-Kristin Hannah, Night Road
Everyone has a best friend. I'm not talking about a huge group of friends that you see at school or work, or the people you talk to during the day just to get by. I'm talking about that one best friend that completes you, that knows you better than yourself. No matter what, they are there.
When I say everyone, I mean everyone but Lexi. Lexi grew up with a drug-addict mother, who was in and out of prison, leaving Lexi in foster care most of the time. Dad was out of the picture, so Lexi had no family, or so she thought. Finally, when Lexi was 14, she discovered she had family.
Her great aunt Eva took her in to love and care for her. Because she was 14, it was time for her to start high school. She was used to being the new girl in a school since she had lived with multiple families over the years. She knew the tricks of blending in, and she did the best she could to not be noticed.
She succeeded in being invisible until she got to her first class. A boy approached her and spoke to her. He was so cute, he left her speechless. Of course, another girl came and led him away. It was obvious he was Mr. Popular at this school, so she knew she shouldn't even bother. But she just couldn't figure out why he came to her.
Soon enough it was time for lunch. Lunch on the first day is the worst! Where do you sit? Lexi took her packed lunch and her copy of Jane Eyre outside to sit in the sunlight. She spots a girl sitting under a tree, in a pink skirt and high top Converse shoes. She immediately likes this girl. Lexi tries to speak to her, but she says that talking to her would be considered "social suicide" and that she would never be a cheerleader if she did. Lexi said she cared nothing about that. The two instantly become friends.
Mia invited Lexi over to her house--her huge, rich-person house. Soon after they got there, the door burst open and several kids her age spilled inside. The cute boy from that morning was there! He walked over to Mia and started talking to her, then he noticed Lexi and froze. Mia introduced him: her twin brother, Zach. Oh no. Lexi knew she didn't need to be attracted to this boy if she wanted to have a good friendship with Mia. This wasn't going to be easy.
After a detailed telling of how Lexi met her new best friend, Mia, the book skips to their senior year. Lexi and Mia are still inseparable. Lexi loved Mia's family, and they loved her in return. Little did they know, Lexi would dramatically change their lives.
This story is told in third person; however, it is told from two different perspectives: Lexi's and Jude's, Mia's mother. Through both perspectives, the reader can see what a teenager goes through, but at the same time what a mother goes through during the same situations.
Jude is concerned about senior year. What mother wouldn't be? This is a huge year for her children: they have to decide on their future, fill out college applications, keep their grades up, score high on big tests, and do all of that while make the most fond of memories. Seniors loved to make memories by having parties. Seniors also loved to drink at these parties. How does a mother keep her children safe in these environments? She doesn't want to hold them hostage and never let them go out with their friends, but what if they drink? She can't always be there next to them to protect them.
Mia was shy, while Zach had a lot of friends. Zach was always there to protect her and be with her. Jude knew it was so important for them to go to the same college. They are both applying for the same schools, but there is never a way to know what will happen. Jude can't imagine what would happen if they didn't have each other.
OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH! This was ridiculously hard for me to write. I understand that I summarized a lot more than normal, but I promise I gave nothing away! I struggled with avoiding the major parts of the story. There is just SO much to this story. I feel as if this isn't my best review, which is sad because it's one of the best books I've read so far. I laughed, cried, and felt so many other things during this story. Kristin Hannah will throw you for a loop, for sure.
I can't imagine going through what these people went through in the story. Kristin Hannah sculpted this story to perfection. It's not some happy, mushy, unrealistic love story. There are no over the top romantic gestures, or anything like that. The character's reactions are all so realistic to the situations they face.
Night Road takes you through happiness, love, fear, grief, confusion, hopelessness, and back again. The writing in this book is outstanding.
Earlier I mentioned seniors partying and drinking. There are scenes in this book that demonstrate this behavior. There is sexual content; however it is not descriptive. For the most part, anyone can read this book. I believe that the reader should at least be 13 years old, but if a younger reader is mature, it should be fine. Profanity is not absent, but it is scarce.
As far as the drinking goes, I want to take a second to mention drunk driving. It's simple: just don't do it. If you choose to drink, make sure that you have a driver. If you don't have a driver, then don't drink. If you make the mistake to drink when no ride is available, call someone. Driving is never the right choice. Be safe. It's not worth the risk.
Read this book. No, that's not a suggestion, it is a DEMAND! No regrets accompany this read! After reading, tell me what you think! Or simply tell me what you thought of the review! Good? Bad? Anything! Anyone can leave comments right here!
***
Readers, don't forget to like my new page on Facebook! Also follow me on twitter, simply by clicking the button on the right of the page!
This review is awesome!!!! I want to read this book as soon as possible!!!!! Great Job Courtney!!
ReplyDelete