THE BASICS
- Title: Little & Lion
- Author: Brandy Colbert
- Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction
- Structure: Linear first-person narrative with flashbacks
- First Line: “It’s bizarre to be so nervous about seeing the person who knows me best, but the past year hasn’t been so kind to Lionel and me.”
Synopsis: When Suzette comes home to Los Angeles from her boarding school in New England, she isn’t sure if she’ll ever want to go back. L.A. is where her friends and family are (along with her crush, Emil). And her stepbrother, Lionel, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, needs her emotional support. But as she settles into her old life, Suzette finds herself falling for someone new…the same girl her brother is in love with. When Lionel’s disorder spirals out of control, Suzette is forced to confront her past mistakes and find a way to help her brother before he hurts himself–or worse.
THE GOOD
It was so nice to read a book like this. I’ve really been needing a pick-me-up and this was the perfect read. I’m a littttle mad at myself that I took so long to read this book. I’ll go through what I specifically loved and something I’m disappointed with below.
- I love that this book celebrates diversity while acknowledging and addressing the problems of those who suffer at the hands of society. It’s a shame books like these aren’t standard because I think the characters portrayed in this book are much closer to real life than your standard straight white male protagonist and all his white pals.
- This book shines a light on many, many things regarding racism, sexism, homophobia, and mental health. It’s a tall order, but this book does a wonderful job of dancing this dance without making the book feel corny or making the story feel overshadowed with the air some books can get of “omg look at all the randomly placed diversity”.
- I wish more books had characters like these. They’re extremely relatable. It’s possible for characters to experience heartbreak, hardships, and personal devastation while still resembling something close to reality and not so “out there” that the reader is struggling on the borderline of comprehension.
- This is a delightfully pleasant read for when you need a feel-good book that isn’t cheesy. For me, maybe it was the familiarity of growing up in California or because the characters are so inherently morally good that it was refreshing and felt like a warm hug. This book is great for anyone who needs a palette cleanser from a recent dark and twisty read or for anyone who’s lost faith in writing from a dreadful book or for anyone who is just having a shit time and would like to read something that gives them all the good feels.
- I like that this book addresses mental health without masking or sugar-coating it. It also shows people who struggle with mental disorders, particularly mood disorder, are still in fact human (since that’s something society forgets so often). I’ve seen firsthand how mood disorders not only affect the person suffering, but their loved ones as well and I think it’s great that this book delves into that reality. This story did a great job at telling both sides of mental disorders (the one who suffers and the loved ones who try to help) without alienating one or the other.
THE UNFAVORABLE BITS
I would’ve given this book full marks, but this bit has knocked off an entire point because it’s disappointing. While this is a YA novel, I’m weary about how flippant underage drinking and underage sex are displayed. Here’s a fantastic book, the author is amazing at storytelling, and clearly this can be incredibly influential, but underage drinking (and, in some instances, driving) were presented so blasé.
So, if you’re recommending this to someone in high school, please have an open discussion about the responsibilities of underage drinking.
If you reading this right now are in high school, then I guess that’s my responsibility on here. You do not have to drink if your friends are drinking. You have your whole life ahead of you to do the “go party, get wasted” thing. If you’re going to throw a big “screw you” and do it anyway, then I’m begging you, please do not drink and drive. One drink is one too many to get behind a wheel. It is not worth your life and it is not worth the life of someone else. Stay with your friends and do not wander off with strangers. Keep your phone charged and by you.
Honestly though, real talk: You don’t need to drink to have fun or be cool or fit in. People-pleasing is an overrated load of crap. I know that it all sounds like such an “adult-y” thing to say, but it’s the truth. Anyone telling you otherwise probably leads an uninteresting life and gets off on stirring drama. And, on a real level, probably needs some serious help if they think drinking is the main gateway to a good time. Alcoholism doesn’t care about age.
As always, I give you a heads up about strong language or graphics in case you’re sensitive, or if the person you’re recommending the book to is sensitive. This book does have some strong language and some depictions and allusions to underage drinking and underage sex.
CONCLUSION
I rate this book 4/5 stars. I think this is a fantastic read. This is such a heartwarming, delightful novel and I’d recommend it in a heartbeat to anyone and everyone. The story is compelling and engaging. The characters are complex and relatable. This is the perfect weekend read. However, be weary of recommending to young readers as I think underage drinking has been displayed so flippantly.
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