Author: Hannah Harrington
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Publish Date: November 29, 2011
Source: Netgalley
Why You're Reading This Book:
- You're a young adult fan
- You like coming of age stories
From Goodreads.com: "Everyone's sorry. But no one can explain why.
Harper Scott's older sister, June, took her own life a week before high school graduation, leaving Harper devastated. So when her divorcing parents decide to split up June's ashes, Harper steals the urn and takes off cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going—California.
Enter Jake Tolan, a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession…and an unknown connection to June. When he insists on joining them, Harper's just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanor and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what Harper needs. Except…Jake's keeping a secret that has the power to turn her life upside down—again."
My Two Cents:
Oh I really liked this book! Harper is the one that found her sister's body when she killed herself and she's definitely affected as anyone would be. June was the perfect daughter and while she and Harper always got along, Harper continuously felt like she was living in her shadow. When her sister dies, she's suddenly thrust out on her own but still feels lost now that her world is turned upside down. She feels like she needs to do something to preserve June's memory and she steals the urn.
I really liked Harper. She grows throughout the book and realizes that she doesn't need to be anyone other than herself. I felt really bad for her because even as she's doing something that she knows her sister would have loved in her lifetime, her family is constantly telling her that's she's doing the wrong thing and she's hurting the family more than they've already been hurt. That has to be a hard rope to tow.
Music plays a huge part throughout the story. Jake shows Harper and Laney the power of music and how it can fit the moment perfectly and put things into perspective. It's mostly classic rock, which is probably my favorite genre of music so I loved that fact. And now I am very tempted to download a lot of the music talked about in the book. Conveniently, the author put the playlists of Jake's mix cds in the end of the book. That was a very nice touch!
Bottom line: This is a good read for young adult lit lovers!
I've heard of this book and thought about reading it. It is now DEFINITELY going on my TBR! -- I gotta quit following you....my TBR is getting too high....thx! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, it's such a good one!
DeleteI loved this book, it made my top ten of 2011. I loved the characters, the road trip, and all of the great music that was in it. I am glad to hear you enjoyed it too!
ReplyDeleteI actually started putting all of the music together in a Spotify playlist. It's all so good!
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading this book! Thanks for the review. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower!
Alexandra~
http://www.wordsoftheworlds.blogspot.com
Welcome! Definitely let me know how you like the book when you get to it!
DeleteI've heard a lot of praise for this book which makes me super excited to read it! Looks like another library trip is needed!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a good YA book. I think the topic of suicide is an important subject to cover but really difficult to do in a YA book. Harrington succeeds there!
DeleteI loved this book, and especially all of the amazing music featured!:)
ReplyDeleteThe music is so fantastic!
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