Call It What You Want

Contains mentions of abortion and suicide which may distress some readers
Call It What You Want
Written by Brigid Kemmerer
Contemporary, Friendship, Realistic Fiction
Published July 1st 2019
384 Pages
Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia
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★★★★☆
When his dad is caught embezzling funds from half the town, Rob goes from popular lacrosse player to social pariah. Even worse, his father’s failed suicide attempt leaves Rob and his mother responsible for his care.

Everyone thinks of Maegan as a typical overachiever, but she has a secret of her own after the pressure got to her last year. And when her sister comes home from college pregnant, keeping it from her parents might be more than she can handle.

When Rob and Maegan are paired together for a calculus project, they’re both reluctant to let anyone through the walls they’ve built. But when Maegan learns of Rob’s plan to fix the damage caused by his father, it could ruin more than their fragile new friendship.

This captivating, heartfelt novel asks the question. Is it okay to do something wrong for the right reasons?
Maegan Day is an intelligent and articulate young woman, overwhelmed by the immense expectations she places upon herself. The daughter of a police officer, Maegan understands the need for rules and regulations which is why nobody expected her to cheat on her standardised school testing causing countless students to resit their tests after being deemed invalid. Her older sister Sam is the golden child, a star lacrosse player on a scholarship, beautiful, academically gifted and an elite sportswoman. Over the years the Day siblings have shared a competitive relationship, not always seeing eye to eye but now Sam has returned home, fickle and pregnant, disappointing her parents while she's contemplating what to do about her pregnancy.

I loved their sibling relationship and seeing it morph into a genuine and caring friendship. Although Maegan has always been proud of Sam's achievements, it's not without resentment. Sam is their father's golden child and Maegan has always felt the weight of expectations which drove her to cheat. Unlike Rob, Maegan has the support of her long time best friend Rachel, pity about her boyfriend Drew who continuously makes snide comments about Maegan's mistake which Rachel never pulls him up about, allowing Drew to kick her best friend while she's down.

Rob Lachlan was popular, a champion lacrosse player and a hit with the ladies until his father, a financial adviser, mismanaged and stole funds from even the most vulnerable members of the community, leaving Rob a social pariah and accused of being a part of his father's con. He's lost his friends, the respect of his peers and now he's been saddled with the girl who cheated on the SAT exam for a school project.

High school can be so unforgiving and Rob is an example of being guilty merely by association. His father stealing investment funds from friends, family and the parents of Rob's school peers. Abandoned by his best friend Connor, who's father alerted the authorities, Rob is tormented and bullied, branded a liar and criminal. Rob's story is harrowing. He remembers the man who attended his lacrosse games, who taught him humility and to treasure each moment, he was an excellent father and a stark contrast to the criminal and villain of the wider community. Rob cannot escape. When it became too much for his father, Rob senior tried to take his own life which has left him unable to care for himself, brain damaged and immobile. Once living an opulent lifestyle, Rob's family now barely makes ends meet, his mother working long shifts to provide for their family while Rob cares for his father. 

The only aspect Maegan and Rob have in common is that they're both social pariahs but working together on their project allows them to connect with someone in a similar situation without the fear of being judged. Their tentative friendship isn't easy, Rob finds it difficult to trust after he's been abandoned by his peers but slowly he begins to explore their connection and finds solace in their quiet moments of peace and understanding. Rob also develops a friendship with Owen, a young man who's mother was also a victim of his fathers dealings. My heart ached for Owen as he sits alone each day with his school issued cheese sandwich, breaking it into pieces to fend off his growing hunger. He was still able to put aside his anger and befriend Rob, understanding that Rob isn't his father and shouldn't be treated as such. Owen deserves his own story and I hope Brigid Kemmerer revisits his character soon.

Touching on sensitive issues such as poverty, teen pregnancy, abortion and suicide, written with compassion, Call It What You Want is an honest and genuine portrayal of the pressure and complications of those adolescent years. Often you hear adults telling teens, to treasure those years in their life before adulthood as though being a teen was a simpler time. With kids forced to grow up too soon and the expectations adults place upon teens, often parents living vicariously through their teens, it's one of the hardest periods we go through. It's an aspect that Brigid Kemmerer captures so wonderfully and even if you've never cheated on an exam or heaven forbid your father has never stolen money from his investors, I think most teens will find both Rob and Maegan's journey relatable and find comfort in how fickle these years can be, especially when it comes to our peers and being judged. 

Beautifully written, edgy with authentic and flawed characters, Call It What You Want is Brigid Kemmerer's best contemporary to date. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 

15 comments

  1. First, I think I prefer this cover much more than the American one! It's so cute! And definitely catches people's attention, whereas the American one just blends in. I had no idea this book dealt with topics like abortion and suicide. It honestly makes me want to read it more! I'm hoping I can get to this one by the end of the year. I'm intrigued by Megan and Rob, as well as Megan and her sibling! Lovely review, Kelly!
    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

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    1. The Bloomsbury UK and Australian covers are always a little nicer and this one is really lovely isn't it. I love that romance doesn't overshadow the very real issues this one discusses. It's such a wonderful read, I hope you really enjoy it as much as I have!

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  2. I absolutely love Kemmerer’s Letters to the Lost and More Than We Can Tell and I’ve been excited to read this one. I love the way Kemmerer can integrate such heavy topics into her stories without them ever feeling like “issue books.” Seeing you refer to this as her best contemporary yet has me more excited than ever. Great review!

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    1. Thanks Tanya and I couldn't agree more. I didn't have much luck with her debut series but her contemporaries have been wonderful. Call It What You Want is so beautifully written, it's very gentle and explores different facets of grief with an incredible amount of compassion. I can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  3. Kemmerer really does a nice job taking on some heavy issues, but keeping it hopeful. I also liked seeing Sam and Maegan's relationship grow into something stronger. I am a sucker for siblings. I thought Kemmerer did a nice job with the ending too. I enjoy having an idea of what the future holds for the characters, and she had them all pointing in some direction.

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    1. Couldn't agree more! She handles sensitive topics so gently and with compassion, I loved seeing Sam and Maegan repair their relationship and that Maegan was able to support her during her pregnancy. It's not often we see the mention of abortion in young adult and I applaud Kemmerer for writing a narrative that discusses social issues, her best work to date!

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  4. The cover had already had me intrigued with this book, but your review absolutely sold me on it!
    I do enjoy a story that throws people together who ordinarily wouldn't associate with each other. And the sibling relationship between Maegan and Sam sounds nice. I'm eager to find out what Sam's choice is, too.
    I am 100% going to have to pick this one up.
    Love the review, Kelly.
    💜 Star

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    1. I love those types of reads as well, people thrown together and finding common ground. It was lovely that the sole focus wasn't on the romance but also on friendships and the sibling relationship between Maegan and her sister. I think you'll really enjoy this one and can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  5. Fantastic review Kelly :-) another one for my TBR.

    I already have like five Brigid Kemmerer books on my TBR and two physically on my book shelf. and yet i'm still to read anything by her - I better get off my ass and do something about that hey.

    XOXO Sarah.

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    1. What are you doing Sarah, yes you really must! She's an amazing storyteller, I think you'll really enjoy her contemporaries.

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  6. I really loved this book so I'm glad to hear it was a great read for you too. Kemmerer is my favorite contemporary author and her characters just always tug on my heartstrings.

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  7. I STILL haven't read anything by this author. But I have a few of her books and now that I can do audiobooks - I'm going to get to her soon!

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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  8. You've made me really excited to read this one. I treated myself and bought a copy and it's safe to say I am glad I have this on my shelf as I might spend a little time this weekend enjoying this.

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  9. I really enjoyed this one! Kemmerer is quickly becoming one of my favorites! Also, hello! How are you? I feel like we haven't spoken in ages. <3

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬

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