All of the reviews for Big Mouth Blues so far, gathered from Amazon.com, Goodreads.com, as well as from different countries!
I will continue to update this page as more reviews pour in!
🙂
Enticing Book!
★★★★☆
Great book. Has some unexpected twists and a good read.
Andi
Amazon.com Review
12/17/2017
4 Stars!
Amazing!
★★★★★
Amazing book! One of the best I’ve read in a while! It has a great story line with an unexpected twist. Will be reading again.
Leighann Foster
Amazon.com Review
12/25/2017
5 Stars!
Impossible to put down!
★★★★★
I’m more of an audio-book kind of person, however, with Big Mouth Blues I found that once I started reading it, I could not put it down! I cannot wait to see what Miss Donovan comes up with next!
Daniel Poling
Amazon.com Review
1/6/2018
5 Stars!
This debut novel is phenomenal!
★★★★★
Kacey has secrets. Her Mom used to know, but she doesn’t know anymore. Kacey hides it really well from everyone, even her best friend. Her father’s rages terrify her because she knows what it leads to. He is super strict with her to the point that she can’t even have a shirt on the floor, even if she is sick. Kacey just wants to escape the hurt and feelings, so she sneaks some of her Daddy’s booze one night. The next day she is so sick and hung over that she screams at her baby sister. Will she realize things won’t ever change if she keeps on the road she’s starting down? Somewhere, someone needs to break the cycle of abuse.
This author is FIRED for making me ugly cry. Seriously, the feelings this book made me feel were off the charts! I hope Danalynn Donovan keeps writing because this debut novel is phenomenal!
Donna K. Flint
Amazon.com Review
1/24/2018
5 Stars!
Really liked it!
★★★★☆
I read this book in one sitting. Great pacing, characters, and tone. The serious theme of child abuse is handled in a way which still allows for the story to be light-hearted and easy to read, especially for the target audience of tweens and early teens. Overall a believable, quick, and enjoyable read!
Hanifa
Goodreads Review
7/10/2018
4 Stars!
Good story!
★★★★☆
Deals with some dark subjects, but the main character is resilient. I think this book would be wonderful for troubled children to read. There are a few twists that make this an enjoyable read for middle grade kids. It’s a very easy to read and doesn’t take long to finish. Would read more from this author.
Milk Chocolate
Amazon.com Review
7/22/2018
4 Stars!
Intriguing realistic fiction!
★★★★★
I loved Danalynn Donovan’s writing style; she writes so the reader can visualize the scenes and feel the emotions & tones of the characters. The characters are well developed, relatable, & likable. There is an emotional twist & you can feel the roller coaster ride of Kacey’s life.
I feel this book should be required reading for school students.
Looking forward to Danalynn’s next book!
Linze
Amazon.com Review
7/29/2018
5 Stars!
Can’t put it down!
★★★★★
I really enjoyed this book! It kept my interest from the beginning and I wasn’t able to put it down. The details in the characters made you feel as if you personally knew them and could feel the emotional connections. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Sharon Potase
Amazon.com Review
8/5/2018
5 Stars!
Great read!
★★★★★
(Warning this book contents children abuse may or not trigger relapse.) We follow a young teen who been mental and physical abuse from very young age to her teen’s. At the same time she keep her amazing personality during hard time in her life. She also fell off the boat couple time’s and someone close to her keep very important information from her.
Olivia R.
The author did a great job keeping you hooked to the very end!
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
9/20/2018
5 Stars!
A Great Debut!
★★★★★
A great, emotional gut-punching page turner.
Few books had me flipping through so quickly or with as large a sense of necessity to get to the end. Vibrant, descriptive, and powerful, it’s a great read for young and adults alike.
I’d recommend it to all my friends and family.
Benjamin
Amazon.com Review
11/12/2018
5 Stars!
A Terrific YA Read for Young Adults and Adults Alike!
★★★★★
Danalynn Donovan’s debut novel, Big Mouth Blues, follows the story of Kacey Dalton, a young girl with a huge heart but a blabbermouth that often gets her into trouble – which for a normal kid might not be that bad, but Kacey lives anything but a normal life. Keeping a secret just as big as her heart, Kacey vows to never tell the truth and protect her mom and little sisters by relenting to her father’s continual abuse in silence. Living with the fear that at any second her abusive father could “murder her with a capital ‘M'”, the only thing saving Kacey from succumbing to complete and total despair is her longtime crush on her best friend’s older brother, Wade. But for how long can Kacey keep Wade – and everyone else – from unraveling the truth?
Tanya Marcy
I fell in love with Kacey’s story from the first page and raced to the end – which comes with a sucker-punch of a plot twist. Danalynn interweaves the plot of Kacey and her family with her love story with Wade very nicely, and the characters and prose are also excellent and well done. Whether you’re a young adult or a young adult at heart, I recommend this book as a must-read.
Amazon.com Review
1/20/2019
5 Stars!
Achingly poignant and a wonderful read!
★★★★★
Ms. Donovan accurately captures a poignant time in any person’s life, that of being a young teenager, and juxtapositions it with having to hide abuse at the hands of her father. This situation creates a tension all of its own in the story.
The story is wonderfully written with a great pace and well fleshed out characters. Highly recommended.
Lionstar11
Amazon.com Review
1/20/2019
5 Stars!
Outstanding read!
★★★★★
Very engaging! A page turner from beginning to end!
KT
Amazon.com Review
1/27/2019
5 Stars!
Can’t put it down!
★★★★★
Great read! Danalynn really knows how to capture my attention.
Davewill2000
Amazon.com Review
2/17/2019
5 Stars!
Good book!
★★★★★
I found this book hard to put down until I finished it. My granddaughter read the book too and loved it. She is hoping the author will not only write a follow up book, but an entire series on Kacey.
We loved the book.
J. Knapp
Amazon.com Review
2/20/2019
5 Stars!
A quality read about a difficult topic!
★★★★☆
“Big Mouth Blues” is a quality read. The author does an excellent job of balancing the gravity of the topic with a tone appropriate for the genre.
The strengths of the book are the main character and the quality of the writing, particularly in the first half of the novel. Kacey Dalton is a lovable character who draws you in from page one. You will fear for her, laugh with her, experience her joys and her sorrows. Her courage and perseverance are an inspiration.
My only criticisms are that the other characters, perhaps with the exception of Kacey’s mother, lacked complexity, and the plotting was sometimes too predictable (though it might be less so for a young reader). The twist itself seemed to deflate the tragedy that was so important to the narrative. These criticisms aside, “Big Mouth Blues” contains a number of important points (why some people may not report abuse, why some people remain in abusive relationships, the cycles of abuse, etc). It was impossible not to care for Kacey and, for that reason, it was difficult to put the book down.
Chris Paulin
Amazon.ca (Canada) & Goodreads Review
6/16/2019
4 Stars!
This debut novel stands head and shoulders above the rest!
★★★★★
A heart-wrenching story of domestic abuse. Kudos to author, Danalynn Donovan, for bringing this masterful creation to life. The characterization of the main protagonist, Kacey, was well-defined. Swallowed hook, line and sinker – it was obvious from the start there’d be no putting this book down.
This debut novel stands head and shoulders above the rest. It was easy to read and comes highly recommended.
The victim of domestic abuse, fourteen-year-old, Kacey, served a lifetime sentence in the throes of hell. Her mother, Carolyn, did not fare much better. Standing at six-foot seven, her drunken father ruled the household with an iron fist. Coming from an abusive family himself, he carried on where his father and his father’s father left off.
As the merciless beatings began to escalate, it seemed doubtful that Kacey would see her next birthday. Only time would tell.
Paul Falk, Author/Reviewer
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
6/23/2019
5 Stars!
Wish I read this growing up, glad I read it now!
★★★★★
Big Mouth Blues was an excellent, engaging read.
After just a few pages, I was transported back to my youth. My mom worked for the library, and she’d bring home a bunch of recommended books on their “Summer Reading Lists.” Most of them weren’t my normal style, but they sure as heck stayed with me. This felt like one of those hidden gems, and timeless to boot.
The subject matter of physical and mental abuse made me nervous, but Danalynn Donovan handled it with just the right balance of fear, acceptance, frustration, and humor.
T.J. Birkhead
The biggest strength was the tone of all the characters. They all felt real, and actually true to age. Which is actually really hard to do consistently, but Donovan made it look easy. The main character Kacey has so many conflicting emotions, and still tries to maintain the exhausting front that everything is okay. Especially when she allows herself to be a normal teenager, for as long as that can last with the looming shadow of her father.
I will say that for such a compelling, quick read, there’s a part where there is a lot of simultaneous story lines going on, with most of them converging at the same time. This could either be seen as a little too convenient OR the natural payoff after a tightly scripted story. I personally enjoyed it, and loved seeing how all the pieces connected.
The final, and biggest complement I can bestow is this: I read Big Mouth Blues in two sittings as an e-book, but will be soon ordering a paperback copy. I plan to toss it up on the shelf and let my daughter discover it, hopefully on a rainy summer day in the far future.
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
7/7/2019
5 Stars!
A Great Debut Novel!
★★★★★
And I give it a 5-star rating.
It was hard to get through the first chapter but only because I immediately knew we were talking about domestic abuse. It saddens me to know this happens to real people.
Danalynn Donovan wrote it in such a way that I immediately felt for 14-year old Kacey and once Kacey owned my heart I just had to know how her story would end.
This vicious cycle needs to end. More books like this one should be available to young people AND adults. Break the cycle of abuse, we must.
Thanks for writing this book. I look forward to reading more of your work. I highly recommend it.
Selma Martin, satisfied customer in Japan.
Selma Martin
Amazon.co.jp (Japan) Review
7/14/2019
5 Stars!
This one was an all-nighter!
★★★★★
The characters were so real I cared about all of them. In spite of my own idyllic childhood, I was made to understand what was happening and why. Good stories take you out of your comfort zone to learn something new. I am glad I found it to read tonight (it’s almost 2am).
Mary Lu
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
8/2/2019
5 Stars!
The storytelling is PURE EXCELLENCE!
★★★★★
The writing style and storytelling is truly brilliant. The writing pulled me in since the first paragraph and I had to catch my breath at the end of Chapter 1. Excellent with an intense tone and strong character POV, I could imagine what the character was feeling to the point it was frightening. I was there, I felt her emotions, I heard her thoughts, I saw her dad. It was truly brilliant.
This story is flawless to me. It was appropriately written for the POV of a 14 year old which impressed me so much I was teary eyed. The writer knew how to provide the bad details without crossing any lines of comfort, and it was easy to feel for the mother and Kacey. I was gripped by the intensity shown by Kacey toward her father, but this novel isn’t JUST about Kacey’s relationship with her abusive father, it is also about Kacey’s relationships with all of the other important people in her life, how the abuse effects every aspect of those other relationships, and how Kacey deals with it all, learns from it, and grows.
I absolutely 5 star recommend this story! The fact that the writer reveals that her own childhood was honestly positive, I can’t imagine the inspiration for this story, and appreciate the storytelling even more. Standing ovation!
Joseph
8/11/2019
5 Stars!
This is reality fiction at its best!
★★★★★
Big Mouth Blues is a powerful read. Child abuse is not an easy subject to write about and author Danalynn Donovan has handled this tricky subject with aplomb. From the very beginning you are hooked into the story of teenager Kacey, her twin sisters, mother who loves her but is seemingly blind to the abuse she suffers, and her horrible alcoholic father. Kacey is identifiable and comes across as you would expect someone to be caught up in this type of situation. The characters are realistic. This is reality fiction at its best.
As a survivor of an abusive childhood, I could identify, perhaps too closely, with Kacey. The story is well-written and an easy read despite the difficult content.
Too much of this kind of abuse is going on behind closed doors and we need more authors brave enough to bring it out. Highly recommended.
Cindy Vine
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
9/15/2019
5 Stars!
Grrrr!
★★★★☆
This book got me so upset! And for that alone the author should be commended on a job well done.
There were moments when I could relate to the main character and I cried. I really did like this book. Probably hated it as well.
There were a few grammatical errors and a bit of a slow start that held me back from giving it a 5 star. The plot was solid and the characters in their awkward teenage years were… Well really awkward.
My heart goes out to the author and I thank her for a wonderful read.
Joy Nibbs
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
9/19/2019
4 Stars!
Suspense is built up as one secret after another is slowly revealed!
★★★★★
Fourteen year old Kacey is the main subject of her alcoholic father’s abuse and has lived in fear of his wrath her entire life as he constantly blames her for everything that goes wrong. In order to protect herself, as well as her mother and sisters in hope for a better life, she is forced to keep this family secret, otherwise she is to suffer the worst of consequences. While Kacey’s ‘big mouth’ is having a hard time holding onto this family secret, amongst others, her relationships with her best friend, boy crush and other family members are put to the test.
Despite Kasey being powerless against her controlling father, readers learn that the fourteen year old is a ‘fighter’. She is mentally tough and extremely switched on to her father’s cues, and the very things that trigger his outrage. She has the maturity to understand why her father is the way he is, and she gathers resources for professional help in an effort to turn things around.
Suspense is built up as one secret after another is slowly revealed in this story. It is definitely a page turner and readers are made to feel they are in the moment.This book is suitable for teenagers and adults that like to immerse themselves in drama that incorporates twists and turns, just beware of the violence!
Nikki (from Australia)
Goodreads Review
9/23/2019
5 Stars!
A whirlwind of emotions!
★★★★★
An intense read that I loved from start to finish! This book is a whirlwind of emotions as the author tackles the subject of abuse and alcohol addiction. Although the subjects are tough, powerful subjects the author handles them carefully, respectfully, and in a way that hits home and can be relatable to those that have been in similar situations.
Within the first few pages I was hooked and instantly enthralled in the main characters spunky personality and courage. The struggle and growth of each character throughout the story is one that takes you on a journey of pain and lies, but also leads to hope and healing.
A great book that although is an easy read is also a powerful one that I wish I would have gotten the opportunity to read when I was younger, and definitely one I would recommend to any young person and adult out there.
Willow Medici
Amazon.com Review
9/24/2019
5 Stars!
5 Big Stars in my book!
★★★★★
One of the best books I’ve read this year. Powerful, heartwarming, with a surprise twist, Big Mouth Blues pulls the reader right in. Beautifully written!
Big Mouth Blues is a real page turner. It’s a powerful story that focuses on a young girl’s need to keep her family together, while trying desperately to make sure her private and her personal lives don’t meet. Child abuse, alcoholism, and domestic violence are never easy topics to cover, however, this author does a brilliant job of pulling her readers into the main characters world, bringing them face to face with her very real world struggles.
Emotional, heart wrenching, and touching are three words that describe this book best.
Stacy Hawks
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
10/12/2019
5 Stars!
Danalynn says she writes realistic fiction and it doesn’t get more real than this!
★★★★★
Who can help Kacey escape an alcoholic and abusive parent?
Who can 14-year-old Kacey turn to when she loses her parents to alcoholism?Convincing and wrenching.
Steve Brock
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
10/15/2019
5 Stars!
I recommend this book!
★★★★☆
Not my usual type of novel, but for the price I gave it a whirl! Glad I did!
It’s not what I would call “un-put-downable” in the same way that one doesn’t binge-watch the Handmaid’s Tale — it’s too hard hitting and heartbreaking.
Well written, well paced.
Kassie P
Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom) & Goodreads Review
10/27/2019
4 Stars!
This book had me hooked from the start!
★★★★☆
Wow, congratulations to the author for tackling this tricky subject and doing it so well.
The main characters are realistic and believable, and I found myself hoping that these victims of domestic abuse would find a happy ending.
This book had me hooked from the start. The world was well crafted, and the twists and turns in the story kept the pages turning.
I finished this book in one sitting and recommend it highly.
Heart-wrenching and very well written! One of my favorite books this year!
P.A. Sheppard
Goodreads Review
10/31/2019
4 Stars!
Excellent. A Must-Read!
★★★★★
Big Mouth Blues by Danalynn Donovan is an emotionally gripping read and heart-wrenching from beginning to end.
In the book we meet protagonist 14 (and a half) year old Kacey Dalton who is facing mental and physical abuse from her alcoholic father. She is trying to protect her mother and sisters from this man who has always seemed to especially hate her. In the book we get to know Kacey very well and her personality jumps off the page. She is strong, she is loving, she is young and unsure how to handle any of this but she has this inner strength and you know she is going to pull through. She also has a witty element to her personality which allows for lighter moments in a very heavy read.Throughout the book, we see Kacey being gaslighted by her father, and to an extent by her mother too at certain times due her fear that Kacey’s strong personality will cause her father to become even more abusive. In Kacey there is a character who knows the situation and what her father is doing is seriously very wrong but being told that her strength of character is a flaw, makes things somehow her fault and that it makes her somewhat uncompassionate. All a load of rubbish of course, but it’s great to see that she is strong enough to overcome it. It made me think of how sad it is that a lot of people in situations like this never find that belief and strength to overcome the devastatingly cruel and unfair situations they find themselves in.
Kacey finds some solace and normality when she visits and hangs out at her best friend Maxine’s house where Maxine has the dream family Kacey has always wished she could belong to. She also is in love with Maxine’s older brother Wade.
This book is a page-turner. You just need to read on and find out whether Kacey is going to be alright and if there is a happy ending in sight for her, her mother, and her two little sisters. It is an extremely powerful read about a young girl trying to keep her family together in the face of abuse and tremendous mental strain being put on her.This is certainly a very brave write by the author, especially for a debut book. I like the way we get to see Kacey’s life in various different aspects. While the main theme of the book is the abuse she suffers, we also get to know about other parts of her life and get a glimpse of what she should be able to concentrate on without having to go through this fear inside her own home.
Lisa Reynolds
It is definitely a heavy and sad read and it is also an incredible read. Donovan tells Kacey’s story with honesty, sensitivity, and paints a very human, ordinary young girl with so much potential if she can get through this and not end up like her father through conditioning or resentment.
Excellent. A must-read.
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
11/1/2019
5 Stars!
Well-written book examines serious issues!
★★★★☆
An effective examination of the effects of abuse and addiction as seen through the eyes of a 14-year-old girl with a big personality. This YA novel takes a sensitive look at the subject of child and domestic abuse, and does a very effective job of bringing the reader into our central character Kacey’s plight as she tries to draw her alcoholic father’s rages away from her mother and sisters while keeping the family drama a secret from anyone outside her family.
Well-written and edited, I found myself racing along in my anxiety to find out how the volatile situation was going to work out for all the characters. Some of the motivations of the characters and plot twists are a little simplistic but that is probably appropriate for the age level and also so as not to interfere with the main focus of the book.
What this novel does really well is examine the dynamics behind abuse and why families might live quietly with the shame for years rather than reaching out for help.
Helen Whistberry
A good conversation starter about these sensitive topics for getting young teens to recognize the signs of an abuser and the perils of addiction.
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
11/10/2019
4 Stars!
I recommend this book!
★★★★☆
I really enjoyed the gripping story of this book.
It is a tough topic written with respect.
In the book a young girl is abused by her father but hides it from everyone close to her. As things take a turn and her secrets are revealed, it will split her family and test her friendships. Can the scars heal?
Will Kacey find love and peace amongst all the chaos?
Jacqueline Mead
Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom) & Goodreads Review
11/13/2019
4 Stars!
Must read!
★★★★★
Really enjoyed this, pace is good and it’s an easy read, well written, can’t wait to read more.
Bea Ellis Hamilton
Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom) Review
11/18/2019
5 Stars!
I couldn’t stop reading!
★★★★★
Big Mouth Blues is an amazing and important read. Not only is it romantic, but it deals with an ever present issue: domestic violence and the vicious cycle which repeats generation after generation. This book shows what it’s like to be stuck in the cycle and the temptation to repeat the learned behavior.
Yet there’s hope and healing.
I recommend this book for mature teens because it deals with violence in several forms. This book was skillfully written and reminded me of the very popular Rainbow Rowell.
Carol Alwood
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
11/22/2019
5 Stars!
Holds you tight! Heart shattering, but also beautiful!
★★★★★
This story about a young girl with a big secret was beautifully written and definitely gripping. It’s painful, funny, sweet, heartwarming, excruciatingly heartbreaking, and full of hope all at the same time.
Kelli Green
The author does a great job at painting the awfully complicated picture of Kacey’s life. There were moments that made me laugh, smile, clutch my heart in tenderness, and of course want to cry. My stomach balled with the tension and I was truly shocked at times.
I really enjoyed the book and its characters, and I couldn’t have asked for a better and more just ending.
I loved Wade and little Austin and Billy the most. No need to say who I disliked the most, obviously Mason. I did have a hard time with the mother but grace and forgiveness are needed in her case but I just wish she had done something different but… I get it.
***semi spoiler***
I was so relieved that the Tucker / Brent fiasco at the theater was more or less resolved as fast as it happened because I was pre-stressed that Max would be furious about it for longer than I could stand it, but that part settled pretty quickly so I was happy.
This book was amazing and I definitely recommend reading it. Not only is it a well put together story, but it kind of forces you to deal with some of your own feelings while you’re trying to sort out theirs.
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
12/8/2019
5 Stars!
A powerful story!
★★★★★
Not an easy subject, but an important one to discuss. The author did a great job covering this heart breaking subject.
Rebecca Graves, Book Lover
Amazon.com Review
12/23/2019
5 Stars!
Tension filled YA story of resilience!
★★★★☆
This book is gripping. I raced along to see what would happen. The abuse is relentless so that is important for potential readers to know.
It was wonderfully written from a young person’s POV – this was done impeccably. There is hope and sweetness here!
Northern Girrrl
Amazon.com Review
12/27/2019
4 Stars!
An excellent book that pretty much anyone will enjoy!
★★★★★
This novel is a page-turning adventure that will warm and break your heart simultaneously.
Kacey Dalton is a 14-year-old girl living her worst nightmare: sharing a home with her drunk, abusive father. The book details her journey to escape his clutches, and her attempts to save her mother and little sisters in the process. Along the way, it explores the complexities of young love through her infatuation with her best friend’s brother, Wade, and it addresses the cycles of abuse and alcoholism through Kacey’s personal experiences.
While the language and situations portrayed may be too much for preteens or young teens, older teens and adults will find this to be an enlightening read. The short paragraphs used throughout allow for a fast pace that will completely prevent you from putting it down.
Overall, this is an excellent book that pretty much anyone will enjoy.
Auburn Brook
Editor Review, Goodreads Review
12/30/2019
5 Stars!
Read this!
★★★★★
Wow!
This is not the kind of book I usually read; the story of a teenage girl and the things she has to face living with an abusive father. But I bought it, I read it.And let me tell you, Donovan is a very good writer! This book is what you call a “page turner”, dragging you in, making you want to read every page.
Donovan made me – a very masculine middle aged man – identify with a teenaged girl! Feeling what she felt… The smells, the sights, making me feel the wind on my skin as a young girl.
And that’s good writing!
Elvis Nicolay Høilund
Goodreads Review
12/31/2019
5 Stars!
Wonderful read!
★★★★★
This was truly an amazing read full of hope and heartache. I love how the author wrote every character in a believable way and how each person played an essential role in the story. The author also did an amazing job portraying an abusive household and the trauma both before and after. The editing was also amazing and I didn’t notice any errors.
I truly recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartfelt story full of trials featuring a heroine who always tries to look on the bright side of things even when life is dark and scary.
M.E. Aster
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
1/20/2020
5 Stars!
A GREAT read!
★★★★☆
A realistic, hard-hitting (and heart-breaking) young adult novel about 14-year-old Kacey as she lives a life of fear in a house that’s supposed to be her safe place… her home.
M.J. Bavis
The blurb promises ‘realistic fiction’ and that is indeed what this is. It is a very well-written portrayal of a broken, beat-up (in more ways than one) girl as she strives to survive each day under her father’s roof. It was the realism that I found was the real strength of this book. You ache for Kacey. You feel her fear, her pain… And you admire her strength.
Although sometimes a hard read, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lighter moments are woven into the story line beautifully, and I think the author has captured a 14-year-old’s mind pretty accurately!
Definitely a worthy read!
Amazon.co.uk & Goodreads Review
2/23/2020
4 Stars!
What an EXCELLENT debut novel!
★★★★★
This is probably the best YA book I’ve ever read, and I’ve read quite a few.
Heartbreaking and inspiring in equal measure. A tale of a young girl’s relationship with her violent father, her mother, her sisters, her friends and her dog.
I loved the characters, who were well developed and believable.
It made me think, it made me laugh and it made me cry. You can’t ask for more from a book than that.
I’m really looking forward to reading Danalynn Donovan’s next novel.
Sam Anthony
Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom) & Goodreads Review
3/1/2020
5 Stars!
SO good!
★★★★☆
Wow! Such a great read! I love the dichotomy of Kacey being a blabbermouth, but keeping a devastating secret of her own! A sensitive way to tackle tough topics like domestic violence and alcoholism for a wide audience of YA and Adults! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Sarah Shuff
Goodreads Review
3/20/2020
4 Stars!
This has to be one of the best books I’ve ever read!
★★★★★
Where do I start? I loved every part of it.
Kacey is a brave little woman. Even though she was abused, she always tried to justify her alcoholic father by admitting everything was her fault. She hid her bruises along with her pain, so that her twin sisters would grow up happily, without suffering the same things she did.
All the characters felt so real. I cried with them, I smiled with them, and I laughed.I give this masterpiece 5 bright stars! I can’t get it off my mind, and I’ll surely read it again!
Despoina Kemeridou
Goodreads Review
3/21/2020
5 Stars!
Great read covering a serious issue with heart and humor!
★★★★★
I enjoyed Big Mouth Blues very much. The author drew the characters as believable, full of warmth and humor. The serious issue of abuse was handled believably and yet the book still had humor and plenty of heart. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
D. Melissa Wood
Amazon.com Review
4/24/2020
5 Stars!
Excellent! Highly readable YA fiction!
★★★★★
I read this book through Kindle Unlimited for #IndieApril. It was really well written. I couldn’t put it down!
J.R. (Jen) Alcyone
From the first page, I found Kacey’s story gripping and thought-provoking. A very realistic, believable, and difficult story about child abuse handled with extreme sensitivity and tact. I would definitely read another novel by the author.
Highly recommended!
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
4/26/2020
5 Stars!
A story of hope in times of darkness!
★★★★☆
Clearly aiming at a teenage AND adult audience, this book gets very serious very fast. It is a story of hope in times of darkness, showcasing that things are not always as they seem – and how that can be a good thing.
While I believe this book has something for everyone and will be enjoyed by young adults and adults alike, I think it also has the potential to help young teens gain an understanding of how the world around them can be, for better or worse.
Evan Lasarte
Goodreads Review
05/01/2020
4 Stars!
A very flowing read!
★★★★★
I was blown away by this book. I read it on the recommendation of another person who told me I would never get bored with the story. Even though I told this person that the book was way out of my preferred genre, they said, “Trust me, it won’t matter.”
And they were right. I couldn’t put it down!Plot = 5 Stars
Ryan Charles D. Simpson
Setting and Description = 5 Stars
Character Development = 5 Stars
And Dialogue = 5 Stars!
The author does everything right in this book and tells a GRIPPING story. This is the real deal! I am so glad that I read this book!
Amazon.com Review
5/3/2020
5 Stars!
A beautiful heart breaker!
★★★★★
A tear jerker and an awesome story of a spunky but abused teenager!
Big Mouth Blues by Danalynn Donovan is an awesome story of Kacey, a spunky teenager who has a big secret. She bears the brunt of her father’s violent rages of frustration and is always bruised since she was a kid. After her mother once stopped Kacey’s father from physically assaulting her, and neighbors and others started noticing her bruises, he started hitting her only where nobody can see the bruising and when her mother is not at home. Though her mother suspects, she fails to protect, and hence Kacey has no one to back her up.
The author brings the truth of domestic violence and failure of those who can protect the children, and shows the mental trauma of childhood abuse. The book is gripping and never loses steam, and many times your heart breaks for Kacey. It is a beautiful story of a teenagers simple dreams and expectations and hope. The trauma that Kacey cannot share breaks her every day, and she has to choose between breaking the vicious cycle or go the way her father and his father and his father were.
A beautiful story that demands a reread!
Divya Mahajan
Amazon.in (India) & Goodreads Review
5/3/2020
5 Stars!
Truly Amazing!
★★★★★
This was a truly touching story. The characters were well developed and the plot was driven in a memorable way. I work in education and this story is something that I would not mind seeing in the school’s library. It is something that can be related to. I found myself thinking about certain people as I read through the story.
The romance was a good element along with the teen drama.
I felt Kacey’s grief and her triumph. While the road to healing is a long road, it was good to see her taking those steps.
I loved how in the story a matter of allowing your past to create you is touched on. A person can break the cycle or continue the cycle.
The way this story portrays everything truly touched me. I look forward to reading any other work that this author creates.
Ash
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
5/8/2020
5 Stars!
Smooth reading!
★★★★★
The writing by Danalynn Donovan is so smooth I literally could not put it down. I highly recommend, after reading you will start to look for more… more writing from Danalynn. A must read!
KF (Bear Serum)
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
7/2/2020
5 Stars!
Great main character! An emotional journey!
★★★★★
Big Mouth Blues is about a fourteen year old girl named Kacey who has a troubled home life, but just wants to be a normal teenager.
Jacob Klop
There are a number of different plot lines in this novel. The main one revolves around Kacey’s relationship with her abusive father. He’s targeted her for some reason, and Kacey hides the abuse because he threatens to hurt her mother or sisters if she ever tells. The subject matter is tough to read but the author does a good job of balancing the hardship of her home life with other aspects, like her best friend and the boy she has a crush on.
The main character is extremely likeable. She’s funny and self-deprecating, but also deeply affected by the abuse she goes through. As a reader I found myself going through a range of emotions, particularly at the end when the novel winds up with a surprising twist, an exciting finish, and a perfect resolution. The other characters are mostly well defined, particularly Kacey’s father and mother, although Kacey is the real star.
I enjoyed the style of writing and found the book to be well edited. Over-all, I was entertained and definitely recommend this novel.
Amazon.ca (Canada) & Goodreads Review
7/10/2020
5 Stars!
Powerful! And a beautiful cover!
★★★★★
Wow… this book is amazing! I’m surprised I haven’t checked it out sooner. I adored this book. I love reading realistic fiction that touches on everyday life.
We meet a fourteen-year-old named Kacey who’s a victim of her father’s alcohol abuse. Her mother turns a blind eye to her physical abuse. She’s left in a world alone especially one during a critical period of time of high school.
We also see first loves in the book.
I highly recommend this novel. It’s an important, underrated read by an indie author.
Benish (Beena) Khan
P.S. The cover is stunning as well!
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
8/1/2020
5 Stars!
Really inspirational and entertaining!
★★★★★
I really felt moved by the story. It felt very real, very honest. And while reading it, I felt a great connection to the characters.
Some characters I hated. Some characters I loved. Some others I was just hoping they would mature and make better choices.
But, truth is, I really recommend this one. And I gave it a 5 star rating, which is rare for me. I am very picky.
Asa Rodriguez
Goodreads Review
9/22/2020
5 Stars!
A wonderful read!
★★★★★
I read this in a day and thoroughly enjoyed it! The characters are drawn out well and the tension builds. Humor sprinkled throughout makes it wonderful!
Sarah Tincher
Goodreads Review
10/9/2020
5 Stars!
Insightful and well written!
★★★★★
Wasn’t sure I could read this, as it involves an uncomfortable storyline (dealing with a drunken, abusive father) but I’m glad I persevered as it was sensitively and insightfully written. It shows the problem from many different perspectives, and was fast paced enough to keep me turning the pages. An interesting look at relationships and the “blame game”. Nicely done!
Julia Colbourn
Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom) & Goodreads Review
1/12/2021
5 Stars!
Heartbreaking Story with a Hopeful Touch!
★★★★★
This novel contains heavy subjects like alcoholism and child abuse. I wasn’t sure how I would feel reading the story of Kacey who seems to be the constant target to her father’s drunken rages, but the author managed to thread wisps of hope throughout the darker moments, giving the reader something to hold to. The wish Kacey would somehow break free from her father’s rages and the teasing numbness that comes with drinking.
D.M. Dore
A hidden crush and a possible blooming romance provides Kacey with a possible brighter future, though it is her own inner strength and love for her mom and sisters that keeps her warrior heart going strong despite the unreasonable hate her father seems to show her on and off.
I thought the author did a good job at balancing the heartbreaking reality some children face (which will forever devastate me) with the potential budding romance. The story managed to carry moments of sweetness inside the bitter which made it a little easier to delve into such heavy subjects.
In all, I enjoyed reading this novel and I think there are many others out there who would as well.
Amazon.ca (Canada) & Goodreads Review
3/20/2021
5 Stars!
The secret’s out!
★★★★★
This is a great little read. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the story was so well written that I had almost convinced myself that the story had to contain elements of truth to it. Having suffered abuse at the hands of an alcoholic and felt the pain of being struck with a belt, this story hit home with me. There were touching moments, and at other times the suspense was genuine. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
Martin McGregor
Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom) & Goodreads Review
4/2/2021
5 Stars!
An indie author worth checking out!
★★★★☆
At first I thought I may be too old & out of touch for this story. But it’s well written, fast-paced with likable characters (if not slightly predictable). Celebrate Indie April by supporting & reading Danalynn’s novel, Big Mouth Blues.
D.W. Plato
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
1/6/2021
4 Stars!
Heartbreaking, but hopeful!
★★★★☆
This story is well written and engaging. It was heartbreaking, but not without hope.
Danielle Dassler
Goodreads Review
4/29/2021
4 Stars!
A gut-wrenching plot with a memorable main character!
★★★★★
This was such a great read that I couldn’t put it down. Our protagonist is a brave teenaged girl who loves her family deeply, despite how much she’s been hurt.
Sara Kjeldsen
((Spoiler alert)) The domestic violence scenes in this story are difficult and feel very real, but it amazes me how she picks herself up every time and continues to be strong. What I love is how she still finds the capacity to love even after all the years she’s been abused.
She experiences even more pain when her crush rejects her – just like her father always has. It’s not until a secret is revealed that the family is able to start on the long path of healing.
I loved the literary quality of the author’s writing and the ending was satisfying. I’m very happy that I read this story!
Amazon.ca (Canada) & Goodreads Review
4/29/2021
5 Stars!
Poignant and very well written!
★★★★★
I really enjoyed this book despite the fact that some of the content was hard to read about. The story centers around Kacey, a teen whose father is an angry drunk. Kacey and her mother are the targets of his rage, but Kacey bears the brunt of things. The reader learns why over the course of the book. I felt Kacey’s pain and confusion acutely through the book, which is important in such a story. I empathized with her struggle even though I never faced such physical abuse. The book also has poignant and sweet moments, reminding me of the fluctuating emotions teens experience. Readers will cheer for Kacey, who is ultimately strong and heroic.
Anya Pavelle (Lavender Lilly)
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
5/23/2021
5 Stars!
Haunting!
★★★★★
Fourteen-year-old Kacey Dalton has been abused by her father for as long as she can remember. When she was little and the teachers started to ask questions… how many times can a little girl really walk into a door… her father got very good at making sure the bruises always stayed under her clothes. This book was extremely hard to read in places because the abuse is portrayed so hauntingly and it just doesn’t let up. You feel Kacey’s hopelessness, her sense of desperation that there is absolutely no one she can turn to—not her mother who excuses her father’s alcoholism and her own failure to protect her children, and not even her friends, though they try to help. I loved the way Kacey’s resilience was shown, some interesting plot twists with regard to her parents’ history that came later in the book, and just overall the emotional depth of the author’s writing in tackling this difficult subject of the cycle of domestic abuse.
Kat Kinney
Trigger Warnings: [ child abuse, domestic abuse ]
Goodreads Review
6/14/2021
5 Stars!
Compelling read!
★★★★★
This had me gripped for every page turn, a true mix bag of laughs, cringes, face palm, and wow moments. Brilliantly written, constructed, and told – will read again one day for sure!
Richard Hayden
Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom) & Goodreads Review
8/4/2021
5 Stars!
Laughs, love, abuse and more!
★★★★★
This book is a great read for kids aged 14 and up too age 100 for adults. I write that because it’s true. Many teenagers and adults can see themselves in the role as Kacey, and many can’t as they’ve not experienced it. This book is rather cathartic for anyone and everyone even if their experiences differ. Both men and women benefit reading this story as they will be able to spot an abused child or adult much easier. Five gold stars!
Mary Schmidt
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
8/6/2021
5 Stars!
A heartfelt YA contemporary with a happy ending!
★★★★★
Kacey has gone through more than any 14 year old should have to deal with. She’s holding onto some very weighty secrets, including the fact that her father beats her. I really liked how the author shows Kacey’s struggles, but also her incredible resilience and strength. It’s through her friends and family–and a potential love interest–that Kacey starts to heal.
This book has sad and harrowing moments, but it’s also funny and has lovely characters, many of whom get their shot at redemption.
A.N. Willis, Avid Reader and Shopper
Amazon.com
8/26/2021
5 Stars!
Heavy Heart!
★★★★★
Wow! This is a must read! Though the content is very hard at times, the realness of it is hard to resist.
Julia James, Yolomo
Danalynn Donovan tells a story of young Kacey. I must confess that I found the story extremely easy to read but the content was not easy on my mind. It brought back memories that were hard to relive and that is not always easy. However,the main character had a resiliency that was greatly admired and had me rooting for her throughout the novel. The pain you could feel with the unreturned love made me cry as I think we have all been there at one time in our lives. It felt so real and honest. I am a big fan of Danalynn and can’t wait to see what else she has in store.
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
8/30/2021
5 Stars!
A Painful Secret!
★★★★★
Stories of abuse are difficult to read, because I’m always thinking, “Just tell someone who is trustworthy the truth!” But Kacey has lived with this abuser all of her life and has learned to believe his threat of what would happen if she told anyone.
Kelly Miller, Vampire Hunter
The story opens when Kacey is 13, after she has made a huge transgression, and then we meet her again a year later. It is revealed that she has a powerful and longstanding crush on Wade, her best friend’s older brother; it is understandable, Wade is cute and sweet, and might even return her feelings. But he is 17, so the age difference presents an obstacle. This is a realistic and well-written story that held my attention to the end!
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
10/8/2021
5 Stars!
A decent read outside of my normal reading genre!
★★★★☆
While I was reading this book, my mind kept flip-flopping between, ‘This book reads like a Hallmark movie’ and ‘this book reads like a Lifetime movie’. I don’t watch much of either, but isn’t Hallmark known for feel good stuff? So maybe this would be like a Lifetime movie because it does have elements of abuse. It’s not super hardcore, but it’s still abuse all the same.
Sea Caummisar, SEAC
The characters made this book, and I feel like with this kind of plot that the characters either make it or break it. It was a decent read outside of my normal reading genre.
Amazon.com & Goodreads Review
10/10/2021
4 Stars!
An absolute page turner that touches the heart!
★★★★★
I absolutely loved this book and became completely invested in the main character. I didn’t want the story to end when it did and would have been happy to follow her journey for much longer.
The main character is definitely relatable, as most of us know a teen who has been through a difficult life. Kacey gave off a lot of vibes that I am familiar with which may be why I became so attached to her story.
Elizabeth Caroline
The story covers a difficult topic but it does so with a small line of hope spread throughout, and had me rooting for her all the way through.
I loved the love interest of the story, Wade was also very realistic and I wanted more of him in the story, but I know the main focus was on Kacey’s other trials so it was balanced out well.
I would definitely recommend this book and would enjoy a reread myself. It was a great book to end the year with.
Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom) & Goodreads Review
1/2/2022
5 Stars!
A good read that covers some uncomfortable topics!
★★★★☆
It’s a well-paced book which keeps the reader turning the pages. It’s not the kind of thing I normally read, but I’m glad I did. There is a believable atmosphere which makes the abuse feel all too real, but it is handled sensitively and with respect.
D.B. Carter
Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom) & Goodreads Review
1/25/2022
4 Stars!