NORMAL: Part One (Something More Book 1)

Yeah...this book was 'something more' alright! Sam is my new book boyfriend. He's sexy, kind, caring, gorgeous, hot, intelligent, loyal. Rory deserves him after everything she's been through. I'm not going to say more because I don't want to spoil anything. I highly recommend this book!! Read it! You will love it!!

This is a gritty and well written Young Adult novel. The sex scenes rival a few Romance Novels so just a heads up to readers. That is not a negative just a fact. I liked the way Ms. Pearl wove the back story throughout the novel and didn't give everything away until the end. Good read.

It's not finished, unless you purchase the SECOND book in order to find out how it ends. There's even a THIRD book for purchase, telling the story from a male character's point of view, plus TWO MORE books showcasing two other couples, who are supposedly friends or the main characters, but are barely explored in the first book. Also, there's typos, tons of fear, blame, guilt, and three sets of divorced parents with their own big hangups. I get the point of the objective in telling the story, but then it seems like every little daily occurrence results in pushing an emotional trigger from the past, which has to be yanked out of the closet, and kicked around over and over, while the main characters take turns playing the blame games. I almost quit reading this after the first couple of pages, but I thought that starting out so badly, that it could only get better, from that point on. Boy, was I ever wrong! Add to that mix enough swear words to make a rough, tough sailor yell, "enough with the swearing already," and you've got the perfect formula for a book full of characters that are totally unlikable, loads of teenage "hookups," where the kids switch sex partners at the drop of a hat, and without any guilt, remorse, or consequences for their promiscuity, even though this seems like a book targeted for teens, or youth groups, but certainly no book you're likely to find in any high school library. I flat out, without any doubts, didn't like this book. And I don't care enough about ANY of t the book's characters to read even one more book to reach the ending, much less four more of this same drival.

This book will play with your heart strings - the way Danielle Pearl intertwined Rory's past with the present was well written
I honestly didn't want to put the book down
this story will make you laugh and cry, because you get attached to these characters in such a way that you feel you know them so well
This book has to be the best book I've read all year.... I would recommend it to anyone
It has the romance aspect and suspense because it will keep you guessing what is yet to come... I can't wait for the second installment of this book series
I hope this review helped :)

This is one of the most honest and heart-wrenching books I've ever read. Danielle does such an amazing job at telling this story that not only do you feel everything Rory is feeling, but you find yourself crying over everything she has been through.

Rory story of an abusive boyfriend is unfortunately not that uncommon. Robin and her dad were the scrum of the earth and I enjoyed their beat down. Sam was the absolute best and don't we all wish we had someone like him at home.

It's important to know that THIS BOOK CONTAINS VIOLENCE. If this sort of thing is an issue for you, please know that going in. Also, there is a pretty major cliffhanger, consider that when considering this read. Now, here we go.

I am sad to think that I may have never discovered this book, if it didn't come across my Facebook feed. Well, that's a little over dramatic, I would have eventually came across it, but who know when?

This book is told through the POV of Aurora ("Rory"). The story begins with Rory's move to New York with her mother after her mother and father divorce. It focuses on her need to "blend in" and not be seen. That's easier said than done, once she has a panic attack outside of her calculus class and it is witnessed by no other than Sam (not only extremely attractive, but very popular as well). She catches his attention, he catches hers, and eventually a friendship forms.

The story flashes back to her "old" life in Florida, the one she has escaped. It is then that her past is slowly unfolded. From her life long friendship with Cam, to her dating the star quarterback. It touches on her lack of relationship with her father to building new friendships with girls (she has lived her life as a tomboy and mostly developed friendships with boys, namely, Cam). The flashbacks occur throughout the book, so it takes a while to piece the puzzle that is her past trauma together. Although, it shouldn't take you as long to figure it out as it takes for the book to unfold it.

You get to witness Rory grow a lot through her friendship with Sam. He helps her work through her triggers and he begins to be someone she can lean on. As the reader, it is quite obvious that Rory and Sam are attracted to one another, but for Rory and her past, it is very difficult for her to believe that someone would want her, even the broken parts.

The flashbacks in this book are heartbreaking. It is very sad having to "witness" the events that take place with Rory, and read how helpless she truly is. She continues to see herself as someone who is broken and f*cked up, but as the reader, you can only see her as a true survivor.

It's hard to review this book and not give too much away, but I will say this. This read truly captivated me from start to finish. The story moved at the right pace to allow the events to unfold as necessary. As I said earlier, this book contains a cliffhanger, but the story of Rory and Sam will continue in Okay. If you have the chance, I highly recommend this book. I cannot wait for their story to continue, and I hope that it contains some chapters with Sam's POV.

Loved this heroic tale of tragedy and survival. Heartbreakingly beautiful and unbearable to put down!!! I loved the angst, the emotion and the way Pearl's writing flows from extreme highs to lows. Must read! Very graphic though, not for ages under 18

Hello Authors!?!

Never, and I mean never, write a cliffhanger and mislead your audiences so they think it's a standalone novel. Worst idea ever. I feel cheated. It made me hate a book I otherwise liked.

Aurora Pine was named after Sleeping Beauty, but soon that nickname of Sleeping Beauty would become a word that would haunt her forever. Aurora was a popular girl and a cheerleader, she had pep and spirit and was stunning. She even caught the eye of one of the hottest guys, and her father approved as he was the son of the Mayor. Things though weren't as happy behind closed doors as this Prince Charming was abusive and harmed Aurora in more ways than one. When she decides to tell someone about it, she is painted not as a victim but a liar, the girl who cried wolf. Her mother believed her, and the pair of them moved away to start fresh. All Aurora now known as Rory wants is to go back to feeling Normal or at least pretending to be. At her new school, she attracts the attention of Sam. He wants to be more than friends, but she isn't ready. Soon Rory will discover he's not like the other guys and that he might be the best thing for her yet. What will happen though when Spring Break comes, and Rory is left to face her demon? Can Sam save her from harm or will this be a repeat incident of the past? Find out in Normal by Danielle Pearl. An edgy YA novel that has a focus on abusive relationships, rape and how to move past it

Amazing format! The way the book goes from past to present, the way it tells the story from not only Rory's perspective, but Sam's as well. There could have been less cussing, it just made the script a little awkward-sounding sometimes. The books are addictive. Please continue writing these!

I truly enjoyed Normal. It is very well written and the characters really came to life for me. The book has a lot of broken down & beaten, but a lot of living & love as well. I can't wait for the next part!!!

Wow! this book had me hooked from the beginning! Having been in a controlling relationship about the same age I could feel for Rory. Mine was not extreme but the shame of staying in it and going back to the abuse I could relate to. I hope that people who read this can understand that it is not always easy to just get out of a relationship like this. I can't wait for the next book!!

Wow! this book had me hooked from the beginning! Having been in a controlling relationship about the same age I could feel for Rory. Mine was not extreme but the shame of staying in it and going back to the abuse I could relate to. I hope that people who read this can understand that it is not always easy to just get out of a relationship like this. I can't wait for the next book!!

Utterly engrossing and full of depth. Both stories of past and present are riveting and rich. Emotional topic is very well played out. Can't wait for Okay... Hope it's coming soon!!!!! If you're a Colleen Hoover fan, you will love this!

I was a little leery about another teenage love story but this book was so much more that I have recommended it to all my friends as a good read and to my children as an eye opener. Can't wait for the next book!