The Trouble with Charlie- A Kayla Hicks Book Review

A mind-bending story of one teen’s descent into madness and another teen’s quest to prevent an unspeakable tragedy.

What is it about?

Fifteen-year-old Charlie Simpson is a ticking time bomb. If somebody doesn’t stop him, he is going to explode. Fellow student Sam Caffey has never met Charlie, but he’s been watching him. He knows that Charlie is dangerous, and he knows that if he doesn’t act fast, people are going to die.

But the more Sam learns about the enigmatic Charlie, the more he begins to question his own sanity. He wants to stop Charlie. He wants to tell somebody that Charlie has killed and is going to kill again. But he can’t. Something in his head won’t let him. Is Charlie controlling Sam’s thoughts? Or is Sam losing his mind?

Sam has seen Charlie kill, but nothing can prepare him for what Charlie is about to do next. Charlie wants revenge. He wants to kill everybody who has ever wronged him. Can Sam stop Charlie? Or will he be forced to join him?

My review:

As I followed Sam and Charlie's journey, I felt for each character. Charlie's mom died just a year ago, his father was a drunk, and he was being bullied at school. Sam seems to have a perfect life, first chair as a violinist at school, a wonderful girlfriend, and a wonderful family. And yet, one day Sam decides to step in and help Charlie when no one else will.

This story had so many twists and turns as you follow these characters, Sam constantly trying to help Charlie fight his own self-esteem and demons. And with mental illness woven into the story, it made me the reader question what was reality and what wasn't at points at the same time the characters wondered about it.

In the end, the end result surprised me and I didn't see it coming.

Overall, I think this book sheds a big light on bullying, mental illness, and the need for us to support one another.

I give this book a 5-star rating.

You can get it here: The Trouble with Charlie