Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Sixteen-year-old Emmett Callaghan’s life fell apart eight months ago when his older brother was killed in Iraq and his distraught mother walked out, leaving Emmett to care for a father descending into dementia. Unable to get help for fear of alerting the authorities that he’s been abandoned, Emmett is slowly sinking under the weight of his responsibilities. It doesn’t help that he lives on the wrong side of the tracks in a town where rich and poor don’t mix—unless it’s on a football field.

 

When newcomer Noah Davis arrives, it’s like a breath of fresh air has blown through Emmett’s life. Not only does Noah’s mixed-race parentage make him unlike the other rich kids in town, he’s also openly gay and interested in Emmett, despite all the barriers Emmett has erected to keep prying eyes out of his life. Noah throws Emmett a lifeline when he needs it most—but does Noah really understand what he’s letting himself in for?

 

Book Review

In Whitmore, Pennsylvania, the division between the haves and the have-nots are clearly marked by the train tracks running through town. Like in many modern cities, class is more important than race, so when Emmett (who is white and grew up poor) meets Noah (who is mixed-race, openly gay, and has wealthy parents) meet, it doesn’t seem likely that they’d be friends. This is a coming of age story, told by Emmett in first person. It focuses on the consequences of his coping mechanisms as well as the choices he makes – good and bad. Emmett grows and learns as he deals with his attraction to Noah, and while the ending is not what I hoped for, it is realistic and left me hoping for more.

Emmett pretty much carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. He stubbornly cares for his dementia-afflicted father by himself, deals with his older brother’s death, and faces the fact that his mother walked out because it was all too much for her. Most adults wouldn’t be able to hold up so well and Emmett is only sixteen! Pretending everything is normal and ensuring they don’t take his father away as well is the only way he knows how to cope. Emmett figures he only has to hold on until he turns eighteen and then he will have some choices and will be able to let someone else help without disastrous consequences.

When Noah moves into town, suddenly Emmett knows what it is like to be a teenager. Not that he can give in to the feelings that suddenly bloom, but at least there are a few moments and some stolen opportunities where he can let go and focus on being happy. He can’t allow himself to be open about it for fear of being outed, but the friendship that grows between him and Noah gives him something positive to enjoy. Except it doesn’t last and Emmett makes some pretty awful decisions when push comes to shove – choices he regrets but accepts with a stubborn honesty that increased my respect for him.

The other people in Emmett’s life are all interesting characters and round out the story really well. Noah with his self-confidence and disregard for social norms pushes everyone’s limits. Emmett’s neighbor, Mrs. Sweeney, isn’t exactly rich herself but she helps where she can and is a great mentor for Emmett.  Then there is Emmett’s best friend Cal whom I really disliked for a while, but he has things to learn as well and redeems himself in the end. Everyone in this story has their issues to deal with and it is a testament to not giving up – at least “not today”!

If you prefer your stories to be realistic and don’t mind a somewhat bittersweet ending, if you want to find out how a group of teenagers deal with modern-day issues that most adults would find tough to overcome, and if you’re looking for a thought-provoking read with some real hardship and a subtle message of hope, then you will probably like this novel.

 

 

 

 

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Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 220 pages/72955 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	06-February-2018
Price	$6.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $14.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.harmonyinkpress.com/books/not-today-by-mc-lee-526-b