I read through the reviews of this book before I began reading it. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, and I still wasn't quite sure when I was a few chapters into the book. It does veer off the usual path this blog follows in its content, but I think that covering books that spotlight the tragedy and despair that affects humanity can be beneficial in bringing awareness to those specific conversations.

I wasn't terribly confused by the back and forth narration that allowed the book to be told from several different viewpoints as well as covered two separate, yet related, storylines. I think it added a much-needed layer to the story-telling since the book was so character-driven without much of a substantial plot. I did like the diary section at the end, as it provided key background information on the struggles that Amy faced throughout her young life.

Although I think this book created a much more realistic picture of how depression can manifest in and consume the lives of pre-teens and teenagers, several aspects of it reminded me of 13 Reasons Why. It was heartbreaking to see so many people drop the ball and fail to intervene or reach out to a child who is visibly suffering. At several moments in the book I was hoping the parents would get their shit together long enough to see how broken their daughter was, but alas, it was not to be.

I do wish that certain events in the book would have been more detailed or better explained, with a little more plot added to provide more depth to the story. I didn't think that several of the chapters needed to be narrated by characters who were only briefly mentioned in the book. I felt like those pages could have been used in a better way to help the story along rather than to gain the viewpoints and opinions of some characters I didn't really care about, nor who I thought really added anything to the book.

I wouldn't necessarily consider this an enjoyable book given the serious nature of the subject matter, but I think the writing was honest and raw, taking the reader through the highs and lowest lows of depression. Several serious issues are brought into play, accumulating in an ending that is sadly unsurprising. This book may not make it on your summer reading list due to its heavy subject matter, but I think it is an important book to pick up nonetheless.

*I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This broke my heart! Was really.impressed with how it was all portrayed. Was spot on. Ending was odd but I loved it. Highly recomend

This novel seems to be more character driven rather than plot driven which is fine, however the character driven aspect was kind of slow. I felt that sometimes it was hard to discern what Amy was really thinking at times. Also note that the book is hard to get into at first, however later on the book does pick up. Not a one click read but still glad i read this book. The mental health side of this book was very well done. I've read a lot of books were manic depression/suicidal thoughts and tendencies are glamorized and this novel does not do that. Instead it shows you what it is, its ugly side and what its like to live with it. I look forward to reading more by the author in the future as I think they can easily climb the charts if a few skill are tweaked.

3.5/5 Stars

**I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I really wanted to like this book. As it is I have a lot of mixed emotions after finishing it. I wish the diary entries were mixed in a bit more. I feel they added so much to Amy's story that would have helped the reader connect with her earlier. The mom mentions Julia at one point during a fight with the dad and you have no clue who she is until Eric's chapter close to the end. I think depression, self harm, and suicide are such important topics, I wish they would have gotten into that a bit more, and maybe covered more in terms of getting help. Or just more about what Amy was thinking and or feeling rather then just continually saying she was depressed. I know one cant always pinpoint what is causing their depression, but maybe some conversation around the helplessness aspect of it would have helped.

Amy's father was a horrible person, that much was clear, however, her mom was just as bad by continuing to let him come back and for not sticking up for Amy. When your child has tried to kill themselves you do whatever you have to do to get them the help they need. She infuriated me by not standing up to him more, especially after what he had put her through.

I did feel things were a bit disjointed throughout the story. It ended up all making sense later but at the time of reading it seemed random and all over the place. Even at the end I still feel there were some chapters that weren't necessary.

I was given an advanced copy of this book in return of an honest review.

@netgalley #partner

Thank you to #NetGalley for the review copy of #22Scars. All opinions are my own.

22 Scars was an okay book. It wasn't amazing, but it definitely wasn't bad at all. Most of the story follows Amy as she battles her depression after losing a couple of her friends. It's a pretty decent representation of self-harm and depression.

There are also chapters mixed in from another person's perspective. This character reminds unnamed but you do eventually realize who it is.

I liked the idea of this story, but the way it was laid out was confusing. It was hard to know where chapters started and stopped, who's perspective we were seeing, the chronoligy of the story, etc. In fact, the ending really should have been toward the beginning, in my opinion.

Overall, 3 stars. I liked it, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it either.

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Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book for an honest review.

I didn't really know what to expect but I knew I could probably relate to the story just by looking at the cover. You don't need a summary with a cover like that, you know what it's about. Something people don't talk about much, like the subject is going to disappear!

It was a little bit confusing at first with all the names, it felt like every chapter was a diferent story, sometimes happening years before, but as you keep on reading you realize that it makes sense, you see connections between those people. It's deep, touching, moving! Some parts, some people, you want to scream at, some you want to cry with and tell them they're not alone, you understand, you know what it's like...

And the diaries at the end, the last 27 pages or so...

"I'm 14, and I've been high.
I'm 14, and I've been raped.
I'm 14, and my arms are scarred.
I'm 14, and I feel 40. I feel like I've done everything I'll ever want to do, suffered everything I never wanted to suffer. Every year that goes by feels like a waste of time. It feels like a waste of life. I was trying to think of a word that describes how I feel, and the best I can come up with is despair... I know that I will never be happy. The weird part is, I don't know if I want to be. "

Just WOW! That book is good! 4,5 / 5

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Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read & review this novel. Most of the characters are well-developed; however, the father is painted mostly as a one-dimensional villain. Not having an insight into his angry outbursts makes the character almost a caricature. Additionally, having two narratives was a little confusing & it was somewhat jarring to go from one plot to another. Overall, the novel was well-written, but the open ending was disappointing. I followed the protagonist's pain & would have preferred finality.