A new show just landed on Netflix called 'My Life With The Walter Boys' and it's based on the novel by Ali Novak. It's a story that's been out a while but this is the first time I've heard of it. Novak wrote this story when she was only fifteen and although I haven't read it, the story itself is a true YA coming-of-age drama with a little love triangle in for good measure.
The series follows Jackie Howard who is forced to move from New York to Colorado after her parents and older sister passed away in an accident. Her entire life is turned upside down as she has to leave behind everything she knows and build a new life on a ranch in a house mostly full of boys.
It was Jackie's mother's wish that she move in with her best friend from college, Katherine Walter. It just so happens that from when she made her Will, Katherine had a number of children plus taking in two more. There is another girl in the house (Parker) who is eleven (I think). However, those who are closest to Jackie in age are all boys which leaves her quite isolated in her new life.
This show grabbed me straight away not because of some cleverly thought-out plot but because it feels real. We see a teenage girl who is mature for her age, try and navigate a new style. She holds true to herself and is determined to keep on the path she decided previously. Jackie's goal is to get into Princeton and that remains her focus throughout. That dream is her stability while everything else around her has fallen apart.
The love triangle between Cole and Alex (two of the Walter brothers) is the main plot point. Cole is the typical popular jock and Alex is the sensitive, sweet nerd. It was expected that there would be a love triangle as it's YA fiction but I love how it is handled. There is undeniable chemistry between Cole and Jackie but she refuses to act on it because of his past. This is unusual for this type of story as usually the good girl gets corrupted by the bad boy but not in this case! Then we have Alex who actually is a little obsessive. The kindness, love and devotion he shows Jackie makes her feel good and safe, so she starts a relationship with him and is respectful but there isn't really chemistry there.
On the topic of relationships, I love how the show portrays the different relationships. You have Alex and Jackie who are high-schoolers in a relationship. It's a little awkward, and their conversations are honest but not that deep. Then you have Will (the eldest Walter boy) and his fiancee, Hayley. They are around twenty-five but their relationship ends up breaking down because Will starts to become fixated on his career and Hayley feels like she has to choose between settling, being neglected or following her passions. Their conversations are much more intense and also feel real, as in many couples go through these discussions once they are firmly into adulthood. Finally, you have Katherine and George (Jackie's legal guardians) who have a solid marriage but problems financially and with running such a hectic household.
For me, the show resonates with so many aspects of life and is enjoyable for any age to watch (especially if you like slow-burn romances). It deals with grief, which most of us have experienced. It also shows the strength in staying true to who you are. All of the characters in this show remain consistent. Perhaps Cole has the biggest arc in dealing with his past pain but still, his character is authentic. It gives us (the viewer) an insight into certain types of personalities or the struggles that people may be facing.
When it comes to YA fiction, it's always satisfying when a show leads by example and encourages people to be honest, understanding, kind, etc. It reminds us of the qualities we value in others and want to possess in ourselves. The ending for me is perfect because it stays true to who Jackie is. Even though she's young and doesn't have things figured out, she always reminds herself of what's most important to her.
The only negative I can say is that about halfway through the show, it gets a little slow and choppy as it tries to put equal importance on all of the stories of the characters but there isn't enough time to do so. We are invested in Jackie at this point so by chopping and changing, some of the stories feel irrelevant. They aren't but you just don't have enough time and understanding to be invested. An example of this is the guidance counsellor. We follow her love life and there's supposed to be this cliffhanger at the end but we haven't spent enough time with her to truly care. Whatever she chooses, the viewer will be happy with, therefore, the story doesn't really matter to us.
Aside from that, it's an authentic show and handles its various topics well. There are no 'bad' characters and by the end, we like pretty much everybody which is a nice feeling. Let's hope that Netflix gives us a season two so we do get some resolution. I must say, even if we didn't, it would be frustrating as a viewer, but keeps in with the theme of reality. Sometimes there isn't a perfect ending.
My Rating - 7/10
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