Spiralling Out of Control

by Michelle Dennis Evans

Temptation, depression, seduction, betrayal ... Not what Stephanie was expecting at fifteen years of age. Uprooted from her happy, all-girl high school life with a dream filled future and thrown into an unfriendly co-ed school, Stephanie spirals into depression.
When charismatic high school senior, Jason notices her, Stephanie jumps in feet first and willingly puts all her faith and trust in him, a boy she barely knows.
Every choice she makes and turn she takes leads her towards a dangerous path.
Her best friend is never far away and ready to catch her … but will she push Tabbie too far away when she needs her most?

Set in Australia, this novel contains adult themes.
Recommended reading audiences 15+

Genres: Young Adult

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Buffy Greentree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiralling Out of Control is an engaging read, depicting how a few bad choices, some neglect and negligence can have drastic consequences. It is a warning for both teens and particularly parents, showing how a 'normal' looking life can have very dangerous undercurrents. It is a wake up call to anyone who does not interact with their children enough to really understand what is going on in their lives.
As the first in a trilogy, it does end with only hints of the closure the reader would like, and without the recognition of how hard it will be to climb back. However, presumably this will come out more in the other books in the series.
As a debut novel from the author, it is very well crafted. I look forward to the next book to see how the main character will deal with the after effects of her decisions in this book.

[Rose Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of people will find this story confronting. The teenage angst oozes off the pages, making the main character both believable and confronting. ‘Telling it like it is’, is a hard and dangerous pill to swallow, and although I can’t say I found this story entirely enjoyable, the fact is, I don’t think it was written as a feel good read. I can see where this story will give parents a vital insight into the teenage mind, and it will give teenagers an insight into the slippery slope of bad decision making. It has amazing potential to inspire real change in both parenting, and teen attitudes. Read it.

[Amanda Deed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiralling Out of Control was a challenging read, a hard read. I almost didn't finish it, but not because it was badly written. On the contrary, it was written with such painful reality that I found it hard to go on. But, I am glad I followed through to the end, for there was a glimmer of hope that I am sure will stretch into the sequel to come.

This is the kind of novel that is a must read for teenagers as an eye opener as to what a few bad choices, and hiding said choices from your family, can lead to. It also serves as a warning to parents, to really invest time into their teenagers and be aware of what they do with their lives.

Congratulations to Michelle on a great debut novel. I was so heartbroken for Steph as I neared the end, and I hope she can turn her life around in the next book. Spiralling Out of Control is not for the faint hearted, definitely for readers fifteen years and up.

Thanks to the author for a free review copy.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiralling Out of Control is a gripping read. Fifteen year old Stephanie Stronge's life changes drastically when the family moves from Sydney to Toowoomba. Cut off from her friends, no longer willing to follow her passion for dance, brushed off her parents, bullied and hassled at her new school, Stephanie sinks into deep depression until she meets good looking senior, Jason. Her life appears to be improving - or is it? This book pulls no punches. It sensitively explores the motivations and pathways that can lead to destructive life choices. Despite the young age of the protagonist - the book is for the older YA audience. Despite it's dark themes it finishes on a note of hope. I look forward to reading the sequel.

I received a free kindle copy for review purposes.

[Susanne Timpani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiralling Out of Control: Michelle Dennis Evans. This is as real as it gets. How easily a young person with no secure caregiver can move from a normal lifestyle to one ruined by drugs, alcohol and all the complexities of teenage sex.
This is no story for those who prefer to see a difficult life experience described in cotton wool. Well done Michelle, I couldn't put it down. Susan

[Elaine Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiralling Out Of Control is a great title for Michelle Dennis Evan's novel. People's lives spiral out of control one decision at a time.

Stephanie's life takes a downward turn after a move to the country, away from her supportive friends and dance school.

Being bullied and feeling like her life has been stolen been from her, she turns her back on pursuing her great love, dancing. She makes one bad decision after another and life spins out of control.

Before she knows it, she's in way over her head, with seemingly no way out.

The positive voice of her friend, Tabbie brings a voice of reason, but we don't always listen to reason do we?

As a parent, you pray your own kids won't get sidetracked from the amazing life you pray and hope for, but at the end of the day, they make their own decisions and have to live with the consequences.

This novel encourages parents to keep the conversation going with their kids and to keep tabs on what's happening. It doesn't stop them making mistakes, but at least they will feel safe sharing their lives with you, giving you a chance to have input at pivotal moments.

Friends are very important to this age group and everyone needs a friend like Tabbie who is willing to stick with you, tell the truth and love you no matter what.


I'm looking forward to reading more of Stephanie's story as Michelle spins it out in future novels. It's gritty and real, but has has an empathic heart towards the trial and tribulations teenagers face.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steph's life changes when she moves away from all her friends and a metropolitan lifestyle she loves in Sydney. Unhappy at her parents' decision to buy a home in Toowoomba, a rural town she considers a 'hole', she throws in her dancing. She hates her new school and the students there until she meets Jason, a senior who shows more than a passing interest in her.

At first Jason is sweet and accommodating, keeping to her rules to hold off on the more intimate aspects of a relationship. But gradually, as he begins to pressure her, she is caught in an emotional whirlwind - a turmoil of conflict in wanting to please him, feeling the need for his love and desire of her; but also realising his increasing abuse of her.

A great YA novel showing how slowly, inexorably, one small decision under pressure can lead to a bigger decision. Soon Steph is back in Sydney, boarding with her best friend Tabbie. But Jason's there too: soon she's living with him, working her butt off in more ways than one to support his partying lifestyle. And getting deeper and deeper into the dark underbelly of a world she's increasingly terrified to be part of.

This book comes with a recommendation, suggesting a reading audience of 16+

[Lynda Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Australia, this is a story about a fifteen year old girl named Stephanie who spirals out of control and goes from popular student with so much potential, to a drop out involved with sex and drugs. After moving away from all her friends in Sydney, Steph finds herself bullied at the new school, neglected by her parents, and in desperate need to find a connection with someone, anyone.

I love the occasional use of verse scattered throughout the novel. The poetry sometimes portrayed more raw emotion in its simplicity than the main body of the novel. I got the impression this was because, since the story is written through Steph's point of view, she was more able to express herself through the freedom of verse than she could with her family and friends.

Because I became so deeply invested in the character of Stephanie, the story became increasingly difficult to read as I watched her fall further into her downward spiral. I kept wondering what would make Steph wake up and take control. At each terrible event, I'd think, 'this is it', but she kept making catastrophic decisions and all the adults around her turned a blind eye, or made things worse.

It's a heart wrenching story of how easy it is to fall so far. It's an unsettling read, but one that will stay with me for a long while.

[Deni Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through a gripping & moving YA novel, Michelle Dennis Evans has really captured the raw emotions & struggles that many teens are faced with today.
A must read for young adults & parents.

[Terri Nighswonger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not an easy book to read but if you have teenagers or young adults in your life you should definitely take up the challenge. I could not put it down.
As the book opens, Stephanie is a 15-year-old aspiring to become a professional dancer. She has her dance, her friends and everything a teenager could want living in the big city of Sydney, Australia. After she moves with her family to a smaller town – all so they can be together more – her life begins to plummet into a downward spiral of drugs, alcohol and much more. The girls in the new town hate her, especially after she captures the heart of the most popular boy in school. When she moves back to Sydney to attend her old school and find her old life, things just get worse.
I think the author did an awesome job of developing Stephanie’s character. At the beginning of the book, Stephanie is a typical 15-year-old. By the end, though she is 16, she seems very much more grown up. Her experiences put her way past her peers and that makes sense.
While the subject matter is graphic, the author was able to write in such a way that you knew what was happening and you could feel a response emotionally to the character but you didn’t feel like this was a book that, as a Christian, you couldn’t continue to read.
I don’t want to give away the ending but, as a reader, I would have wished it had ended another way. I hope Michelle picks up Stephanie’s story in another book. I would definitely read more.

[Gwendolyn Gage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind every life caught in a web of sin and ruin is a series of choices, and this story demonstrates the sad progression of those choices very well. Stephanie is ripped away from her home, her friends, and the school that can help transform her dream of becoming a dancer into a reality, and thrust into a world she doesn't fit in. A boy takes an interest in her, and coaxes her past the edge of one boundary line after another.

The author’s pleasant Australian voice and natural ability to bring me deep inside the heroine’s psyche was my favorite aspects of the story. And the poems! I loved the beautiful poetry sprinkled throughout the book. There were a few times I had to go back through dialogue to figure out who was saying what, and a few times I didn't understand characters’ responses/decisions. Upon reaching the last third of the book, I got a bit depressed over all that was happening to Stephanie, but by the very end, I was satisfied with where I left her. All in all, a solid debut, and I look forward to reading more by the author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephanie at first starts out as a wholesome teenager who’s crushing on a boy named Jason. He’s a dreamboat since he’s handsome, college bound, and a few years older. Being younger and less sophisticated than he is, she’s not sure things will work, but they hook up. Then bad things start to happen. Stephanie gets involved in alcohol, drugs, and sleazy men. She’s out of control. There are some strong situations here, but the harshness is a reality for some teens. This novel is a fast read and I’m glad I picked it up.

[Ruth Bonetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an author who understands the issues faced by young adults and has depicted with empathy and realism the downward spiral that can so easily send a girl off the rails. It is challenging and many young girls will relate to the circumstances and events Steph faces.

[Barbara Mckay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woo Hoo ...my first book review on Goodreads!

I bought this book recently. As a 79 year old grandmother with 3 adult kids and nine grandchildren, the story of Stephanie engaged my brain until midnight. In the 1960's when I was a teenager and young adult, the word 'sex' was a taboo subject, along with other subjects mentioned in this book.

The reality was that sex did occur before marriage but few adults spoke of the consequences or were open and honest about the temptations that teenagers face. I am passing this book on to my grandchildren, (15 years and 22 years). Every grandparent, every parent and every teenager should read this book.

[Rebekah Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked - the lead character is superbly drawn and her story is realistically told. Skilful pacing and just the right amount of tension. As it is set in my own neck of the woods it gave me an extra level of "this could happen to anyone". I found it hard to put down, and I really look forward to reading the sequel.

[Tracy Krauss · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an aspiring dancer, Stephanie’s future looks bright. Then she and her family move to a smaller location and her hopes are dashed. The only real bright spot is meeting Josh. But one compromise after another begins a downward spiral that ultimately leads to despair. Stephanie finds herself doing things she never would have dreamed and her life seems out of control with no way back. Only God’s grace can bring her out of the pit she’s dug for herself. Spiralling Out of Control by Michelle Dennis Evans is aptly titled. Although touted as a YA novel, the gritty scenarios that Stephanie finds herself in are not glossed over, and it will appeal to a broader audience as well.