I knew right from the get-go that I was going to struggle with this one. I think DV and displacement and struggle is good in a YA book and I'm glad it's being embraced. But this one, I struggled to connect with. I found too little plot for the tough subject matter and I struggled to like or root for the main character. I wish I'd liked it more.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Requested the book because the description made it sound interesting. One of the first ARC's I requested and was approved for. Took me almost 4 years to get through the book only because I hate DNF-ing books. The plot felt short, the story was quick paced but there was so much potential there that wasn't met leaving the story to fall flat on its face.

This was a quick, fast-paced read, though it did feel rushed at times. The main character wasn't very likeable, so I struggled to connect with her while I was reading.

This book started off in the middle of the story if you asked me there was so much we were left in the dark about that it made the story seem long and dry at parts, not I didn't hate this but it just meh to me. Another thing is that the romance between the main character and love interest kind of came out of nowhere

2 stars — So I was trying to find a mystery type book for one of my reading challenges, and this is one of the oldest NetGalley books I haven’t read…from when I first joined NetGalley and requested all sorts of things. Unfortunately this book was just…not engaging. I just had all sorts of problems with it, but because I wanted it to count for my challenge, because I usually give NetGalley books more time, and because I was curious about the mystery, I kept going. Probably a mistake.

Honestly, there was very little that worked for me in this book. The writing felt very basic, and while I appreciate that 15 years old is very young, I felt like Edie came across even younger. Or rather, it felt like the book was being written by a young teenager. The characters were all very shallow, there was no depth. It was very black and white, and for the first part of the book EVERY character was horrific, including Edie. I was torn with myself, because I think it was trying to show how from a teenagers perspective it can seem like everyone is against you, but the way it was done just didn’t work. I didn’t end up empathizing with Edie, and I really should have. She was going through some hard things. But I felt nothing. Later on in the book she meets kinder people, and I get that it’s probably supposed to show her growing up, but it just didn’t work for this reader. It felt unrealistic.

I should classify this as a coming of age story, b/c I believe that was the author’s intention. But I didn’t see/feel her grow in this story. I didn’t believe her transitions. It just didn’t come across to me.

And while I get that it was from Edie’s perspective, it paints the world and London in a HORRIBLE light, where everyone is a horrific bully (teachers, other kids, random people on the street), with no nuance. If it was truly just Edie’s perspective, the reader should have seen some light even if she couldn’t see it.

I did eventually appreciate the friendship she formed with Jermaine, though that happened rather quickly.

As for the mystery/plot? It didn’t feel realistic, it didn’t really keep me on the edge of my seat, and in the end it was kind of anti-climactic.

So yeah. Not a good review from Lenore. So often that’s just my perspective and personal taste, but I have a feeling I wouldn’t be in the minority with this book. *shrugs*

Thanks for the chance to read this book. I do apologize that it got awfully lost in the shuffle. Unfortunately it was simply not for me.

I liked the mystery of the book, how you didn't know exactly what had happened to them until later in the book. The pacing in the book is very good and makes it a fast read. I didn't really like the main character, she was a bit annoying, but I guess it's because of what she's been through. It was very emotional and I really liked it.

I'm not sure what initially caught my attention for this book. I am a fan of YA and read it pretty quickly. However, it wasn't a favorite for me.

<I>Since You've Been Gone</I> is actually quite depressing. Edie is always on the run with her mom. They are running from "him". We find out who "he" is later in the book no lead-in to this new information. Actually, this happens multiple times through the book. I found myself pausing to think - wait, did I know this already or is this just being introduced awkwardly right now?

This book skirts the topic of domestic violence, bullying, loss, as well as addressing the cycle needing to stop. There are many people out there hurting and they show it all in very different ways. It is certainly an enlightening book to introduce the topic to some teenagers out there who might not know enough about it.

Author:
Mary Jennifer Payne
Publisher:
Dundurn
Rating:
6
Copyright:
2015
ISBN/ASIN:
9781459728196

Sales Url:
http://amzn.to/2HhUbsz

Description of Sales Url:
Purchase from Amazon
Review:
Edie and her mother Sydney practically live out of suitcases. They move frequently. We don't find out immediately that the reason why they move is that for the last five years, they have been hiding from Edie's abusive father. Soon after the book begins, Edie has to leave behind her pet cat as they abandon Toronto for London. Edie has to adjust to her new life in a new school in a new country, but before she finds her footing in London, her mother Sydney disappears from her night job. Edie steals some cash from school and sets out with her new friend Jermaine to try to find her mother.

Since You've Been Gone is a tough story to read, a sad tale of survival. It is not a long novella and the content is unsettling mostly because it deals with hard truths like surviving physical and verbal abuse and bullying. The content is bleak enough that it would be a tough subject no matter the approach.

I do believe a lot of readers have been spoon-fed sweet romance novels, and are not predisposed to be understanding of a point of view character who is sympathetic, but not particularly likable. I felt empathy for Edie, even though she is drawn with a harsh crayon. The bully character Precious is anything but, but she seems to be an accurate character, and the blooming friendship between Edie and Jermaine feels realistic, if accelerated. Much of the story rings true. Although much of the story lies below the surface and I think it might stand up to analysis because Edie's decision-making processes reflect the nature of the issues she's faced, I feel the author could have added a few more scenes at certain points. I did read in one sitting, and recommend for young adult readers.

This was a did not finish for me :( I'm sorry I just didn't not connect with the book.

Not something you would expect to feel so much from as what you can when reading this book. The realization that this really happens in more lives than you would think is sad. This story tells so much and will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions.

Interesting concept and plotline - I read this while I was in a reading slump so specifics are kind of blurry but I remember enjoying it

Edie was fifteen years old when she punched Ranice james in the face and was officially suspended. Edie’s mother Sydney avoids anger like a bad dentist. Then Edie got a phone call from her mom and Sydney told her she needed to pack. Janice was going to be with her mom. Edie was to pack two suitcases not too heavy. Edie and her mom Sydney have been running for the last five years from Edie’s violent dad. Edie and Sydney end up London Sydney ends up with a night shift job and tell Edie to be careful and vigilant. Edie is rude especially to the first person who tries to welcome her to the new school just because the girl was a little weird. Then one night Sydney doesn’t come home from work and just disappears. Edie stole some money from school and with Jermaine Edie sets off to try to find her mother.
I didn’t really care for this story. I didn’t like how Edie stole charitable funds and let someone else who was innocent take the blame. It was also trying to hard to promote racism is wrong as far as I am concerned this is a true subject but don’t go overboard in a short story. This was a short story but still seemed rushed to me. The Biggest thing I really didn't like was Edie herself.