Hating Heidi Foster, by Jeffrey Blount ($11.95)
Book summary
Award-winning scriptwriter, director and novelist Jeffrey Blount brings readers Hating Heidi Foster, a young-adult novel that explores the depth and impact of the connections between family and friends. Influenced by Jeffrey’s daughter Julia, Hating Heidi Foster is written to inspire readers to consider the value of their personal relationships.
The novel introduces best friends Mae McBride and Heidi Foster, two best friends who shared a close relationship since early elementary school. Their relationship seemed unbreakable until Mae’s father died while saving Heidi’s life. Blame sets in between the friends and Mae’s sincere feelings suggest that her father put Heidi before her. Mae begins to unravel amid that blame and her uncontrollable anger. Heidi is beset by guilt, falls into depression and stops eating properly. She begins to waste away physically and emotionally as she waits for Mae to let her back into their treasured friendship.
A conversation between Blount’s daughter, Julia and her best friend, Emily piqued his interest to pen the novel. Watching the girls laugh, joke and share funny stories triggered memories of them growing up together. He realized that they would experience a slow separation as they entered adulthood.
My review of Hating Heidi Foster
This book is wonderful. It captures every emotion so realistically and so honestly, it blew me away. Reading it was an intense experience, to tell the truth, but not one that I’d be afraid to share with my teenaged daughters. In fact, I’m anxious for them to read Hating Heidi Foster.
This novel is thoughtfully and carefully written — it deals with an unspeakable tragedy and its far-reaching consequences in an eloquent and dignified manner. I could relate to just about every character and every emotion in the book…and by the time I reached the end, tears were streaming down my face. I’m not ashamed to admit it. Some authors — and some books — can truly make you feel that deeply. With Hating Heidi Foster, Jeffrey Blount has done exactly that. I highly recommend it, for young adults and old adults and everyone in between.
You can purchase Hating Heidi Foster on Amazon
I was not compensated for writing this post. I received a copy of the book to facilitate my review. My opinions are 100% honest and 100% mine.
This sounds like an amazing book and a great read. I am going to have to go buy this because after reading this review I want to read it. Thanks for the review of this awesome sounding book.
I had seen this book in another blog post and it’s already on my TBR list but your review makes me want to read it even more.
Although Mae’s reaction may seem irrational and unfair, it’s understandable. Mae’s reaction, in turn, had a detrimental effect on Heidi.
I also like heart-wrenching and intense reads and often have emotional reactions to them. And, like yourself, I’m not ashamed of them.
This sounds like a great book!