Longlisted for the Mslexia Children’s Novel Competition 2018.A coming-of-age story filled with love, mystery, and sparkle.Freddie’s life isn’t like it used to be – he’s alone, homeless, and carrying a secret that threatens to swallow him up. Every day is a struggle. Until he meets Violet Johnson.Violet’s life is going down-hill. Her parents argue, her little brother’s stopped speaking, and she’s … parents argue, her little brother’s stopped speaking, and she’s about to move schools. She used to be popular, she used to be happy, but now every day is a struggle. Until Freddie enters her life.
Despite their differences, Freddie and Violet grow closer. Freddie’s nightmares begin to fade. He stops having panic attacks. And he can’t believe that Violet Johnson actually likes him back.
But Freddie’s past is catching up with him, and what will happen when Violet finds out what he did?
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Much like how a butterfly’s flutter can set off events unforeseen, the same could be said for a forgotten notebook that catches the eye of Freddie Miller one long lonely night. Never guessing that his actions would set off a new course for his sad life, I was immediately intrigued about how and why he became that boy who lived in the ceiling and allowed Cara Thurlboum to happily guide me through this whimsical and emotional read. And I definitely got choked up more than once as we get to watch Freddie take over a family’s attic and become hesitant friends with the teenaged daughter who lives below his ‘door’ and find a hopeful path to more when all seemed heartbreakingly dire.
I didn’t know what to expect as I had not remembered the blurb when I requested this book but I’m truly glad I took the chance on this new-to-me author. This book seared my soul in the most subtle of ways and I’m still finding it hard to let go of Freddie and Violet. Just knowing that his own family wanted nothing to do with him was hard to accept. His gentle ways with both compatriots in his homeless world and with Violet’s family were truly beautiful. The way the world perceived him is a huge part of this book. His determination to be seen as someone more than what his ragged appearance may show has Freddie becoming someone he may not have necessarily liked but it gave him the means to which he could do for Violet and perhaps save her the way she was undoubtedly saving him. By allowing him to stay hidden away while he made plans for after the New Year, Violet gave him more than his wretched father and stepmother ever did and it was beyond heartwarming to see their friendship and trust in one another grow as the pages flew by.
The fact that Freddie does so much for Violet and her family when he was only looking for a place to keep warm while they were on an extended vacation shows just how much fate can play a huge part in one’s life. His presence gave this troubled family what they needed at the most crucial of times and I’m tearing up at just the thought of how lucky they were to have him enter their lives. He’s such a good person with guilt a mile-long continually keeping him down and skeptical his fortune was finally turning around. And all because of a forgotten notebook!
There is no doubt that The Boy Who Lived in the Ceiling is an uplifting book. Sure, there are some darker times for Freddie and Violet but their unplanned relationship brought out the hope that was buried deep in both of them and shone a light on what could be, both on their own and together. And in true British fashion, this is an HFN and in the end, I’m not sure I would qualify this as a romance. To me, it’s the very best in women’s fiction with the wish that Freddie and Violet keep that newly-found bit of happy going for a long time to come.
This is a beautiful read and perfect for a lazy day by the pool or beach. I thoroughly enjoyed it and happily give The Boy Who Lived in the Ceiling a solid 5 stars!
I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review. Thank you!
The Boy Who Lived In The Ceiling by Cara Thurlbourn is the story of Freddie, a homeless teen, and Violet a girl with her own problems.
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Freddie is a homeless teen, he was wandering the streets when Violet goes on vacation and they left the door ajar and he saw this as an opportunity to have a place to stay for few weeks until Violet’s family comes home. When they come back, Freddie is still in their home but he decided to hide in their attic and to continue to live in their home. When Violet needed help, Freddie helped her, and that way Violet found out that Freddie is living in her attic. At first, Violet was afraid of Freddie but Freddie told her his story and Violet believed him and she decided to help him and to let him stay in her attic.
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Because Violet had her own problems, Freddie becomes her friend and the person who helped her with her problems. Violet helped Freddie to open up about his past and his problems and his family. I loved that they helped each other to accept their problems and to work at them.
I loved the beautiful friendship between Freddie and Violet. I loved the relationship between Freddie and Violet’s family. The Boy Who Lived in The Ceiling is a touching story about friendship, love healing, and second chance.
I enjoyed reading Freddie’s story. Freddie was going through a very hard time. Freddie has to kearn how to survive on his own. He was able to forge a friendship with Violet during this time, even though their meeting was unconventional.
I recommend reading this book for you will not be disappointed.
I was provided an advanced copy from NetGalley and appreciate te opportunity to leave an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I loved Freddie and Violet and the way their friendship and relationship developed. I love that the way they really began communicating was through books.
I loved the themes of friendship, love, hope, forgiveness and new beginnings.
Thank you Book Sirens for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book. All opinions are my own.
This is the first book I have read by Cara Thurlbourn and I have to say I am impressed. The Boy Who Lived in The Ceiling is about a young homeless kid named Freddie who ends up finding meaning to his life while living in The Johnson’s Attic. It’s about finding strength to survive, courage, friendship, forgiveness and love. Give this book a shot, you will fall in love with Freddie, Violet and even her little brother Jaime. I sure did!