#Review: The Changing Season by Steven Manchester #YABooks

Summary:
This was supposed to be a simple summer for Billy: one more lazy expanse of time before college began. He'd fill the hours playing with Jimmy – his canine best buddy – going camping and doing all the things he promised Jimmy they'd do before Billy left. But that was before the accident that shook the entire town. It was before the summer job that turned into something so much more than a way to get a paycheck. And it was before Vicki. This summer was destined to be many things to Billy, things he didn't truly understand until now. But it was definitely not going to be simple.

My review:
I was very excited to get to read yet another book from Steven Manchester. His books always have terrific intertwining of characters and interesting outcomes. The Changing Season did not disappoint.

"...one wrong choice..and your whole life..." 

This is the story of a teen boy who is getting ready to graduate from high school and has nothing but his life ahead of him. Life is good but no idea what is in store for the future is for him. He has two best friends and one furry friend that makes life complete but they change everything. Then there is Vicki who becomes the love of his life but...

One wrong choice is made. Once choice that will affect his life and all of those that surround him. I cannot reveal who makes the choice, for that you will have to read the book.
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I was astounded by these characters. Although the book mainly focuses on Billy and his relationships, the supposedly minor characters are the ones that really make the impact for the book. Without them, Billy would have no story and pretty much an ordinary life with his dog. However, Steven Manchester is a master story teller who knows how to weave words. He peels back the layers that reveal the essence of ones soul.

I was able to tell early on in the book what would eventually happen to Billy and the direction he would take in life. It was inevitable because of the Summer job he had. I do wished that part of the book had not been so obvious but it was. It took several chapters to get to the ending of what already could be figured out and that made the book a little cumbersome but not too bad,

His relationship with his dog was one that could be relate-able for anyone who has a pet that is considered family. I wondered if the author has such a pet?

A chunk of the book told of his relationship with Vicki. So many surprises for them. Their love story is beautiful and I could view them as if I was their best friends watching it blossom. There was hope for them and it felt good but..."One wrong choice..." 
For me, I felt disappointment, I was invested in them. There was such build up for them.  I thought that the author would leave it all nice and toasty and all would be good, but he didn't and it was abrupt.

In fact, the book is not at all what one would expect and the characters are flawed.
Is that a spoiler? I think not. Sometimes, things cannot always be nicey-nice and again, that is what makes the author stand out and is a plus for the book as a whole.

The characters throughout the book interject thoughts about the world around them and what they thing should or should not be. Although these moments were written as character spoken, I felt as I was reading that this, was actually the author's own thoughts coming through. This was not a negative but rather, an observation.

So, where does that leave me? 
I liked this book but was not in love with it as I have been with others. Still, I give it 4 stars!

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own and may differ with yours.
~Naila Moon


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