2008 TAYSHAS

Not Like You by Deborah Davis

Kayla's life is just one long roller coaster ride. Her mom is a binge drinker, getting drunk almost night, has no money, and loser boyfriends. Kayla is frustrated that this has been her life for the past fifteen years and shes pretty much tired from all the moving. Then one day Mariyln moves them to New Mexico for a fresh start. Life seems okay for a while making it even more worthwhile as she is spending time with a 24 yr old musician. mother has made the 15 years of her daughter's life unpredictable, from moving for "fresh starts" to drunken binges, no money, loser boyfriends, and a year in foster care. Kayla is tired of being the adult and of letting a guy use her for sex just to feel loved. When Marilyn moves them to New Mexico and seems genuinely to want to stay sober, Kay is skeptical, but she begins to make a life for herself by walking dogs and making friends, especially with Remy, a 24-year-old musician. Remy pursues Kalya passionately but stops short of a sexual relationship. Then Remy moves to Denver for his band, and Marilyn slides into an alcoholic stupor, leaving Kayla desperate for stability and comfort. She steals money from friends and runs to Remy in Denver, but fdoesn't feel what she thought it would be like. Kayla is a character full of flaws and hopes. Despite having grown up fast, she is still a teenager: moody and angry because of a mother who chooses alcohol over her daughter. Marilyn is fully dimensional, with her own failures, small triumphs, and desperation. Kayla realizes that she is making the same mistakes that her mom was making all these years. Then Kayla starts to understand her mother and learn to love herself. I did enjoy this book very much because I enjoyed reading more about Marilyn's struggles and issues. I cannot compare myself to her but her issues are realistic and many people face them.