This novel explores the complex web of relationships within two distinct families. On one hand, there's the family that Duchess Day Radley, a 13-year-old self-proclaimed outlaw, is a part of. She's fiercely protective of her five-year-old brother, Robin, and her mother, Star, a single mom who struggles to care for herself, let alone her children. Duchess lives in a coastal California town where she's known for her rebellious nature, having broken the rules throughout her life. Her life is marked by a deep desire to survive and protect those she loves.
On the other hand, there's the family that Duchess is trying to protect, as her brother Robin is a part of a family that was forever changed by a tragic event in their past. Her brother, Robin, is now the child that is trying to heal and move forward. His family is deeply affected by the reappearance of Vincent King, a person who was close to their family but became the key piece of evidence that led to the imprisonment of his former friend. Duchess and her brother are with the chief of police, Walk, and he is protecting them at all costs, having been unable to protect Vincent in the past when he was 30 years old. The tension rises when Vincent is released, and the lives of these families are disrupted by the presence of his release.
Throughout this novel, it becomes clear that making families isn't just as simple as choosing two parents when you grow older. It's the people who are born into us, who take care of us, who push us away - we make families in the sense that they exist. There's one side of life we all meet head-on, and as we transition from one side of life to the other, we are forced to question the choices we make, the decisions we make, and who we allow to be part of our lives. We begin at the end, meaning we begin at the place where we meet new family, or the place where we move through old family, forcing us to unravel those who are very close to us.
I just finished reading this captivating novel, and I couldn't help but feel a deep connection to the characters and their stories. The author has done an incredible job of weaving together the lives of two families, each with their own unique struggles and triumphs. One family, the Radleys, are a tight-knit group of three who are struggling to survive and protect each other. Duchess, a 13-year-old rebel, is fiercely devoted to her little brother Robin and her mother Star, who is doing her best to care for them despite her own struggles.
As I read about the Radleys, I couldn't help but think of my own life and the choices I've made. The author has a way of making you feel like you're right there with the characters, experiencing their joys and sorrows firsthand. The way they navigate their relationships and try to make ends meet is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Meanwhile, the other family, the Kings, are dealing with their own demons as they try to come to terms with a tragic event from their past. The tension between these two families builds to a dramatic climax that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
I love how this novel shows us that family isn't just about blood ties, but about the people who take care of us and whom we take care of. It's a complex web of relationships that can bring both great joy and great pain. As I finished reading, I felt like I had to take a moment to think about all the people in my own life who I'm grateful for and those who I'm still trying to figure out. This novel has left me with a lot to think about, and I'm so glad I got to experience it.
Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
I recently finished reading a captivating novel that explores the complexities of family relationships. The story delves into the lives of two distinct families, each with their own unique struggles and triumphs. As I turned the pages, I found myself becoming deeply invested in the characters and their stories, feeling a sense of connection and empathy towards them. The author has woven a web of relationships that is both heartbreaking and inspiring, highlighting the importance of family beyond blood ties. The novel builds to a dramatic climax that will leave you on the edge of your seat, making it a truly unforgettable read.