Review Detail

The Fullington Road Monster is an atmospheric YA book that transports readers to a small town in 1985 for a summer of first loves, family legends, and the monstrous effects of addiction. Daphne Ware has grown up under the microscope of expectations as part of the founding family of Fullingtons, which sets her up for manipulation and tragedy.
No boy she has grown up with has caught her eye until a 19-year-old old bad boy, Sean, comes to outrun trouble at his cousin's house. They have an insta-love relationship, and she is willing to sneak around to avoid her father finding out. This book takes an interesting angle on the bad-boy first-love trope because he is a red flag and stays a red flag character. As the reader, you can see that Daphne was the target of his desire to gain legitimacy with her family name and a conquest by picking the most unattainable girl he could. I did not support their relationship and really didn’t like who he settled with next. Her sister and best friend had me scratching my head with their choices at the end. There was not adequate attention to the fallout after the thorough exploration of events leading up to the parade day. Most of the book is from Daphne’s perspective, except for one lone chapter from Char-O’s. I believe we were meant to be surprised by the change in perspective, but I think labeling the chapter with her name would have been better. Once it is introduced that the story can be from another’s perspective, I wish there were more chapters and dialogue between them.
The uncertainty about the presence of a monster kept me turning pages. I expected something different from this plotline. Many times in books, there are harmful monsters, and that would be the cause of the tragedy hinted at in the summary. Instead, the monster is seen many times and never harms anyone. I thought maybe somebody would transform into a monster for a stronger fantasy element. The monster defies all expectations when it turns out to be more of a protective spirit guide. There is mention of disturbed Indian bones in the foundation of the house. However, the origins and mythos of the monster are not explored further.
The main monster ends up being her father’s alcoholism and the family's complete avoidance of the topic. This is written with the most emotion and detailed attention. You can tell this is the main point of the book, and enough insights to suggest the author knows from personal experience, which is backed up in the author’s note. Parts of the dad’s storyline didn’t feel fleshed out. Daphne said he was attentive and great when she was younger, and I kept wondering what the trigger or change was that led to his increased discontent and reliance on alcohol. The other minor point was the resolution to his story. If he were sober, what did happen?
Having the setting be 1985 takes away all the social media and cell phones that would have been hard to navigate. Set in modern times, she could have looked up Sean’s background and avoided him earlier. Recorded the monster for proof, which would have derailed the mystery. In contemporary times, she would likely be more outspoken about her family’s issues rather than trying to meet expectations of pretending them into oblivion. However, by making it summer, shared family phone, country setting, and grounding, there is much less chance for meaningful character dialogue and interaction, so things felt slow and then instant.
Overall, this YA book deals with the delicate subject of alcoholism in a way that is intense but not violent, so it gets the point across without being graphic. The relationship never describes more than kissing, so it can be read by younger YA audiences and be appropriate. There are mystery and suspense elements to keep you wondering what will happen.