Does loving someone mean losing your inner strength? Knee Deep by Jolene B Perry is the second book I've read by this author, and I adore her writing! I read this in a day. Senior year, the last year in high school which is suppose to hold all these options for students, their last year of high school Ronnie and her friend Mindy each year set a goal of what they plan to accomplish that year in their notebooks of firsts. However as Ronnie sets out to try out for the school's play with her best guy friend Luke her senior year is far from what she could have ever imagined! Problems arise from her soulmate of a boyfriend, Shawn. Ronnie's head is spinning as she keeps trying to understand Shawn while balancing the play. Jolene Perry creates a story that teens should read, not only because she has developed this world where the readers feel as if they are in the character's heads with all the emotional chaos that unfolds. Knee Deep is a great coming of an age book for anyone, yes finding love is important, but does that mean losing yourself to be with the one they love?

Knee Deep kept me wanting to not stop hitting my kindle next page button. Ronnie is a believable character. I have read books like this before, but the main characters annoyed me. However Ronnie is a strong character despite all that she is dealing with. With the strength of her parents, brother, and two friends Mindy and Luke she learns so much about not only herself, but life. Perry shows not only the present, but also flashbacks to help the story flow which were fun. Also I wish there were more Luke's in the world ::sighs::. This book is for anyone who loves love, characters who are real, and beauitfully written stories! I would recommend it. :) ( )

knee deep from tribute email.
Ronnie and her girlfriend share their diaries and what's goes in them. At the beginning of every year there are milestones or goals to shoot for.
They have in the past shared secrets like a pregnancy, a miscarriage, first kisses, first's of other sexual things.
Ronnie is now with Shawn and she feels he is moving too fast as she does not want to have sex with him and just wants things to go as they have been, nice and slow and smooth.
During the past encounters we learn other friends families are not so happy and can understand now why they did certain things and there is no hope in how to fix it.
They have already accomplished all they had written down in their notebooks. Ronnie has pursued going after theater and has landed a spot there. Luke, their best friend also has the male lead.
Things become scary as she becomes injured and she knows he didn't mean to grab her that hard.
Ronnie devotes a lot of her time with the play and is even paired up with Luke in a kissing scene that puts her on edge.
Because of family problems fights break out and anger rules those effected.
She stands up for herself and does get help from her dad, mother and other things help.
Love the meaning of the title of the book. ( )

Author: Jolene Perry
Published By: Tribute Books
Age Recommended: YA
Reviewer: Arlena Dean
Raven Rating: 5
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Review:

"Knee Deep" by Jolene Perry was a very emotional, heartfelt, wonderful, direct and easy read. This author was able to show the abuse that was touched by Ronnie only to be seen from the very start of this read. The girl Ronnie Bird was thought to have had it all..great parents, friends, doing OK in school and most of all ....the love of her life? But was this all really true? Shawn had been Ronnie's 'soul mate' since she was fourteen.

The author does a wonderful job with "dealing with the sensitive issues of abusive relationships and how women, especially teens" do make excuses for the behavior for the one they love who they think loves them. I did like the fact that the author presented such a wonderful well written novel that was even a fast paced read. You will soon see how the transformation of Ronnies' thoughts as she falls into the pattern of being the abused woman including blaming herself for Shawn's behavior. Was this from his background coming from a abusive home? "One day his anger escalates into physical aggression when he grabs her wrist and bruises it. However, Ronnie is still blaming Shawn's situation for Shawn's added pressure he is experiencing is from his job and his problems at home. But, Ronnie feels like she can't live without Shawn! But is that it? Again, you must pick up this read to see what is going on.

The characters actions and emotions were all very realistic to just what was going on at that time. There was Ronnie, Shawn, Mindy and Luke. From this will come something like a love triangle...between Ronnie, Shawn and Luke. Luke is Ronnie's best bud..the guy she can confide in before she goes to her girlfriends. All I can say or will not say any more because it is the time that I say you must pick "Knee Deep" to find out just how this will all play out. What does Romeo and Juliet have to do with all of this?..Now with Shawn's outbursts....are now ending up with bruises on Ronnie? Can you believe this? What was going on with Shawn and Ronnie? What was a little surprising for me was that Ronnie's mom seemed very unobservant to just what was going on in her daughter's life.

Be ready for a very mature content read... for "Knee Deep" will present attempted date rape... which is a violence against women. This read is one that is a story of love, strength and survival.

I would definitely recommend this"Knee Deep" for any High School read. For I feel it would help this person not feel so pressured in doing things one really doesn't want to do. So, I bit you think this will be a sad ending...SURPRISE! ( )

tightrope.

shakespeare.

domestic violence.

popcorn.

Having previously read Night Sky by Jolene Perry which was excellent, I had no hestitation about diving into Knee Deep . Initially, I simply wanted to send this novel to the book "graveyard" but mid-way through it changed course. Ronnie Bird is a shallow teenager who is obsessed with her boyfriend Shawn. In my opinion, Ronnie never possessed any endearing characteristics or redeeming qualities. Shawn turned into an abusive monster little by little with Ronnie covering for him.

Tangled in this web of naivete and abuse were Ronnie and Shawn's friends, Luke and Mindy. Luke and Ronnie land the roles of Romeo and Juliet in the school play which in turn brings their true feelings for each other to the surface. Hence the "tightrope" reference in the four leading words. Ronnie found herself walking a tightrope between Shawn and Luke. Luke and Mindy try to coax Ronnie into leaving Shawn but to no avail. When Shawn's abuse escalates and can no longer be ignored, wounds begin to heal and real love begins to blossom.

I would like to applaud Perry for addressing such a serious subject matter within a YA novel. I hope this book would prompt young women in situations like Ronnie to speak up sooner about an abuser. I was pleased to see how Perry gave Ronnie a strong support group of family and friends to help her heal.

Honestly, Knee Deep had the feel of simply words on the page. It was not engaging and none of the characters drew me in. I respect the theme of this novel. Some of you may be wondering where the word "popcorn" fits in. I love the minor details of a novel and popcorn is one of the minor details contained in Knee Deep that I thought was a good fit.

Source: digital review copy provided by publisher ( )

This is a book every teenage girl and boy should read. I’ve known 8th grade girls in relationships that turned ugly like this. We as teachers suspected it was an abusive relationship but between guidance and parent conferences we were powerless. We were told that we were reading more into the situations. Then she ended up with a broken wrist. She still thought it was her fault.

Ronnie, as a teen thinks she has found Mr. Right at the age of fourteen. Teens are so fickle there is no way they could know at that age who they are made for. Because of this belief system, when the relationship turns abusive she takes credit for it. I’ve seen this behavior before. It is hard to understand, but they are convinced the abuse is their fault.

The author has done a wonderful job with all of the characters. They are very believable. The way they respond to each other is spot on. I would have liked to see the mother more involved with the situation. I felt she was pretty much oblivious.

I loved the way the book ended, because it gives teens hope. This is not a feel good book, nor is it an easy subject. I applaud this author and rank her up there with authors like Laurie Halse Anderson and Jay Asher who willingly take on the much needed to be discussed, tough topics. I will definitely look for more work by this author. I will also recommend it highly to my students and parents. ( )