This type of book is always really tough to review. I understand that some of this is autobiographical in nature, and that makes the story even more heartbreaking, unfortunately that is not enough to make this a five star read. The titular character faces absolutely horrendous treatment at the hands of her foster mother and siblings, and once she leaves that situation, things rapidly go from bad to worse and Joon tumbles into a life of homelessness and poverty and that's just the beginning. I get it, real life is harsh and pulls no punches, and these stories do occur in real life but the way things unfold here just felt very heavy handed, akin to a lifetime special. In addition, all of the characters could have been better developed. My main issue with this book though was the writing itself. The way the author writes is very elementary, meaning that dialogue isn't well done at all, and the author has a tendency to spell out what the characters are thinking or feeling rather than showing it in a more subtle manner. One could argue that this was intentional due to Joon's age, but we spend nearly ten years with Joon, and her voice does not change at all. This story is a powerful one, but it would have packed a much much bigger punch with a little coaching, and some better editing.

Never Be Alone by Paige Dearth
I look forward to every new book by this author. Her stories are backed by elements of “been there, done that” and while they drag up certain unwanted memories from my own early years they also bring forth a range of emotions. Introducing some new characters while bringing back a few from her previous story, this becomes a continuing saga from the streets of the city of not much “Brotherly Love”. A heavy dose of reality sprinkled with a bit of the unlikely gives the reader a view of life for the homeless. Not necessarily the addicted whose misfortunes are self-inflicted but mostly the youthful unfortunates who are the victims of the often-harsh realities and circumstances of life, perhaps a result of addicted parents, maybe just parents who lack the ability to love or maybe parents with an abundance of ability to bully children, knowing the children lack defensive capabilities. While the stories take place in a certain city it could well be any city or town, places where people relax in the comfort of their home, viewing scenes on the nightly news of homeless children suffering the ravages of hunger, in war torn or impoverished countries. If only those people would look out their window at the world close at hand. For those who do not see that which is often in plain sight this book will give a view of the plight of the young homeless lost citizens amongst us. My profound respect for this author.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another emotional roller coaster from Paige Dearth. Honestly, I have never been able to get through one of her books without crying. She is not afraid to write about the worst things that humans can do to one another. But she also shows the kindness and love.

Some parts of the book are a bit unbelievable, but it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the book.

The only problem I have with this book is that now that I’ve read them all, I’m starting to see a certain formula in the way the books are written. I can guess what’s going to happen based on the fact I’ve read her other books. I still love them and will continue to read them, but I’m not surprised anymore.

An amazing, emotional story! I loved it!
I couldn’t put it down!

It is still hard for me to find the words for this review. This book has made me cry more than any other book I have read recently. Joon went through so much. Then, you think about the fact that so many children have had Joon and Lily's life; it is gut-wrenching. This is not only a story of heartache and child abuse, but it is also the story of love and overcoming everything. It is a great lesson in perseverance and belief in your ability to do anything you set your mind to. The storytelling is impeccable, the timing precise, and a chain of events that will make you love Joon, as I have come to.

We see the homeless, but do we know them or just judge them? This book opened my eyes to their plight. I understand, they didn’t just all of a sudden become homeless. It evolved after helpless and hopeless situations beyond their control. And it’s not always easy to just go get a job. Once again my eyes were opened to prostitution and how young girls are groomed to become a prostitution/slave. They never planned this life for themselves. It is also an evolving process. Paige Dearth created in me a greater compassion and love for the unlovely.

Yes, this subject matter is dark, and in this world there are dark sad situations many people are forced to endure. This is happening everyday and in every city.

Thank you Paige for this enlightening book that evoked great compassion in my heart and soul, for Joon and the people in her life she grew to love and and the ones she lost.

Young Joon’s loving parents died. She went to school one day and was told her parents were gone. She doesn’t even know where they went or where the family’s belongings ended up. There are no relatives to care for her so she is moved in with a cruel and dangerous foster family. Aron, her foster parent seems nice on the outside, but her heart is black. She finds pleasure as she starves, belittles, burns, and punishes Joon with unthinkable cruelty on a daily basis. School isn’t even a refuge as Aron’s older and equally cruel son Deen, watches her every move. If she eats more than three bites of food, Deen tells and punishment is rained down. He even turns the children I. school against this innocent child. As Joon begins to mature, Aron seems even angrier at Joon and Deen plans to have his way with her. After all, “Aron will let me do anything to her that I want.” Join is now 12. When the situation becomes so unbearable, Joon leaves school and joins the world of the homeless.
Sadly, that is her only option. Reader, understand, that is the little girl’s ONLY option. You will understand the direness of her situation when you read. She turns to the streets to escape the viciousness of her foster family and start over. Joon os a broken child.

She is a child wandering the streets of Philadelphia where there are many many groups of homeless. Joon is accepted into a group of homeless teens. It’s hard for this small town girl to imagine so many homeless young people! They should be in a home being loved and nurtured.
Joon is naive and has zero street smarts and things are never what they seem. In this world, there is always a price to pay for safety on the streets.

NEVER BE ALONE is a story of homelessness but hopefulness, as Joon’s relentless determination eventually helps her find her place in the world and make a difference. You will love Joon and want to to be her saviour.

**WARNING**18+ Readers Only.  Graphic content and subject matter.

Another compelling read from the author. She continues in her tradition of not holding back in her narration. I like it that she does not sugarcoat the story or especially the ending. A book I would recommend to all.

This book started off making me so, SO angry! And then it broke my heart. It made me smile and it made me cry.

It hurts, because I feel like this book is just too darn real, and this is a reality for too many young kids and teens. (I have to figure out the stats for my community and see what I can do to help.)

Paige Dearth does a phenomenal job of creating Joon, and making you love her. There is A LOT of heartbreak in this book. But there’s a lot of good too.

I hope you give this book a chance, and I hope it inspires you to make a difference.

This is the first book I read by Paige Dearth and wow , was it intense. This is a story of a young girl that ends up in a foster home and endures more pain than I can even imagine, enough pain that living on the streets is a better option. I don't think I could have gotten through the story if it hadn't of been for how much I liked and was cheering for Joon, the main character and some of the other people she met along the way. Although this is a fiction book, it opened my eyes to the every day struggles that the homeless deal with.

Book contained some peoofreading errors. Chapters were very short; the flow of the story seemed choppy. This didn't seem like too much of a story, but more a "slice of life" that wore at the reader a bit.

I so fell in love with these character. So many good things about this book. Touching, Emotional and a hard subject to cover, actually 2 subjects that were poured out in this book and wonderfully covered.
Would recommend this book




Thanks to the publisher and net galley for an early release of this book

When I ran across this book and seen that Paige Dearth was the author, I knew it was one that I had to read! Although the subject matter is hard to take, I feel it’s a truthful, eye opening look into what it’s like for children who are either living in fostercare or while living homeless on the streets. It depicts the abuse, the heartache and the struggles that so many of our young go through while trying to survive. It was an emotional story for me. I cried through a lot of it because I grew very attached to Joon (main character) and some of her friends. It’s a book that I think everyone could benefit from reading. It’s a story about awareness. I believe it would help to make others feel a little more compassionate and helpful to those not as fortunate as some of us. The world needs more love and understanding. I’d like to thank NetGalley and author Paige Dearth for the opportunity to read it and express my thoughts on it. I think it will definately make me more aware about the way I look at and treat other people.