Cover Image: The Opposite of Falling Apart

The Opposite of Falling Apart

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Member Reviews

This was the story of two broken people and how they helped each other heal.

I loved both characters, and was drawn into their world. I was rooting for them both, and for their real issues. I loved their growth, and their support of each other.

This story was sweet and charming and I really enjoyed it.

I want to thank the publisher and net galley for the advance copy to read. This didn't impact my review.

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This book follows two teens, Brennan and Jonas, who both have some kind of disability - mental and physical. Upon meeting due to a fender bender, they start to form a friendship and end up helping each other to heal.

Although this story has some romance in it, it isn’t the main focal point of this story. It focuses on the character growth along with the healing, and I liked this.

The reason why I love this book is mainly because of how the author, Micah Good, tackled the disability issue, making the characters relatable to the reader. In my case, I found myself relate a lot to the character of Brennan. Brennan suffers from an anxiety disorder, whereas I am a very anxious person who second guesses everything especially whenever I am in a social event, along with having regular panic attacks on little things. Some of the things Brennan say and do, I find myself agreeing with her.

Another thing I enjoyed from this is the different perspectives. In total, you only have 2 perspectives which are from Brennan and Jonas. I am not usually someone who enjoys this since I get easily confused, but in this case I really liked how you can find out what the other is thinking in certain moments.

The only thing I wasn’t a huge fan was the slow pace of the story - mostly in the first few chapters. I found it a bit hard to get into, but when I got into it I didn’t want to put it down.

I highly recommend this book to anyone.

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While the formatting made this difficult to read in parts (so a lot of rereading was done), it was still an adorable story of being human.

Sad, funny and nerdy in all the right spots, this one is tough to put down.
4 stars.

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An interesting perspective of PTSD and anxiety issues. The story line was well written and captivating to the reader.

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I really liked how this book portrayed anxiety and PTSD. Sometimes I was reading and would get frustrated with Brennan that she couldn't go to class or was ghosting Jonas, or with Jonas for the way he treated his family, but then I realized, that's how it actually is. People who have anxiety or PTSD probably get frustrated with themselves and their loved ones have a difficult time sometimes too. To someone that doesn't have anxiety, it's hard to understand why someone physically can't get out of bed or just sit in a classroom. In this way, the book was great. I also liked the characters and that Brennan and Jonas' relationship developed slowly, the way it would realistically.
The downside of the book is that it moved so slowly. It took me a lot longer than it normally would to get through this, because I felt like I wasn't making progress. Maybe it could have been shorter or had some less inner dialogue?
I liked the subject matter and there were some super cute moments. I look forward to seeing what the world thinks!

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The Opposite of Falling Apart is about two teens (the summer before college and into Freshman year of college) who help each other through their respective difficult circumstances. Jonas is a recent amputee and Brennan has severe anxiety. While their problems are different in nature, the two have many things in common. This was a story of acceptance. Accepting that your flaws don't make you any less worthy of acceptance or love. Accepting other people’s flaws. The story reminds us that everybody has something that they're going through. Sometimes it's physical and noticeable like an amputation but sometimes it's inside like anxiety. . Our flaws are what make us unique, special, lovable.

Brennan and Jonas were very enjoyable and lovable characters. I couldn't stop reading. I had to find out what happened in the end. Highly recommend that everyone reads this book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

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I really enjoyed the story. The author gives able accurate description of someone suffering extreme anxiety. I was happy to see how two broken people helped heal each other. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

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This book hit me right in the feels! The author did such an amazing job making me feel for the characters! You almost get 3 stories in one. Highly recommend!

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I waited a while to type this review. Brennan could be me (but not as extreme) and it really hit home. I loved the development of the friendship. It was messy and perfectly imperfect. Both Jonas and Brennan are dealing with issues that impact their every day life. The way they support each other and drive each other to be better is shown in many ways. This is one I am going to recommend to both my daughters.

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As someone who has written a novel about an amputee, the description of this book was enough to have me begging NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one. Thankfully they said yes!

Over a year after losing his leg, Jonas still isn't in a good place. He's still angry at the world for allowing this to happen to him and spends most of his time hiding out in his room. His prosthetic leg has been in the closet so long it has dust on it and he quit physical therapy to learn how to use it better months ago. He dragged himself through his last few months at high school on crutches and is preparing to drag himself off to college the same way.

When his mother begs him to run a quick errand, Jonas reluctantly agrees, putting on the now-ill-fitting prosthetic and getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time since the accident. On the way, he freaks out a little at the sight of a truck like the one that ran into him on that terrible day and that moment of distraction sends his vehicle into the back of Brennan's.

Brennan has her own demons. She's struggled with anxiety for years, but has never told anyone quite how crippling it really is. She fights through every day using a mixture of rituals and writing to keep herself together enough to manage a few everyday interactions. She doesn't want to deal with insurance or having to see Jonas again, so tells him not to worry about the dent he's made in her car. He refuses to take no for an answer so they exchange numbers.

Much of Brennan and Jonas' burgeoning relationship develops through the texts they send each other. Both are isolated and largely friendless. Both are dealing with parents who, while well-meaning, are suffocating them. Both are afraid to go to college where things will be unfamiliar, challenging and strange.

Before long, the texts turn into meetings in person. It turns out they are heading to colleges close to each other - so close, one of Jonas' classes is on Brennan's campus. As they struggle through their first semester at college, Jonas and Brennan turn to each other more and more often, finally realizing their friendship is turning into something else, something bigger and far more overwhelming than either are prepared for.

I really enjoyed this book. Both main characters had real problems to deal with and the ways they coped and reacted felt authentic, even when they frustrated me. Jonas and Brennan are sweet kids and I was rooting for them to work out ways to overcome their issues and realize they were better together than they were on their own.

I also liked that their parents were part of the picture and were just as clumsy in the way they dealt with their kids' problems as their kids. It was clear they really loved them and wanted the best for them, but they were no better prepared to deal with these issues.

So I would definitely recommend this one.

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I received a digital advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful story about overcoming obstacles. The story follows Jonas and Brennan whom are both battling either physical or psychological disabilities and their journey to helping one another heal.

I loved how Micah Good tackles disabilities with such relatable characters. As someone who has suffered from anxiety for most of my life, I really resonated with Brennan’s storyline. The ‘what ifs’ she went through really struck home with me.

I enjoyed how the love story was not the main focal point. Yes, it was present but the main point of the story is the healing and character growth. I feel like we have needed a more honest representation of mental illness in today’s novels, and this one does it justice.

I enjoyed the two perspectives, it really kept you from guessing what was going on in the other character’s head. I feel this was definitely needed to be written this way because if this had been from Brennan’s perspective, I would have been just as anxious wanting to know what was going on in Jonah’s mind. I loved getting both sides of this story.

I felt the chemistry between Brennan and Jonah was so organic and real. I was team “Jonnan” from the first time they met. I would highly recommend this book to absolutely anyone.

A big thank you to Micah Good, Wattpad Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to review this book. I really enjoyed it!

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First, thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for allowing me the ARC for an honest review.

This book tested my empathy, and I like that it did. It showed me that I need to learn that healing is on each individual's terms. Here we have two 18 year olds dealing with their personal demons: Jonas is dealing with his loss of identity and self after losing the lower half of his left leg and Brennan is dealing with crippling anxiety. After a fateful run in, these two slowly become friends as they help each other navigate through their fear year at college.

I found the depiction of GAD (General Anxiety Disorder) to be so close to perfect in this. It didn't hurt that Micah expressed in her acknowledgments that she also experiences anxiety, and how it was debilitating when she was younger. I also found the way she wrote Jonas' PTSD to be very well done. It's pretty obvious to the reader, but Jonas doesn't see it as PTSD. Mainly because his view of it is limited to sexual assault victims and soldiers. He doesn't understand that what he experienced was traumatic, and that his reaction to semis and being in a car is a symptom of his PTSD.

There were times in this book that I felt were redundant, but I think that was just me not really understanding how GAD can feel like taking a step forward then leaping back a mile. I felt that Jonas' reaction to her anxiety after awhile, especially after they admitted to having feelings for each other, was natural and typical of an 18 year old boy who just opened himself up to this girl he really likes and she keeps putting him at arm's length. I wanted to shake him for being an insensitive lughead, but you understood his irritation.

The ending was a bit smaltzy, but I still got all warm and fuzzy inside and there wasn't this miracle "I'm better when I'm with you" bs either. Brennan and Jonas both know that they have things to work out, but they realize that there are things worth fighting for, and as Jonas realizes at the end, life isn't perfect, but it is made up of perfect moments. And those are what make life worth living.

This was definitely worth the read and worth buying when it comes out.

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This book was really adorable and sweet!

In this story we follow Jonas and Brennan. Jonas lost half his leg in a car accident and Brennan struggles with a severe anxiety disorder. After meeting after a small fender bender they develop a friendship. They both have insecurities that interfere with the blossoming relationship but that’s where we actually get to see each of them bloom. I found Brennan’s anxiety to be relatable to my own and really appreciated seeing mental illness and physical disability being represented in a Young Adult book. I also loved reading from two points of view

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4.5 stars.
Awesome story, but the pain is so raw that sometimes it becomes hard to read.
I loved Jonas and Brennan and how their friendship and romance grew ever so slowly. I loved them as young people, both broken and going through dramatic experiences. Their struggles feel real.
Jonas is a fascinating young wounded hero: with his frown and dark, feathery hair sticking up in the back, the sarcasm and the pain of adjusting to a new me, missing a limb, and a new life.
Brennan’s anxiety is really hard to read sometimes. But it feels poignantly authentic and it gave me a lot to think about.
There are some very sweet moments between the couple, perhaps I would like to know how their romantic relationship develops.
Great secondary characters, too.

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Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book features Jonas and Brennan. Two characters that are suffering and help each other learn to live again. Jonas lost his leg and Brennan has an anxiety disorder. This book was really cute and I got through it quickly. Certain parts were tough for me to read given the serious subject matter but overall this was a good young adult read. The romance took a backseat to the growth of the characters and it was nice to see them overcome their struggles. I would recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author!

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This book is super cute and I read it in one sitting!

Jonas has been in a terrible accident and lost his leg. Brennan has awful anxiety and struggles to leave the house. Both are about to leave to go to college. What happens when Jonas and Brennan meet and form an unlikely friendship. Could it turn into more?

I seriously loved this book. I felt the chemistry between Jonas and Brennan immediately and was rooting for them from the second I started reading. After reading a few books where I struggled to sympathise with the characters, I was thrilled to read this and get so invested so quickly. Loved it!

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What a cute book!

In this story we follow Jonas and Brennan. Jonas lost half his leg in a car accident and Brennan struggles with a severe anxiety disorder. After meeting after a small fender bender they develop a friendship. They both have insecurities that interfere with the blossoming relationship but that’s where we actually get to see each of them bloom. I found Brennan’s anxiety to be relatable to my own and really appreciated seeing mental illness and physical disability being represented in a Young Adult book. Normally I don’t like reading 2 points of view but this author did a wonderful job of not making it confusing.

Overall I loved that this was a story of overcoming life’s obstacles and meeting someone who makes you want to be your very best.

I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and all opinions are my own.

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This is a modern romance of two broken
People who help each heal. Brennan suffers major anxiety and Jonas has been in an accident and lost his leg. I think the author does a great job portraying someone with severe anxiety and
Another person with ptsd. I enjoyed this book. I have already recommended it
To
Multiple friends.

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A beautiful story of resilience and overcoming ones flaws.
I loved how this book tackled both physical and psychological disabilities and how the characters individual struggles are dealt with. The romance was subtle and not the focus of the plot.
All the characters played their parts, had their moments to shine and felt relevant to the storyline.
The what if that the characters went through were very relatable (the whole story in fact.)

I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommended it.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and all opinions are my own.

Luanna

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