#Review Poughkeepsie Begins by Debra Anastasia

Poughkeepsie Begins by Debra Anastasia
Find the Author: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads
Published by Omnific Publishing on November 22nd 2015
Genres: Abuse, Romance, Young Adult
Purchase links: Amazon
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Source: Nina Bocci, The Author

It ends with the beginning. This legendary, indie, cult-favorite series ends its tale with the story of the Poughkeepsie brotherhood before the tattoo. Before the train station, before the church, before a criminal empire there was a foster home and three teen boys who chose each other as family, because the ones they were born into didn’t exist

Still in high school, Beckett is already laying the groundwork for a grander life ahead, one where his brothers want for nothing and get some respect for once. But even as he plans, Beckett must decide if he’s ready to make that choice—diving in to a life that trades his chance at a future, his chance at something as simple as first love with a girl named Candy Cox, for their chance to find happiness.

Blake, Beckett, and Cole’s devotion to each other is forged by fists and the driving need to belong somewhere, to do more than just survive this life. Readers of the series know they each get there in the end, but before we count smiles, we must first shed tears. These early days of the Poughkeepsie brotherhood will play on your heartstrings before serrating them with a knife; they’ll lift your soul with music, only to leave you with nothing but a desperate prayer for hope.

And when you reach the end of the beginning, you’ll be ready to start the series all over again.

We received this book/audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.

Amazon US – Amazon UK – Amazon AU – Amazon CA – Nook – iTunes – Google Play

Book Review: 5+ stars

I can’t even find the words to describe how much I loved this book. I cried all the time, I cried for the boys, Becket, Cole and Blake. I cried for their pasts, for the presents and for their uncertain future. I cried for how much they fight to be together, for how they protected each other, for how much they loved those little girls, Wintery and Summer. I’m crying right now while I’m writing this review.

I have to be honest, this isn’t my kind of read. I avoid angsty books because I get so invested, I feel the pain in my chest and I literally lose it. And from page one, I knew that Poughkeepsi Begins was going to be a hard book for me. There are so many delicate subjects in this book, child abuse, violence and drugs. I was afraid I couldn’t handle it, but I did. And here I am, wanting to read more about those broken boys. Thank God the other books are already published, so I can read them all at once and love these three brothers more and more.

So, this books was about three foster kids, Becket, Cole and Blake. They lived with their foster father, Rick. When I first read how he treated them, I was in shocked, but knowing how their early years were, now I think Rick was the safest person for them to be. They three were in senior year of highschool, and they were hanging in there, waiting to be 18 and finally get out of the system and be on their own. Like I said before, they take care of each other, and no matter how messed up the situation was, they always stuck together.

Candy was new at school. Her family moved constantly because of her father’s job and she was used to it. She lived her teenage years thinking “Don’t get too close to people, so I won’t miss them when I’m gone”. She was a good kid, got good grades and stayed out of trouble. Until she met Becket. She was drawn to him. His dangerous looks and bad boy reputation attracted her so much to him. But of course, things wasn’t going to be easy for Candy and Becket. Zyler, the most popular boy at school put his eyes on Candy and wanted her at all cost, and despite her telling him just to be friends, he took no for an answer. But Candy had already made her decision, she wanted to be with Becket, no matter what.

I FLOVED this book. From the heartbreaking story, to the amazing characters. Debra’s writing style was beautiful. She managed to write violent abusive scenes without being explicit or gross me out. For many people this book was the end of the series, for me, it was the beginning. Can’t wait for the other books. If anyone knows how to add more hours to the day so I can read more, please let me know.

BTW, Debra added some funny things to this book, which was very refreshing for my subbing state of mind. Thank you Debra!

Poughkeepsie Begins #1: Amazon
Poughkeepsie #2: Amazon (.99¢)
Return to Poughkeepsie #3: Amazon
Saving Poughkeepsie #4: Amazon

READ POUGHKEEPSIE FREE ONLINE HERE.

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Any questions? Find Debra here