Some Boys
Some girls say no. Some boys don't listen.
When Grace meets Ian, she's afraid. Afraid he'll reject her like the rest of the school, like her own family. After she accuses Zac, the town golden boy, of rape, everyone turns against her. Ian wouldn't be the first to call her a slut and a liar.
Except Ian doesn't reject her. He's the one person who looks past the taunts and the names and the tough-girl act to see the real Grace. He's the one who gives her the courage to fight back.
He's also Zac's best friend.
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Community Reviews
I've thought long and hard about whether or not I wanted to review Some Boys. First, I still can't seem to get all my thoughts in order - this book messed me up good. Second, it's such a touchy subject; one that I don't like talking about for many, many reasons. But I thought, WHY NOT, and decided to make this more of a... vent? over a "review."
Disclaimer: I don't want to offend anyone that took something inspirational from this book. The intended message of Some Boys is a strong one; one I think can be powerful and inspirational for some. If you loved this book, and took anything away from it, that's awesome. I did not.
I don't think I have ever experienced so many negative emotions while reading a book... IN MY LIFE. I knew it wouldn't be all sunshine and rainbows. I mean, I'm not naive or stupid, and the synopsis spells it out. But I wasn't expecting to much hate and anger.. It still pains me to think about it.
What I can't wrap my head around - was the lack of (known) support from ALL parties involved. I know there will be opposing sides, it's been in headlines and happens everyday. But what boggles my mind, was the sheer lack of support for Grace. Yes, there were people who DID believe her (her mother included), but they were silent. So silent in fact, Grace didn't even know she HAD support. (please refrain from telling me I don't understand because [insert whatever you think you want to say here], because I do) Her dad basically said she was asking for it for dressing the way she did. *RAGES* Her best friends call her a slut, a whore, and totally & completely disown her and turn their back on her. Even picking a PHYSICAL FIGHT. (Only to go make out with said person, all the while, the other friend makes out with TWO guys, like a PG-13 3 some?) like, WTAF people.
The lacrosse team - oh I'm sorry, THE WHOLE SCHOOL - made vulgar gestures. Harassed her. Even the teachers. Again, I understand there will be opposing sides. But to write EVERY SINGLE PERSON that came into contact with Grace harass her, or NOT believe 100% of her story?? It felt.. like too much.
I can NOT get on board with how dismissive and forgiving Grace was in the end. She was tough throughout the ENTIRE BOOK, not letting people back her into a corner. Not letting people silence her. But then you go and forgive EVERYONE?! I understand that she was at a point where she wanted it behind her. I GET IT. But there is just no freaking WAY I would forgive OR forget the people who tried to physically harm me (after the rape). Vandalize my car. Emotionally and mentally torture me. To need someone, only for those people to turn their back on me, wholly and completely. FUCK.YOU No way. No how. How could you look those people in the eye? How could they look HER in the eye?
This made me sick.
Now, on to the "romance." First of all - H to the NO. There was NO WAY I was "shipping" this romance. Alone, he made her feel "normal" and "special" but it's like with anything else. If they don't want to be around you around their friends, their family, then... THAT IS A SIGN. Rape or no rape in your past. Yes, he had his doubts about what happened, but to not believe her Until HE WATCHED THE FREAKING VIDEO??? YOU WANT TO BE WITH SOMEONE LIKE THIS? RAGING. ALL THE RAGING.
I did not care for Ian's POV. I see what the intention was, I do. And maybe if I wasn't so hung up on everything else going on, I could have appreciated the notion. But I just... couldn't stomach his monologue, his character.. or just, anything about him. I wish the romance was non-existent period. You don't need a romance to feel powerful and heal.
You need support from Friends. Family. Your community. The people in your life that believe you; believe IN YOU to move forward. I am SO TIRED of seeing these stories of girls having to fall in love and have a romance to move on. Everyone copes differently, I GET IT, and I know what the feeling if being believed and WANTED feels like. I just.. I can't get on board with the notion as a whole.
For such a touchy subject, and what could have been an epic story, fail miserably for me personally.
Disclaimer: I don't want to offend anyone that took something inspirational from this book. The intended message of Some Boys is a strong one; one I think can be powerful and inspirational for some. If you loved this book, and took anything away from it, that's awesome. I did not.
I don't think I have ever experienced so many negative emotions while reading a book... IN MY LIFE. I knew it wouldn't be all sunshine and rainbows. I mean, I'm not naive or stupid, and the synopsis spells it out. But I wasn't expecting to much hate and anger.. It still pains me to think about it.
What I can't wrap my head around - was the lack of (known) support from ALL parties involved. I know there will be opposing sides, it's been in headlines and happens everyday. But what boggles my mind, was the sheer lack of support for Grace. Yes, there were people who DID believe her (her mother included), but they were silent. So silent in fact, Grace didn't even know she HAD support. (please refrain from telling me I don't understand because [insert whatever you think you want to say here], because I do) Her dad basically said she was asking for it for dressing the way she did. *RAGES* Her best friends call her a slut, a whore, and totally & completely disown her and turn their back on her. Even picking a PHYSICAL FIGHT. (Only to go make out with said person, all the while, the other friend makes out with TWO guys, like a PG-13 3 some?) like, WTAF people.
The lacrosse team - oh I'm sorry, THE WHOLE SCHOOL - made vulgar gestures. Harassed her. Even the teachers. Again, I understand there will be opposing sides. But to write EVERY SINGLE PERSON that came into contact with Grace harass her, or NOT believe 100% of her story?? It felt.. like too much.
I can NOT get on board with how dismissive and forgiving Grace was in the end. She was tough throughout the ENTIRE BOOK, not letting people back her into a corner. Not letting people silence her. But then you go and forgive EVERYONE?! I understand that she was at a point where she wanted it behind her. I GET IT. But there is just no freaking WAY I would forgive OR forget the people who tried to physically harm me (after the rape). Vandalize my car. Emotionally and mentally torture me. To need someone, only for those people to turn their back on me, wholly and completely. FUCK.YOU No way. No how. How could you look those people in the eye? How could they look HER in the eye?
This made me sick.
Now, on to the "romance." First of all - H to the NO. There was NO WAY I was "shipping" this romance. Alone, he made her feel "normal" and "special" but it's like with anything else. If they don't want to be around you around their friends, their family, then... THAT IS A SIGN. Rape or no rape in your past. Yes, he had his doubts about what happened, but to not believe her Until HE WATCHED THE FREAKING VIDEO??? YOU WANT TO BE WITH SOMEONE LIKE THIS? RAGING. ALL THE RAGING.
I did not care for Ian's POV. I see what the intention was, I do. And maybe if I wasn't so hung up on everything else going on, I could have appreciated the notion. But I just... couldn't stomach his monologue, his character.. or just, anything about him. I wish the romance was non-existent period. You don't need a romance to feel powerful and heal.
You need support from Friends. Family. Your community. The people in your life that believe you; believe IN YOU to move forward. I am SO TIRED of seeing these stories of girls having to fall in love and have a romance to move on. Everyone copes differently, I GET IT, and I know what the feeling if being believed and WANTED feels like. I just.. I can't get on board with the notion as a whole.
For such a touchy subject, and what could have been an epic story, fail miserably for me personally.
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