Eloreen reviews ‘The Red Sheet‘ by Mia Kerick . Published February 21st 2014 by Harmony Ink Press and is 190 pages.
A complimentary copy was given for the purpose of an honest review.
Why I read this story: I’ve wanted to read some young adult/teen stories despite not seeing my teen years in too many years to count. I have teenagers of my own and liked to see insight in this next generation. This week at RGR is pushing boundaries and YA is one of them for me. The other is horror but I couldn’t go there for this round. 🙂
****
Synopsis:
One October morning, high school junior Bryan Dennison wakes up a different person—helpful, generous, and chivalrous—a person whose new admirable qualities he doesn’t recognize. Stranger still is the urge to tie a red sheet around his neck like a cape.
Bryan soon realizes this compulsion to wear a red cape is accompanied by more unusual behavior. He can’t hold back from retrieving kittens from tall trees, helping little old ladies cross busy streets, and defending innocence anywhere he finds it.
Shockingly, at school, he realizes he used to be a bully. He’s attracted to the former victim of his bullying, Scott Beckett, though he has no memory of Scott from before “the change.” Where he’d been lazy in academics, overly aggressive in sports, and socially insecure, he’s a new person. And although he can recall behaving egotistically, he cannot remember his motivations.
Everyone, from his mother to his teachers to his “superjock” former pals, is shocked by his dramatic transformation. However, Scott Beckett is not impressed by Bryan’s newfound virtue. And convincing Scott he’s genuinely changed and improved, hopefully gaining Scott’s trust and maybe even his love, becomes Bryan’s obsession.
With a foreword by C. Kennedy
****
I haven’t read much in that genre but this was an excellent representation of coming of age in a unique way. It’s written in first person and gives you insight to Bryan’s thoughts as he explains his change of heart starting with wanting a red cap, and a change from a bully to a nicer model. Along the way, Bryan discover feelings for Scott, his victim of bullying. We read along with bated breathe as Bryan reveals how he’s changed his bullying ways and now wants to date Scott and start a relationship. In the end, Bryan makes tough choices that a lot of people do later in life and makes it good for himself and Scott, convincing Scott to see him a new light. It’s not exactly a happy for now nor is it a happily ever after. It’s something in between. While I enjoyed the story and was glad of the resolution, there was a little wordiness that I didn’t like. Then again, it is from the perspective of a teenager; and so, it gives insight but a few places were almost stream of consciousness. It still flowed well while giving you everything that Bryan went through.
With this, I give The Red Sheet 9 out of 10 pots of gold. This is equivalent to 4.5/5 Stars.
-Eloreen
9/10 Pots of Gold
Buy Links:
Amazon | ARe | Dreamspinner | B&N | Goodreads
****
Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—all named after saints—and five nonpedigreed cats—all named after the next best thing to saints, Boston Red Sox players. Her husband of twenty years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about that, as it is a sensitive subject.
Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled young men and their relationships, and she believes that sex has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with romantic tales of tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to Dreamspinner Press for providing her with an alternate place to stash her stories.
Mia is proud of her involvement with the Human Rights Campaign and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of marital equality. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.
My themes I always write about: Sweetness. Unconventional love, tortured/damaged heroes- only love can save them
CONTACT THE AUTHOR:
Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | website | Amazon
****
Rainbow Gold Reviews 