BLOGTOUR, BOOK REVIEW - I Am Winter by Denise Brown

                                                                    BOOK SYNOPSIS

When Summer’s best friend Cee dies from cardiac arrest after both girls have taken pills, the accusations on social media begin, but as the bullying intensifies, Summer grows closer to revealing the secret both families are harbouring. A must read YA murder mystery.

Teenagers Summer and Cee (Courtney) lived on the same street and had been friends since the year that Summer had turned eleven. Due to her unhappy homelife (although Summer's wasn't much better) Cee preferred to spend her time at Summer's house and if they weren't gossiping in Summer's basement bedroom then they could be found hanging around in the local park with cee's older brother Richie (who Summer had a crush on) and his group of friends. Although Summer knew that the group only accepted her because she was with Cee, she didn't care because it gave her the opportunity to spend time with Richie.

Then, one night, tragedy strikes after the two girls sneak out of their homes and Cee dies from a cardiac arrest after they both take some pills. Suddenly,Summer finds herself the victim of a terrifying campaign of hate and harassment. She starts receiving threatening notes through the letterbox, nasty comments about her are posted on social media and people who she thought were her friends start turning against her. Struggling with her feelings of grief and guilt and her own mother's unpredictable, selfish behaviour will Summer have the strength to figure who is sending the notes and why and a way to move onto the next step in her journey through life. Or was Summer's life destined to follow the same path as her ill fated friend.

This emotionally charged, character driven story is narrated entirely from the perspective of Summer, a multi layered individual about whom I felt conflicting emotions as the story unfolded. After witnessing the behaviour of the vast majority of the so called adults who featured throughout the story, it was obvious that the youngsters were doomed from the moment that they were born. Maybe times were more innocent back when I was in my teens or I was a bit of a goody two shoes but I would never have dreamt of behaving the way Summer and the other youngsters did. If I had been caught drinking and smoking, I would have been severely punished and as for getting into a strangers car???. Yeah, sure I liked boys but the main things on my mind were homework and hoping that my dad would remember to pick up that week's edition of Jackie magazine on his way home from work. It was obvious that Summer simply wanted what most of us desire in life, to feel needed and loved,something that was sadly lacking in her home. She had some really likeable character traits, I loved how much she cared for her vulnerable baby brother Jonah and her interactions with her friend Kofi who was a wonderful character and definitely my stand out favourite.

The woods that grew near to Summer's house played a large part in this story along with a strange creature called a bear - wolf who lived in a hollow in one of the trees. I have always thought that woods have a haunting word of mystery about them, the scenery is stunning and peaceful during the day but once darkness falls, the atmosphere completely changed and turns eerie and sinister. The intriguing question was, did the bear - wolf really exist or was it just a figment of Summer's imagination?

I really really enjoyed this extremely well written domestic drama with a added dash of mystery with a plot that covers a wide range of relatable issues and subjects about which the author has written with care and sensitivity. The story is very dark and hard hitting at times and causes the reader to experience a wide range of emotions. The diverse cast of characters, many of whom were unlikable and untrustworthy were vivid and realistic. A chilling sense of foreboding permeates the pages of the book and as the story worked it's way towards its unpredictable conclusion, i was never certain where the author was going to take her story. A captivating y/areas and very very highly recommended.

                                                                       AUTHOR BIO

Denise Brown is a writer, housekeeper, and single parent of five children. Her debut novella Devil on Your Back was published by Salt in 2014, and her short stories have featured in various online publications. In 2019 she was longlisted for the Bath Novel Award. Born in East London, Denise has now settled in Scotland where she feels certain she must have lived in a previous life. She loves dogs and snow globes and has a teensy obsession with Jack Skellington.

PURCHASE LINK

https://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Am-Winter-Denise-Brown/dp/1913835170/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=I+am+winter&qid=1636570459&s=books&sr=1-1

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