Roland West, Loner (West Brothers)

After reading "The Armor of God" series by Ms Linden and loving it, I searched for more of her books. I'm very happy I found the West Brothers Series. I have read three books so far in no particular order but that doesn't spoil the story. This is by far the best YA series that I have ever read. I can't wait until my children are able to read it.Roland West, Loner is such an inspirational story full of mystery, friendship, longing to find one's place in the world, sadness, joy, miracles...Roland is a very shy and lonely teen-age boy that misses his Mother so much and lives in a beautiful home with his dad and older twin brothers who make his life miserable (especially Jarret). He has a very good heart and is full of forgiveness and desires to have friends. Thanks to one of Jarret's mischiefs he meets Peter and his family. Rolland is drawn to Peter's inheritance which will play a very important part in Roland's life (don't want to give spoilers).Even though The West boys' father is a good man and wants his boys to be honorable, he doesn't seem to spend a lot of time with them due to his job and another event that took place (won't tell so I don't spoil the story).Peter also meets Caitlyn. A very sweet, considerate Catholic girl who is also a big part in the life of Rolland.What I like about this book the most is that is written from a Catholic perspective but not super preachy for those who don't like preachy stories.Ms Linden writes beautifully and at times poetically. The details and descriptions of the places and characters are so real and vivid that it feels as if the reader is right with them in the story.It is very easy for teen agers and adults alike to identify with the characters in this story.Rolland is a wonderful roll model that will inspire young adults to want to be better, more humble, forgiving, loving.I love Caitlyn's character. So kind, innocent, and always ready to help.Nobody is perfect which makes the story very real and the ones with a good heart work hard on being better.I fell in love with Jarret's character. He is a bad boy but a very likable one. I was always rooting for him to find happiness.I highly recommend this series.

Roland West, Loner is a stellar teen novel! Entering the local public high school forces shy Roland to confront his fears and explore friendship and trust all while dealing with his mean and manipulative older brothers bent on ruining his life.Dependent on the help of his new friend Peter, Roland’s vulnerability inclines him to share little bits of himself he ordinarily holds close to the vest.Friendship with Peter also introduces him to sweet Caitlyn with her fiery hair and emerald eyes, gossipy Dominic, and even the guests at Peter’s family’s Bed & Breakfast.They’ll be drawn into a mystery starting with a locked box and culminating in a life-changing experience for each of them, one that will bring Roland back to the faith of his childhood.Theresa Linden’s superb writing will draw you in and her real-to-life characters will keep you reading to discover what Roland’s friend Peter has inherited, who’s after it, and whom Roland can trust.With mystery, suspense, a hint of budding romance and an encounter with the Divine, Roland’s story has something for everyone.(I received a complimentary copy and happily provided my honest review. The author is a fellow member of the Catholic Writers Guild.)

The story starts at the West house where Roland lives with his father and older twin brothers Jarret and Keefe. Their father is a freelance Archaeologist and Geologist and when on trips often takes one of the boys with him. Next is Roland's turn but when the meaner twin Jarret overhears where it will be he wants to go so he sets out to make Roland look rebellious. The West family like their privacy and their nearest neighbours the Brandt's own a bed and breakfast, a twenty minute walk away. They have two sons, Peter who is Roland's age and goes to the same school and Toby who is nine and autistic. With a mystery inheritance for Peter, the twins locking Roland in the basement to his rescue by the Brandt boys, a friendship forms although Roland is still reluctant to let anybody in. This is certainly a page turner, an exciting story with an absolutely wonderful ending, thank you so much Theresa for such a great book, I highly recommend it.

Roland West, Loner is the first book in Theresa Linden's West Brother's Series. I have to confess that I've already read Battle for His Soul and Roland West, Outcast, but doing so didn't ruin this first story. Linden does an amazing job presenting her characters and developing a solid story that keeps you guessing. I'm that annoying reader who tries to figure out the ending in the first paragraph, and I usually get it right. But not with Linden's story. Her twists and turns had me anxious to find out how it would all end, and with colorful characters and a finger-biting mystery to boot. A story about bullying, friendship, trust, gossip, and so many other themes, this story shows how to be strong in the faith while stuck in the world.

I liked the plot, seemed very realistic. Toward the later part, though, both my son and I thought it got a little to preachy or "churchy". Don't get me wrong -- I love the faith, and happy to have Catholic literature. But in the beginning, it seemed more realistic. At the end, it got a little over the top. Not sure if I will get the second one or not.

This book made me laugh, cringe and cry (in good ways!) and really drew me in. Delighted to have discovered this author and reading this series aloud to my teens when we finish the I Am Margaret series which I likewise recommend. Such a delightful moment in time for excellence in Young Adult Christian fiction!!! Looking forward to completing this amazing series and reading more by this incredible author,

My children and I each read this and really loved it. The characters were real and kept you wanting to know more about them. Excellent openings for conversations with the kids. Reading entire series!

My son loves this book! We can't wait to get the rest of the books in this series!

I was a little slow to read this West Brother book because (having started reading the books backwards (oops!) starting with ‘Roland West, Outcast’, ‘Standing Strong’ and ‘Battle For His Soul’) I’ve always been more of a fan of Keefe and Jarret than Roland. So I was pleasantly blown away by how much I enjoyed this book. I can understand why it won an award! I loved the developing friendship between Roland and Peter. A great read.[I am acquainted with the author through author groups, but I bought this ebook and my opinions are my own.]