Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Edelweiss
Pages: 208
Release Date: March 10th 2015
Genres: Dating & Sex, Girls & Women, Law & Crime, Social Issues, Young Adult
What do you do if you're in trouble?
When Michelle runs away from her drug-addicted mother, she has just enough money to make it to New York City, where she hopes to move in with a friend. But once she arrives at the bustling Port Authority, she is confronted with the terrifying truth: she is alone and out of options.
Then she meets Devon, a good-looking, well-dressed guy who emerges from the crowd armed with a kind smile, a place for her to stay, and eyes that seem to understand exactly how she feels.
But Devon is not what he seems to be, and soon Michelle finds herself engulfed in the world of child prostitution where he becomes her “Daddy” and she his “Little Peach.” It is a world of impossible choices, where the line between love and abuse, captor and savior, is blurred beyond recognition.
This hauntingly vivid story illustrates the human spirit’s indomitable search for home, and one girl’s struggle to survive.
LITTLE PEACH might be one of the most unique and gritty books I have ever read from a fictional standpoint, although that probably stems from the fact that this book tackles so many real life issues that aren’t fiction. It is not something I would ordinarily read, but I would recommend it to almost everyone simply because it needs to be read. It depicts a harsh reality of our world that is frequently swept under the rug.
This is by no means an easy book to read, even though it’s a short one. It’s brutal, interesting, horrifying and thought-provoking all at the same. With all that said, I still have to say the book itself had its issues, and I’m not going to give it a glowing rating just because it’s heartbreaking.
The writing was a bit sloppy, and while it could be argued that was the point, it brought the book down instead of complementing it, in my opinion. The sentence structure and flow was also broken and choppy. Not only does LITTLE PEACH jump from past to present to even further in the past, it switches from first to second person narration. So when you first get into the book, it can be a bit overwhelming.
.
The characters were not incredibly fleshed out either. While there were some attempts at getting to know each character, the depth seemed to stop at just giving them specific quirks. Although it detracted a little from the story, it did not hinder my ability to be able to sympathize with them.
LITTLE PEACH shows a different side of the world some of us don’t even consider because we are lucky enough not to have seen or experienced it. However, it is important to remember not everyone is as lucky as we are. This book serves as that reminder, prompting thought and discussion.
| Rating Report | |
|---|---|
| Plot | |
| Characters | |
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| Overall: | 2.9 |
Renee Bookboyfriends
Lovely review! Thanks for the heads up on this book and the info. I don’t know if it’s really my thing, especially with the choppy writing and switching from 1st to 3rd person. Not many books can pull that off. But a lovely review nonetheless! Very informative!
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Alise
Thank you! It really is hard to pull off, especially to get used to.
Frannie Pan @ In Clouds of Pages
I don’t think I’m gonna read this. Many reviews I’ve read are negative. Also the topic… I honestly wouldn’t be too comfortable with it :(
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Alise
It’s tough, definitely not for everyone.
Lucia @Reading Is My Breathing
Question time. Maybe I am not very perceptive but how can sloppy writing ever complement a book? And I can understand how switching from 1st to 3rd person would lower the enjoyment of reading. Pitty that novel with such important topics was not executed right :/ Great review, Alise!
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Alise
Because of the content. I think the way she chose to write it is definitely full of purpose. At the end of the book the author wrote about the research that went into the book and how she wishes how her readers could be the change, which I think explains the second person narration, although that is just my guess. Thank you!
Kezia
I’m actually quite interested with the concept but sad that the execution wasn’t perfect! I think I’m gonna skip this one though! I feel like this type of books needs well-developed characters so it’s a shame that the characters weren’t fleshed-out :(
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Alise
I know what you mean, a book like this definitely could have benefit from characters that had been more developed.
Michelle @ Pink Polka Dot Books
This is one of the books coming out that I am on the edge about. I like books about issues, but they have to be done really well. I also find it really weird that the m/c’s name is Michelle. I never see my name in YA anymore!! And I don’t know how I feel about reading my name in that context!
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Alise
Totally agree. I really struggled with my feelings about this book, and it was actually the author’s afterword that made me change my mind about a lot of things and see the reasons why she chose to write the book how she did. HA, that’s ironic-I JUST wrote a post about that!
Kyra
I don’t really enjoy reading gritty books and when I read a book, I like the characters to be fleshed out, so I won’t be picking this up. Fantastic review, Alise! <3
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Alise
Understandable! Thank you!
Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows Reviews
Thanks for the wonderful review Alise! I’d never heard of this one before but I guess it isn’t surprising considering how outside my genre(s) this one falls! I agree that the topic at hand is an important one that people should be aware of, but I can’t help but wish the writing, narration and characters else had been on par too.
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Alise
Sure! Yeah, that’s what I wish as well.
Mallory @ The Leaning Tower of Tomes
I don’t know if this is a book for me… I don’t tend to gravitate to books that deal with these sorts of serious topics, though the ones I have read have been very good. But, given your review, I’m not getting vibes that say “go and read this”.
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Alise
I get that, if I had known about the writing beforehand I’m not entirely sure I would have picked this up either.
Kate @ Ex Libris
I have been hearing a lot about this book and it sounds like it tackles some very tough issues.
Kate @ Ex Libris recently posted…The Conspiracy of Us By Maggie Hall
Alise
Indeed!
Joy // Joyousreads
Oh wow. The subject matter is tough to stomach. I’m sorry you had so many problems with this book. Such a shame when it doesn’t sound like it’s written all that well.
Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…[491]: Dark Triumph by Rachel LaFevers
Alise
Yeah, the writing wasn’t anything super at all.
Rashika
Ooof. That sounds hard! I know I can be very picky about those sorts of things but it makes me especially sad that it would have been a great book for you if it weren’t for those little things. I know I couldn’t stand so many switches in POV and the past/present/future. It would drive me nuts!!
I am sorry this wasn’t better, Alise!
Lovely review though!! :)
Rashika recently posted…ARC Review: All That Burns by Ryan Graudin
Alise
I was really frustrated with at first, I’m wondering if I hadn’t been determined I would have DNFed it :/ No worries, thank you!
ShootingStarsMag
Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts. I like that it focuses on some darker issues; these books ARE important for that. It’s a bummer the writing/characters didn’t really match up to the content though.
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Book Club Review: Bossypants by Tina Fey
Alise
Sure! Yeah, if the writing and characters had been a bit better I think this one would be more popular.
Melliane
It sounds like a difficult one… it’s not something I’ll go to either but sometimes it’s interesting to read something like that as soon as it’s not something we do everyday. Sorry it wasn’t more though.
Melliane recently posted…Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Alise
Exactly! It’s something that we don’t talk about enough. Thanks!
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence
Sounds like a really crucial book that brings to light some of the darker issues. I saw how disturbing the blurb ones so will save it for a rainy day. Thanks for the review Alise!
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Alise
Exactly! Sure! :)
Kirsty-Marie
I stayed well away from this one because of the topic, I wouldn’t read it myself any time soon, but am glad there are books like this out there, because it is an important story to tell, and one that people do ignore. I don’t think the choppy writing would bother me as much, since I do like it sometimes but the switching from first to second person and jumping from past to present and further back, would. :(
Kirsty-Marie recently posted…Review: The Fire Sermon
Alise
I totally understand. Yes, I agree, it’s one of the few books I know of that do address the subject and I think it would be eye-opening. The switch was confusing at first, and I never did FULLY get used to it.
Braine Talk Supe
That sucks! I was ready to look this book up further because I love gritty reads. Too bad it wasn’t executed good.
P.S. Thanks for visitng my blog. I comment back too :)
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Alise
Hmm, I might say to give it a try still, especially if you are used to tougher reads.
Brandi Breathes Books
The unique perspective has my attention but not without issues.
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Alise
If you can quickly adapt to the narration, it might not be an issue!
Joy @ Thoughts By J
The title makes the book seem so innocent, and then I read the synopsis and was quite stunned. I’m thankful that an author was brave enough to tackle such a topic, it’s definitely one that not everyone thinks about. Just reading your review made me feel thankful for all the good things in life. Not sure I’d be able to stomach this book, but good on your for reading it Alise! xx
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Alise
Agreed, especially in YA, although I can definitely see the reasons why. I’m curious to what reviews will say once the book is out. Yay, I’m so glad! :)
Kelly
The storyline sounds amazing, but the lack of actual technique let it down. That chopping style of writing really doesn’t work in most books, it’s only been the Shatter Me series where it really engaged me. I generally books that push the limits and aren’t afraid to be confronting. Pity the writing let it down. Still want to give this one a go though, just based on it being a unique read. Lovely review poppet and glad you enjoyed this for the most part <3
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Alise
That’s exactly what brought it down. Yeah, in Shatter Me it really fit and added to the story and here it kind of detracts. I’m glad! Thank you :)
Andreea
I like the sound of it because I enjoy reading books that make us reflect. I will check it out.
Alise
Yeah, this one definitely makes you think. Awesome!
Faye @ The Social Potato
I understand where you are coming from with this. I loved Little Peach, writing and all, but I can see how it can be feel disjointed to others. With that said, you’re right that it is a book that demands to be read and felt. It’s such a dark topic, and seriously, people don’t read and talk about it often, which boggles the mind, really :( It’s such a heavy and rampant problem an people need to know more about it. Only when we have read a “first-hand account” and sympathized with a character undergoing the same things can we truly feel pushed to do something about it.
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Alise
In the end I did understand the writing style and the reasoning behind it (or least think I do, based on what I gathered from the afterword.) I know, I think the first literary experience with it was Wither, which of course wasn’t exactly the same thing but it made me realize how little the subject is addressed. Exactly! It’s still a huge problem and so few people know that.
Kim { Book Swoon }
Thanks for your thoughtful review, Alise. This sounds incredibly thought provoking with as many tough issues it seems to tackle. The writing sounds like it was not as smooth as it could have been, but the message was put forth worked anyways. A tough read for sure. Thanks for sharing :)
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Alise
Sure! :) It really was, especially if you really start to question the writing choices, it all comes together and made me like the book more. Definitely!