Book Review: Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Pages: 224

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: June 19, 2012

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero."

Travis is a marine and has spent time in Afghanistan. Like many soldiers, he comes back from war with many haunting memories, especially since he best friend died over there.  That is something that will haunt him for a very long time.  When he returns, he finds that his parents' relationship isn't good and his brother stole his girlfriend, his car, and even hangs out with his friends.   It's all surreal and he is having a hard time assimilating, that is until he runs into Harper, a girl that he shares a complex past with.  They start to spend more time together and Travis comes to find that she is everything he needs and more.  Trish Doller's debut, Something Like Normal, is a captivating tale that examines post-traumatic stress disorder and the challenges that many soldiers face returning home from war.

One thing that I adored about Something Like Normal was the fact that it is told from Travis's point of view.  Doller did a great job bringing Travis to life and I thought it was 100% believable.  I haven't read many young adult novels with a male point of view (written by a female) that are entirely believable, but Doller pulls it off quite well.  I also adored the character of Travis.  Although he frustrated me with his choices from time to time, I really liked him, his sense of humor and his charm.  I also liked that he was a complex character and had an interesting backstory, especially when it comes to confronting his memories of the war.

Travis's relationship with Harper blossomed slowly and I really liked that aspect of it.  She's a fantastic character that is independent, driven, and knows what she wants; however, like Travis, she also has a complex backstory.  There were many rumors spread about her that ruined her reputation and these rumors, ironically, were helped spread by Travis when they were in middle school.  So, obviously, when they first encountered each other after he returned from war, it wasn't "love at first sight."

In Something Like Normal, Doller writes an interesting tale that deals with real-life issues, which I found to be a fresh breath of air after reading so many fluffy young adult contemporary novels. I like contemporary novels that have this realistic aspect to them, but aren't too preachy or depressing, and Doller does an outstanding job finding the right balance. I can't wait to read her work in the future as she is definitely a new-to-me author now on my radar.