Series: Count On Me*
Release Date: April 19th, 2014
They lied.
High school is horrible when you’re like me and you’re autistic.
They think that because I don’t talk and I seem to always be lost in my own world, I’m stupid or deaf. Some even think I’m retarded. i’m none of those things and I don’t like that word.
Just because I’ve got issues, doesn’t mean it’s all I am. There’s a lot more to me, but no one really takes the time to get to know t. St least that’s how it was until Kayden.
Kayden Walker is bad news. he spends his time making people that are different, like me, feel even worse about themselves and he does it with a smile. He’s everything I don’t need in my life, yet he’s the one person I can’t seem to live without.
Underneath, there’s more to him that he’s afraid to let the rest of the world see. I’ve seen it and as I’m finding out, we’re not so different after all.
• Supporting character has Asperger’s Syndrome
• Emotional abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Allusions to alcoholism
• Warning: The bullying of Bella is detailed and includes intense psychological as well as physical abuse.
• Note: The Hero is a very cruel bully of the Heroine–he is never physical with her.
• Kind of OW drama
– The Hero dated-in the past-the Heroine’s main tormentor. But, there was no drama in relation to the OW wanting Kayden back.
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Rating: 4.25/5 stars
*Each novel in the series is Standalone
Count On Me was a heartbreaker in the beginning. Now the type of bullying that is more “popular” is cyber-bullying since there’s less personal contact. However, this book goes to show you that physical and mental bullying is still pervasive–it’s horrifying to read, let alone be a survivor of.
On that note, we get the perspective of an autistic girl who’s barely surviving in high school since she’s continuously bullied by none other than the hero’s “best friends.” Kayden was a complex character. He had many layers since he admitted to being an asshole (which Kayden was), but Kayden was also redeemable since it was evident that he cared a lot about Belle.
Although the synopsis leads you to believe Kayden was an active bully in Belle’s story, in this book, he wasn’t. I think this really helped make Kayden more likable since I never saw that mean and horrible side of him, at least not personally. You knew it existed, but the only part of Kayden that I really ever saw in this book was the role of bystander. And what people don’t really realize is that the role of a bystander is sometimes even more important than that of a bully. In Count On Me, it’s this idea that allows Kayden to see that he needs to change, especially if he ever wants a chance with Belle.
Reading the synopsis of Count On Me, I thought it would be really emotional and sad. I think if we hadn’t had Kayden’s POV, it would have been, but with his perspective, we were given the information that we needed to get through the rough patch that Belle didn’t have. It really balanced the story out since Kayden was so jaded, and Belle was so freaking naïve.
The best part of Count On Me though was the tentative romance that was slowly building between Kayden and Belle. They were so cute and awkward in the beginning, and I adored them for it! Especially when Kayden blushed!
Count On Me is a perfect example that no one really understands what someone’s going through in life. And it shows how and why people are so ready to turn a blind eye to bullying. And, how even though it might seem you’re the target, they might just be using you to take their aggression out on. This doesn’t make it right at all, but it certainly puts it into perspective. Count On Me gives a perfect balance of a story and background of a person being bullied, a person who is a bully and who also ended up becoming a bystander.
In the words of Belle:
“Actions speak louder than words ever could, Kayden. If you’re really sorry, prove it.”
[…] is a tentative romance between the two that was so freaking adorable and wholesome. Read my review here![Add on […]