L.E.A.P. - by Toni Bellon (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In a home ruled by secrets, can one teen find her own truth?

Turning fourteen, Linn Gurke navigates the chaos of adolescence amidst acne, crushes, and her mother's hidden alcoholism. With a codependent father and a family steeped in lies, Linn yearns for genuine connection, especially with her best friend, Nadine. But as Linn grapples with her mother's addiction, she creates Linn's Emerging Adult Plan (L.E.A.P.), an eight-point guide to navigate her tumultuous world.

When an eccentric aunt arrives, bearing secrets of her own, Linn's world spirals. Now, Linn must choose: succumb to her family's demons, or forge her own path toward survival, friendship, and self-discovery. For fans of realistic YA fiction, this is a story of hope amidst heartbreak. Will Linn conquer her family's legacy, or will she become another casualty of their secrets?

Review Quotes

"Bellon's story telling places you directly into the uncertainty of adolescence--that feeling of being frozen in time between the joys of ignorant childhood and the promise of ever-elusive adult-like opportunities--'juvenescence'"--Dave F. Brown, EdD, young adolescent researcher and author of Young Adolescents and the Middle Schools They Need.

"A classic coming-of-age novel by an author with a distinctive and narrative driven storytelling style that will be particularly effective with teens and young adults, L.E.A.P. by Toni Bellon is an inherently fascinating read from start to finish."--Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Toni Bellon retired as Assistant Dean of Education from the University of North Georgia. She left to care for her alcoholic mother who suffered from dementia and Parkinson' s. During that time, writing became cathartic. Toni uses humor, hoping that her snarky view of life brings a smile to anyone who's reading. After living in nine states, Toni now resides in Atlanta Georgia. She is a member of the Atlanta Writers Club, A Novel Idea, and multiple critique groups. Grandma is her favorite title. L.E.A.P. is her first novel.