The Half-Orphan's Handbook

By: Joan F. Smith

Narrated by: Suzy Jackson

It’s been three months since Lila lost her father to suicide. Since then, she’s learned to protect herself from pain by following two unbreakable rules:

1. The only people who can truly hurt you are the ones you love. Therefore, love no one.

2. Stay away from liars. Liars are the worst.

But when Lila’s mother sends her to a summer-long grief camp, it’s suddenly harder for Lila to follow these rules. Potential new friends and an unexpected crush threaten to drag her back into life for the first time since her dad’s death.

On top of everything, there’s more about what happened that Lila doesn’t know, and facing the truth about her family will be the hardest part of learning how a broken heart can love again.

©2021 Joan F. Smith (P)2022 Recorded Books

Your prose is exemplary Joan F. Smith

So smart and insightful while completely entertaining. I couldn’t help thinking “this should be required reading in high school“. Honestly, it’s wonderful at any age.

Sensitive and insightful

This book exceeded my expectations. It’s sweet, sensitive, and insightful. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Adequate teen mental health story

I was looking for insightful and compelling storytelling. I got predictable teen grief and romance for the most part.
I found this book while looking for stories narrated by Suzy Jackson and bought it based on good reviews and compelling turns of phrase in the preview. Jackson does well with the source material and Smith occasionally pulls concepts together in unique and vivid ways. But I there’s a lot of dithering and rehashing and overly predictable plot between those golden phrases. I’m going to return my copy.

Much more that a story about loss

This is a beautifully written book that balances the exploration of grief, loss, and the resulting isolation with a budding romance and experiences that lead to new life passions. Not only a helpful resource for those who’ve lost a loved one, but for all of us as it taught me how to better support those who are grieving.

Heavy book with a shocking twist

This was a heavy book with constant mentions of grief and suicide. When the book started to get more light-hearted, there was a shocking heavy twist. I really wish there was an epilogue.