Just Another Book Crush (#12): Faking Normal by Courtney Stevens

Just Another...Book Crush! is a monthly feature where I invite an author whose book I've recently reviewed and loved to write a guest post and share their three latest book crushes. It's a feature I'm starting mostly because I'm often very shy to approach authors, especially ones I admire, and also because I love reading guest posts since, more often than not, they convince me to pick up a book even when the reviewer cannot. 

I'm so excited to have Courtney Stevens, the debut author of Faking Normal, joining us today! I unexpectedly received an ARC of Faking Normal and despite knowing next-to-nothing about the novel, the author, or the subject matter, I decided to give it a shot. As readers know, Contemporary YA is not always my genre of choice. Yet, this novel completely surpassed my expectations and I fell head-over-heels in love with its story, its message, and most of all, its strides within its genre. I only hope other readers will too. 

Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hides in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does. When Bodee Lennox, the quiet and awkward boy next door, comes to live with the Littrells, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in "the Kool-Aid Kid," who has secrets of his own. As they lean on each other for support, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her find the courage to finally face the truth.

The Questions People Ask!

Over the last six months, people have contacted me through twitter, email and Facebook and asked a variety of questions. I thought I might cull the most popular ones for this post.

1.      Is Faking Normal true?

It’s an interesting question to be asked. I don’t blame people for asking, but it feels like the question under the question is a serious one. Have you been raped? That’s not only serious; it’s personal. Deeply personal. It was a question my friends prepared me for, and you would think the very nature and topic of my book would prepare me for. But honestly, I wrote, got an agent, and sold a book about rape before I ever realized I WROTE A BOOK ABOUT RAPE. What?!?! I didn’t exactly mean to do that. So the question still feels as if I’m standing naked in front of the world.

Here is my answer. The statistics say 1 in every 3 women has experienced sexual abuse by the age of 18. That statistic is staggering to me; staggering to me as survivor. I am not Alexi. Faking Normal isn’t “true,” but I am well-acquainted with Alexi’s pain. And my story, this is it in a nutshell: I believe there is hope on the other side of pain.

2.      Where did Bodee come from?

Following a difficult season in my life, an old friend came back into my life as a new friend. He was safe, and kind, and loved me in a powerful way.

While the character of Bodee is fictional in his circumstances, I tried to give all the safety my friend offered me to Bodee.

3.      What gave you the idea for the conversations on the desk?

I am not in favor of defacing school property, but I was at 16. (In pencil.) This is a true little snippet from life. I didn’t have a romance with the guy. He was just a friend who sat at my desk in the period after mine and we were in love with Hotel California. (So many lyrics.) On a dark deserted highway, cool wind in my hair … That’s how it started. If you have something that rich in your life, you have to work it into a novel.

4.      Will Bodee and Alexi’s story continue?

Never say never, but no. Although there is a world of story for them to live, I’d like to leave them on the page where they are and let the reader take if from here. There are many hard, hard things left for Alexi to face. I’d rather not put her through that in front of the world.

I can promise you that Bodee isn’t going anywhere. I don’t know that these two will “grow up and get married,” but they will always, always, always love and protect each other.

5.      Why did you choose to write about such sensitive topics?

I didn’t mean to.

I had an image of teenage-me crying in her closet, and I wanted to write a book for her. In developing that story, in trying to whisper, “Things will get better,” to her, the rest of the story emerged. These characters came walking into my life with weights on their shoulders, and I tried between page one and the page last, to say, “Hey, let me help you with that.”

You can read my thoughts on Faking Normal HERE. Seriously, if you haven't already added this one to your TBRs then get on it ASAP. It's worth the read, many times over.