This story was an emotional read that put me through all the feels. Claire is such a strong young woman but she shouldn’t have to be at her age. Claire should be enjoying her senior year in high school but instead she is taking care of her baby brother and her mom. This book is full of drama, secrets, love, family, friends and great characters. The authod did an excellent job pulling me in and keeping me glued to the pages. This is a well written story that I didn’t want to end. I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to dive into another book by this author.
I am left in such awe of how much this book pulled at my heartstrings! At first glance, it can sound like just a drama-filled story that has an obvious solution, but the author truly paints vivid imagery with such emotion that I shed tears more than once. Claire is such a strong young woman who is left with impossible and complex choices, but obviously has to choose. There is talk about mental health, teenage coming-of-age, friendship, and family issues. The author did a spectacular job bringing these characters to full-blown life for me as I was completely and utterly invested in what Claire was going to do and how she was going to pull it off. I am already looking to pick up other books from this author. I highly recommend picking this one up with an open mind and getting blown away by the brilliance of it all!
I loved this story so much I wish there was more. I was in a serious book coma when this one ended. The way Claire steps up to take care of her little brother is so amazing and to see the lengths she is willing to go. I love the strength and understand she finds in her friends. Nyman does in incredible job as showing that sometimes family can hurt the most when the claim to have the best of intentions and friends can be closer than blood. This girl has her priorities straight. I think this is an great story for adults but would also encourage young adults to read it as well. And the shocker at the end!! Wow. Great work, please write more like this.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Valerie Andersonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngValerie Anderson2023-07-31 10:55:222023-08-04 11:44:08Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Valerie Anderson
Complicated Choices will reel you in fast and not let go. My heart burst with emotions from page to page. This is a story of strength, determination and growth. Claire is a teenager with typical high school drama, but home life weighs heavy. As someone forced to grow up a little faster than I should have, I resonate with Claire. The complexity of her character is beautifully woven, and you connect to her as she develops throughout the story. I did not want to put the book down and found myself a little sad when it ended. This was the first book I have had the pleasure of reading from this author, but it will certainly not be the last!
I read this while traveling for work this weekend. It was a great airport/plane read. I really enjoyed the story line of the daughter helping her mother overcome a really difficult situation. Mental Health, postpartum depression, divorce, unplanned pregnancy, coming of age, friendship and transitions are all themes in this storyline. Claire finds herself realigning her future as her mom faces a very difficult time. She begins to understand the power of family, supporting one-another, asking for help and love. While it may seem a far fetched storyline, I think this happens more often that we realize. It is important to check in on one another and really dig for what is most important in our lives.
Complicated Choices is a YA Family that will take you on quite the emotional journey. This is an emotional story that is packed with drama, family, secrets choices and so much more. I found myself relating to the characters of Claire and her mom and the choices they had to make on more than one level. My heart ached for them all. This is still a fairly new author to me but man I’m a fan. I will suggest having a kleenex close by as you might find yourself tearing up a few times. Claire is a senior in high school who is faced with a life changing choices . What will happen when she has to make a tough choice? I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next in this emotional journey. I look forward to reading more from this Author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Dawn Daughenbaughhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDawn Daughenbaugh2023-07-29 22:03:542023-08-04 11:40:30Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh
Claire is trying to finish high school, but raising a baby was not part of the plan. Babies are hard for anyone, but especially a teenager in school and it isn’t even her baby. It is her baby brother, but her mother is no help, so his care is left to Claire. In fact, her mother spent her college fund on the baby and all she can do is sit back and watch her future get ripped away from her. But then she is offered an escape. A way to recoup her losses and get her future back. All it will cost her is her brother. What should she do, raise her brother at the expense of her future? This isn’t her mistake after all, so why should she have to deal with the consequences? But could she really give him up? This is such a great story. It is packed with hard decisions and a full range of emotions. It is well written so that you feel like it is really happening, and your heart breaks for Claire and the loss of her youth as she has to make some major adult decisions. I will be reading more from this author and I recommend that you do too.
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman- 5 out of 5 stars
This complex read will have you in your emotions the whole time. Claire’s mother puts her in an extremely difficult position, being her baby brother’s full time caretaker. Although she resents her mother, her fierce love for her baby brother is unrelenting and she does everything she can to provide for him. This book definitely puts poor Claire through the ringer. As a mother, I was heartbroken and wanted to help her. As a reader, I was all over the place emotionally and I could not put it down. Overall, this was an amazing YA book. I highly recommend!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elisha Johnsonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElisha Johnson2023-07-29 09:31:362023-08-03 15:07:53Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Elisha Johnson
This was such an amazing read. When I first read the blurb, I wasn’t really expecting there be so much emotion in the story and for what I was reading to be so powerful. It really did feel like real lives I was reading about; I was really invested in the story and what Claire would do. Claire really was an amazing character, for her age she had such strength, care and loyalty and that really shone through. She had such difficult decisions to make that would not only impact on her life but also of that f her mother and her baby brother. There were some good twists in the story and a great character in Claire’s Uncle who you just have to hate! This was an amazing read and definitely one that shouldn’t be missed! I 100% recommend Complicated Choices – it’s a wonderful read.
4 out of 5 stars for the reason I gave it a four it was not because I did not like the book but it has some true life decisions when it comes to having a child. This book is an amazing true-life story when it comes to a teen girl and a child. Clarie had to decide to keep the baby or let it go so she can go back to normal but what is normal to Clarie? Life is not the same for Claire. The book got me to tears and I couldn’t let go of it. Well done to the author for bringing life into a story.
Complicated Choices indeed! It is a contemporary YA coming-of-age story by Risa Nyman. I have read all of Risa’s books and each and every one is about strength, resilience and love. This relatable fast-paced complex story is full of secrets, fear, yearning, hope, helplessness and many more emotions. It will hit you in all the feels. It is a story where the sassy MC has untapped strength, maturity, is a fighter but has to grow up before her time due to circumstances. Being a senior year of high school is bad enough with all the insecurities, angst, uncertainty, and hormones and not knowing where you are going but add in being responsible for a baby, yep it is hard. This one cut a little closer to home. Raising a younger brother brought back memories, struggles, although mine are not bad it still took me back. Depression is also not a stranger. There is drama and some humour and being able to cope with the help of a BFF and boyfriend. What would you do for someone you love? Ask yourself that question as you work your way on this journey with a young woman facing what seems like insurmountable odds. Complicated Choices is definitely worth a read.
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman is an emotional story that tugged on my heartstrings. It is a story of choices, coming of age, self-discovery, family, responsibility, challenges, teen angst/drama, complex issues, secrets, dramatic developments, and heartwarming moments. Claire is a high school senior who has life-changing choices to make when an unplanned pregnancy leaves her with a baby to take care of. What happens here makes for an emotional and heartwarming journey. Be sure to have some tissues on standby, as you are going to need them.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2023-07-25 22:58:452023-08-03 14:19:11Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Angela Hayes
Wow, this story was powerful, hard to put down and I totally devoured this book, drama filled and overall compelling…….I loved this story so much.
Claire Jackson is to have fun and freedom during her senior year of high school. This changes when an accidental pregnancy upends her plans…..her mother is pregnant and has a little boy, Harry. Claire’s mother goes on a downward spiral of mental health and depression issues….leaving Claire to take care Harry from morning to night…..but Claire’s resilience and loyalty toward her baby brother, she will do anything to protect him at all costs…even when her own uncle threatens to take away Harry…will Claire’s battle keep her baby brother with her and what happens when the truth finally comes…
I loved Claire’s loyalty and her thoughts of all her “complicated choices” that she had to endure throughout this story. This book was emotional….and overall fantastic.
Claire is in an almost impossible position as she navigates her senior year being nothing like she expected. Instead of being with friends and enjoying a carefree life, she’s parenting both her baby brother and her own mother. Then Uncle Patrick throws her a lifeline, if Claire gives up her baby brother, Patrick will give Claire her old life back. Claire’s oldest friendship is tested beyond measure and new friendships are forged as she settles into her new life. Only time will tell which choices Claire makes and which friends stick around to support her. Nyman hit it out of the park with an emotional read sure to grab the reader from the very first page and not let go until the last.
What a fantastic and engaging YA story this turned out to be. I fell in love with Claire and how string she was. No matter which path she decided on it would be a tough road for her. I wanted to make everything easier for her and lighten her load. The author really created a brilliant story with this book. It is unlike any other YA book I have read which made it more enjoyable. I would highly recommend this book.
A heartwarming and at times heartbreaking YA novel which kept me captivated throughout. The main character, high school senior Claire Jackson is an inspirational teenager who’s life changes dramatically following an unplanned pregnancy, the twist though is that the baby is her mothers, not hers. Claire finds herself taking on the main caring role for her half brother so much so that most people seem to think he is her son. No one seems to know who Harry’s father is and Claire’s mother is sinking deeper and deeper into despair. Things get worse when her mother uses Claire’s college fund to pay for day care for Harry, however when her uncle offers to replenish the fund on the condition that Harry be given up for adoption, Claire has a complicated choice to make. This was a real page turner of a novel and it had me hooked from from start to finish.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Gordonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Gordon2023-07-25 15:24:302023-08-03 14:13:24Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Jennifer Gordon
Complicated Choices is a YA Family book that centers around the character of Claire who is just starting her senior year in high school. Rather than go to ball games, date, or attend school dances she is raising a baby. The problem is, the baby she is raising is not her own, although a lot of people get that impression when they first see Claire pushing the baby stroller. Claire’s mother has fallen into a deep depression and can barely look after herself let alone raise a baby which has all the responsibility landing on young Claire’s shoulders. Claire finds herself changing diapers, cleaning up baby vomit, and taking baby Harry to his fancy new daycare. A daycare that cost a small fortune and that her mom paid for with Claire’s college fund. Claire’s mom has not only been sinking farther into depression but is also sinking into farther financial debt. When Claire’s uncle offers a way out of their financial situation it would give Claire the future she had hoped for and dreamed of but at what price. Claire finds herself forced to make an impossible decision and no matter what she chooses it will forever alter the course of her life.
This book was beautifully written with an intriguing storyline and characters that were instantly relatable and likable. The character of Claire was someone that I immediately felt a connection to and found myself rooting for. She was a young girl with a bright future but when her mom got pregnant Claire’s future was forever altered. Suddenly she had to grow up fast and become a mom to her baby brother while also going to school and looking after her mom. Rather than enjoy her senior year in high school, hanging out with friends, dating, and going to parties Claire was playing the part of mom to both her own mom as well as her baby brother. Claire was wise beyond her years, mature, responsible, savvy, and feisty. How unimaginable to be put in a position where you must choose between your future and attending college or your baby brother. It was absolutely heart wrenching to read about the situation Claire had been placed in. This book was a rollercoaster ride of emotions with a few twists and turns that will keep you reading until the end.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2023-07-25 15:13:362023-08-03 14:13:17Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
This is such an emotional read. I loved every second of it even as I was reading with tears streaming down my face. This isn’t the traditional hard choice pregnancy tale. This is about what happens when a mother, with older children, has a child they are not prepared to take care of and that burden now falls on their older children. Risa does a fantastic job of writing the characters. Each one has a tremendous amount of depth in them and I feel that Claire was perhaps the most well written character. I found myself really pulling for Claire in this story and wondering what I would do in this situation. Her mother really placed her in a hard situation and her uncle means well but doesn’t see that the answer really isn’t clear cut. This really was a fantastic read that I highly suggest picking up, but make sure to have some tissues handy because it will pull on your heart strings throughout.
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman. I loved this book so much even though I’m a 53 year old woman and its a young adult read. Its the story of Claire who is a teenager and living with her mom who is suffering from severe post partum depression. Due to that fact Claire is having to raise her baby brother Harry. Claire is a Senior so she’s missing out on all the parties, ball games and hanging with friends. Instead she is planning on how to get Harry to and from day care and bottles and naps. Not what a Senior in high school should be worried about. Claire has finally gotten the attention of the hot guy in school too but can do nothing about it due to her situation. Her mom is not getting better and her Uncle is trying to push her into putting her in a clinic somewhere. The money is all gone due to her mom spending it all. Such a sad, tragic young adult read that is probably happening more often than we know.
I enjoyed reading this book. This is an author that I have enjoyed reading from the first book I picked up. I found this book to be well written with some suspense but also a lot of emotion at the same time. I enjoyed how the characters pulled me into the story from the beginning. They are strong, connectable characters that bring so much to the story. My favorite character is Claire. She has put herself in a position where she has to make a choice between keeping her baby or going back to a life without him. What will she do? This is a fast paced story that is hard to put down. A story that is engaging and one you don’t want to miss. I really enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend this book.
YA suspenseful drama What a roller coaster. This book sinks its hooks in and doesn’t let go. The raw emotion just drips off the page. Claire is a head strong character that has to face so many things beyond her years. Absolutely loved Chad and his total commitment to Claire. This book has it all and brings to light the good, the bad and the ugly that comes from family drama, keeping secrets and transitioning into adulthood. A well written, totally intriguing story. Highly recommend.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rayne Easthttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRayne East2023-07-25 06:47:212023-08-03 14:09:16Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman – Review by Rayne East
I found myself feeling all the feels with this story. A high school senior winds up having to take care of her new baby brother because her mom can’t handle it. There are a lot of complications in her life all at one time. She wants her mom to get help. She wants to have a life. She wants to knoww who the baby’s father is. The twists in the story will astound you. This story feels so real. I feel it’s one of the best stories I’ve read this year. If I were allowed to give it more than 5 stars I would.
High school senior Claire Jackson’s life shatters after an unplanned pregnancy.
Not hers, her mother’s.
With no father named on baby Harry’s birth certificate and their mother sinking into despair, Claire finds herself knee deep in diapers, streams of baby barf, and mountains of laundry. Not only does Harry rob Claire of her freedom, but also her future when her mother uses her college funds for day care.
Claire’s uncle offers to replenish the funds on the condition Harry is given up for adoption. With a troubled and unstable mother, Claire must take control and choose: trade Harry for money and return to her former life, or fight for him.
The stakes run high when a baby is involved, and the choices are complicated.
In addition to Complicated Choices, Risa Nyman is the author of two award-winning middle grade mysteries, Swallowed by a Secret and Spooked by a Suspicion. Her contemporary novels deal with family issues, life changes, friendship, and loss.
Risa was born and lived most of her life in Greater Boston, and she has an authentic Boston accent to prove her heritage. No coincidence that all of her books are set in Massachusetts.
Her deep dive into creative writing began when she retired after decades working for the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization that focuses on voter registration, getting out the vote, candidates’ debates, and fair voting procedures.
Since Risa’s first online writing class, writing has become a passion and a defining part of her life. When not writing, you might find Risa reading, exercising, or doing therapeutic ironing (yes, there is such a thing.)
High school senior Claire Jackson’s life shatters after an unplanned pregnancy.
Not hers, her mother’s.
With no father named on baby Harry’s birth certificate and their mother sinking into despair, Claire finds herself knee deep in diapers, streams of baby barf, and mountains of laundry. Not only does Harry rob Claire of her freedom, but also her future when her mother uses her college funds for day care.
Claire’s uncle offers to replenish the funds on the condition Harry is given up for adoption. With a troubled and unstable mother, Claire must take control and choose: trade Harry for money and return to her former life, or fight for him.
The stakes run high when a baby is involved, and the choices are complicated.
Rocky takes us on another investigative adventure in Spooked by a Suspicion, by Risa Nyman. In this sequel to Swallowed by a Secret, Rocky, a teen transitioning from middle school to high school, enlists the help of his friend, Olive, to prove his mother’s new fiancé, Ted, is ruining Rocky’s life. After his mother announces plans to marry Ted, Rocky suffers a series of unfortunate events. Those events, combined with Ted’s creepy appearance, convince Rocky that Ted is trying to sabotage him. While building the case against Ted, Rocky learns sometimes people aren’t who they appear to be. I was held captive by this story as Rocky built his case against Ted. Nyman’s writing made me want to keep reading to discover what Ted had in store next for Rocky. Although this book is a sequel, it can be read and enjoyed without needing to read book number one. Even though it is written for middle school students, I found this book enjoyable as an adult.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennie M Bechtelhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennie M Bechtel2021-09-16 17:36:532021-09-16 19:01:08SPOOKED BY A SUSPICION by Risa Nyman – Review by Jennie Bechtel
I really enjoy the way the author crafts her stories. This is definitely written a way to be easily followed by younger readers and as such will draw them in quickly. The story kept a good pace and kept you guessing as to how things would progress. If you have a young adult in your home that enjoys mysteries this book is one i think they would enjoy.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Heather Lovelacehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHeather Lovelace2021-09-15 08:48:002021-09-15 08:48:00SPOOKED BY A SUSPICION by Risa Nyman – Review by Heather Lovelace
Swallowed by a Secret by Risa Nyman was a wonderfully told story. While the main characters are younger some people would consider this book a younger read, but the plot is very real to even a lot of adults. Her plot is fantastic, her settings are beautiful, and overall Ms. Nyman’s characters are wonderful. I actually read this book after reading it’s sequel and I can honestly say that I love both books equally and am looking forward to more books from Ms. Nyman.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Stephanie Corbinhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngStephanie Corbin2021-09-14 21:18:252021-09-16 09:27:32Swallowed by a Secret by Risa Nyman – Review by Stephanie Nicole
SPOOKED BY A SUSPICION by Risa Nyman really hit home for me. Being a girl that had a lot of family changes Ms. Nyman really got all of the details right on the nose. So many emotions in this book that if you have ever felt any of them it will instantly make you feel drawn to the book, and make it that much more realistic. Her characters are well developed, her word building skills are fantastic, and although this is book two it can be read as a stand-alone. However I will be going back to read book one and you should too.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Stephanie Corbinhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngStephanie Corbin2021-09-14 21:03:582021-09-16 09:24:06SPOOKED BY A SUSPICION by Risa Nyman – Review by Stephanie Nicole
SPOOKED BY A SUSPICION by Risa Nyman. This is the second book about Rocky after his dad’s suicide. Going from Middle School to High school is hard enough but add dealing with the death of your dad by suicide and now your Mom is wanting to get married to a guy,Ted,you don’t like or trust. Now Rocky is getting accused of stealing. He feels like his whole world is falling apart. The one bright spot in his life is Olive his girlfriend. Rocky is determined to stop the wedding with Olive’s help. When strange things start to happen Rocky thinks Ted is using evil powers to make them occur. He’s convinced that Ted is only going to ruin his Mom’s life so he wants to get rid of him and expose him for who and what he really is. Will Rocky and Olive be able to figure it out before its too late? This is the 2nd book in the series but it can be read as a standalone.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tausha Treadwayhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTausha Treadway2021-09-14 20:12:522021-09-16 09:09:00SPOOKED BY A SUSPICION by Risa Nyman – Review by Tausha Treadway
Spooked by a Suspicion by Risa Nyman is the second book following Rocky after his father’s suicide. In this installment, Rocky’s mother has decided to remarry a man by the name of Ted. Rocky, however, has other plans. He doesn’t very much like Ted, and he is determined to stop the wedding. With the help of Olive, his girlfriend, Rocky dodges bad luck on his mission to keep his mother from making a huge mistake. Much like the first book, young readers will be engaged by the characters of Rocky and Olive, and all the situations they come up against. I give this book 5 stars because I was, once again, swept away and could not stop reading until I was finished. A highly enjoyable read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Christine J. Spulakhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngChristine J. Spulak2021-09-14 19:49:082021-09-16 09:06:15SPOOKED BY A SUSPICION by Risa Nyman – Review by Chrissy Spulak
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