Book Review: All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

Title: All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
Author: Bryn Greenwood
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 344
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Year Published: 2016
Format: Hardcover (Own It)
First Line: "My mother always started the story by saying, 'Well, she was born in the backseat of a stranger's car,' as though that explained why Wavy wasn't normal."

"As the daughter of a meth deal, Wavy knows not to trust people, not even her own parents. Struggling to raise her little brother, eight-year-old Wavy is the only responsible 'adult' around. She finds peace in the starry Midwestern night sky above the fields, behind her house. One night everything changes when she witnesses one of her father's thugs, Kellen, a tattooed ex-con with a heart of gold, wreck his motorcycle. What follows is a powerful and shocking love story between two unlikely people that ask tough questions, reminding us of all the ugly and wonderful things that life has to offer."

My Rating: 4/5

This book has been catching a lot of attention through booktube and the book community. I will say that it has warnings for assault and rape, as well as abuse in many shapes and form.
I am conflicted about my rating, to say the least. I started this book really interested in Wavy's life (as heartbreaking as it was) and looking to see what she would become after such a tough upbringing, but the story branches into more than that.
There is a minor who has sex with an adult who is more than a little older than her, and it's uncomfortable to think about. There are times in this book that you are cheering the characters on to move towards each other and then you remember the reasons that they shouldn't be together. I think if you are looking for a controversial read this is a good one to pick up.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

Before I even start this book is very controversial, I'd say extremely. There are warnings I left in the review, but here are some more for assault, abuse, drug use, etc.
This book follows the story of Wavy from the age of eight to her early twenties. It follows her through the life of her parents (drug users and dealers) and how she ends up in a relationship with Kellen, an ex-con who works for her father.

Characters:
Wavy: I can see how she had to grow up so quickly in the situation she was in. It was heartbreaking to watch her be dumped on whoever was most willing to take her, when she was trying to take care of herself. I can also see how Kellen's kindness appealed to her. I'm not saying what happened in their... relationship (??) is ok, but I can understand how it happened.

Donnal: I would be interested in more of his backstory and some of the things I'm sure he saw at the "ranch." Did he ever try anything that he shouldn't have? What did he do to cope?

Kellen: I just wish that he had been able to say no, at least until she was of age. I know that she acted a lot older than she was, but it doesn't make it ok.

Amy: I liked that she showed who she truly was before the book ended, maybe it will shock her mother more than Kellen and Wavy did.

Renee: She was clearly someone who needed Wavy and who Wavy needed in return. I see that they in many ways grew into adults together.

Liam: Sick.

Val: Was she always like this or did the drug use make her who we saw in this novel.


Moments to Remember:

Final Line: "She had grown."


Thanks for reading,
Sidny