Uses for Boys
Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, bringing home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna’s new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can’t know.
Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical, Uses for Boys is a story of breaking down and growing up.
So, here’s what I expected from synopsis: heartbreakingly real story about a Girl with lots of issues she has to solve. I expected this to be intense, but gripping and awesome…
So. No. What. I. Hoped
I rarely start a review with pointing out what didn’t work for me, yet here I have no other choice. Right away, when I started reading I was shocked about the first few scenes. Actually, I was shocked and utterly disturbed. But. I had my hopes still up that with more pages I’d start getting into the story and connect with Anna. Sadly, this was not the case and even though I ended up finishing the book it was definitely not my cup of tea.
Anna – broken, confused, disturbing
Anna definitely didn’t had it easy with her mom who left Anna alone fighting for herself. She turns to boys and lets herself get used by them. She was so detached from all the emotions and sexual feelings that she simply let the boys do what they wanted. It was disturbing to see and some scenes were definitely borderline and shocking. Even though I felt very bad for her I was never able to connect with Anna at any point. I didn’t get her reactions and decisions at all.
Clipped short dialogues and a very unique way of storytelling
I am certain that there are lots of people who will absolutely adore and enjoy the way this book is written, yet for me it didn’t work. There was way to little dialogue for my liking and everything felt clipped short. I felt detached from the story instead of getting sucked into it.
Also, the ending was far from what I hoped. I was at least hoping that Anna would have a chance at the end to live a better life … I closed the book and I was not in a happy place. I’m sure though that this was anyway not the authors intention, yet it was not how I had hoped the book would leave me.
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt was edgy and different. Sadly, I wasn’t able to get into the story, nor was I abale to connect with the characters. However, I think this is a hit or miss and I’m sure there are lots of reader who will enjoy this sad tale who seems to come quite close to reality.
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Too bad this didn’t work for you. I’ve heard a lot of good reviews. It’s never good to start out shocked – at least not shocked in a bad way. And it has such a nice cover too.
Alison (AlisonCanRead) recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
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Maybe you like it more!! And yes, I loved the cover sooo much – it’s pretty and cute!
Danny recently posted..My Friday Love – Series Endings…
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I think was one of those that you either loved or not at all. I’m with you, I just really didn’t care for it. There were things I just couldn’t get past. Great honest review.
Jenea @ Books Live Forever’
Jenea @ Books Live Forever recently posted..Breaking Waves Blog Tour Stop: Promotional Post and Giveaway for the Heart Waves Series by Danielle Sibarium
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Yep, some things were just too disturbing. And I didn’t see any improvement;(
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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Exactly my thoughts too… and I’ve only read the reviews! The cover misleads me and I’m one who needs more dialogue to know a character. Thanks for writing the tough review!
Kristin @ My ParaHangover recently posted..Book Blast: Daynight by Megan Thomason
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I love the cover! It looks like a cute romance story, with a lot of growing and development. Sadly, it was not as it seemed;( And yes it really was a tough review for me to write;(
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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Oh, no! I hate when that happens!! I’ve read a couple of reviews where the bloggers had the same problems so I think I’ll definitely take a pass. This girl may be too broken for me…
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Speed Date with Ruby: THE DARKEST MINDS by Alexandra Bracken
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Yep she’s way too broken. And I soo wanted her to wake up and find redemntion. I read that other people felt hope at the end, I… didn’t ..
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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I had a somewhat difficult time with this one too. I was continuously shocked by what I read. I too was hoping for a coming of age type story that left me with some warm fuzzy feelings in the end. I’m pretty sure I ended with a WTF face. I did enjoy the way the story was told though, and my heart ached for the MC. I’m glad that I decided to read this one for review rather than my 14 year old daughter though. I won’t not be comfortable with her reading this one. More of a mature YA read for sure. Great review!
Chapter by Chapter recently posted..Blog Tour: Breaking Point (Article 5 #2) by Kristen Simmons – Review with G!veaway
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Yeah, no warm and fuzzy feelings at all!! It was so sad! And Oh yes, I also do not think that this is an appropriate book for such a young girl. It left me sad and hopeless, I want kids to read lighter stories!
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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I totally agree. I knew it wasn’t a light and fun contemp before I started but man. I was just kind of disturbed by it and not in a good way. I was really, really disappointed and actually chose to mark it DNF. Bummer!
Brittany @ The Book Addict’s Guide recently posted..How to Lead a Life of Crime – Kirsten Miller
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You know, I’m fine with dark, edgy and sad – but this one was just too sad, and too disturbing. I was close not to finish it, but I was hoping something happens which will make me happy at the end! No such luck!
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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Thanks for dropping by, Danny! And oh.. Oh. 🙁 *pats* sorry you didn’t like this one! I’ve heard about the book and have seen mostly 3 star-reviews but this is the first time I read a negative review on it. I agree that letting herslf be used by boys is disturbing..well, if she uses boys instead to get sex – I might have understood that and I’ve seen that in other novels but..but..it’s just weird. Great honest review!
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Argh and I just hate writing such negative reviews, but this book completely left me sad. I missed her sense of what is right or wrong and a wish to have a better life. But, she never really wanted to change.
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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Actually I read this book and had some of those same thoughts about it. I didn’t connect with her , and I get why she uses boys because of her mom. But it just reminded me of a trainwreck , and I really was hoping for some growth . I didn’t see it at all.
Julie@my5monkeys recently posted..Boundless Book Review
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Yep she was a total trainwreck!!!! That was why I finished reading it after all because I hoped she would grow and realize that she can get a better life and change – but it never came even not at the end;(
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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Well that’s a huge bummer! 🙁 I’ve read a lot of ‘meh’ reviews for this book and I think I’m glad I’ve stayed away from it!
Thanks for the review!!
Ashley recently posted..Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Seeds of War by Rachel Fisher
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I had pretty much guessed this wasn’t going to be a book for me based on some other reviews, but your thoughts have sealed the deal Danny. I will not be picking this book up. I knew I would struggle with Anna and the decisions she makes, and I think it’s best for my mental health if I just keep my distance from her:)
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Yep this won’t be a book for you AT ALL!!!! You will just be sad and angry as I was. Yes, you better keep your distance ;))
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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I know this book isn’t for everyone. It IS shocking and particularly hard for mothers, or even just adults, to read. But we know better. Teens go through these things and I have to give the author kudos for keeping it real. It might be good to have a warning label on it though cause some parents won’t be okay with their kids reading this. I know I wouldn’t want my 13 year old reading it (if I had a 13 year old) but would be okay with a 17 year old reading it because I figure they could use a dose of reality and the content shouldn’t be shocking for them since they’ll likely know people like this already.
I liked the writing style. And I felt the ending WAS filled with hope, I felt like things were good, so I guess maybe we all take something different from that ending?
Sorry this one didn’t work for you though!
Candace recently posted..Interview with Tracy Chevalier
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Ah, I am so happy you loved it Candace! It’s weird how people can interpret endings differently and I’m happy you felt the hope I’m sure the author was aiming for. I also felt it holds a big dose on reality, but I just was hoping that it would be a happy ending. It just wasn’t and I was left sad and angry.
But, it’s good that a book can stir so many different thoughts and opinions!
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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Unfortunately, this seems to be the general consensus. Pretty much every review I’ve read so far is the same. This is not my kind of read anyway, but I’m sorry you wasted your time.
And I appreciate that you don’t usually start your revews negatively, I try not to either, but sometimes there’s really no choice.
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Sometimes it’s just hard to start a review when you are all left with sad and angry feelings. I really hoped for a different story and was disturbed by how it turned out!
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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Sorry this one didn’t work out for you! So many people seem to agree on this. It’s a bummer, because I was really looking forward to it, and I love the cover. Thanks for your honest review.
Lauren recently posted..Book Review: Boundless by Cynthia Hand
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I had such high hopes and didn’t read any review before starting it. So, I went in hoping that it would be a great read… so sad that it wasn’t for me..
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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Well this book seems to be stirring up quite a few 1 and 2 star reviews! I’m pretty sure it isn’t for me. Sorry it didn’t live up to your expectations, Danny. It’s always disappointing when a story doesn’t deliver. A great, fair review!
Sam @ Realm of Fiction recently posted..Review: Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
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Maybe it is for you? But, I also saw that it didn’t get so many good reviews and just some of the people actually loved it. Maybe you are one of them?
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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This is the second review I’ve seen of this book and it has mixed reactions! I don’t think this book is for as I don’t enjoy books with this subject manner, especially with disturbing scenes. I’m sorry you didn’t like this one more! Thanks for your honest review. 🙂
elena recently posted..(i’m a modern girl but i fold in half so easily) review: just one day by gayle forman + soundtrack
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I would have been fine with this subject. It was just the way it was played out, she was so without any emotion and common sense which made everything so distrubing..
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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Yeah, I thought this might be decent when I first saw it, but the more I read about it, I thought it probably wouldn’t be for me.
Thanks for the honest review, I’m definitely steering clear of this one.
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I loved the cover and hoped for a great issue book with maybe also some nice and cuteness. There was no cuteness and a lot of sadness and anger..
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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Aw, sorry you didn’t like this one. I definitely understand. It’s not a book for everyone!
lori recently posted..Fun Stuff for Your Blog: Valentine’s Day Giveaway Images
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Did you read it Lori? Since I was away for the past weeks I might have missed your review! I hope you loved it more!
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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I did read it and I really enjoyed it. I completely understand why some people don’t!
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I am worried this kind of book is not for me too. I have it to read, but the more reviews I read, it just scares me. But I shall try it eventually.
Great Review.
Jennifer Bielman recently posted..Character Bio & Playlist: Incendiary by Amy A. Bartol (Blog Tour)
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It is such a scary book in the end. Lot’s of distrubing scenes and the girl is in such a bad place… I was just hoping for more hope and goodness at the end;(
Danny recently posted..Danny’s Bookish Vacation
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Sad you could not connect with the story. It is one of my favs of 2013
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Ah, this book was not for me… I didn’t like the ending at all. Also, I had problems with the writing. I felt disconnected to the story and not being truly sucked in as I wished too. Also the lack of dialogue irked me.
However, I’m Glad you liked it :))
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