faking normal by courtney stevens

Title: Faking Normal

Author: Courtney C. Stevens

Date published: February 25^th, 2014

Genre: YA Contemporary

Goodreads blurb:

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.

 Non-spoiler review of Faking Normal by Courtney Stevens:

Short review: I loved this book. It's one of my new favorites.

Long review: Alexi is a girl who is, as lots of girls are today, damaged. She is doing, as the title states 'Faking normal.' She is pretending as if everything is okay, and everyone believes her. Nobody sees what she's keeping inside. Until Bodee comes along.

Bodee is quiet, sweet and damaged in his own way. He is barely noticed, except for when people comment on his Kool-Aid hair. He didn't have many friends and didn't try to change that.

When the book starts, Bodee faces a loss that changes him. He moves in with Alexi's family, and suddenly, he's everywhere in Alexi's life. They share secrets and he promises to protect Alexi from whoever is hurting her, even if it's herself. Over the course of the book, you find out that Alexi has a secret buried deep, that even she doesn't know about. And when she uncovers that, nothing will ever be the same again.

This is a powerful story of loss, first love and putting back together the pieces of yourself that were broken. The way Alexi and Bodee and all of the characters change and mend is incredible.

Once you pick up this book, don't count on putting it down. It sucks you right in. And be prepared for feelings. Lots of feelings. Overall, this is one of my favorite reads of the 2014 year. I highly recommend this to everyone, girl and boy. This isn't just a romance. This is a book that makes you think, and leaves you wanting more.