Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Release Date:  June 19, 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 224

Summary: When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

My Thoughts:  I remember picking this one up about a year ago, reading outside on my porch. I think I read about 40 pages but then I got distracted, put it down, and started something else. I finally got back to reading it and finished it.

I don’t know why I waited.

We are introduced to Travis who just returned home from Afghanistan, where he lost his best friend. He is now trying to put the pieces back together. After being to war, and losing someone so close to him he’s a mess. He is back in his hometown and he runs into a girl named Harper. A girl he kissed years ago and embarrassed pretty good.

Oh boy does Harper remember. She holds a grudge pretty well, at first but then she really opens up to him.

I loved Harper and Travis’ banter back and forth. But I also liked seeing them get to know one another. Even though they had went to school together, they didn’t really know each other. I also liked all the moments, especially with the turtles.

I’m glad we also saw Travis’ family. I am happy to see what they were like and it made me understand him much better.

I enjoyed seeing him go through what he had too to actually get somewhere. He had to learn to deal with his feelings and overcome them. He had to move on as best as he could.

I really enjoyed this one. I think most of it was due to the romance. I honestly don’t read very many novels from a guy’s point of view so this was a little hard for me to really grasp  at first.

Overall: I really enjoyed this one and am glad I finally read it. I enjoyed his voice and I also enjoyed the moments with Harper and his friends. I felt like I really got inside his head. This is a great contemp novel!

Cover: I like it! Even though its not real colorful this one would definitely draw me in. I love the dog tag and I love how they are just kissing. Think this cover is really cute!

What I’d Give It: