Step One of NA (Narcotics Anonymous): The 1st Step on Narcotics Anonymous requires us to admit our powerlessness over our addiction because our lives have become unmanageable. Step One of FA (Families Anonymous): We admitted we were powerless over drugs and other people’s lives—that our lives had become unmanageable.I absolutely loved this story for so many reasons. I work, daily, with both addicts/alcoholics and their families, so reading through this was honestly like watching a train wreck about to happen - which is a lot like what I feel like on a daily basis. As I read through it, I couldn't help but feel suspicious of Caleb, based on what I see every day. Once his activities were confirmed, however, I knew that things were not going to end well for Caleb and Lennox, at least not in this book. I could just tell, and it made my heart hurt all the more for Lennox.Caleb and Lennox have known each other since they were kids, but Caleb's family moved away when they were still pretty young, and the two of them lost touch. It was pretty sad, too, because they seemed to have a great connection, even as kids, and to be each other's best friend. Lennox has never really gotten over Caleb's absence from her life, either. She is the type of girl that holds her emotions in and only lets a few people get to know her, and even then, it almost seems like she never really lets someone in 100%. Not until Caleb, anyways. Well, Caleb and Raine, whom I just loved. Raine is that guy that I wish Lennox could love, but he seems destined to be more of a brother and a voice of reason or calm when she needs it.Caleb blows by into Lennox's life, and she is never really the same after that. Due to Caleb's direction in life, Lennox just wasn't really prepared for him. Her heart was already set to belong to him, so she didn't think to safeguard herself against him, which then caused her to cave in to everything that she never thought she would cave on. So many of her rules for dating were completely disregarded when it came to Caleb, and, while it is very frustrating to read, especially knowing it was based on real events and emotions, this is so much a part of how the disease of addiction works. The addiction not only sucks the addict in, it also sucks the family members and loved ones in, and this definitely happened to Lennox. She wanted to be the one to save Caleb because she couldn't consider a world where he self-destructed or wasn't in it.The sad truth, however, is that you can't save someone. That is why I included the first step for Families Anonymous. Drug addicts are powerless over their addiction, but the families of addicts are powerless, not only over the drugs that their loved ones are using, but they are powerless over the addicts themselves. Caleb has to get to a point where he wants to stop for himself. Poor Lennox goes down with him, however, and she even knows that she is going down while she does it. It was so frustrating to watch how isolated she became from those that could help her, too. And then...huge cliffhanger ending. I can't wait to read the second book to see what happens and how, or if, Lennox comes back from this. This book really does a great job of showing the actual disease of addiction, and yes, it is a disease of the brain and of the behaviors. It is not pretty, and I really wish that Lennox had gotten to counseling and learned about things like setting boundaries and taking care of herself, but, everyone's journey is different. I would say that this is not a typical romance story, however, so emotional and gut wrenching that I couldn't put the book down. I think the author stating at the beginning that this was based on her story made me much more involved in the characters and much more emotional. Drug addiction is such a difficult subject to be able to write about, especially from the point of those who love the addict.When Lennox is unexpectedly reunited with her first love/childhood crush, she finds out the feelings are the same for Caleb. Their relationship progresses quickly and Lennox has never been happier. However, Caleb has a past that begins to interfere in her happiness and begins to ruin their relationship.Caleb is a drug addict, and even with multiple past rehab stays, he cannot stay clean. Even his love for Lennox can't keep him away from this life. It is so hard to see him struggle with wanting to be the man Lennox thinks he is but not be able to control his actions. Once Lennox finds out, she still loves him unconditionally and tries to help him. She is surprised by her own actions and what lengths she would go to for him. She wants to believe he has turned the corner, but deep down knows it isn't true. You feel for Lennox and for Caleb too.The book starts out with Lennox in hospital and then jumps back to the start of their relationship and the downward spiral Caleb's drug addiction takes on Lennox, his family, and his friends, and ends back with how Lennox ended up there. Such a gut wrenching story, especially knowing it is based on the authors real life.I can only hope the next story is about his true recovery and that they are able to find their happily ever after. -Tynna
What do You think about Take It All (2000)?
Oh my god... that blurb and excerpt... this sounds simply heart-wrenching.... :(
—jhami
Wow, this book was great! I Cant wait 4 the next one!!!
—Readaholic
