Adriana knows that if she can manage to keep her head down for the next seven months, she might be able to get through her sentence in the Compass juvenile detention center. Thankfully, she’s allowed to keep her journal, where she writes down her most private thoughts when her feelings get too big.
Until the day she opens her journal and discovers that her thoughts are no longer so private. Someone has read her writings—and has written back. A boy who lives on the other side of the gender-divided detention center. A boy who sparks a fire in her to write back.
Jon’s story is different than Adriana’s; he’s already been at Compass for years and will be in the system for years to come. Still, when he reads the words Adriana writes to him, it makes him feel like the walls that hold them in have melted away.
As an in depth look at America's juvenile justice system, this was amazing. As a story, I sadly didn't like it that much.
Neal and his cowriters have obviously done a lot of research into juvenile detention and its dehumanising effects on people; the regimented lifestyle and the necessity for cliques comes across really clearly, and there were times I had to put it down and remind myself that I could leave the room any time I wanted. Hopefully it will spark some conversations, or at least a closer look at who's in charge in these centres and what the end result actually is.
However, as a story, I didn't like it that much; I thought it dragged and I couldn't empathise much with either of our leads. We just didn't click. It is very well written though and I know some readers are going to absolutely love it.
A mixed bag for me, but I think it's going to do well overall.
Break to You publishes on the 2nd of July, 2024. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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