Title: Turn the World Upside Down
Author: Nyrae Dawn
Genre: Contemporary, Teen Fiction
Length: Novel (200 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 20, 2016)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Blurb: Hunter Donovan’s life always seemed perfect, but there was something rotten beneath the shiny surface. When the truth comes out and his dad is sent to prison, Hunter can only react with anger. His rage boils out of control, leading to a violent incident at school, and then to Hunter being sent to a mental health facility—Better Days.
Hunter doesn’t see how therapy can help him. If it can’t change the past, what good is it? It’s not like he can go back in time, see the horrible things going on right under his nose, and put a stop to them. No, he should have found that strength when he had the chance, and now it’s too late.
There is a ray of light at Better Days, though, in the friendships Hunter forges. Anxiety-ridden Casey, uninhibited Rosie, recovering bulimic Bethany, and Stray, a self-harmer who’s never had a home, lighten Hunter’s feelings of isolation.
Despite the connections he’s forming—and even the love blossoming between him and Stray—Hunter can’t escape his shame and remorse. If Hunter can’t open up and find a way to deal with what happened, he might end up another casualty of mental illness, just like one of the friends he’s grown to love.
ISBN: 978-1-63477-419-2
Product Link: Harmony Ink Press | Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: An emotional book about teenagers who have struggled with tragedies. Hunter has been admitted to Better Days. With the support of the other teenagers there he comes to grips with himself as well as the secret he learned about his family.
I loved how no matter what each had gone through they had someone there for them to guide them. It was refreshing to read a story about someone truly helping another. Each character has been through something tragic. I loved how Hunter tries to protect those at the place from bullies.
The damage done to Hunter and his family are indescribable. It broke my heart at what was done and who did it. A truly wonderful story that had me in tears at times for the things that happened to these young people and the suffering they were dealing with on a daily basis.
Great read.