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 nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanour and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.
Except June wasn’t the only one hiding something. Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down again.
The Short Story? – Moving, touching, amazing. One of my favourite contemporary YAs of the year. A tear-jerker that will captivate the hearts of readers. Beautifully written, a brilliant plot and a powerful emotional journey of life after grief. A bittersweet love story, a road trip to California and a secret that will change everything! Let’s all go on a road trip to save June!
The Long Story? – I’m anti-dark contemporary. I don’t like stories about grief, drugs, suicide or any other problems of the kind. I was a little iffy about this one but I’ve read some pretty spectacular reviews I had to give it a go. I’m so grateful that I gave Saving June a go because it was beautiful. This is contemporary at its finest. Harrington has written a phenomenal debut that will captivate the hearts of every one of you. Saving June is a road trip novel, one of the many YA trends but it an emotional journey as much as a physical one. Harper, Laney and Jake are on the path to healing after Harper’s sister June commits suicide. They decide to drive all the way to California to scatter June’s ashes in the pacific because it was June’s dream to live in California. A road trip full of tears and laughter, fantastic music, the unexpected, epic detours and a bittersweet love story. Saving June is on its way to being a modern day classic.
Harper, Laney and Jake are very likeable characters. More than that, you can relate to them because every one of them is flawed and they have their own issues to deal with. They examples of typical teenagers that have problems and face neglect, loneliness, grief and disappointment. Very, very beautiful characterization. Harper is my girl. She’s clearly hurting inside yet she holds it together. She’s sassy, funny and stubborn yet she’s got her heart in the right place. I honestly felt I could relate to her. Laney is the best friend I never have. She’s loyal, funny, a total drama queen yet she has her own problems as well. Lastly, I want a boyfriend like Jake. He’s your typical bad boy but he has this really sweet side as well. Nothing is ever boring when he’s in the picture. If I had to pick to go on a road trip with anyone, it would be Harper, Laney and Jake.
Saving June is a spectacular debut about love, loss and grief. Bittersweet, beautiful and incredibly moving. This is the captivating story about three teens on an epic road trip to California and the secrets, tears, laughter and detours that they share on the way. Go get yourself a copy (I mean it) and don’t read this book in public because YOU WILL CRY. I salute you, Harrington, a phenomenal debut that captivated my heart!
Rating – 6/5
Badass Bookie xx
I'm the opposite of you, I love me some dark contemp, so if you've managed to like this (or LOVE it as your rating would suggest) then I think I will probably adore it :D Fantastic review, Lisa :)
ReplyDeleteGabby from Harlequin sent me this a while a go and I haven't read it yet. Seeing you loved it so much, I may have to bump it higher up on my TBR list =)
ReplyDelete