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The Opposite of Falling Apart
To get back up sometimes you have to fall down, hard . . .
What's the point of pretending nothing has changed when everything has? It's the last summer before college, and Jonas Avery knows he should be excited. Instead, he hides out at home, avoiding his friends, his family, and everything that resembles his old life. Because nothing will be normal again―because of The Accident, when everything started falling apart.
Brennan Davis knows she needs to stand up and face her anxiety―the deep, dark, debilitating dread that rules her everyday life. Because what stops her from going out into the world and just living is going to get a whole lot worse. She’s leaving for college in the fall, where she’ll be confronted with even more to worry about.
When Jonas crashes into Brennan―in a harmless, albeit embarrassing fender bender―the two teens connect in ways they never expected. As friends, they help each other overcome their biggest falls and faults, and soon discover that while love can't fix everything, it's sometimes a place to start.
Sensitive, wry, and unabashedly authentic, The Opposite of Falling Apart isn't about finding perfection in another person or fixing the things we think are broken. Instead, Micah Good has penned an enchantingly honest novel about accepting the very pieces of ourselves that make us unique, whole, and undeniably human.
What's the point of pretending nothing has changed when everything has? It's the last summer before college, and Jonas Avery knows he should be excited. Instead, he hides out at home, avoiding his friends, his family, and everything that resembles his old life. Because nothing will be normal again―because of The Accident, when everything started falling apart.
Brennan Davis knows she needs to stand up and face her anxiety―the deep, dark, debilitating dread that rules her everyday life. Because what stops her from going out into the world and just living is going to get a whole lot worse. She’s leaving for college in the fall, where she’ll be confronted with even more to worry about.
When Jonas crashes into Brennan―in a harmless, albeit embarrassing fender bender―the two teens connect in ways they never expected. As friends, they help each other overcome their biggest falls and faults, and soon discover that while love can't fix everything, it's sometimes a place to start.
Sensitive, wry, and unabashedly authentic, The Opposite of Falling Apart isn't about finding perfection in another person or fixing the things we think are broken. Instead, Micah Good has penned an enchantingly honest novel about accepting the very pieces of ourselves that make us unique, whole, and undeniably human.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published February 25, 2020
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February 25, 2020
5 complete STARS ★★★★★
⤐ Overall.
update : apparently, there are people out there not absolutely loving it??? Bah. Humbug.
If you don't like this book we can't be friends. It's as simple as that. This book, you guys, it's perfect. I literally want to devour this book so the happy feels never leave my body. THIS is what makes reading great. Everybody go read this book.
It makes you cry, and laugh, and smirk, and eye-roll, and everything else that makes reading this great thing. It's such a dreamy book. Without downplaying the topics of anxiety and PTSD, Micah managed to brew a potent potion that will keep its readers glued to the pages without even noticing. I can all but keep myself from doing lapses on the freezing streets.
I read the blurb no less than three months ago and instantly knew that this book has a lot of potential. Why did it take you 3 months to read it, then? Well, I'm a mess, okay? I've totally overestimated my abilities to write a thesis, read books I already got and committing to arcs. But, this. book. It's fantastic! It absolutely lived up to the expectations I head and even recovered from the slow start that made me doubt my instincts.
Characters you wanna hug. Seriously! Not because I pitied them but because they were so stinking cute in their ways and feelings towards each other. They were unique and well-drawn out and although their struggles are nothing I can relate to personally, I could relate to them still. That's everything one can ask with books like this.
Effortless world(-building). Falling into this universe was like falling into bed on a cosy Sunday morning with a cuppa in your hand. You do it with the full intent of enjoying every minute of it. This is what reading this book feels like.
The arch of suspense. Apart from the slow start, which probably served the purpose of getting a feel for the MCs, this was perfect in every way. The closer they got the more obvious their feelings became and the denser the happenings in the plot got.
P.S. Since this book didn't destroy me, I now consider myself invincible.
⤐ What’s happening.
Jonas can't believe how much a car accident can change a person. Not only is he missing part of his leg, he's also missing part of himself. He doesn't see how anything will bee good ever again. Until Brennan.
That's the most Brennan ever got out of a friendship. Eversince her brain became more and more of an enemy, Brennan doesn't have any friends at all. Until Jonas.
_____________________
writing quality + easy of reading = 5*
pace = 4.5*
plot/story in general = 5*
plot development = 5*
characters = 5*
enjoyability = 5*
insightfulness = 5*
_____________________
Many thanks to Smith Publicity, who provided me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
This book is for you if… you possess the means to consume books in any form: digital, physical, auditive. It features an underrepresented part of society that has wrongly been forced to be ashamed for way too long.
⤐ Overall.
update : apparently, there are people out there not absolutely loving it??? Bah. Humbug.
If you don't like this book we can't be friends. It's as simple as that. This book, you guys, it's perfect. I literally want to devour this book so the happy feels never leave my body. THIS is what makes reading great. Everybody go read this book.
It makes you cry, and laugh, and smirk, and eye-roll, and everything else that makes reading this great thing. It's such a dreamy book. Without downplaying the topics of anxiety and PTSD, Micah managed to brew a potent potion that will keep its readers glued to the pages without even noticing. I can all but keep myself from doing lapses on the freezing streets.
I read the blurb no less than three months ago and instantly knew that this book has a lot of potential. Why did it take you 3 months to read it, then? Well, I'm a mess, okay? I've totally overestimated my abilities to write a thesis, read books I already got and committing to arcs. But, this. book. It's fantastic! It absolutely lived up to the expectations I head and even recovered from the slow start that made me doubt my instincts.
Characters you wanna hug. Seriously! Not because I pitied them but because they were so stinking cute in their ways and feelings towards each other. They were unique and well-drawn out and although their struggles are nothing I can relate to personally, I could relate to them still. That's everything one can ask with books like this.
Effortless world(-building). Falling into this universe was like falling into bed on a cosy Sunday morning with a cuppa in your hand. You do it with the full intent of enjoying every minute of it. This is what reading this book feels like.
The arch of suspense. Apart from the slow start, which probably served the purpose of getting a feel for the MCs, this was perfect in every way. The closer they got the more obvious their feelings became and the denser the happenings in the plot got.
P.S. Since this book didn't destroy me, I now consider myself invincible.
⤐ What’s happening.
‘He’d chosen to wear the prosthetic leg – he’d been wearing it more and more lately because he’d become almost addicted to the visual representation of having two legs.’
Jonas can't believe how much a car accident can change a person. Not only is he missing part of his leg, he's also missing part of himself. He doesn't see how anything will bee good ever again. Until Brennan.
‘You know, the one who had to walk ahead or behind when the sidewalk wasn’t wide enough for three people.’
That's the most Brennan ever got out of a friendship. Eversince her brain became more and more of an enemy, Brennan doesn't have any friends at all. Until Jonas.
‘Three and a half perfect legs.’
Con:
⇢ trauma and anxiety can be paralysing
⇢ communication is hard
⇢ afraid to get heard
Pro:
⇢ new friend means new perspective
⇢ finally feels like somebody is actually listening
⇢ finally feel good again
_____________________
writing quality + easy of reading = 5*
pace = 4.5*
plot/story in general = 5*
plot development = 5*
characters = 5*
enjoyability = 5*
insightfulness = 5*
_____________________
Many thanks to Smith Publicity, who provided me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2020
Oh, where to begin? This was such a wonderful read; it was sweet and deep, alternating between the lives of Brennan (such a beautiful name!) and Jonas, two teens who meet by literally colliding (well, their cars do). These are not two typical teens; Brennan suffers with constant anxiety, and Jonas is living with a “new normal” since a car accident that cost him half a leg. I was immediately invested in the lives of both characters from the first page; both kids are struggling with huge issues, but they are very likable characters. Brennan, I related to right away, because she could be me, and could have been me as a teen, because I also must deal with anxiety issues on a daily basis. She’s so fragile and lovable you just want to hug her tightly and make everything ok for her.
One of the very best things about this book was that it was written in 2020, about modern-day teens, and There Was Not One Single Curse Word or Sex Scene in the Entire Book! Yes, I used a lot of capitals for emphasis, because this is unheard of in most Y.A. books written today, and I enjoyed this book so much more because of this fact. Kudos to Micah Good for her wonderfully engaging and clean Y.A. read!
Note To All Writers Of Modern-Day Y.A. Fiction:
This book is proof that Y.A. literature can be realistic and engaging without constant f-bombs and other curse words being used. Please take this to heart; I love Y.A. books, but I don’t enjoy feeling “dirty” after reading them.
I would highly recommend this book for Y.A. readers and teachers!
Memorable Quotes:
( pg. 99)-“Jonas stood there, holding Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and watching Brennan. She looked so happy here, among the books, like she was in her element. Like she could shrug off the layers of awkwardness and the shyness that seemed to hang over her and feel comfortable. Like at the fender bender, the grocery store, and the therapist’s office, she was Brennan shining at half-wattage, and here she was, Brennan at full brightness.”
One of the very best things about this book was that it was written in 2020, about modern-day teens, and There Was Not One Single Curse Word or Sex Scene in the Entire Book! Yes, I used a lot of capitals for emphasis, because this is unheard of in most Y.A. books written today, and I enjoyed this book so much more because of this fact. Kudos to Micah Good for her wonderfully engaging and clean Y.A. read!
Note To All Writers Of Modern-Day Y.A. Fiction:
This book is proof that Y.A. literature can be realistic and engaging without constant f-bombs and other curse words being used. Please take this to heart; I love Y.A. books, but I don’t enjoy feeling “dirty” after reading them.
I would highly recommend this book for Y.A. readers and teachers!
Memorable Quotes:
( pg. 99)-“Jonas stood there, holding Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and watching Brennan. She looked so happy here, among the books, like she was in her element. Like she could shrug off the layers of awkwardness and the shyness that seemed to hang over her and feel comfortable. Like at the fender bender, the grocery store, and the therapist’s office, she was Brennan shining at half-wattage, and here she was, Brennan at full brightness.”
November 1, 2021
Awww!! This was so cute! It's definitely worth a reread in the future
P.s. You know a book is really good when you stay up until 2am reading and procrastinate on homework.
P.s. You know a book is really good when you stay up until 2am reading and procrastinate on homework.
February 27, 2020
Rating: 3.5 Stars
A year after losing his leg in a car accident, Jonas got into a little fender bender, which was the start of something great, for both him and the girl whose car he hit.
Both Jonas and Brennan were supposed to be getting ready to leave for college, but they were "stuck" for different reasons.
Brennan was dealing with severe anxiety. Fear and racing thoughts were keeping her from moving forward, and she didn't seem to have a lot of support at home. While Jonas was making no progress on accepting his new normal since losing his leg. He refused therapy, would not use his prosthesis, and choose to mope around, taking out his frustrations on his family.
What I Liked...
The friendship between Brennan and Jonas was the standout element for me. Though their circumstances were different, they could relate to what the other was going through. Their relationship did not start out on solid ground. It was not an instant friendship, but because of that, it felt like a reward, when it finally formed and began to grow.
I was totally rooting for this friendship to turn into a romance, and I don't care if it's a predictable thing, because these two was too cute together. The stirrings of first love in all its glory was right there for me to enjoy, and I loved every second of it.
I also appreciated how much both Jonas and Brennan grew. Brennan gained confidence, as Jonas came to terms with his situation. It was a treat, that we got to spend such a long period of time with these two, as well as getting to tag along to college with them. The change of scenery came with new challenges for both of them, but along the way, they realized their most important resources were themselves and each other.
Good really took a lot of time to explore both Jonas' and Brennan's issues. After spending copious amounts of time in the characters' heads, I felt like I really understood what they were going through. Their struggles were palpable, and came across as authentic.
What I Wish...
This book had a LOT of introspection, and I do believe it was an important part of the story. However, I wish I had spent a little less time in the characters' heads. For me, it hampered the pacing a bit, but I would have also loved some of that page time to be allotted to seeing more of the romance play out, as I absolutely adored these two together. They were precious and adorable, and I wanted more of those heart eyes time with them.
Overall
Despite the pacing issues, I enjoyed this book very much. I found that I cared about the fate of Jonas and Brennan. It was heartwarming and touching watching these two fight to overcome some big obstacles, and work to achieve the things they wanted. I was glad to be a part of their journey.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
A year after losing his leg in a car accident, Jonas got into a little fender bender, which was the start of something great, for both him and the girl whose car he hit.
Both Jonas and Brennan were supposed to be getting ready to leave for college, but they were "stuck" for different reasons.
Brennan was dealing with severe anxiety. Fear and racing thoughts were keeping her from moving forward, and she didn't seem to have a lot of support at home. While Jonas was making no progress on accepting his new normal since losing his leg. He refused therapy, would not use his prosthesis, and choose to mope around, taking out his frustrations on his family.
What I Liked...
The friendship between Brennan and Jonas was the standout element for me. Though their circumstances were different, they could relate to what the other was going through. Their relationship did not start out on solid ground. It was not an instant friendship, but because of that, it felt like a reward, when it finally formed and began to grow.
I was totally rooting for this friendship to turn into a romance, and I don't care if it's a predictable thing, because these two was too cute together. The stirrings of first love in all its glory was right there for me to enjoy, and I loved every second of it.
I also appreciated how much both Jonas and Brennan grew. Brennan gained confidence, as Jonas came to terms with his situation. It was a treat, that we got to spend such a long period of time with these two, as well as getting to tag along to college with them. The change of scenery came with new challenges for both of them, but along the way, they realized their most important resources were themselves and each other.
Good really took a lot of time to explore both Jonas' and Brennan's issues. After spending copious amounts of time in the characters' heads, I felt like I really understood what they were going through. Their struggles were palpable, and came across as authentic.
What I Wish...
This book had a LOT of introspection, and I do believe it was an important part of the story. However, I wish I had spent a little less time in the characters' heads. For me, it hampered the pacing a bit, but I would have also loved some of that page time to be allotted to seeing more of the romance play out, as I absolutely adored these two together. They were precious and adorable, and I wanted more of those heart eyes time with them.
Overall
Despite the pacing issues, I enjoyed this book very much. I found that I cared about the fate of Jonas and Brennan. It was heartwarming and touching watching these two fight to overcome some big obstacles, and work to achieve the things they wanted. I was glad to be a part of their journey.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
April 2, 2020
Trigger warning: Remembering a car crash, panic attacks, phantom pains, unwanted touches
Rep: Amputee, anxiety, PTSD
I don't even know where to start with this one. I can take the time to talk about the writing - which was good - or the story - which was definitely good as well - but.. The thing is that The Opposite of Falling Apart is so much more than those two things. Of course, every book is more than those elements, but I feel like it's even more so when it comes to this amazing read.
The rep is amazing. At least I think so. This is not an own-voices review so I could be mistaken [and if I am, do let me know] but I felt like everything was brilliantly done. Brennan's anxiety disorder felt absolutely real. I don't have an anxiety disorder, although I sometimes feel like I do have some "tendencies/thoughts" that aren't normal, but I really had my skin crawling at times at how lost in Brennan's POV I was. The way her thoughts are written and come across and hit you in your soul... I really feel like I have somehow expanded my knowledge on what it's like to have an anxiety disorder? If that's even possible.
As for Jonas' PTSD.. I connected less with it, but that didn't make it less present. Everything he did, thought and say made perfect sense to me - even if it wasn't always the right thing. Same goes for Brennan, by the way. The struggle he goes through with his one-and-a-half legs is pure and heart-breaking. Reading about it, getting to know him after The Accident... I'm sure it'll stay with me for a long time to come.
Seeing those two characters' lives colliding and entwining was truly a journey. Each having their own demons, pasts and struggles and then finding ways to accomodate the other while not losing themselves. Forcing themselves. It's hard to explain what this story did to me, to be frank. I'm trying my best to explain how this book made me feel but there are so many feelings that I don't even know if I'm going about this the right way? I hope you're all getting what I'm trying to say here since I've been attempting this review for hours without getting anywhere that makes sense to me. [Seriously, I hope you get it and want to read this book because it is so, so worth your time.]
5 / 5!
The Opposite of Falling Apart is a beautiful, heart-breaking, heart-wrenching story about two characters battling mental health issues. It's one that feels so real and.. I feel like if you read it, you might understand people with anxiety and/or PTSD better. Or at least I hope so.
Thank you so, so, SO much for providing me with an eARC of this book, Wattpad Books!
Rep: Amputee, anxiety, PTSD
I don't even know where to start with this one. I can take the time to talk about the writing - which was good - or the story - which was definitely good as well - but.. The thing is that The Opposite of Falling Apart is so much more than those two things. Of course, every book is more than those elements, but I feel like it's even more so when it comes to this amazing read.
The rep is amazing. At least I think so. This is not an own-voices review so I could be mistaken [and if I am, do let me know] but I felt like everything was brilliantly done. Brennan's anxiety disorder felt absolutely real. I don't have an anxiety disorder, although I sometimes feel like I do have some "tendencies/thoughts" that aren't normal, but I really had my skin crawling at times at how lost in Brennan's POV I was. The way her thoughts are written and come across and hit you in your soul... I really feel like I have somehow expanded my knowledge on what it's like to have an anxiety disorder? If that's even possible.
She hated when people said it, like it was just her being shy, or nervous, and not something that caused her to lose sleep, to feel sick, and to feel like she couldn't breathe. They said it like they were characters in a story and it was a word that was italicized, emphasized. Oh. You have anxiety. Like there were air quotes around the word and it wasn't a real thing.
As for Jonas' PTSD.. I connected less with it, but that didn't make it less present. Everything he did, thought and say made perfect sense to me - even if it wasn't always the right thing. Same goes for Brennan, by the way. The struggle he goes through with his one-and-a-half legs is pure and heart-breaking. Reading about it, getting to know him after The Accident... I'm sure it'll stay with me for a long time to come.
Seeing those two characters' lives colliding and entwining was truly a journey. Each having their own demons, pasts and struggles and then finding ways to accomodate the other while not losing themselves. Forcing themselves. It's hard to explain what this story did to me, to be frank. I'm trying my best to explain how this book made me feel but there are so many feelings that I don't even know if I'm going about this the right way? I hope you're all getting what I'm trying to say here since I've been attempting this review for hours without getting anywhere that makes sense to me. [Seriously, I hope you get it and want to read this book because it is so, so worth your time.]
In these moments Brennan felt like she was just a body controlled by some parasite inside of her that fed off her emotions.
5 / 5!
The Opposite of Falling Apart is a beautiful, heart-breaking, heart-wrenching story about two characters battling mental health issues. It's one that feels so real and.. I feel like if you read it, you might understand people with anxiety and/or PTSD better. Or at least I hope so.
Thank you so, so, SO much for providing me with an eARC of this book, Wattpad Books!
February 22, 2020
Thank you NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
*3.75
Insightful story of two teenagers about to start university. Jonas has PTSD after being in a car accident and losing half of his left leg. This is his story about dealing with the aftermath, his struggles and wondering whether he can move on. Brennan has an Anxiety Disorder and can only escape with her writing. She battles with her mind. Every day is a challenge, especially with moving away to start university. This is Jonas and Brennan's story of meeting each other and helping each other as well as themselves.
Sadly, my only down fall was the pacing of the story.
*3.75
Insightful story of two teenagers about to start university. Jonas has PTSD after being in a car accident and losing half of his left leg. This is his story about dealing with the aftermath, his struggles and wondering whether he can move on. Brennan has an Anxiety Disorder and can only escape with her writing. She battles with her mind. Every day is a challenge, especially with moving away to start university. This is Jonas and Brennan's story of meeting each other and helping each other as well as themselves.
Sadly, my only down fall was the pacing of the story.
June 27, 2021
“People are complicated beings, Brennan. We break, we fall, we piece ourselves together again. We tear relationships apart, and we glue them back together. Maybe it’s not always perfect, and by nature, happy endings come after a lot of unhappy crap. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t happy endings. And you’ll never know if you don’t try, because the happiest endings always require some effort on our part.”
This was simply amazing! While representation matters, it’s even better when the actual story/book is GOOD. While I usually struggle to get into YA Contemporary/Romance books written from a 3rd POV, this was exceptional! Brennan has an anxiety disorder, portrayed very realistically, and Jonas has had 1 of his legs amputated after a car accident. Main characters with disabilities are sooo important and I’m so happy that this wattpad story got picked up and published by Penguin. It’s probably one of the best “wattpad story to published book” cases ever!
Now, I loved the very realistic portrayal of anxiety, PTSD, disability and real life in general. However, I felt like the story dragged a bit in the middle. I’m just a firm believer that Contemporary books should never really be over 350 pages🙈 It may sound weird, but this book was 414 pages, with tiny sized font, more lines in each page than your average book which makes this book huge tbh! Imagine if it was printed like a normal book, this would probably be around 500-550 pages! And unfortunately, there were some grammatical mistakes, such as “by foot” (it’s on foot) and “didn’t used to” (it’s didn’t use to). Now, obviously my grammar is not perfect, but I find it really hard to just ignore such mistakes in published & printed books that have been approved by editors and publishers etc., because duhhh I paid for it, so I expect it to meet some standards🤷🏽♂️
Anw, I still really loved the characters and the book in general!
Final Rating: 4.5/5⭐️s
This was simply amazing! While representation matters, it’s even better when the actual story/book is GOOD. While I usually struggle to get into YA Contemporary/Romance books written from a 3rd POV, this was exceptional! Brennan has an anxiety disorder, portrayed very realistically, and Jonas has had 1 of his legs amputated after a car accident. Main characters with disabilities are sooo important and I’m so happy that this wattpad story got picked up and published by Penguin. It’s probably one of the best “wattpad story to published book” cases ever!
Now, I loved the very realistic portrayal of anxiety, PTSD, disability and real life in general. However, I felt like the story dragged a bit in the middle. I’m just a firm believer that Contemporary books should never really be over 350 pages🙈 It may sound weird, but this book was 414 pages, with tiny sized font, more lines in each page than your average book which makes this book huge tbh! Imagine if it was printed like a normal book, this would probably be around 500-550 pages! And unfortunately, there were some grammatical mistakes, such as “by foot” (it’s on foot) and “didn’t used to” (it’s didn’t use to). Now, obviously my grammar is not perfect, but I find it really hard to just ignore such mistakes in published & printed books that have been approved by editors and publishers etc., because duhhh I paid for it, so I expect it to meet some standards🤷🏽♂️
Anw, I still really loved the characters and the book in general!
Final Rating: 4.5/5⭐️s
September 28, 2021
I absolutely adored this book and the characters, especially loved it when Brennan and Jonas were together. The portrayal of anxiety disorder was very realistic, in my opinion.
But this book is very slow paced, and it took me alot of time to get past the first chapter. Another thing that bugged me was that the author used loads and loads of parentheses in the beginning.
But this book is very slow paced, and it took me alot of time to get past the first chapter. Another thing that bugged me was that the author used loads and loads of parentheses in the beginning.
October 9, 2019
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!
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!
March 1, 2020
Hi! I wrote this book, and it’s officially out in the world now!! I really hope you enjoy it! If you like mental health rep, slow-burn romance, and stories that remind you that our flaws are what make us human, you might like this story.
Here’s a playlist I made of songs that remind me of the book:
Perfect | Ed Sheeran
i can’t breathe | Bea Miller
Be OK | Ingrid Michaelson
Little Do You Know | Alex and Sierra
Need the Sun to Break | James Bay
The Good Parts | Andy Grammer
Unwell | Matchbox Twenty
Heavy (ft. Kiiara) | Linkin Park and Kiiara
Million Reasons | Lady Gaga
Too Much to Ask | Niall Horan
Coming Home | Sheppard
Better Place | Rachel Platten
Wild World | Johnny Stimson
Us | James Bay
Good Good Day | Volunteer
Normal | Sasha Sloan
Liability | Lorde
Moments We Live For | In Paradise
If I’m Being Honest | dodie
Here’s a playlist I made of songs that remind me of the book:
Perfect | Ed Sheeran
i can’t breathe | Bea Miller
Be OK | Ingrid Michaelson
Little Do You Know | Alex and Sierra
Need the Sun to Break | James Bay
The Good Parts | Andy Grammer
Unwell | Matchbox Twenty
Heavy (ft. Kiiara) | Linkin Park and Kiiara
Million Reasons | Lady Gaga
Too Much to Ask | Niall Horan
Coming Home | Sheppard
Better Place | Rachel Platten
Wild World | Johnny Stimson
Us | James Bay
Good Good Day | Volunteer
Normal | Sasha Sloan
Liability | Lorde
Moments We Live For | In Paradise
If I’m Being Honest | dodie
June 25, 2020
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Opposite of Falling Apart follows the story of two teenagers - Jonas Avery, a boy who is suffering from PTSD from a traumatic accident where he lost a leg, and Brennan Davis, a girl with severe anxiety disorder. The story is so heartfelt and beautifully written - it is more than a typical romance. It goes into depth about trauma, emotions and self acceptance. You see two unique characters dealing with their situations, fighting their inner demons and making peace with it. It was beautiful to see Brennan and Jonas overcoming their fears and being completely vulnerable around each other. I love how the author dealt with the characters' anxiety and PTSD. It was very accurate and felt real.
However, this book could have been shorter. The ending felt rushed and the characters actions kinda contradicted themselves.
I would give this book 3.5 stars.
The Opposite of Falling Apart follows the story of two teenagers - Jonas Avery, a boy who is suffering from PTSD from a traumatic accident where he lost a leg, and Brennan Davis, a girl with severe anxiety disorder. The story is so heartfelt and beautifully written - it is more than a typical romance. It goes into depth about trauma, emotions and self acceptance. You see two unique characters dealing with their situations, fighting their inner demons and making peace with it. It was beautiful to see Brennan and Jonas overcoming their fears and being completely vulnerable around each other. I love how the author dealt with the characters' anxiety and PTSD. It was very accurate and felt real.
However, this book could have been shorter. The ending felt rushed and the characters actions kinda contradicted themselves.
I would give this book 3.5 stars.
March 13, 2020
This was a story about two teenagers who were facing their own personal demons. Brennan has anxiety and has a hard time trusting others. Jonas has lost a leg in a car accident and has trouble accepting what happened to him. Together they make the world a little easier to manage. I thought the book was very slow and entirely too long at 400 plus pages. It has a happy ending which the reader knew was coming, but it sure took a long time to reach the end.
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February 23, 2020The Opposite of Falling Apart
No rating
I could not for the life of me get into this AT ALL. And the main reason is because the writing style is just not for me. It dragged and it made the characters feel really two dimensional and boring.
I get what the author was intending to do, and I think her concept of depicting PTSD, anxiety and the affects of mental health is a great idea in hindsight but.... the execution wasn’t appealing to me as a reader. It felt a bit overdone and I was bored for a large portion of it.
And then there’s the business of adding extra ‘thoughts’ into parentheses (which didn’t work for me at all). I just couldn’t work with it, not my thing.
I think the story being told was great, it was interesting to see the motions of healing and dealing with loss in such a way from Jonas’ point of view while also seeing Brennan struggle in mundane everyday life as anxiety rears it’s head, and while this is a very accurate/relatable depiction, the writing made it feel emotionless. I couldn’t get past it enough to comprehend yet alone enjoy the story. Not to mention the pacing of the development was unbearably slow and it just added to my nonenjoyment.
Overall, I think the idea of the representation the author was trying to portray was just that— a good idea but the writing and storyline dragged and made it fall flat for me. I felt no connection whatsoever to the characters or the story but I do think others can probably relate to this portrayal more and connect with the characters on a deeper level.
I’m going to refrain from rating TOOFA, mainly because I don’t feel right doing so when it wasn’t a bad book by any means just not my cup of tea. And with that, I do hope to someday come back to this book and give it another try, maybe it’ll appeal to me then. I don’t know, we shall see.
No rating
I could not for the life of me get into this AT ALL. And the main reason is because the writing style is just not for me. It dragged and it made the characters feel really two dimensional and boring.
I get what the author was intending to do, and I think her concept of depicting PTSD, anxiety and the affects of mental health is a great idea in hindsight but.... the execution wasn’t appealing to me as a reader. It felt a bit overdone and I was bored for a large portion of it.
And then there’s the business of adding extra ‘thoughts’ into parentheses (which didn’t work for me at all). I just couldn’t work with it, not my thing.
I think the story being told was great, it was interesting to see the motions of healing and dealing with loss in such a way from Jonas’ point of view while also seeing Brennan struggle in mundane everyday life as anxiety rears it’s head, and while this is a very accurate/relatable depiction, the writing made it feel emotionless. I couldn’t get past it enough to comprehend yet alone enjoy the story. Not to mention the pacing of the development was unbearably slow and it just added to my nonenjoyment.
Overall, I think the idea of the representation the author was trying to portray was just that— a good idea but the writing and storyline dragged and made it fall flat for me. I felt no connection whatsoever to the characters or the story but I do think others can probably relate to this portrayal more and connect with the characters on a deeper level.
I’m going to refrain from rating TOOFA, mainly because I don’t feel right doing so when it wasn’t a bad book by any means just not my cup of tea. And with that, I do hope to someday come back to this book and give it another try, maybe it’ll appeal to me then. I don’t know, we shall see.
November 23, 2019
3.75 stars ✨
I didn't know it was gonna be super adorable. I started reading this book and couldn't put it down. I was so invested in the story!
This story is about Jonas, who loses half of his leg in an accident and suffers from PTSD, and Brennan, who is an aspiring writer struggling with anxiety. They both meet and become friends, and eventually fall in love.
I love romance, but more than that, I love it when the authors really focus more on the individual stories. I really loved the friendship of Jonas and Brennan. The best part of this story was how Brennan and Jonas help each other out through thick and thin.
The main characters were really likable. As someone who suffers from anxiety, I found Brennan relatable. I liked the way anxiety and PTSD were portrayed in the book.
I wish we could know more about other characters. It could also have been a bit shorter, but I really enjoyed reading it, so I'm not complaining much!
All in all, it was an entertaining and an unputdownable read that I recommend to everyone who loves romance!
*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I didn't know it was gonna be super adorable. I started reading this book and couldn't put it down. I was so invested in the story!
This story is about Jonas, who loses half of his leg in an accident and suffers from PTSD, and Brennan, who is an aspiring writer struggling with anxiety. They both meet and become friends, and eventually fall in love.
I love romance, but more than that, I love it when the authors really focus more on the individual stories. I really loved the friendship of Jonas and Brennan. The best part of this story was how Brennan and Jonas help each other out through thick and thin.
The main characters were really likable. As someone who suffers from anxiety, I found Brennan relatable. I liked the way anxiety and PTSD were portrayed in the book.
I wish we could know more about other characters. It could also have been a bit shorter, but I really enjoyed reading it, so I'm not complaining much!
All in all, it was an entertaining and an unputdownable read that I recommend to everyone who loves romance!
*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
September 17, 2019
- Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review -
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.
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.
February 17, 2021
this book must be my favorite young adult book. I passionately love it with my whole heart. I have not only cried once but several times and I cannot express how much this means to me, how much Brennans character means to me. never have I seen myself mirrored in a book like this before. Brennan, you make me want to be brave.
March 9, 2020
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Fantastic Flying Book Club, Netgalley, and Wattpad Books for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.
This felt like such a sad novel, and I think it actually kind of broke my heart. We have Jonas that suffers from PTSD after being in a car accident which resulted in him losing half of his leg, and then we have Brennan has some really bad anxiety that she’s dealing with. Both of them have been dealing with some bad stuff in their life and honestly I feel like maybe it was a good thing that they came into each other’s lives.
I know there are some people that have expressed that they weren’t feeling the romance between Jonas and Brennan, and maybe I feel a little bit of the same. But you can’t help who you fall in love with, and not all the romances in novels or even in any form of performing arts can be fairy tale worthy or sweep you off your feet worthy. Some romances are just clumsy and full of mistakes or awkward vibes and just… not perfect. Nothing is wrong with not being perfect, you know?
Ugh there’s that “you know” again.
I think that this novel really pulled at the heartstrings, and honestly I feel like maybe the one thing that really made me feel more emotional about this wasn’t the romance, but how Jonas and Brennan had one another to learn how to get through what they needed to get through. Sometimes that is just more help to someone’s life and well-being, and even mental health, than having a lover. Not to say that having someone to love romantically isn’t a bad thing, but having that friend and companion that can really help you get into the deep things that you don’t want to face can mean so much.
This felt like such a sad novel, and I think it actually kind of broke my heart. We have Jonas that suffers from PTSD after being in a car accident which resulted in him losing half of his leg, and then we have Brennan has some really bad anxiety that she’s dealing with. Both of them have been dealing with some bad stuff in their life and honestly I feel like maybe it was a good thing that they came into each other’s lives.
I know there are some people that have expressed that they weren’t feeling the romance between Jonas and Brennan, and maybe I feel a little bit of the same. But you can’t help who you fall in love with, and not all the romances in novels or even in any form of performing arts can be fairy tale worthy or sweep you off your feet worthy. Some romances are just clumsy and full of mistakes or awkward vibes and just… not perfect. Nothing is wrong with not being perfect, you know?
Ugh there’s that “you know” again.
I think that this novel really pulled at the heartstrings, and honestly I feel like maybe the one thing that really made me feel more emotional about this wasn’t the romance, but how Jonas and Brennan had one another to learn how to get through what they needed to get through. Sometimes that is just more help to someone’s life and well-being, and even mental health, than having a lover. Not to say that having someone to love romantically isn’t a bad thing, but having that friend and companion that can really help you get into the deep things that you don’t want to face can mean so much.
September 28, 2019
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!
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!
September 8, 2019
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.
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.
January 29, 2024
"1. You are not your anxiety.
2. It is part of you, but not all of you.
3. You can still have the things you want, anxiety notwithstanding.
4. Lots of people have anxiety, and they're out having the life they want to have.
5. You have the chance to let it rule you or to force it to coexist with the rest of you in your head."
4.75
Wow. I have to start this review off by saying that Brennan is literally me. I swear, someone put surveillance cameras up and documented my life. No, but on a real note, the anxiety representation made me feel so seen. It was so hopeful to see someone in the same circumstances as me living my dream life. Extremely motivating book full of hope.
Part of that dream life I mentioned is Jonas. He was so sweet and even though he wasn't perfect, he was willing to work on himself for her and she did the same for him, so they both made each other into better people.
Now, moving on to something I did not like about this book. Third-act breakup. Why. It made me so angry. It was unnecessary, annoying, not to mention so generic and just boring. This book had the potential for 5 stars, if not for that.
Anyway, altogether I enjoyed it and it was really sweet (and kinda sad because I did tear up multiple times..)
2. It is part of you, but not all of you.
3. You can still have the things you want, anxiety notwithstanding.
4. Lots of people have anxiety, and they're out having the life they want to have.
5. You have the chance to let it rule you or to force it to coexist with the rest of you in your head."
4.75
Wow. I have to start this review off by saying that Brennan is literally me. I swear, someone put surveillance cameras up and documented my life. No, but on a real note, the anxiety representation made me feel so seen. It was so hopeful to see someone in the same circumstances as me living my dream life. Extremely motivating book full of hope.
Part of that dream life I mentioned is Jonas. He was so sweet and even though he wasn't perfect, he was willing to work on himself for her and she did the same for him, so they both made each other into better people.
Now, moving on to something I did not like about this book. Third-act breakup. Why. It made me so angry. It was unnecessary, annoying, not to mention so generic and just boring. This book had the potential for 5 stars, if not for that.
Anyway, altogether I enjoyed it and it was really sweet (and kinda sad because I did tear up multiple times..)
July 9, 2020
This played on the 'damsel in distress' trope more than I would've liked, and I found the helplessness of both characters frustrating at points. The book seemed to come to a standstill in the middle and quite a few chapters felt unnecessarily dragged out. The book is not very long but somehow it felt long and took me a while to read. This could've been a much faster read, but I finished because I enjoyed the characters and the cute romance. A cute, easy read if you have time.
April 17, 2020
Told in the dual POVs of Brennan, a teen who has an anxiety disorder that she doesn't want to admit to, and Jonas, a teen who lost part of his left leg in a car accident one year earlier, The Opposite of Falling Apart by Micah Good took me some time to read, but not because it isn't a worthy YA title in which the characters spend the majority of the novel in their first year of college, rather than high school. (Mainly, I just haven't been reading as much.)
Jonas hasn't driven since before the accident he had a year ago while his brother, Rhys, was driving. Rhys didn't do anything wrong. It was a snowy day, and there was black ice on the road, which prohibited a trucker from stopping. He hit the passenger side of the car where Jonas was sitting, and since his left leg was crossed, it endured the bulk of the injury. After the accident, Jonas will get into a car when he has to go to a doctor's appointment or some other mandatory activity, like school, but he doesn't drive. Not until his sister forgot her permission slip for a field trip and his mom asks him to drop it off for his sister as a favour. Everything is going fine until he sees a tractor trailer, which causes him to pay less attention to what else was in front of him. Namely the bumper of Brennan's car.
Brennan was on the way to work at the supermarket deli when the accident happens. Her anxiety causes her to freak out a little, unsure of what steps she should take. Should she get out and take his name and insurance, just in case? She knows that people should admit fault in an accident, but what else?
In this anxiety-inducing moment, two teens meet, exchange contact information, and so begins a series of text messages that lead to a series of in-person meet ups, walks to the library, the knowledge that while they're both going to different colleges in the fall, they will be very close to one another at SIUE and Wash U respectively, and an argument that might very well jeopardize their friendship...or something more...before it ever really begins. But doesn't quite.
This novel deals very well with the representation of anxiety, both of the situational and overwhelming mental illness types. Readers will get a clear understanding of what it's like dealing with this issue on a day to day basis for both of the main characters. I can't speak on how well the narrative surrounding Jonas' amputation is, since I don't have that sort of issue, but as an outsider, I felt like I also learned a lot more than I ever knew about the issues of phantom pain and other issues that can occur in the life of an amputee.
Moreover, readers who are also writers or aspiring writers will feel an affinity with Brennan and her struggles with it.
If you're looking for a great book about anxiety, disability, falling in love, and coming to terms with the other parental, sibling, and friend relationships in one's life, then I recommend you check out The Opposite of Falling Apart.
Jonas hasn't driven since before the accident he had a year ago while his brother, Rhys, was driving. Rhys didn't do anything wrong. It was a snowy day, and there was black ice on the road, which prohibited a trucker from stopping. He hit the passenger side of the car where Jonas was sitting, and since his left leg was crossed, it endured the bulk of the injury. After the accident, Jonas will get into a car when he has to go to a doctor's appointment or some other mandatory activity, like school, but he doesn't drive. Not until his sister forgot her permission slip for a field trip and his mom asks him to drop it off for his sister as a favour. Everything is going fine until he sees a tractor trailer, which causes him to pay less attention to what else was in front of him. Namely the bumper of Brennan's car.
Brennan was on the way to work at the supermarket deli when the accident happens. Her anxiety causes her to freak out a little, unsure of what steps she should take. Should she get out and take his name and insurance, just in case? She knows that people should admit fault in an accident, but what else?
In this anxiety-inducing moment, two teens meet, exchange contact information, and so begins a series of text messages that lead to a series of in-person meet ups, walks to the library, the knowledge that while they're both going to different colleges in the fall, they will be very close to one another at SIUE and Wash U respectively, and an argument that might very well jeopardize their friendship...or something more...before it ever really begins. But doesn't quite.
This novel deals very well with the representation of anxiety, both of the situational and overwhelming mental illness types. Readers will get a clear understanding of what it's like dealing with this issue on a day to day basis for both of the main characters. I can't speak on how well the narrative surrounding Jonas' amputation is, since I don't have that sort of issue, but as an outsider, I felt like I also learned a lot more than I ever knew about the issues of phantom pain and other issues that can occur in the life of an amputee.
Moreover, readers who are also writers or aspiring writers will feel an affinity with Brennan and her struggles with it.
If you're looking for a great book about anxiety, disability, falling in love, and coming to terms with the other parental, sibling, and friend relationships in one's life, then I recommend you check out The Opposite of Falling Apart.
October 20, 2019
I received a digital advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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.
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.
December 7, 2019
I went into The Opposite of Falling Apart expecting what I always expect from wattpad, a messy badly-written quick read that goes back and forth and ultimately drives me to DNFing it. But this book is the opposite of that, pun intended. The Opposite of Falling Apart is the best thing that's come from wattpad and I've had the pleasure of reading.
It's written really well, even with the heavy subject matter, the paragraphs don't feel densely packed. I really enjoyed the way it was structured, and though I think that the time jumps could've been executed a bit better, it still worked for me. I thought the characters were really good, and though I wish the side characters had a bit more 'screen time', I feel like they were all presented realistically. There was a bit of going back and forth with the development, but with the characteristics given to the characters, it was understandable why it wasn't a straight line up.
The best part of it all, I have to note, was the way anxiety was portrayed in the book. The conversations the two characters have about anxiety were candid, the way they process it is so close to how I do, and I couldn't help but enjoy those parts, as some of my feelings were being put into words.
Overall, The Opposite of Falling Apart is a solid YA romance read. It was right up my alley, and I really enjoyed it.
*Copy received through NetGalley
*Rating: 4/5 stars
It's written really well, even with the heavy subject matter, the paragraphs don't feel densely packed. I really enjoyed the way it was structured, and though I think that the time jumps could've been executed a bit better, it still worked for me. I thought the characters were really good, and though I wish the side characters had a bit more 'screen time', I feel like they were all presented realistically. There was a bit of going back and forth with the development, but with the characteristics given to the characters, it was understandable why it wasn't a straight line up.
The best part of it all, I have to note, was the way anxiety was portrayed in the book. The conversations the two characters have about anxiety were candid, the way they process it is so close to how I do, and I couldn't help but enjoy those parts, as some of my feelings were being put into words.
Overall, The Opposite of Falling Apart is a solid YA romance read. It was right up my alley, and I really enjoyed it.
*Copy received through NetGalley
*Rating: 4/5 stars
April 25, 2020
It feels very weird to have finished this book. It’s been a constant in my life for so long... Like, every time I had a book hangover and didn’t want to start a new book, I could just read a chapter of this. But now I am finished. And it is sort of relieving and sad at the same time.
I’m sure you can tell that this book wasn’t that great, since it took me five months to read. I just can’t understand Brennan’s anxiety. I don’t understand what can make a person so nervous to be around people.
There were great moments, though. (Or should I say perfect moments?😂😂) I especially found myself enjoying the book towards the end. Brennan and Jonas made a good couple.
The book was sweet, but I don’t know that I’d recommend it. Thanks for listening to my opinion and happy reading!
I’m sure you can tell that this book wasn’t that great, since it took me five months to read. I just can’t understand Brennan’s anxiety. I don’t understand what can make a person so nervous to be around people.
There were great moments, though. (Or should I say perfect moments?😂😂) I especially found myself enjoying the book towards the end. Brennan and Jonas made a good couple.
The book was sweet, but I don’t know that I’d recommend it. Thanks for listening to my opinion and happy reading!
February 27, 2020
I loved everything about this book. The plot was easy to follow and kind of slow, but in a good way. The development of the characters and their relationship was well constructed and it was interesting to learn more about them and their respective problems that they had to deal with.
Jonas lost his left leg in a car accident and is bitter and angry since then. Brennan is anxious all the time and is afraid to start college in the fall. Jonas and Brennan met one day and this will totally change them on a deep level. Their relationship is absolutely amazing and beautiful, this is no love at first sight and they both have to accept who they are before accepting to be loved or appreciated by someone else. I simply loved it and I definitely recommend reading this book.
I enjoyed learning more about anxiety through this book, I think it was well explained and not too cliché either. This book also deals with PTSD and it was well developed.
I loved Brennan and Jonas and their story will stay with me for a long time.
Jonas lost his left leg in a car accident and is bitter and angry since then. Brennan is anxious all the time and is afraid to start college in the fall. Jonas and Brennan met one day and this will totally change them on a deep level. Their relationship is absolutely amazing and beautiful, this is no love at first sight and they both have to accept who they are before accepting to be loved or appreciated by someone else. I simply loved it and I definitely recommend reading this book.
I enjoyed learning more about anxiety through this book, I think it was well explained and not too cliché either. This book also deals with PTSD and it was well developed.
I loved Brennan and Jonas and their story will stay with me for a long time.
October 7, 2019
This book really hit me! The author did such an amazing job making me feel for the characters! You almost get 3 stories in one. Highly recommend!
August 2, 2020
From someone who deals with anxiety and all the unwelcomed side effects that comes it, I loved this book! The author has a great way of showing the sweet relationship between two people, while both are trying to deal with their own mental battles.
February 19, 2020
The Opposite of Falling Apart by Micah Good is a story about overcoming disabilities, and moving forward. Jonas Avery was a star in high school, until the car accident that took part of his leg. Brennan Davis has an anxiety disorder, so everything is a challenge for her. The summer before college these two meet, and a romance begins. I found this book to be well written, but it just wasn't for me. I read to lift my spirit, and this book did not do that. If you enjoy a more serious romance, give it a try, you might love it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Want to read
November 8, 2019this book comes out on my birthday! maybe it's a sign that I should def read this book haha
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