Book Review: Your Voice is All I Hear by Leah Scheier

Title- Your Voice Is All I Hear

Author– Leah Scheier

Publisher- Sourcefire Books

Release- September 1, 2015

Amazon- http://goo.gl/5VOcEV

Everything about Jonah is unexpected. On the first day of school, he sits next to April, when he could have chosen to sit with the popular girl. He turns down an invitation to join the school team and declares he’d rather paint. He encourages April to develop her musical talent and shrugs off the bullies that torment them.

April isn’t surprised to find herself falling for Jonah. The unexpected part is when he falls for her too.

But the giddy happiness of their first romance begins to fade when Jonah’s unpredictability begins to take a darker turn. April understands that her boyfriend is haunted by a painful memory, but his sudden mood swings worry her. She can’t explain his growing fear of cellphones, electric keyboards, and of sounds that no one else can hear. Still, no matter what happens, April is sure that she’ll always stand by him.

Until Jonah finally breaks and is committed to a psychiatric ward.

Until schizophrenia changes everything.

Though everyone urges her to let him go, April stays true to Jonah. But as the boy she adores begins to disappear in front of her, she has to face her worst fear: that her love may not be enough to save him.

Well, I just finished another completely powerful YA book. This time it involved a mental illness, schizophrenia. The story is told from of POV of April, a high school sophomore, who has started dating the new boy, Jonah. Although, this book is about the mental illness, it also touches upon other topics like bullying, family, friendship and love.

I am going to say that the author did a great job showcasing the illness. I do indeed know someone who is schizophrenic and I have seen first hand how medication can affect the person. I have also seen that when certain medication is adjusted how the person could revert back to their old self. I also like the fact that Ms. Scheier had April attend some therapy session, this why I was able to see what Jonah was thinking and how dealt with the voices that he was hearing. It was also interesting to gear what they said.

I enjoyed April a lot as a character; she had such an amazing heart and loved Jonah so much. She went through a lot in this story and I felt like she grew a lot at the same time. She was able to form such amazing relationships and worked through many ups and down.

I have to say I did not expect that ending and I think I am satisfied about how it ended. I completely recommend this book to readers who like to read stories with something to it. If you are looking for a lighthearted read, this is not the book for you, but I do suggest everyone to read it.

Leah Scheier was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. As a child, she was inspired by her favorite authors, Arthur Conan Doyle, Lloyd Alexander, and C.S. Lewis to dream up tales of adventure and romance. Now grown up with daughters of her own, Leah works as a pediatrician and continues to create new stories.
Her first novel, SECRET LETTERS, came out 6/26/12 (Hyperion/Disney). Her second novel, YOUR VOICE IS ALL I HEAR is due to be released in September 1, 2015 (Sourcebooks Fire).