The Free

In the beginning, Isaac West stole to give his younger sister Janelle little things: a new sweater, a scarf, just so she looked less like a charity case whose mother spent money on booze and more like the prep school girls he'd see on his way to school.

But when Isaac's petty theft lands him in juvie, he's cut off from helping Janelle. Friendless in a dangerous world of gangs and violent offenders, he must watch his every step.

His sentence requires him to meet regularly for group therapy, where the inmates reenact their crimes, attempting to understand what happened from the perspective of their victims. The therapy is intense. And as Isaac works through scenes with the group, he begins to recall a memory he'd long ago repressed. A memory that changed everything. And as he begins to piece together the truth about the circumstances that shaped his life - the circumstances that brought Isaac to Haverland in the first place - he must face who he was, who he is, and who he wants to be.

©2017 Lauren McLaughlin (P)2017 Recorded Books

This book was such a perfect slow burn

I loved the characters, the writing, and the narration. You will fall more in love with every chapter, and feel changed by the end.

Beautiful story

So poetic. I thought for sure the author had to have experienced this themselves. I could picture the characters and felt like I knew them. Twists and turns. One of the best books I have ever listened to.

The Free, Lauren McLaughlin~ Continued... 🤓

I accidentally hit the submit before completing my review & couldn't find how to edit...😊
I was saying, this is a BRILLIANT fictional story, but I can easily imagine kids just like these lost to the streets, in need of guidance. Bless the counselors, Doctor's and people that give their knowledge, patience, and hearts to help young people and adults who feel unseen, forgotten, and unlovable. 🫡💖

It is amazing what children can endure in plain sight unseen by others and survive.

That there are people that are able and willing to take risks to help others even at their own peril is eye-opening. That sometimes family at a young age takes action to care for siblings to protect them from their own parents is truly an amazing grace. That there are people out there willing to step in and help protect those at risk is a sign that all is not lost.

A group home to remember

This book was real real good. The narrator is one of my faves. More the author is on the list as well.