The Have Not: A Promising Debut
The Have Not is Beth Crowley’s debut novel and I have to say—wow, she absolutely hit it out of the park! As a long-time fan of Crowley’s music, especially her songs inspired by books, I was eagerly anticipating her transition into fiction. I had the pleasure of meeting her earlier this year at UTOPiAcon, where she shared a glimpse of her novel, and I knew right away it would be something special. Crowley has a rare gift for capturing emotions with words in a way that tugs at your heartstrings, and it’s clear that this talent shines through in her debut novel as well. Needless to say, The Have Not did not disappoint.
A Life Turned Upside Down
In the novel, Cam Donovan is a typical teenager living quietly with her father in Arizona, far from the chaos of her celebrity mother’s world. But of course, life happens and Cam’s world is turned upside down. After her father’s death forced her to move to Los Angeles, she finds herself thrust into the spotlight she’s spent her whole life avoiding. With her mother pushing her to build a public image, the constant attention of gossip sites, and her growing feelings for a seemingly unattainable waiter, Cam struggles to adjust. As she navigates her new life, she’s also grappling with anger and grief, which threaten to unravel everything she’s trying to rebuild. Amidst the fame, family drama, and her personal turmoil, Cam must figure out who she really is and what she wants—before everything falls apart.
Engaging Characters with Room for Growth
One of the standout features of The Have Not is its diverse and engaging cast of characters. I particularly enjoyed the witty banter between Cam and those around her, which added a refreshing layer of humor and helped balance the heavier themes of grief and loss. The humor lightened the emotional weight of the story, making the characters feel more authentic and relatable.
That being said, there were moments where certain character interactions felt a bit off for me. Specifically, Cam’s relationship with her mother, Jackie, didn’t always feel as authentic as I would have liked. Given the strained, almost non-existent nature of their relationship, I expected more tension and conflict, particularly around things like curfew or household rules. Teenagers, especially in such an unpredictable and emotionally charged situation, tend to be more argumentative toward parental figures, but Cam seemed too agreeable in certain instances. While this may have been intended to show her desire to avoid confrontation, I felt that a bit more emotional outburst or resistance could have added depth to her character and to the story as a whole. These moments of missing emotional tension made the dynamic feel less realistic and slightly diminished the potential for deeper character development. I really enjoyed the character of Milo. Though their relationship had a lot of potential for adding depth to the story, I felt there were missed opportunities to explore it further. Their dynamic could have been more fleshed out to bring additional emotional complexity to the narrative.
The Music That Complements the Story
One thing that really sets Crowley’s book apart from others in her genre is the release of her album to accompany it. I love it when authors include playlists with their books to go along with the story, but having an entire album created for the book takes it up a notch and really heightens the emotional connection. I appreciated how she integrated QR codes into the text, enabling readers to hear songs at the relevant points in the story. This thoughtful inclusion of music enriches the experience and amplifies the emotional depth of the scenes.
An Emotional Yet Engaging Writing Style
The writing was well done, the pacing overall was in sync with the scenes, though a few could have been slightly adapted. I found myself mostly engaged throughout the entirety of the novel and I look forward to many more books from this author in the future.
Finding Oneself Amidst Chaos
At its heart, The Have Not is not only about navigating grief but also about the struggle to find oneself in the midst of overwhelming external pressures. Crowley explores the theme of identity, particularly the challenge of stepping out of someone else’s shadow—whether it’s a celebrity parent or a public image imposed by society.
A Thoughtful, Emotional Debut
Overall, The Have Not is an emotional, thoughtful, and entertaining debut that balances humor with heartache. Whether you’re a fan of YA coming-of-age stories, or you’re simply looking for a novel that explores the complexities of family and identity, this book is definitely worth picking up. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy character-focused stories with a mix of humor and depth. It’s a memorable debut, and I’m eager to see what Beth Crowley brings to the table next!