the twelve lives

4 stars

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It tells the story of Samuel Hawley and his daughter Loo. Samuel Hawley is not a good man. He’s a thief and a killer and he’s led a dangerous and deadly life. When he meets Lily after a job goes bad, he finds something he never thought he’d have – love. He tries to go straight but when Lily gets pregnant he needs to go back to his old ways to support his new family. When Lily dies he is lost in his misery and leaves his daughter Loo with Lily’s mother.
When Loo is a young girl Samuel goes back for her and they lead a nomadic life, never staying anywhere too long and always looking over their shoulder. Samuel teaches Loo how to handle a gun and defend herself. The two eventually settle in a small town in MA where Lily grew up. The two find out quickly, however, that they are not welcome. Loo is an outcast in school and Samuel has a hard time finding work.

The book is told in alternating chapters between the past and the present. The past chapters explain how Samuel got each of his 12 gunshot wounds and the present chapters chronicle Loo’s relationship with her father and her struggle through adolescence. Samuel will do anything to protect his family and as his past catches up to them both, he and Loo find out just what they will do for each other.

The book is well written and holds your attention. It is both a thrilling ride and a heartbreaking coming of age story. I recommend you read this book.