The Things You Kiss Goodbye audiobook

I can not even with this book. I'm totally gutted! I have not ugly cried at a book like this for quite some time. If you want a powerfully emotional book to read, pick this one up.A little background, I found this book in my library's display for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. So, be prepared for that aspect of the book. I think it's very important for teens to learn the warning signs of an abusive personality. I think there is a great value in teaching our kids that love should not hurt, that it's ok to tell someone that how they are treating you is not ok, and that if you feel like something is not right there are places you can go.Kudos to the author for showing a relationship that started out "perfect" and turned sour without the person involved being aware of it right away. It was written very well. I also felt that the familial aspect added to the story and the lessons learned. Do not stay with someone for any reason other than being in love and happy.

This is a book that lingers in the mind. The protagonist, Bettina, is only 16, but the problems she faces are those that can happen to any woman at any age. This book captures this young woman's voice perfectly, as well as her lack of experience, which has her putting up with more subtle abuse than we want her to. I think most women can relate to being pressured when young to have sex before one wants to, yet not knowing how to prevent it from happening. Just saying 'no' doesn't always hack it, as Bettina finds out How she comes to realize the way she's being manipulated, and how she learns to assert herself against a very domineering father, make for a gripping read. I read this in two days, and couldn't put it down. I can see that it might be tough to market to a high school readership, because the subject matter is difficult. But I think it makes perfect sense for a mother/daughter book group, or for adults who'd like to check it out before passing it on to a teenage daughter. There's plenty here to discuss.

Minusta tuntuu, että minun pitäisi lukea useamminkin contemporarya, sillä ainakin joskus realististen ongelmien lukeminen herättää enemmän ajatuksia kuin eeppinen fantasia tai dystopia.En tarkalleen muista, mikä sai minut kiinnostumaan tästä kirjasta, mutta olen kyllä tyytyväinen lukemaani. Kirja herätteli monenlaisia ajatuksia ja tuntemuksia ja välillä kiristelin hampaita niin lujasti, että leukoihin sattui - parisuhdeväkivalta on nimittäin perseestä. En voinut olla kannustamatta päähenkilöä ja toivoa, että hän lemppaisi koko jätkän.Bettinan ja Cowboyn suhde tuntui realistiselta ja suloiselta, mutta silti minulla oli vähän epämukava olo sitä lukiessa. Tyyppi on kymmenen vuotta vanhempi... Toivoin kylläkin, ettei se heidän suhteensa olisi muuttunut romanttiseksi, koska heidän ystävyyttään oli paljon mielenkiintoisempaa lukea.Lopusta en sitten tykännyt. En tykännyt siitä, millä nuotilla tässä erään tapahtuman jälkeen jatkettiin. Ääh, jäi harmittamaan.3.5 tähteä.

This was a well written book. It brought you teen love, dating violence, first 'true' love, loss of a loved one, and family drama. The story opens your eyes to the difference of summer love and love during the school year. They are two different things in the sense that the surrounding audience is different. When faced with dating violence, it is hard for young people to end things as they will continue to see the other person in school. When you do find your true love, it just feels right even if it may seem wrong in someone else's eyes/opinion. Reading this book I knew there would be a loss and I somewhat predicted it but was still shocked and pleased with the story line. Good read for mid-year teenagers.

Guys? This one made me cry. As much as I wanted to kick Bettina in the butt to make her wake up and realize what an ass she was letting hurt her, I still kinda loved her. So watching her in the last ten chapters or so broke my heart. Everyone needs a Cowboy in their lives, someone who makes them feel valued and loved. And if they gain some friends along the way like Bettina did, all the better. Now I'm going to go and write a long thing about all the crap this book made me realize about myself. Only the best books can do that to a person. :)

I liked the audio. I will never be ok w a 26 year old dating a 16 year old, it I ended up liking this one more than I thought I would.

my heart...it can't take this ;(

** spoiler alert ** Personal Response- I absolutely loved this book because it was very intense, but romantic. I enjoyed how the situations that the main character was going through were relatable to most females. I think that Leslie Connor did an excellent job of telling the story of a teenage girl going through relationship problems.Plot line- In the beginning of the book, Bettina Vasilis falls in love with Brady Cullen over the summer. Her parents are very strict, but approve of Brady; therefor letting Bettina go out more with him. She loves this new freedom and she loves Brady, until Brady starts to change from the person she met over the summer. One day when running away from Brady after he hurt her, she stumbles across a 22 year old guy who helps her, she decides to nickname him Cowboy. Bettina and Cowboy start to hang out more and Cowboy turns into a safe place for Bettina to talk about her relationship with Brady. She continues to see cowboy throughout her relationship with Brady. After a couple months, Cowboy and Bettina realize they love each other. She decides to tell her mother about Cowboy. Her mother is accepting of him, but warns Bettina about her strict father. The day after Bettina tells her mother, a horrible tragedy occurs and Cowboy is killed. Bettina is grief stricken and misses a lot of school. Brady is furious when he finds out about Cowboy and breaks up with her. Bettina realizes that she needs to get her life together and starts saving money to go to art school.Recommendation- I would recommend this book to females in 9th grade and up because the main character is a female and most of the story revolves around her. I think you should be 9th grade and up because the situations in this story are slightly more mature. This is a very good book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys young adult romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.