Tweaked

Tweaked

By: Katherine Holubitsky

Gordie Jessup is a good kid, but he's living in a nightmare. His older brother's two-year addiction to crystal meth has left their family emotionally and financially drained. And just when Gordie thinks he can no longer stand the manipulating, the lying, and the stealing, things get even worse.

summary from book

My Rating: 4/5

Tweaked is a book I picked up on a whim at the library. I was attracted to the cover primarily and then to the well written summary that left me wanting more. It was also on display in the Canadian literature section which I try to support as often as I can.

Although the summary does its job of reeling in a future reader, I still wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I have to say however that I am more than happy to have given Tweaked a chance. It's a fairly short book not quite two hundred pages yet it packs such a powerful punch. The first few chapters lay down the foundation filling the reader in on a few occurrences dealing with Gordie's brother Chase and the lasting affects his actions have left on the Jessup family. From then on out Tweaked really picks up the speed and is one of those novels that you cannot put down. I was so eager to find out what was going to happen to Gordie and his family and how they would recover, if at all from such a crippling few years.

I have never read a book that dealt with drug addiction in the past and I enjoyed how such a concept was told through the eyes of the younger brother as he witnessed the destruction occurring around him. Tweaked is one of those novels where you become so invested in the lives of the characters. Seeing as you're being offered such a personal look into such a difficult situation it's nearly impossible not to garner some form of attachment. There were so many times when I wanted to literally scream at the characters especially Chase who was beyond infuriating for this book's duration and the mother who although I could understand where she was coming from, still went about things in the wrong way.

Overall: This is a fantastic read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's fast paced and filled with wonderfully developed characters as well as a wonderfully orchestrated plot. It's definitely worth a read.