The problem with crazy is that crazy, by itself, has no context. It can be good crazy, bad crazy ... or crazy crazy—like it was when my ex-boyfriend sung about me on the radio.
Eighteen-year-old Kate couldn’t be more excited about finishing high school and spending the summer on tour with her boyfriend’s band. Her dad showing up drunk at graduation, however, is not exactly kicking things off on the right foot—and that’s before she finds out about his mystery illness, certain to end in death.
Eighteen-year-old Kate couldn’t be more excited about finishing high school and spending the summer on tour with her boyfriend’s band. Her dad showing up drunk at graduation, however, is not exactly kicking things off on the right foot—and that’s before she finds out about his mystery illness, certain to end in death.
A mystery illness that she could inherit.
Kate has to convince everyone around her that her father is sick, not crazy. But who will be harder to convince? Her friends? Or herself?
The Problem With Crazy is a story about love and life; about overcoming obstacles, choosing to trust, and learning how to make the choices that will change your life forever.
**My thoughts**
I almost never give a book a full five stars, but this one is definitely worthy. I feel like Lauren absolutely captured the craziness that goes on inside one's head when faced with a parent who is mentally ill, especially when it is a condition that could be inherited. For me, it is Alzheimer's. I may be twice Kate's age, but I swear I have gone through every single thought and negotiation that she does.
Kate has a lot of on her plate, with the tour and her friends. I am madly in love with her mystery man, who teaches her that life is short and worth enjoying every moment. There is so much growth in her over the course of this book. I feel like readers can learn so much from her story, about life and about tolerance.
I did pretty much guess the trajectory of this book, but it was well done and worth following the path. I definitely needed some tissues.
The only thing I had a hard time with was believing that Kate was only 18 years old. I understand that the drinking age is lower in Australia, so that satisfied the legal partying. I just have a hard time believing that a girl in high school can pull off setting up a tour for her boyfriend's band on such a high level. I was also impressed that she could pull off another significant event in the book. I also realize that Kate's situation with her family is one that not many 18 year-olds face, so that could also add to the air of maturity that I felt coming from her.
Regardless, I have already been recommending this book to some my friends, especially those who have been through similar health issues with their loved ones. I know that Kate's story is going to be continued later on in this series. I will definitely need to read it, to check on her, and to make sure she is doing okay.
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Seven shots
Five siblings
Two boys
One heartbeat …
***
Stacey is good at pretending.
She pretends that the boy she's in love with doesn't exist.
She pretends that she's happy to live and die in this small town.
She pretends that her life is carefree while her best friend's life crumbles before her very eyes.
But Stacey's got a secret ...
And it's going to ruin everything,
**My thoughts**
We met Stacey in the first book, as she is Kate's best friend. You just got the sense that there was more to her story, but the focus had to be on Kate. And wow, does Stacey have a doozy of a problem of her own!
This story takes place during the same time period as the first book, only it is told from Stacey's point-of-view, of course. You better understand some of her reactions from the first story and develop new opinions about this crazy party girl. Those who seem to be seeking so much attention usually have good reason for it.
I did not relate as well to this one, but was still emotionally pulled and required a couple of tissues while reading it. I think Stacey ends up growing up more than Kate does. This book reminded me of the necessity of having at least one close friend and again to not take family for granted.
Eleven Weeks can stand on its own, as it focuses on Stacey's story. I would recommend reading The Problem With Crazy first, though. It will help you to better understand why Stacey isn't relying on Kate as much as she should. Also, Weeks does contain spoilers of some significant plot points of Problem, as the stories occur simultaneously. You won't be sorry for reading them both.
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Lauren K. McKellar is an author and editor. Her debut novel, Finding Home, was released through Escape Publishing on October 1, 2013, and her second release, NA Contemporary Romance The Problem With Crazy, is self-published, and is available now. She loves books that evoke emotion, and hope hers make you feel.
Lauren lives by the beach in Australia with her husband and their two dogs. Most of the time, all three of them are well behaved.
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Thank you SO MUCH for having me and for reading! I so appreciate it :)
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