When Love is not Enough

Last night, I sat down to read When Love is not Enough by Wade Kelly. The opening had me really confused, but begging for more. I had to know what caused the worse day ever and why two people who had never met were experiencing the same emotions.

I couldn't put this book down. I fell in love with Jamie, his best from Matt, and fiance Darian. This raw emotional roller coaster had me cheering for these young characters one minute and crying for them the next. 

 The pain and constant degrading comments creates a world in which Jamie feels like he can't go on.  After his parents divorce, Jamie is asked by a counselor to keep a journal to help his temper instead of getting into fights at school. Matt seeks out Jamie's journal to better understand why a healthy young man about to get married would take his own life. 

The once a month weekend visits to his dad, Dan Miller, Jamie discovers Darian and falls in love for the first time. Dan Miller deserves the award for parent of the year! Jamie goes to his dad when his feelings for another boy start to arise. His dad is a constant support system he doesn't have at home with his controlling, abusive, crazy mother Joan.

What to expect when you pick up this book? The reader will be subjected to a timeline from childhood until Jamie takes his own life at the age of twenty-two. The POV and timeline jump around several times in this book. For me, I thought I got to know and understand all the characters better this way. It was like when a movie flashes back between the past and the present. A full, clear picture was painted of the characters and the world they lived in. 

I loved this book! I wanted to hold Jamie and tell him to be strong. I wanted to high-five Matt when he stood in front of the church and told of how his best friend loved everyone and would never judge them. How Christians needed to be God like and love everyone, not just those who agree with their life-style. 

Wade Kelly's story was a beautiful tale of loss, love, and friendship. I wish there was more time to dive into the relationships after the funeral to see the aftermath of Jamie's choice. I loved how Wade created characters that could be relatable to youth today. In the wake of so many young adult suicides, I would hope this book could reach out to not only those contemplating taking their lives, but to those who are narrow-minded and hurtful to others. 

I give this book 5 stars and would recommend it to anyone.