All the stars for this heart-hurting, beautiful, sweet, amazing, perfect book.

It's only 3 weeks into 2017, and I think I've already found my favorite of the year. If I could give this book all the stars, I would because it deserves it. I was up all night reading it because I just couldn't look away. It had me crying my eyes out on multiple occasions, which is really rare for me to do anymore. A book really has to hit me hard for me to get emotional, and this one did that throughout.

As the synopsis says Julian and Adam were former foster brothers, with Adam's mom being the one who took Julian in after his parents died in a car accident. The loss that this woman felt at losing Julian to his uncle BROKE MY FUCKING HEART. Her pain at losing this kid that she clearly loved permeated through the pages. I was a sobbing mess every time she made an appearance in the book-- and I was SO, SO, SO grateful that Julian had someone like her to love him.

Adam was a great character as well. He had a pretty severe case of ADHD and controlled it through diet and natural remedies-- so he had his problems, but this kid was so positive and was the center of his friend group, but still cared enough to lookout for an awkward, damaged kid that needed his help. He was my favorite part of this book and pretty much everything I strive to be as a person.

Julian-- what can I even say about him?? He was so unique and special and had no one to see that for so long. It broke my heart to see him slip through the cracks because I couldn't help thinking about all the kids that don't get an Adam or an Adam's mom to seek them out. As I said above, Julian's hiding a secret from them and even with all the attention and offers of help, Julian still doesn't come clean. He clings to his secrets because he doesn't know anything else. God, it's SO EMOTIONAL.

So, this isn't one of those fluffy Contemporaries, but it's not dark. It's sad at times and very emotional (for me, at least), but it's about love and loyalty and I found it to be so beautiful, I didn't ever want it to end.

OVERALL: ALL THE STARS!! This is going to be one of my favorite books of 2017 (and probably ever). It's beautiful, heart-hurting, and unputdownable. It'll make you believe that there are still good people in the world. It'll make you want to scream at the injustices in the world. Basically, you'll feel all the emotions, and it'll be totally worth it.

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A List of Cages/Robin Roe When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he's got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn't easy for a guy with ADHD, but he can't complain, since he gets to spend the period texting all his friends. Then the doctor asks him to track down the troubled freshman who keeps dodging her, and Adam discovers that the boy is Julian--the foster brother he hasn't seen in five years.
Adam is ecstatic to be reunited. At first, Julian seems like the boy he once knew. He's still kind hearted. He still writes stories and loves picture books meant for little kids. But as they spend more time together, Adam realizes that Julian is keeping secrets, like where he hides during the middle of the day, and what's really going on inside his house. Adam is determined to help him, but his involvement could cost both boys their lives.
 
This was a heart-breaking book with two extremely different boys.
 
Aspects of this book were so very sad and I think Roe did a lovely job of portraying the characters, especially Julian, as they dealt with things no people should deal with. The way that Julian saw the world was very enlightening to read.
 
This book had just the right amount of romance. It was great that it didn't center around a relationship as that would have completely detracted from the plot, but I loved that there was a tiny minor part that was very sweet and thus satisfied my romantic side.
 
The ending felt a little too simplistic for all of the challenges that the boys had faced and all of the themes that the books had addressed. I wanted to see the aftermath of a very serious, if accidental action.
 
While I really enjoyed the relationship the two boys had, I didn't quite buy Adam--the kid is too nice and too perfect--he has very few visible flaws and just didn't seem entirely realistic. Since we got his first person perspective, I wanted to see thoughts he might have had even if he didn't take action on them.
 
Though there are some aspects I'd change about this book, I thought it tackled a big issue in a great way and was definitely well worth reading.
 
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )

3.75 ( )

This book made me cry, send help. ( )

Haunting and beautiful! ( )