Terri Paddock

After one night of teenage drinking, fifteen-year-old Justine finds herself in an addiction rehabilitation centre 'Come Clean' along with a number of other teenage addicts. The program that these kids have to undergo to break them of their habits include strip searches, humiliation, bullying and torture, and are described in quite horrific detail. Yet despite the conditions, Justine remains strong, courageous and defiant. This is not an enjoyable book, but it is certainly compelling as the reader feels Justine's fear and confusion as she struggles to maintain her identity. Sadly though, she also discovers why her twin brother is longer with her.… (altro)

It's probably been about five or six years since I first read this book but I can still remember it to this day, it really affected me. I don't tend to review books that I haven't read in years for the obvious reason that they won't be as detailed or accurate. And I unfortunately don't have this to hand in order to pull some miraculous quote from it. The reason I want to write a review is because this little unheard-of gem greatly deserves one. When I added it to my 'read' shelf on goodreads I couldn't believe just how few people have read, rated and reviewed it.

The story is about a girl (Justine) whose extremely strict and religious father sends her to a boot-camp-style rehabilitation centre simply for acting like most teenagers her age do - going out and getting drunk. Her one night as a regular teen lands her in this facility where she is mentally and sexually abused. The story constantly alludes to Justine's brother - Joshua - and we gradually get some kind of picture of what happened to him as the plot unfolds. It becomes clear early on that Joshua has died and was also sent to the rehab centre prior to his death.

It's a book that is both horrifying and sad, and definitely should have more reads than this. It's one of those that left me feeling slightly shell-shocked and wondering just who I could recommend it to. I don't know how available it is anymore and I don't know if anyone will actually read it following this review but at least I've done my part for a book that's still a favourite to this day.
… (altro)