How to Grow an Addict by J.A. Wright; A Review

” Randall Grange has been tricked into admitting herself into a treatment center and she doesn’t know why. She’s not a party hound like the others in her therapy group―but then again, she knows she can’t live without pills or booze. Raised by an abusive father, a detached mother, and a loving aunt and uncle, Randall both loves and hates her life. She’s awkward and a misfit. Her parents introduced her to alcohol and tranquilizers at a young age, ensuring that her teenage years would be full of bad choices, and by the time she’s twenty-three years old, she’s a full-blown drug addict, well acquainted with the miraculous power chemicals have to cure just about any problem she could possibly have―and she’s in more trouble than she’s ever known was possible.” – How to Grow an Addict

I think I was a bit deceived on how this book was going to go. From the description of the novel and the forward, I thought this book was going to be funny and entertaining. I was way off on this one! There isn’t anything funny about this book, it is quite morbid and difficult to read. So difficult that I had to stop. I only read the first 20% of the novel in which I got to a point where I could not continue on and refused to pick it up again. This book goes beyond any book I have ever read in which it left a gross feeling in my stomach. I have read The Last Exit to Brooklyn which is a morbid book as well, but it was only disturbing for a brief moment then progresses further. How to Grow an Addict is stomach wrenching read, that will twist and turn your stomach and your mind, and I just could not take another page. This book has endless amount of triggers, so be forewarned! Triggers are often themes in books that people may find disturbing and often cause emotional trauma. Like The Last Exit to Brooklyn has  trigger warnings for rape and abuse, and I do not often stumble upon books that have trigger warnings now a days, I tend to steer clear of those kind of books. However with How to Grow an Addict has more than the average trigger warnings. If you have sensitivity to sexual themes, drug abuse, domestic violence, or alcohol abuse then stay clear from this book! All these themes were explored in the first quarter of the book and went further then was necessary, NO JOKE! It is safe to say that J.A. does not shy away from these themes but she does it in a way that is neither entertaining or thought provoking. There was too much too soon and the book was neither fun or enjoyable to read.Maybe if Jodi took all the drama of the main character and spread it through the book then there would have been a greater chance I would have read more. If Jodi decides to write books like this in the future then maybe do an every other chapter switching from past to present so with negative themes can be stomached a little better. Books are there to entertain, incise, and allow the reader to gain knowledge and perspective on certain topics and thoughts.  How to Grow an Addict was nothing like I thought it would be, and for someone who has read a lot of book who touch on sensitive subjects, but this book was in a whole different genre. There wasn’t anything that made me want to process further or dive deeper or give the book another few pages to change my mind. There wasn’t anything about this book that I liked or enjoyed. I would rather read a Romance Novel from the grocery store for $1.99 then try to read this book again. I can’t move past how this book made me feel as a reader and I am stuck in spot where I hope that the other books I review this year are not like this one. I know the next book I pick  up will not be like this, diffidently something a little happier and with a love story! I need something to get me out of this funk this book has left me in.

So in conclusion save your money, and your piece of mind; do not pick up this book. Buy the book with Fabio on the cover, it will be more entertaining and will make you feel better about yourself and think happier thoughts than this one.

Happy Reading.

Disclaimer: I was sent How to Grow an Addict for free from J.A. Wright for an honest review. This review is of my own work, and I did not copy or refer to any other reviewers/writers/bloggers for this post. All content provided on “A Comfy Chair” is for informational purposes only. I make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

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