Death versus accepting that life is unfair sometimes.

Kay and her friends decide that in a few weeks, they will jump off a cliff. As they struggle to see if the last few days will make a difference in their choice, we, as saddened and readers, sit there hoping and crossing fingers.

This book was a harsh read because these teens struggle with acceptance of their sexuality, physical disability, mental disability, and oppression from their parents to belong. If they were in 2023, life would have been different. We have come a long way, especially in regard to DEI and LGBTQ+ movements.

The story is very well written, but I just felt weird reading it. I felt sympathy, but I also felt so detached that it wan unsettling. I am not sure if that was the authors true intent.

This was a fascinating historical read set against the backdrop of a very influential summer in the United States. It was interesting to have those historical events serve as a backdrop to the story of these four teenagers it feels more poingant than ever as we are living through historical times our day to day lives are still going in in many ways.

How much you enjoy this will depend on how you feel about angsty teens. Solwitz has hit the mark on that for sure. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

This novel was such a gripping and haunting story that kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire ride. It has been recommended for people who were fans of "The Girls" by Emma Cline and I can definitely see the similarities. I would absolutely recommend this book.

The novel is ponderous, never quite going to where it is attempting to get to. Long winded with what tries to be insightful to the times was to this reader a bore. The characters, all of who are flawed, left me not caring about any of them and when I did finish (which took over a month when I read a book every 2 days) left me with little emotion.

I disliked this book and I didn't finish it. I prefer not to give negative reviews unless I can help it, and so I am only providing feedback here.

This book did an uncanny job of capturing the angst of being a misfit teen. It was an uncomfortable read due to the subject matter of a suicide pact, but without giving away any spoilers, how the pact is resolved leads to a fantastic sense of anticipation. What happens in the two weeks between the pact and its fruition gives a thorough grasp of the four character's burgeoning sense of identity and place in the world, or lack of one. You'll have to read it to find out!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommended read! Thanks for providing through Net Galley. Five Stars *****

I tried and tried, but I couldn't finish this book. It was just a bit too dark and depressing for me.

There's an overarching sadness and melancholy to this book. A bit like a lost memory or the nostalgic feeling of never having an experience again, a bit like a weighty burden sitting, looming, on one's shoulders. The sadness makes it tough to keep reading, in my opinion, and it just seemed so very long. The added layering of the edge of the 1960s, the edge of their high school lives, the edge they all agree to stand upon in a short 2 week period, was very well done. After finally finishing, I have to say I am exhausted by the experience!

I’m waffling between 3 and 3.5 stars here.

Once in Lourdes follows 4 friends over a two week period. Towards the very beginning, they make a pact to commit suicide together, and this knowledge pervades throughout the rest of the book. Part of what prompted me to keep reading was to see what would happen in the end - would they actually do it?

While I did enjoy this book and it’s imagery, I have two chief complaints. One is that it’s all just a little..far fetched. In the span of two weeks so much happens - Vera’s acid trips, their trips to Chicago, Saint streaking, CJ cross dressing. It was just a lot of stuff. And it all happens and it’s like no one cares, including the parents. It seems like the novel could have been just as powerful without some of it. Similarly, it seems as though some of these plot points didn’t do all that much to move the story forward. I could have done without some of it, especially if it was replaced with more character development. I got a good sense of most of the characters, but CJ’s character could have used some strengthening.

Overall, I applaud the author for a unique and haunting tale.

I received a digital copy of this novel from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I have very mixed feelings on this book.
Part of it were amazing and parts were just keep going it will get better again.
The ending also had some issues with. There is so much more I could say but becomes very spoilery.
Good character development for the most part. I did have issues with some of the interaction between them as felt contrived for the story (granted it is a story).
It also feels like a book that once you re-read will make more sense. So it is on my re-read list.

Thank you NetGalley.

I did not finish this book. I found it difficult to connect to the characters and storyline. I tried to get into the book, but eventually gave up about 40% through.

I have stopped reading this book at some point and then just never picked it back up again. I am trying to be more honest to myself about not finishing books - I am somehow rarely absolutely sure I won't finish a book (which is why the shelf is called "will probably not finish"); I am eternally optimistic that I at some point maybe will feel like picking the book up again, but I practically never do.

This is my longwinded way of saying: I will not be finishing this book. It is not a bad book but just not one for me. I found the friendship at the heart of this book unconvincing and artificial. For a group of friends to make a suicide pack, I need to believe there friendship, believe that they are the world to each other and here I did not. I also found Vera unbelievably vain and annoying and could not believe she'd be the heart of this group. I know how weirdly toxic teenage-friendships can be and how unreal they can seem from the outside (I mean, I was a teenage girl at some point and I cannot believe the weird friendships I had).

This book was recommended to me because I really enjoyed "The Girls", by Emma Cline, and I definitely see the link between the two, but "Once, In Lourdes" didn't work as well for me.
The story takes place in 1968, and the political unrest in the USA at the time is often alluded to, but the teenage experience the protagonist go through is quite universal and it's easy to forget the time and place (which is too bad for me, since I like the feeling of that era). Four teenagers, all pretty outcast and therefore deeply attached to one another, make a pledge to kill themselves two weeks later, after one of them commited an act she just can't move on from. The fact that they have two weeks to live influences the way they live those days, and makes for an interesting premise, but in the end, it fell short as I couldn't get attached to most of the protagonists.
The story is narrated by Kay, the overweight girl whose mother commited suicide after realizing that losing weight and getting conventionally pretty didn't stop her husband from cheating on her and falling out of love with her. Kay's story was the most poignant to me, and the way her stepmother Arlyn (the very woman her father cheated on his wife with, which he married 14 months after the suicide) and her father try playing happy family with her while harrassing Kay about her weight (being thin is supposed to bring her happiness - just like it did to her mother, right?) makes me physically angry. Clueless people like that don't realize the pain they're causing to others. Kay is looking for a place where she belongs, people she belongs with, and that's something I can related to.
The other characters, however, where way less interesting to me. Vera was too messed up for me to get anything out of her experience. Saint's story feels like a variation of the same boy's pain story I've read a million time. CJ was interesting, and I really wanted to get more into his head, but since the story is narrated by Kay, and that it seems none of his friends really understand him, he stayed pretty opaque to me.
Overall, there was several interesting part in the story, but it felt messy and sometimes aimless. I have the feeling though that it may be the kind of books you have to re-read once you know the story to fully apreciate it. I will give it another try someday.

This was a book that will certainly affect a reader. It is a coming of age story of sorts with the main characters a close clique of four teens who are on the verge of graduating from high school. They each have had problems fitting in with other teens and have banded together to form gang of misfits. The story takes place in a small town, Lourdes, Michigan, during the turbulent year of 1968. These four each clearly have a love and concern for each other and look to each other for acceptance, understanding, and direction. Eventually it becomes apparent that two of them have the charisma that draws this group together and sets their direction. The author does an amazing job of bringing out these characters and allows the reader to get to know them and what makes them tick.
The story line focuses strongly on these four and their connections to each other. The relationships shift throughout, and yet they remain committed to each other and their group. There are many mature and controversial issues that come up throughout the book. Probably the most "normal" of the kids is Kay, an overweight girl whose mother committed suicide after struggling with her own weight and marital problems. She now lives with her father, his younger and thinner new wife, and her step-sister who while empathetic to Kay, is everything that Kay is not. The rest of the group, Saint, Vera, and C.J., each deal with significant dysfunction within their families and struggles with their inner demons. Their compelling story leads up to a pledge and a significant event that will determine the fate of the group and each of it's members.
This book might appear to be written for a young adult audience since it deals with teens, but I would suggest caution with this age group. The subjects in the book are sometimes disturbing and might be difficult for immature suggestive and/or sensitive youth. As an older reader, I felt that it was geared more to parents and older readers. I was able to pick out nuances of thought and hope that a less mature reader might completely overlook.
Part of the draw for me in choosing to read this book was the time period. Although I would have been a little younger, I remember this time and the changes that were going on around the country. Many people were confused and lacked direction, bending to the actions of others. Kids were more frequently left to function and figure things out on their own than previous generations. I think the author captures this time well with its expansion of thought and experience.
That said, the style of writing is somewhat challenging to read. The narrator is most frequently Kay, but there are times when any of the other main characters might be thinking or describing what's happening. This might be a bit off putting or at the very least confusing at times, but eventually it begins to make more sense and the reader adapts. Again, I urge caution with recommending this to youth since it is raw in its description of issues and might seem to glorify the idea of suicide. Ultimately this is not the case, but it might take an older reader to fully appreciate it.
I thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Eh, this book didn't really grab me or keep my attention. I had a hard time finishing.

I would actually give this 3.5 stars. At first I thought I wasn't going to be able to finish the book because it was just too much going on. But I found myself having to know what happens and sticking with it until the end. While I do think there was too much melodrama in the 4 kids lives.... incest, suicide, drugs , homosexuality just to name a few it ended up being an interesting book and I'm glad I stuck with it but i just think it wasn't completely realistic. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC