the world for Apron - she was such a special girl and I hoped throughout that no one would burn out her light. 

Girl Unmoored primarily focuses on grief, growing up, and moving on. Throughout the course of the summer, Apron experiences growth in ways she could have never imagined. She stands up for herself. She takes on her dad's girlfriend, and sometimes she wins and sometimes she looses. She also takes on a job at the local flower shop. I loved everything to do with the flower shop and the two men that owned it. At first, Apron thinks they're doing her the favor by getting her out of her toxic house, but as it turns out she's doing them just as big of a favor by being there, by being an unlikely ally. I won't say much more about the topic, because experiencing this bond is what makes this book so incredibly special. 

Overall, Girl Unmoored is a beautifully written, poignant novel about growing up. It made me cry my eyes out, and even though I felt emotionally wrecked after reading it I can't suggest it highly enough. 


5 stars!!

3 comments:

  1. First time I hear about this book, but it sounds good and I'm so happy you had such a wonderful time with it! By the way, the three thoughts you listed run on my mind quite a few times :P Glad you gave this book a go in the end!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I haven't heard of this either. I think the name Apron will take some getting used to but LOVE the idea of a book set in the 80s - yeah!
    Jen Ryland Reviews

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a new one to me, and wow does it sounds wonderful! I would certainly need some tissues while reading it though. Great review!

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