Slipping Reality, by Emily Beaver

In a time of hardship and heartbreak, sometimes, reality just isn't enough. Slipping Reality is the story of fourteen-year-old Katelyn Emerson, who, when faced with the glaring reality of her brother's illness, rebels against the truth by slipping away into the depths of her own imagination. There, she finds the kind of support and comfort she feels she deserves. There, she does not have to feel so alone. And yet, as Katelyn's grasp on reality begins to unravel, so too does the story of a girl who grew up too fast and fell apart too soon.


I swear to you, I will read something happy or at least not that made me cry very, very soon. Actually, I've already read something, but that review hasn't been written yet. :)

Who hasn't wanted to escape reality? Slip away just for a little bit, to not have to deal with a truth too painful to believe? Not that deep down you don't know that the truth is inevitable, but if it could just be put off for a little while it would be nice. If only.

Especially when the reality is the impending death of your older brother, your best friend, from a long battle with cancer.

As you read through this, there is no question how the "real" story ends. The question is how the escape from reality turns out. Reading this story, I found myself connecting with Katelyn. My brother, though younger, is among my very best friends, and though we did clash growing up, we were frankly as thick as theives. It's difficult to even consider not having him around today.

Katelyn is altogether too real and believable. But this, and I'm not spoiling anything here, is because Emily lived this experience while writing this book. While the possibility of truly "slipping reality" just doesn't exist, the emotional upheaval and turmoil Katelyn goes through can't be anything but honest. There were times that I had to put the book down and walk away to distance myself from the emotion. I didn't want to, but it had to happen. This isn't an escape book, it's a book to connect with. And maybe to heal with, if you've experienced such a situation.

A good first novel by a young (teen) author. I see good things in her future writing.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from AuthorHouse through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”