Something Like Normal

Travis Stephenson returns home on leave from Afghanistan, carrying the weight of his combat experiences and the death of his best friend Charlie. His hometown of Florida feels foreign now, with his ex-girlfriend dating his former best friend and his parents' marriage showing signs of strain. Travis struggles to readjust to civilian life while managing his PTSD symptoms and recurring dreams about Charlie. A chance encounter with Harper Gray, a girl from his past, offers an unexpected connection as he navigates his temporary return to normal life. The novel follows Travis through his brief leave as he confronts his complicated family dynamics, attempts to make peace with his memories, and discovers new possibilities for his future. His relationship with Harper develops against the backdrop of his impending return to active duty. This contemporary young adult novel explores themes of trauma, redemption, and the challenge of finding one's place between two worlds. Through Travis's perspective, the story examines how war changes not only those who fight, but also the relationships and communities they leave behind.

Readers appreciate the authentic portrayal of PTSD and military life, with many veterans and military family members confirming the accuracy of the mental health struggles depicted. The romance develops naturally and Travis's imperfect character growth feels believable to readers. Common praise points to the raw emotional impact, realistic dialogue, and the book's ability to handle serious themes while maintaining moments of humor. Multiple reviews note finishing the book in one sitting. Some readers found the pacing slow in the middle sections and wanted more depth to supporting characters. A few reviews criticized the romantic subplot as taking focus away from the PTSD narrative. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (17,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4.5/5 Sample review: "Doller doesn't sugarcoat PTSD or make Travis into a hero - she shows his struggles honestly. As someone who's been there, I appreciated that." - Goodreads reviewer

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson A teenager and her veteran father grapple with his PTSD while she navigates high school relationships and confronts their shared past.

If I Lie by Corrine Jackson A military family's daughter becomes an outcast in her small town for a secret she keeps to protect her Marine boyfriend.

Personal Effects by E.M. Kokie A brother sorts through his fallen soldier sibling's belongings and uncovers hidden truths that change his understanding of family.

Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick A young soldier in Iraq pieces together the events of an incident that left him with a traumatic brain injury and questions about his actions.

In Honor by Jessi Kirby A sister takes a road trip based on her fallen soldier brother's final letter, encountering his best friend and their shared grief along the way.

🌟 Author Trish Doller worked as a newspaper reporter and radio personality before becoming a young adult novelist 🎖️ The book explores Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in young veterans, a condition affecting up to 20% of military personnel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan 💌 The main character Travis's experiences in Afghanistan were shaped by interviews Doller conducted with actual Marines who served there 🏠 The novel's setting of Naples, Florida is the author's hometown, allowing her to portray the location with authentic detail 🤝 Something Like Normal was one of the first YA novels to seriously address the impact of modern warfare on teenage soldiers returning home, helping pave the way for more books on this subject