Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Title: Something Like Normal

Author: Trish Doller

Briefly, what was it about?

Travis Stephenson arrived home for a month while on leave from being deployed in Afghanistan with the United States Marine Corps. Travis is currently suffering from undiagnosed PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) after seeing his best friend, Charlie Sweeney, die in combat. If this wasn’t enough his girlfriend recently dumped him…for his brother, not to mention he finds out that his parent’s marriage is falling apart. Talk about a vacation. Then he runs into Harper, and although their first meeting doesn’t go entirely well, what with her punching him in the face and all, they seem to get thrown together a lot and become closer. The Marine was hopefully for a normal stay, but what he got was so much more.

Did you like the book? Yes

Why? I myself am sort of fascinated by the United States Military and have the greatest respect for them, which helped me appreciate this book a lot more than possibly your average reader (but still read it! It’s really good! And cute J). Anyway, I loved the protagonist and since our ages are actually very close he was very relatable in a way. Plus the book isn’t all military; there is romance along with friend and family dynamics that way out number the military aspects. I loved Travis and Harper; I became attached and sad about Charlie, understanding and upset about his kind of messed up family, and fell in love with his Marine buddies and their friendship together. All in all, this book has many different sides to it which can create a unique experience for every reader. I couldn’t put it down.

Who would like this book?

1.      Age group? 15 and older

2.      Gender? Both

3.      This book would appeal to teens who like… Military, romance, family issues, close/understanding friendships, bonds between people, recovering soldiers, ct

Your age: 17

Grade: 12