Review of Melt

Melt

by Selene Castrovilla

Synopsis on Goodreads:
Based on true events, MELT is both a chilling tale of abuse, and a timeless romance. MELT will hit you like a punch in the face, and also seep through the cracks in your soul.

MELT is a brutal love story set against the metaphorical backdrop of The Wizard of Oz (not a retelling). When sixteen year old Dorothy moves to the small town of Highland Park, she meets, and falls for Joey – a “bad boy” who tells no one about the catastrophic domestic violence he witnesses at home. Can these two lovers survive peer pressure, Joey’s reputation, and his alcoholism?

Told in dual first person, Joey’s words are scattered on the page – reflecting his broken state. Dorothy is the voice of reason – until something so shattering happens that she, too, may lose her grip. Can their love endure, or will it melt away?

Review:
Honestly I didn't really enjoy reading this book. That's not to say that there aren't some people who would love it but it wasn't to my taste.

It wasn't the subject matter that Melt tackles but the style of writing. A story about domestic violence in various forms and being in an abusive relationship could do a lot of good in the world. Sadly it seems as if Melt misses the mark. I understand that this is based on a true story and so the story isn't always going to go in the direction that you may like it too but Melt seems to condone staying in an abusive relationship. Not the most positive of messages. 

Trying to integrate The Wizard of Oz made no sense to me.I understand it is supposed to be a metaphor but it falls flat and left me confused.

Dorothy and Joey fall in instalove which is just frustrating to me as a reader. Something feels off between the two from the very beginning. Although you feel sorry for both Dorothy and Joey neither comes off as the most likeable of characters.

Rating:
2/5 Stars