Latest Read: Saving June

Here are the basics ...
Book: Saving June
Author: Hannah Harrington
Site: http://www.hannahharrington.com/
Category: Young Adult

Summary: Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why. When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She'll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going, California. Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and a connection to June who insists on joining them. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanor and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.  (Adapted from goodreads.com) 

My thoughts…

The good:  I might as well say it now - I loved this book!  I started it right before going bed which was such a bad idea because I couldn't put it down.  The characters and the situation just gripped me immediately.  There's no easy introduction -- you're immediately thrown into the chaos of Harper's feelings on the day of her sister's funeral.  The author did a beautiful job of exploring the different stages of her grief.  It wasn't just let me crawl into bed and cry for days.  Harper felt numb, angry, lost and angry again before she ever got to letting herself break down.  Before letting herself accept what had happened and truly dealing with it.  I enjoyed reading every step of that journey because the author managed to capture it in a way that felt so real to me.  Then throw in her crazy but fiercely loyal best friend Laney, music-obsessed Jake, a road trip to California and a swoon-worthy romance (the banter! the snark! you know how much I love that!) and.. you've got my ideal book.  Added bonus: the author includes the playlists mentioned.

The bad:  Does not apply here :)

Do I recommend?:  I do! You might be thinking - if you love this book so much, then why is the review so short? Honestly, a lot happens.  The three characters are driving across the country - they meet other people and experience so much along the way.  The beauty of the book is experiencing it with them.  So I don't want to reveal anything at all.  Just trust me when I say you should read this.

Happy reading!