Prodigal by Rektok Ross
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Title: Prodigal
Author: Rektok Ross
Publish Date: January 31, 2013
Publisher: Ic13 Books
Pages: 329
Buy the Book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
Rating: ★★★★★
I adore sheep. LOL I know what you are thinking. Sheep are sheep. But seriously, after you get to pet a lamb, you'll love sheep too. I have to admit that the first reason I even looked at this book is because there was a sheep on the cover. Boy am I glad that I followed my instinct and read the book. It was great. (By the way, no, I am not a sheep lady -- the sheep version of a cat lady. Just thought I'd clarify.)
Prodigal by Rektok Ross really caught me off guard. First of all, because it wasn't overly preachy. You know what I mean. When God becomes a figure in a novel or plays a part, it typically becomes some 'holier-than-thou-art' sort of novel. The fact that it wasn't that type of story really endeared me to it. This book is the story of Lexy Quinn when her world is turned upside down by the fact that her mother is diagnosed with cancer and they have to move to be closer to her doctor. Things only seem to be getting worse when she finds herself attending a school that seems to have a designer dress code. No one is the "normal" that Lexy is used to and her clothes seem to only make her stand out more. Going from the girl that no one noticed to the girl that everyone seems to talk to is hard for her to grasp. Little does she know that her journey has just begun.
Lexy is a very true to life main character. I don't know if I could be as forgiving as she is, especially towards her family who was constantly trying to shield her from how sick her mom is. Of course, I've never experienced a mother dying from cancer but I think my family would let me know just how bad everything might be. One thing I love about Lexy is the fact that she is willing to look beyond how much her mom is suffering or live her life because her mom asks her to. I can understand the guilt, the anger, the happiness, and the emptiness that she seems to experience. She is very relatable for me, although a little frustrating at times, and I think I would've handled exactly like she did. It's funny how much clearer everything is when you aren't the one experiencing it. I find it easy to get frustrated and I frequently grumble at the choices of the characters because I know that decisions can only lead to heartbreak or happiness. It's hard watching characters you love experience it too.
Dear Ash,
You suck.
Sincerely,
Bailee
I wish that was all that I had to say about the love interest of the story but that would be unfair of me to simply leave it at that. Ash, oh Ash, why must you be so beautifully frustrating? I can't decide whether to knee you or kiss you. Anyways... It's the complex characters that often become the greatest source of my hair pulling and he most certainly is complex. At first, he seems to be the guy that everyone hates and they bad mouth him behind his back. Or that's what you're supposed to think. It turns out that gossip sucks, people who are friends can suck, and the guy you like can suck too. Yup, that covers it. Ash is really a sweet, misunderstood, guilt ridden guy who deserves some happiness in his life. Who better to give it to him than Lexy, right? If only life was that easy. It seems like from the first time they "hang out", their relationship is doomed to fail. Lexy can't commit and Ash won't talk. Well, that's not true. He flirts. Which is swoon worthy by the way. If Ash would stop brooding, I would lock him away and keep him to myself. Seriously though, he is probably one of my favorites. He has a complex history, conflicting emotions, and definitely doesn't realize how much his actions hurt (that's where the kneeing comes into play). But he is so sweet and handsome, and smart and handsome, and smooth and handsome. You see where I am going right? Somedays I wish being smart ;) could cancel out all the stupid boy behavior.
Again, this is why these characters are very real to life.
We have a Duckie in this novel. If you don't know what a Duckie is, then go watch Pretty in Pink and basically all other John Hughes films. The Duckie, according to Bailee, is the wonderful Brian. He is friend-zoned from the beginning and he had no hope of truly getting the girl of his dreams. It's true that he doesn't give into the temptation of helping Lexy find her way into Ash's heart but rather keeps stoically appearing throughout the novel. I personally love Brian. He's attractive, nice (which is boring, by the way), and the only real friend Lexy has at the beginning of the novel. This is why he is friend-zoned. I love how naive Lexy is at the beginning of the story about men and how they work, sadly Brian fell victim to this innocence. But I still think he is a great friend and a worthwhile love interest, just not for the main character.
The story held backstabbing friends and I won't tell you who they are, hateful popular girls and you'll know by the second chapter, and strong family ties that can't be broken. This story is awesome. Go read it. It's not a preachy Christian novel that makes you slam the book shut and never touch it again. I adore it. It's a beautiful story. I'm saying that you should read because it's awesome, not because I'm trying to convert you to loving the Bible. I'm recommending this. So, check it out!
It was supposed to be Lexy Quinn’s year.
The hard-working wallflower has finally landed the coveted spot as Editor of her school’s newspaper. Then the rug is ripped out from under her when she finds out her mom is sick, and the family is moving half-way across the country to Preston Hills, Texas. Lexy can’t think of a worse place to be than at a school full of snobby rich kids where she’ll have to start all over to get people to notice her writing, or–who is she kidding?—notice her at all.
When the most swoon-worthy boy in town, who also happens to be the jock celebrity quarterback, gives her an exclusive interview, Lexy’s life takes an unexpected turn. Ash Preston is the perfect guy and, even better, he sees Lexy as she wants to be seen. But can she trust him?
PRODIGAL is a different kind of love story, where faith, romance, and God converge . . . and it just might change the way you look at your life.
I adore sheep. LOL I know what you are thinking. Sheep are sheep. But seriously, after you get to pet a lamb, you'll love sheep too. I have to admit that the first reason I even looked at this book is because there was a sheep on the cover. Boy am I glad that I followed my instinct and read the book. It was great. (By the way, no, I am not a sheep lady -- the sheep version of a cat lady. Just thought I'd clarify.)
Prodigal by Rektok Ross really caught me off guard. First of all, because it wasn't overly preachy. You know what I mean. When God becomes a figure in a novel or plays a part, it typically becomes some 'holier-than-thou-art' sort of novel. The fact that it wasn't that type of story really endeared me to it. This book is the story of Lexy Quinn when her world is turned upside down by the fact that her mother is diagnosed with cancer and they have to move to be closer to her doctor. Things only seem to be getting worse when she finds herself attending a school that seems to have a designer dress code. No one is the "normal" that Lexy is used to and her clothes seem to only make her stand out more. Going from the girl that no one noticed to the girl that everyone seems to talk to is hard for her to grasp. Little does she know that her journey has just begun.
Lexy is a very true to life main character. I don't know if I could be as forgiving as she is, especially towards her family who was constantly trying to shield her from how sick her mom is. Of course, I've never experienced a mother dying from cancer but I think my family would let me know just how bad everything might be. One thing I love about Lexy is the fact that she is willing to look beyond how much her mom is suffering or live her life because her mom asks her to. I can understand the guilt, the anger, the happiness, and the emptiness that she seems to experience. She is very relatable for me, although a little frustrating at times, and I think I would've handled exactly like she did. It's funny how much clearer everything is when you aren't the one experiencing it. I find it easy to get frustrated and I frequently grumble at the choices of the characters because I know that decisions can only lead to heartbreak or happiness. It's hard watching characters you love experience it too.
Dear Ash,
You suck.
Sincerely,
Bailee
I wish that was all that I had to say about the love interest of the story but that would be unfair of me to simply leave it at that. Ash, oh Ash, why must you be so beautifully frustrating? I can't decide whether to knee you or kiss you. Anyways... It's the complex characters that often become the greatest source of my hair pulling and he most certainly is complex. At first, he seems to be the guy that everyone hates and they bad mouth him behind his back. Or that's what you're supposed to think. It turns out that gossip sucks, people who are friends can suck, and the guy you like can suck too. Yup, that covers it. Ash is really a sweet, misunderstood, guilt ridden guy who deserves some happiness in his life. Who better to give it to him than Lexy, right? If only life was that easy. It seems like from the first time they "hang out", their relationship is doomed to fail. Lexy can't commit and Ash won't talk. Well, that's not true. He flirts. Which is swoon worthy by the way. If Ash would stop brooding, I would lock him away and keep him to myself. Seriously though, he is probably one of my favorites. He has a complex history, conflicting emotions, and definitely doesn't realize how much his actions hurt (that's where the kneeing comes into play). But he is so sweet and handsome, and smart and handsome, and smooth and handsome. You see where I am going right? Somedays I wish being smart ;) could cancel out all the stupid boy behavior.
Again, this is why these characters are very real to life.
We have a Duckie in this novel. If you don't know what a Duckie is, then go watch Pretty in Pink and basically all other John Hughes films. The Duckie, according to Bailee, is the wonderful Brian. He is friend-zoned from the beginning and he had no hope of truly getting the girl of his dreams. It's true that he doesn't give into the temptation of helping Lexy find her way into Ash's heart but rather keeps stoically appearing throughout the novel. I personally love Brian. He's attractive, nice (which is boring, by the way), and the only real friend Lexy has at the beginning of the novel. This is why he is friend-zoned. I love how naive Lexy is at the beginning of the story about men and how they work, sadly Brian fell victim to this innocence. But I still think he is a great friend and a worthwhile love interest, just not for the main character.
The story held backstabbing friends and I won't tell you who they are, hateful popular girls and you'll know by the second chapter, and strong family ties that can't be broken. This story is awesome. Go read it. It's not a preachy Christian novel that makes you slam the book shut and never touch it again. I adore it. It's a beautiful story. I'm saying that you should read because it's awesome, not because I'm trying to convert you to loving the Bible. I'm recommending this. So, check it out!
About the author
Bailee is the type of person you would expect to find with her nose buried in a book or a notebook and a pencil in hand. She loves reading and she loves reviewing the books she reads. This is certainly becoming a passion of hers.
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