What started off as a not too bad, but not great book, turned into a bad novel for two reasons. The first reason was the way time passes in the book. The author makes frequent leaps in time and leaves the reader to figure out how much time has passed. The second reason is the main character, Jed Iverson, a seventeen year old boy when the novel starts, ends up having sex with a drunk, married woman who was a customer at his mother's pet shop. He has turned eighteen in the novel when the sex occurs, but that alone made my rating go down. I did finish the novel and it did not redeem itself. The novel centers around Jed and Dora who start dating their senior year. Dora wants to be an astronomer and Jed isn't really sure what he wants to do with his life, except for marry Dora. Jed lies a lot throughout in the book and only once did he come out and ultimately tell the truth about what he had done.

Wise Heart by Claudia Ermey is a young adult book, which I don't read alot of yet the synopsis caught my attention. I found it to be a fun and entertaining read, even if it was a bit dramatic at times. Jed is doing his best to be the protector of his family and all those he loves. Sometimes he makes mistakes but don't we all in life. I felt like I was on a roller-coaster at times, but I would still recommend this book to others.

I received and ARC from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial, and I am leaving my review voluntarily

Let me start positively -
The female characters are well drawn. Iris, Dora, and Rainbow were all interesting.
The ending contains a lovely sentiment and message and can be considered very sentimental.

The negatives -
So many things happen to Jed that each could be the main focus of a novel - discovering a disappointing sperm donor father, Penny’s malicious accusation of Sebastian, a school shooting, a deportation and a teenage pregnancy. There isn’t any time to really delve into the ramifications of anything. For someone who is supposed to be intuitive, he really just rolls with the punches unscathed. I understand this may be where it is comparable to “Monday’s Not Coming” but the meandering focus shows “Wiseheart” is the exact opposite.
There are too many unresolved plot issues (i.e. Jed tells everyone but Dora about the heroism/school shooting).
Is Jed intuitive due to his life experiences or is there something more at play? It isn’t really stated or explained.

Finally -
I would be remiss if I didn’t say this novel is in bad need of a proofreader. The school shooter/vandal is initially called Eddie. (It is important enough to be a chapter header.) Later he is referred to as Kenny and Eddie is never mentioned again.
There is much made about Jed being a “Jedi”. But there is a passage where the parrot Aniken is spelled Anniken (phonetically). It made me wonder if parts were dictated. Also, as you are making the final points at the family blessing, Dora is called Doris.

I feel like this book is a missed opportunity. There are so many huge themes in the story that are not fully explored. I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I will be vague. There are many situations that arise in the lives of the characters . They happen and then it is never mentioned again. I feel like this should be multiple books with each event being more detailed, thought out, and researched. The themes are hot topics right now and deserve their own full storylines. I should also mention these are not minor events. These are major, life-changing events.

I think Jed’s story has the potential to be an amazing 3 or 4 book universe. A beautiful way to fully explore the themes glanced over in the book.

Jed's story really grew on me as I kept turning the pages. It started out a little confusing to me (just the first few pages), but I kept going and am so glad I did. The heart of this story is the well-drawn, intriguing character of Jed, along with his mother, his aunt Rainbow, and his niece Penny. There are many, many other characters who make an appearance in the novel, however those four are the core group and they are the ones who are the most vivid.

There is a LOT happening in Jed's world. Sometimes I thought the author was covering too many things at once. In fact, I think she could have turned this into a two-part series, leaving Book 1 with Dora going off to Mexico, and beginning Book 2 with her coming back and all that follows that reunion.

I love that Jed is the "wiseheart" in this book, in that he has a special deeply intuitive gift. I also loved the snappy, fresh, very real dialogue, and Jed's relationship with his niece.

It felt like a good, unique blend of YA Coming of Age, and Women's fiction.

The only thing I feel is missing is a scene where Jed tells Dora the truth about the school "shooting" and his part in it. I would have loved to have heard her response.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a great book, unlike any I've read before! Seventeen-year-old Jed lives with his mother, Iris, her live-in-boyfriend, Manny, her sister, Iris and niece, Penny. Jed goes everywhere with his African parrot, Ani who sits on his shoulder and squawks. At school he has a crush on Dora whose dad is illegal and may be deported at any moment. And then there is Ellen, a sex-starved woman friend of his mother's, James, a homeless vet who lives in the park, and his sensei who has taught him how to use nunchucks. Yes, it all comes together in the end but it's a wild and crazy ride that will leave you breathless (and maybe wanting a parrot)!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I received an electronic ARC from BooksGoSocial through NetGalley.
A coming of age novel about Jed and his family. Readers see the love and the eccentricities as he lives with his mom and his aunt and young cousin live in their backyard. This reads as an emotional roller coaster with humor woven through. The underlying message is that of a decent teen who is on his way to being a stand up adult. Though I felt that some of the chapters did not flow well, the overall story will hold readers as they connect with the various characters.

The story was good. It’s about a boy with a complicated home life who does his best coping with and navigating growing up as a teenager including school, friends, relationships, and feeling responsible for his family. There was a lot of dialogue but the pace was oddly slow. Many things happened but it also seemed there was very little at stake.

Reading WiseHeart is like being stuck on a rollercoaster in the middle of a hurricane - it's a bit over-the-top dramatic but it's a fun read. Jed's story is that of a young highschool student who's forced to grow up too quickly in every way possible. He tries so hard to be a decent human but he messes up, which is just part of growing up. Thankfully, he has the love and support of family members and various people from the community so he gets the guidance he needs along the way, even if it does arrive a little too late at times. This book is well-written, intelligent, thoughtful and focuses on some important life lessons (being honest and owning up to your mistakes, for instance). However, it reads more like a made-for-tv melodrama at times, almost like the author was following a checklist for overly-dramatic and controversial events to throw into the story. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to hearing what others think of it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

**Review of *Wiseheart* by Claudia Ermey**

*Wiseheart* by Claudia Ermey is a captivating tale that blends elements of fantasy, adventure, and emotional depth. The story follows a strong-willed protagonist who embarks on a journey of self-discovery, courage, and inner wisdom. Ermey’s world-building is rich and imaginative, creating an immersive setting where magic and heartache intertwine.

The novel stands out for its compelling characters and themes of personal growth, resilience, and the power of love. While the pacing may be slow at times, the emotional weight and vivid storytelling make it a rewarding read for fantasy fans seeking a thoughtful narrative.

**Rating: 4/5 stars**

I do not generally read young adult stories, but I was drawn to WiseHeart after reading the synopsis. This is Jed’s story. He was never happy with his name, Jonathan Earle David Iverson, until his mother showed him the first Star Wars movie. When he realized that his initials spelled Jedi he felt that he should be responsible for watching over his family. Iris, Jed’s mother, is unhappy with her boyfriend Manny, who Jed wishes would leave. His aunt Rainbow is also a single mother to Penny, an eleven year old who is growing up too fast. At school Jed’s closest friend is Dora. From the smell of her hair to the way she talks with him on their walks home, he feels that Dora is the girl for him. Jed’s mother always said that he had a wise heart that allowed him to care for others. When an incident at school with a potential shooter labels him as a hero, the accolades from Dora and his fellow students make him uncomfortable. They are all proud of him, but if they knew the truth of what happened in the encounter he is afraid that everyone, including Dora, would turn against him. He was supposed to be the Jedi knight. He was not supposed to be scared and knock himself out during the confrontation. Jed must come to terms with who he is and what it means to be strong for the family and for making decisions as he matures. Claudia Ermey has written a story with relatable characters, especially her main character, who you will love. It is a story filled with empathy and humor that was pure enjoyment as I read. I would like to thank NetGalley and Books Go Social for providing this book.

When you are 17 and your initials are J E D I, you do your best to be a hero. WISEHEART introduces us to Jed, the JEDI in training, who just wants to protect his family, a very tall order for this 17 yr old. His single mother has a boyfriend that Jed doesn't like and is definitely trying to cheat on her. His aunt and 12 yr old female cousin live next to them, where Jed's cousin continually embarasses him. Then there's Dora, the young woman Jed loves. These core characters carry the story of growing up and beginning an adult life as the adults in your life seem to be floundering. It was a good story, watching Jed as he struggles to leave his childhood reminded me of the young people in my family who have faced the same challenges with mixed results. It's sure to stir some nostalgia before the focus changes to school violence and the aftermath. The mixture of the two stages of Jed's life didn't feel real to me, but it did leave some questions when he takes those last few steps and leaves the fantasy behind.

I was engaged with what was happening with the characters. It worked overall with the genre and enjoyed the young adult element to this read. I was enjoying going on this journey and how the characters were written. It was a sad and scary situation dealing with a school shooter. Claudia Ermey was able to make this and thought the writing worked well.

American author Claudia Ermey’s Wiseheart (2024) is a coming-of-age Young Adult fiction tale. Seventeen-year-old high schooler, Jed thinks he’s a Jedi warrior given his full name is Jonathan Earl David Iverson. Jed sees his role as a protector of his family and school friend Iscadora Gonzales (Dora). Raised by his single mother Iris, they live next door to her sister, Aunty Rainbow and his cousin Penny. A gentle family drama, with the various characters dealing with life’s challenges, with a couple of scenes depicted that may disturb some readers. There are several themes depicted in the narrative, including teen romance, family connections, migration, school security, and the ultimate consequences of ones’ actions. With a literary fiction feel and the issues raised in a story, this American family saga makes for an enjoyable enough read, with a three stars rating. With thanks to Books Go Social and the author for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.

This novel was a genre switch up for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A great cast of characters that made it hard to put down. A lovely read that kept me guessing until the very end. A great lesson on loyalty.
Thank you NetGalley, Claudia Ermey and Swell Media for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Jed Iverson has an interesting backstory: he is a sperm-donor child, so he never had a relationship with his father.. or will he??? No spoilers here!

Jed wants to be a superhero: he is teaching himself how to use nunchucks - most often to the detriment of the furniture and glass anywhere near his practice sessions! Jed does have supernatural powers (a form of ESP) which often seem to fail him when it comes to his relationship with Dora. At the start of this story, Jed is seventeen years old, but he often came across as MUCH younger.

Jed's mother is a strong woman with man trouble: her current boyfriend literally eats like a rabbit. Jed wants his mother to be happy, so he bites his tongue where "the boyfriend" is concerned. To complicate matters, his Aunt Rainbow and her daughter Penny live in small shack-like building behind the main house.

Together, they form a chaotic family, with never a dull moment. Penny is only 12 in the beginning of the story, and is also emotionally immature. When she falls in love with her mother's boyfriend and creates a horrible scene, I just had to cringe a little. Every male's worst nightmare, I'm sure! then, toward the end of the story, Penny morphs into this super-teen who has somehow shed her brat persona almost overnight and becomes a major team player. I was scratching my head a bit over this transformation....

This is a very rambling, often dramatic, story that eventually spans several years in the life and times of the Iverson extended family. The characters needed fleshing out, and the story meandered in and out of plausibility for me more than once. That said, this is the author's second novel after a skiing accident ended her career as a chiropractor. I wish her much success in her efforts to follow her dream.

I'm rating this one a 3.5 out of 5 stars, rounded down to a 3. On the plus side, there are portions of this story that were quite well written. With a bit more structure, planning and character development, this author could conceivably make her mark in the YA market. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

“Wiseheart” is a compelling narrative that follows the life of Jonathan Earl David Iverson, a young boy who finds inspiration in the iconic Star Wars franchise. After watching the first movie, he discovers that his initials spell “JEDI,” which leads him to envision himself as a Jedi warrior. This self-identification drives him to protect the significant women in his life.

As the story unfolds, Jed grapples with his identity and the expectations placed upon him. His journey takes a dramatic turn when he is mistakenly hailed as a hero for stopping a high school shooter. This incident forces him into a moral dilemma where he must choose between maintaining this facade or coming clean about the truth, which could jeopardize his relationship with Dora.

The narrative explores themes of loyalty, loss, and personal growth against the backdrop of family relationships and societal pressures. As Jed navigates these complexities, he faces the risk of slipping toward what he perceives as the “Dark Side,” reflecting on his choices and their implications.

“Wiseheart” gives an emotionally charged experience filled with riveting character development and poignant moments that resonate with readers. It delves into the struggles of adolescence while highlighting the importance of honesty and integrity in relationships.

A different type of story for me but I really enjoyed it.
Will recommend to others.
Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.