I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Never Be Alone by Paige Dearth 
on March 21, 2018
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Young Joon’s parents died, her foster family is dangerous, homelessness is her only option.
Joon had a good life with her parents—she was loved and cared for the way all eight-year-olds should be. Then, one horrible day, her parents died, and she was put into the foster care system.
When Joon is placed with a single mother, Aron, and her two sons, nothing could have prepared her for the cruelty and brutality she would be subjected to over the next four years. When things escalate and her foster brother Deen threatens her, Joon takes to the streets to escape the viciousness of her foster family and start her life over.
On the streets, Joon finally finds comfort with a group of homeless teenagers. But things are never what they seem, and there is always a price to pay for safety on the streets. NEVER BE ALONE is a story of homelessness but hopefulness, as Joon’s relentless determination eventually helps her find her place in the world and make a difference.
To understand the intense work of Ms Dearth, you should read what she calls ”some dirt on the author” that proceeds this story. That alone leaves you with a sense of why she writes these stories that leave you drained. Or at least that is what they do to me. In this work the main character Joon is placed with a foster mother and two foster brothers who treat her horrible and she feels she has no choice but to run away.
Becoming a homeless teen, she makes a decision that will forever change her life and it takes away some of the pain that she has experienced in her world.
When I first started reading this book, I admit to having to put it down and gather myself as it is just that intense. This is my second read by Ms Dearth and I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first one, even with the tough subject matter. Being homeless is no joke but the fact that Ms Dearth is in her own way shining a light on the life of people who live one day at a time may wake people up to do something.
I highly suggest you read this book and all her work. Insightful.
Reviewed by: Linda C.
