Keeping Long Island by Courtney Peppernell

Keeping Long Island by Courtney Peppernell

• Publisher: Pepper Books, 2017
• Genre: Romance, LGBTQ+
• Format: Ebook
• Page Count: 268 pages
• My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

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Wow.

This book deserves so much more attention! I finished it in less than a day and was left feeling very, very loved. It was written in a similar format as The Perks of Being a Wallflower was, as both protagonists dealt with mental health issues by writing letters to strangers, but that is not to say that these books were at all alike in contents.

Keeping Long Island was a very emotional read, but in a good way, and there were bits of humour scattered across the pages, too. Through Kayden’s letters, readers are constantly reminded of their own validities, and that it is okay to be sad sometimes.

I’ve seen my dad cry before, big heavy sobs, and every time he does, I want to tell him that it makes him braver.

I think this book speaks so much to me, especially at a time when I am trying very hard to understand myself and want to feel valid and cared for, and also making sure that all the wonderful people in my life are getting their deserved share of love from me.

Yes, I know this is not a perfect book because there were a few spelling errors and missing words here and there, which normally annoys me. There were also occasions of implausible writing timing of a letter, like when Alex was in lingerie in the doorway and Kayden still took the time to write about it before finding her. And some parts of the story were just too coincidental. Nonetheless, that I love this book is by no means stating flawlessness, and while it might not be for everyone, I truly love how it made me feel. Kayden seemed to trigger some emotional richness, even though she only used short and straightforward sentences in a rather flat tone, as if she tried to detach herself from all feelings while writing. Emotions still brimmed in words though.

There were times when Kayden was not exactly reasonable, such as pushing Alex to follow her cross-country and buying the plane ticket anyway when she refused. But who isn’t sometimes? Rather than making things weird, the story became more relatable. With Kayden, Alex, and all the other good characters being so genuine, it was hard not to love them all.

If you feel something and it’s real to you, then nothing else matters. (Alex)

This book sits on a blurred line of fiction and self-help, as it is on love, self-love, and dealing with sadness. I felt revived several times during the read. Keeping Long Island is definitely the book I would revisit when I need love and affirmation. It is the kind of book that reminds me of all the kindness in this harsh world, and that being soft isn’t bad.

Thank you, Courtney, for publishing this story that meant to heal the world. [3 Jun 2018]