ARC Review: When Reason Breaks by Cindy L. Rodriguez

When Reason Break by Cindy L. Rodriguez
Goodreads  / Goodreads Review
February 10, 2015
ARC via Netgalley
TWLOHA / So Worth Loving

13 Reasons Why meets the poetry of Emily Dickinson in this gripping debut novel perfect for fans of Sara Zarr or Jennifer Brown.

A Goth girl with an attitude problem, Elizabeth Davis must learn to control her anger before it destroys her. Emily Delgado appears to be a smart, sweet girl, with a normal life, but as depression clutches at her, she struggles to feel normal. Both girls are in Ms. Diaz’s English class, where they connect to the words of Emily Dickinson. Both are hovering on the edge of an emotional precipice. One of them will attempt suicide. And with Dickinson’s poetry as their guide, both girls must conquer their personal demons to ever be happy.
In an emotionally taut novel with a richly diverse cast of characters, readers will relish in the poetry of Emily Dickinson and be completely swept up in the turmoil of two girls grappling with demons beyond their control.

Emily and Elizabeth are totally, completely and utterly tragic. But it’s also endearing, terrifying, relatable and loveable in the heels over sneakers, darling please stay, stay, stay kind of way. If you understand what I mean. And if you don’t, read the book’s summary one more time. It’ll click.

I’ve noticed (or at least on 02/27/2015) this book was only rated 3.89 stars on Goodreads. I can’t help but genuinely wonder why it was rated that way. This book- When Reason Breaks- is a tale of two girls from different lives, introduced by a boy (Kevin) and an English class seating arrangement. These two seemingly ordinary events lead these girls to an unexpected person to confide in. One girl constructs letters to the English teacher. The English teacher finds the one who tried to kill herself. The other just won’t let anyone in. Well, neither one of them really let anyone in. Not their family or friends or therapist or doctor or counselor. They find an alike mind in Emily Dickenson.   

When Reason Breaks is a book worthy of praise. I honestly loved the writing and couldn’t figure out who wrote the letters or who would try to commit suicide in the end. Though I wasn’t surprised when it was revealed. My heart broke over and over again while reading this book. Emily’s friends- both of them- pissed me off beyond belief. Elizabeth needed a nudge. But, sir, that was a complete invasion of privacy. *slaps person on face*

I’m really not all that sure of how to express how lovely this book is. It had me chanting ‘stay’ in my head and holding back a flood of tears on the plane ride. Anyways. Something about this book just clicked.

Stay. Stay. Stay. 

So y'all. Check the links. Check the book. And leave some comment love.