I found this book quite average. The story was ok but it didn't really captivate me and I didn't find the characters very interesting either unfortunately. However it does tackle some important issues such as teenage mental health and domestic abuse.

After trying multiple times, I could not finish this book. I’m not sure exactly who the audience needs to be but I was not interested.

Thanks to NetGalley for the book in exchange for my honest review.

Sadly I did not finish this book. I just could not get into it at all but cannot pin point what it was.

Now this book couldn't really convince me. I think that the idea of a keeper looking after you, similar to a guardian angel, and that keeper being someone from the past so that he has experiences from a different time was a cute idea. But I think that a lof of potential was wasted in this book. Adler was a very flat character that, almost until the end, didn't do much else than utter general maxims and encouraging things. He also didn't act like someone from the early twentieth century and it seemed to me that he had no real issues to adapt to the modern world.
Joanie on the other hand didn't seem like a thirteen-year-old to me. Her voice sounded like she was older and didn't really fit.
Many of the other characters remained flat too and there wasn't much suspense.

So I think that it's a pity that the potential of this idea wasn't used. I wasn't a fan of this book and even though it was easy to read, I almost did not finish it.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received this free from NetGalley and the author for an honest review.
I found parts of this book interesting and some of it confusing. I enjoyed the character of Joanie, although at times I had to remind myself that she was only 13, because some of her insight was very mature. But the whole Adler thing was very confusing to me. And I felt that parts of the book were almost repeated, especially the interactions between Joanie and her "keeper".

This book really good one but I found less interesting in few parts. In this novel, a girl goes through hard time. I have read this book for honest review.

I had a hard time with this book. It was very odd and I'm still trying to understand it. Its very different from the normal genres even though it seems to be your typical YA book. Some of the characters were good and likable and some really weren't. I still don't really understand what a "Keeper" is and I don't know if that is done on purpose or not.
I'm very VERY far from HS age, and although I considered myself kid hip, there were a lot of things that went over my head., but the feelings that Joanie dealt with were very real in this book.

My biggest issue with this book was how much it DRAGGGGGGGGED on. I had to force myself to actually finish it. Again, that could be because I was not the target audience, but I usually enjoy YA. Not sure why I didn't enjoy this one.

3*
Every so often I enjoy reading a YA book and something that’s different from my ‘normal’ genres.
There were some positive as well as negative thoughts I had while reading this book.
I will not go into the plot because plenty of other reviews have and will continue to cover it.

First, the Positives:
Likeable characters, especially the main character, Joanie, and her “keeper”, Adler. (I could visualize these two characters in a movie!)
Different from almost every other book I’ve read in a while.
Wanted to keep reading it to find out what happens and why the title “Don’t Let Me Go”.
Kept thinking that this would be a good book for teenage girl (or boy) because of all the emotions and thoughts that Joanie was dealing with including but not limited to: anger, self-esteem, feeling abandoned.
Even though I am far from being a high school student, the angst was still very real and believable in this novel. Some of Joanie’s thoughts rang true, not just teenagers but everyone, especially when she talked about feeling like one is alone despite all the people around you.
Thought it was clever plot device about the toy soldiers Joanie made. Very clever.

Now, the negatives:
Not sure I understood about “Keeper” but that did not stop me from reading and finishing the book.
Repetitive. I would mentally ‘roll my eyes’ at the number of times Joanie and Adler talked about how important they were to each other. Ugh. Just didn’t feel right to me.
One has to suspend disbelief. I can do that but not everyone enjoys this type of novel.
Book seemed to drag in parts.

Despite what I didn’t enjoy about the book and at times found it repetitive and slow, I would still recommend it and also thought it was a very good book for a teenager, especially a girl.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I did not really like this book very much. It was hard for me to stick with. The main character Joanie is 13 and going through some tough times with her following her parent's divorce. She finds herself happy with a newfound hobby, making toy soldiers. One of her soldiers comes to life and becomes her friend/confidant. It is an interesting concept but I guess it is just not my type of story. Joanie does begin to deal with her problems rather than hide from them with the help of the soldier, Alder, which was positive. Definitely not a favorite of mine.

Definitely a book that stays with you! Could not put it down!

Highly recommended if you enjoy suspense genre! Thank you for my review copy, which I received through Net Galley.

A great quick read. It deals with hard topics. It’s the most weird book I’ve read this year yet.

I received a copy of this book for free and voluntarily chose to review. The story starts off with a sad girl struggling with a neglectful/abusive home life. Then it takes an imaginary friend route. I wanted very much to like it, but then it became way too confusing and a bit too descriptive

Don't Let Me Go is probably the most unusual book I've read this year and I think I'm still getting my ahead around the meaning behind it.

We follow the story of Joanie, a teenage girl with family and school problems, and her 'keeper', Alder. Through the telling of the story, Alder helps Joanie to explore her feelings and address her problems rather than running away from them.

The book tackles issues of mental health, friendship, family, spirituality, and domestic abuse. I think it would serve as an uplifting book for YAs who are maybe struggling through their teenage years. There is an exploration of spirituality and religion, which I admit to struggling with somewhat, but I tried to stay as open-minded as possible.

My only criticism is that I found the adoration between Joanie and Adler a bit repetitive, and that it did not add a great deal to the telling of the story.

I otherwise enjoyed the story, and aimed at the right audience, I think it will be a popular book.

Many thanks to BookBuzz.net and NetGalley for providing a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Joanie is a 13 year old girl who's going through some pretty hard times after her parents divorce. She lives with her mom, step dad and step brother. Her step dad Mike isn't a great guy and Joanie feels lost and alone.
She spends her time making dolls. Soldiers to be exact.
When she's having a really hard time, her soldier Adler, comes to life. No one can see him but her.
This book can get a little dark at times and deals with some big issues. At the same time the author instills alot of hope and wisdom.
There is also a lot of History and Science going on. I love History but Science was my worst subject in school even though I find it fascinating. A few things might of gone over my head, but, they were so interesting I'll be looking them up now.
The end surprised me. For a min I sat there like what?! Then it all came together and it was pretty amazing.
I'm not going to lie. When I first started this wasn't sure I was going to like it. I was wrong. Really wrong. I enjoyed it.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley for an honest review.