Title: Stim
Author: Kevin Berry
Release Date: October 16th 2013
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary
BLURB
Robert is different. He has Asperger’s Syndrome. He experiences the world differently to 99% of the population. Follow his entertaining and highly empathetic story as he struggles to realise and accept who he really is, try to understand other people—which he cannot—and find a girlfriend. Especially find a girlfriend—he’s decided it’s his special project for the year. Accompanied on this transformative journey by his quirky flatmates, Chloe (who also has Asperger’s, amongst other things), Stef (who hasn’t, but doesn’t mind) and their oddly-named kitten, Robert endures a myriad of awkward moments in his quest to meet a nice, normal girl…and not even a major earthquake will stop him.
This absorbing and humorous story is starkly told from Robert’s point of view, through the kaleidoscope of autistic experience.
Review
Genre: new adult,emotional,romance,pause for thought,
I have an eleven year old son who is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder; he struggles socially like Robert, though can communicate eloquently and talk about Batman like Robert does Economincs and Jake stims, usually by scratching his body or flapping his hands.
When I signed up to review Stim I thought my personal experiences would mean Kevin Berry’s novel would be an interesting read which I could finish with enthusiasm. However, the realism of Robert’s experiences choked me and at times I found myself too emotional to continue. Despite this Robert is a character I truly took to my heart and in his desperate times I was grateful there was a Chloe.
Chloe’s character is a myriad of special needs and labels given to her by professionals, but she has her own coping methods. She is Robert’s best friend, confidante and shining star.
Kevin Berry counteracts the drama and reflection of Stim with the humour, often unknowingly, introduced into the story by Robert.
‘” You look like a sensible young man. What do you think of this outfit?”
I considered for a moment, intent on being as helpful as possible.
“Your bum does look big in those trousers,” I said. “It bulges out, in fact. I think you should choose a much larger pair. The blouse also. It looks very tight under your breasts.”
I arrived home at 1.07 p.m., having been fired from my Sunday job at the department job for gross misconduct and told never to return, even as a customer. I genuinely did not know what I had done wrong. I had been helpful and honest.”
Robert also searches for the flatmate’s kitten, named Sex, and arrested, after the Police officers find him in the bushes. When they question him he says,
‘”I am looking for Sex”‘!
Stim is a wonderful story about a young man’s fight, somtimes with society, and at other times with himself. Kevin Berry has created beautifully warm characters, with huge hearts, and I thank him for his honesty.
Please read this story.
Rating:
About the Author
Kevin Berry is an indie author. His particular niche is writing Aspie New Adult contemporary novels set in an earthquake zone. The first of these is STIM, published in October 2013.
His first novels, co-written with Diane Berry, are Dragons Away!, Growing Disenchantments and Fountain of Forever (humorous fantasy). These are available as paperbacks and ebooks at Amazon and elsewhere.
All in One Place 
Aw I bet this was very emotional for you. It does sound like a very good book and I love how the characters seem to really bounce off the pages! Wonderful review, hun!
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STIM looks like a good read and I added it to my TBR! Thanks for sharing
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