Customer Reviews

Things Change

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
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As a high school teacher, I assigned this book for reading in a literature circle. One of my male non readers was sitting in the hallway while an almost non reader (also male) was reading aloud. They were hanging on every word, and trying desperately to finish the book in time for the discussion. I almost cried to think that they finally had found something that made them want to read. When everyone had finished the book, the discussion was lively, animated, and the book had appealed to both males and females, something that is a bit rare for this age group.

Another student even wrote a note thanking me for letting her read a book which because of its realistic character portrayals which helped her see herself through someone's eyes.

Forced to read the book, I was cringing, as I hate YA literature. What a delight to learn that this was a novella that would not be put down. I found myself carrying it around all day until I was finished. Jones obviously has some talent for creating realistic characters, realistic situations, and a plot that enthralls readers.

Although it could be called a Young Adult novel, "Things Change" is an honest examination of obsessive teen romance that defies such a neat genre categorization. Paul, the male protagonist, is a warts-and-all example of the insecure smart aleck whose charm and quick wit obscures his flashes of temper and deep insecurities. His girlfriend Johanna is heartbreakingly vulnerable and intelligent, and her acceptance of Paul's scarier shortcomings is a poignant example of how love can bind you to another person in unforeseen ways. Both characters have to break their respective patterns of behavior in order to move forward with their relationship and to mature as people. That nothing is resolved neatly or sentimentally is a testament to the book's honesty and lasting value as a document of the good, bad, and ugly of first love.

I found this book to be very engaging, vividly realistic and astounding. I think the author has an excellent understanding of what makes a book easy to understand while having a deep, intellectual and meaningful underlying/hidden message. I loved the use of symbols; they were interesting, very purposeful, and meaningful. I adored this book; the message, plot, organization, writing style, characters and the ending. The way it was written was with passion and intelligence. It was easy to read and easy to apply to the real world, and real world situations. I think this book is very important to read as well as being fun to read, no matter how old you are. Everyone should read this book, even if you don't like novels or the genre. This is one of the best books I have ever read!

I loved this book in all of its Springsteen induced glory and I recommend it to everyone who likes Springsteen or has been in an abusive relationship or knows someone who has.

1. I loved Johanna, in all of her nerdy glory because I can relate to her before she met Paul being so thrown into her school work(even though Honors Physics is way out of my league) and reading so many books. Patrick Jones actually captured an insecure teenage girl very well and since I highly doubt he was
ever an insecure teenage girl I was really suprised because Johanna could be someone at my school.

2. I liked being able to see Paul's POV in the letters that he wrote to his dead father. It was refreshing to see another characters thoughts without taking away from Johanna's story.

3. The ending, it was sort of a happy/sad ending.

4. Overall, I loved the book, even though I'm not a fan of the Boss but my mom is so I made a connection with Paul's music of
choice. I thought Johanna was very evolved and had become such a more confident person at the end of the story. Pam's role in the story was also one that is relatable since, you lose and gain different friends in High School.

Read this book and if you like it you might also like Faultline by Janet Tashjian or Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

Johanna is a smart girl who does some dumb things. In this book, she trades the influence of her controlling, but well-meaning, parents for the influence of her controlling, well-meaning but physically and emotionally abusive boyfriend Paul.

Not all is cut-and-dried in Patrick Jones' first YA novel, and that is refreshing. We get to see that Paul is human, not some evil, demonic monster. We learn that love can be complicated (even in high school). Friendships destroyed are not easily rekindled. And, in this book, as in life, the puzzle pieces don't all fit together nicely in the end.

The Springsteen references are remarkably current, too -- especially given the vintage of many of the songs quoted. All in all, an excellent read.

The difference between Things Change and other YA novels is that this one is written in such a way that it isn't JUST for teens. I believe that everyone will read this book, love this book, and learn from this book. For Patrick Jones' first novel it's amazing he could do such a great job. The charatcers are wonderful. Each teen can deffinatly indentify with at least one of them in some sort of way. The book itself deals with a very serious issue. At first you'll wonder how. How can someone so smart be so dumb to go back and back again with an abusive boyfriend. The answer is love. And I truly did love this book and recommend it to all.

There are many books which feature dating violence, but Things Change is not "just another one." Instead it stands out for a few reasons. Johanna, like many other smart girl protagonists, falls easily under the influence of her bad boy love, Paul. It's so frustrating to see smart teen girls behaving so stupidly. She knows he'll hit her again, why does she go back?? However, what makes Johanna stand out is that when she finally says enough is enough, she does it on her own and the reader is able to see just how much courage that takes. Another standout of this novel is Paul. When the reader sees Paul's emotions and reads his letters to his dead dad, we see that he is not a one dimensional horrible boy. Of course what he does is wrong, but you can see that he is not a 100% horrible monster. It may be uncomfortable to acknowledge that, but I think it is a strength of the book. But what really stands out, is the realistic powerful ending that brings the book full circle, making you see how strong Johanna was, and how sad Paul's future is. (I won't say more than that because you really need to read the whole book to get the emotional impact of the last line.)

Paul offered Johanna a ride home, and suddenly shy, "good girl" Johanna is saying, "I want you to kiss me." A junior in high school, Johanna has long admired the handsome, fast-driving senior. Now things have changed. She has found the nerve to make a move.

Although nothing happens immediately, Paul eventually begins paying attention to Johanna. Little does she know it's because he and girlfriend Carla have split up, and he needs a replacement. Whatever the reason, Paul and Johanna become a couple.

Grades used to hold top priority for Johanna, but they've been moved to second place to make room for hours spent with Paul. Needless to say, her parents are not thrilled and neither is her best friend, Pam. Paul wants to spend so much time with Johanna that he demands she choose between her best friend and him. There is no choice - Paul is the love of her life.

As time passes, Johanna begins to notice that Paul's gentle caresses are becoming painful slaps, squeezes, and pinches. His loving words are now put downs said not only in private but also in front of their friends. Johanna doesn't know about Paul's hidden problems, but she's learning fast.

Paul's personality surfaces in the novel through letters written to "Dear Dead Dad." His father left when he was twelve, and news came later that he died in a car accident. His mother lost her husband, then her home, and then she "found" Jesus, and Paul began fending for himself. Anger issues and drinking problems begin complicating his relationships. He always apologizes and promises that "things will change," but doubt about their relationship haunts Johanna.

In THINGS CHANGE, Patrick Jones paints a chilling picture of physical and emotional abuse. People often question why the abused continues to "love" the abuser and refuses to seek help. Johanna's story attempts to show how loss of friendships and alienation of family keep the abused from reaching out. This emotion-packed novel tells a story that shouldn't be ignored.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

I thought that this was an extremely good book. I liked this book because i could relate very well to the things that the author portratyed in the book. The book is about high school life...but not the covered up version that you'd read about most of the time. This book is about the REALITIES that tend to happen in high school. I have actually had the privalage of meeting the author of this book, Patrick Jones. Hes not the typical kind of author that is full of him self and just wants more money...he is very down to earth and a good guy. He comes into schools and talks about his book, where he got the ideas for it, and explains and answers any questions. One of the main issues in this book is dating violence. Its a very real thing, and he brings that out through this book. he explained where he got the ideas....which was very cool...but ill stop boring you and simply tell you to read this book, because you definatley WONT regret it.
-Corey Dunning

-i am also looking forward to reading nailed...and i am currently reading the first draft of his next book "Cheated" which is so incredebly good...even on the first draft...so remeber this author in the future.

While reading this story I reached out to Johanna. I couldnt stop reading this book. I sat down and within two days i finished it. I didnt think i would like this book but i took a chance. I've already recommended it to many of my friends.
Its byfar one of the best books ive read in my short life.