Review of One More Reason To Cry

[Bertha Jackson]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "One More Reason To Cry" by Kevin Hubschman.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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One More Reason to Cry by Kevin Hubschman is the first of two books about Ken Halsey, a socially inept young man who never seems to fit in or meet his, his parents, or others' expectations of him. The other children bully him, find him disgusting, never pick him when teams are chosen, girls ignore him, and he has few friends. As a young child, he is bullied and constantly put down by everyone, which makes him think of himself as a loser. Ken turns to drugs and alcohol in an attempt to become one of the "cool" kids and fit in with the few people he considers friends. But are they really his friends? Will Ken turn his life around over the first three decades of his life, or will he always be considered a loser?

There have been many inventions and societal changes over the decades that many younger people may not know about. For example, eight-track players or compact discs. Ken's story brought many of my memories to the forefront, such as the recorder musical instrument, hanging my graduation tassel date on my rearview mirror, and Friday "dress-down" days at work. I appreciate Kevin Hubschman's comparisons of events or things to today's standards. Parenting, social media acquaintances versus real friends, and the long-term effects of bullying and low self-esteem are just a few of the topics in this book. Learning how easy it is for a cashier to scam their employer was interesting.

Although this book lacks professional editing, I disliked nothing about it. I enjoyed reading about Ken's life. The author's skill in making me feel empathy for the characters while at the same time thinking they deserve the consequences for their actions, and the ending makes me want to read the next book about Ken when it is available. Everything discussed in this review makes this book deserve 4 out of 5 stars. The deduction of one star for the number of errors was the only reason I found not to give this book a perfect score.

This book is for mature reality-fiction fans. Due to the non-borderline profanity, I do not recommend it to readers under 18. You may want to avoid this book if bullying, drug and alcohol abuse, and significant sexual content are offensive to you or are your emotional triggers.

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One More Reason To Cry
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[Kutloano Makhuvhela]

I think the book cover was well done. There is something about it that is captivating that is just as scary. Good review as always.

[Louis Donald]

Ken’s struggle to fit in and his journey through self-doubt and mistakes sounds like a powerful read. I like how the author touches on societal changes and real-life issues like bullying and addiction while making the characters relatable. The emotional depth and the author’s ability to draw empathy for the characters really stand out.

[Pearl Flourish]

Ken’s struggle to fit in and his descent into self-destruction sound both raw and heartbreaking. The mix of nostalgia, tough life lessons, and emotional depth makes it feel like a story that really sticks with you.

[George Bastem]

A raw and emotional story about struggling to fit in, facing the weight of bullying, and making tough choices. Ken’s journey sounds both heartbreaking and thought-provoking, with a realism that lingers.