I'm not sure about this one. I liked some bits, didn't get others--like where the romance came into it. Fair enough they had some nice moments but others they were at each others throats. It made me cry a little near the end but other than that I wasn't entirely pulled into the story.

Speechless - Hannah Harrington 

I won this book in a giveaway and I am so glad I am finally getting to it.

Reading the synopsis of this book I knew it had to be good filled with teenage drama like no other.

I did not want to put this book down once I started it as it was that good. Chelsea can not keep a secret to save her life. When at a party she sees two guys doing something and she ends up running downstairs in the middle of the party telling her best friend and those around her. Because of her doing this it sets a chain of events that has Chelsea learning that words can hurt others even if you don't mean them two. What she saw that night wasn't that bad but what happens afterwards is what makes Chelsea feel guilty. Two guys at the party Warren and his buddy decide to hurt one of the guys and because of that Chelsea feels as though she needs to tell the cops the truth. This makes her become a rat and the bullying starts. 

After this has occurred she feels as though she needs to take on a vow of silence for how long she doesn't know. Just that she doesn't want to hurt others by saying things she shouldn't say. Hey I know some people that should do this now a days.

When Asha befriends Chelsea she realizes that she doesn't need to be hanging out with the so called popular kids they aren't all that fun. Asha and her friends are in a way carefree and are truly happy minus what happened to their friend. 

In the end Chelsea learns to forgive herself as the one person she hurt most of all has slowly forgiven her. She learns to find her true self and it was awesome to see Chelsea learn a hard lesson and grow as a teenager. This was a book I really could not put down and I was a bit sad to see it end. The drama, the oh wow moment, the teen romance (which isn't anything graphic) it all blended in perfectly. 

I plan to read more by this author I like her writing style and the way she can capture your attention. 

This review is also available on my blog, Bows & Bullets Reviews

Chelsea Knot has taken a vow of silence.  After a drunkenly outing Noah, a classmate, which results in someone beating him so bad he was hospitalized, Chelsea can't keep her mouth shut.  She confesses everything she knows to the cops, including the name of the perpetrators, making herself public enemy number one with her friends.  She decides that only bad things come from when she speaks without thinking and she needs so serious quiet time to sort it all out.  Surprisingly, silence isn't so bad.  Despite being harassed by the majority of the school, she ends up making a friend or two in the most unlikely places.  Friends that seem to be able to forgive her for what she's done.  Now can she find the courage to forgive herself?

Chelsea is initially a character I hate.  Popular and mean and full of herself, she is the it girls bestie.  All that really matter are the rumors she spreads, her clothing choices, and the fashion world.  But when the shit hits the fan, she steps up and realizes that maybe it's time to change.  

Shit...bad choice of words.  That just makes me think of the fact that Shim Moore left Sick Puppies and my devastating feelings on that matter.  

I'm good, I swear, so let's continue.  Chelsea takes this situation and turns it into something positive.  Since the last few things that came out of her mouth only caused trouble, let's not speak for a while.  This is more challenging than you'd think.  Not only can you not verbally communicate with anyone, but you can't hum or sing along to your favorite music (which would be a tremendous challenge for me) and you can't defend yourself from ridicule.  But it has the intended effect.  Chelsea now thinks before she responds and her answer isn't just the first thing that comes to mind.  The vow actually impacts her in a positive way because she makes true friends and starts improving in school and realizing that the people you associate yourself with makes a world of difference.  She realizes that the bad guys aren't always the ones doing the bad things, but also the ones who stand by and let the bad things happen.  She certainly didn't beat Noah to a bloody pulp, but her actions caused it and even before that moment, her not speaking up when her friends where being homophobic jackasses in a small way lead to it.

Sam, the love interest, is sweet and dorky and absolutely adorable.  He stands up for what he believes and he fights for what he thinks is right.  He reads...::swoons::...and listens to NPR...::not so swoons:: but he makes an effort for Chelsea and they are so cute together, that you can't help but believe they'll make it out alright.  They'll figure out a way to make it work, regardless of whether or not they have common interests.  

What makes this so special is the amazing transformation Chelsea undergoes.  We see real change and development on her part.  She is one of the most fully formed characters I've ever had the pleasure of reading about.  It also could come across as a PSA, giving you that lecture feel because of the subject matter, but it doesn't.  Chelsea's story is very readable and addictive.  She grows and changes and learns.  This novel manages to give you a good message, especially one for teenage girls, without throwing it in your face.  People are assholes, but there are some good ones out there and it's a great idea to learn to be thankful for what you have.  Things could be a great deal worse.  

Geez, I'm not explaining this right.  I just can't find sufficient words to make you understand.  This novel was perfect.  There wasn't a thing I would change.  It feels real and true and wholly amazing.  Chelsea changes.  I know I keep saying that, but how many YA stories do you get where the heroine changes on her own.  There is no spirit guide or world that needs saving or magical event that helps her along the way.  After the Noah incident, she knows something has to give and maybe that something is her.  

This novel has been sitting on my TBR shelf for far too long and I really regret waiting to pick it up.  It's going down in my book as a favorite because it was amazing.  It has everything you need in a great novel, with a good message, readable quality, realistic characters, and those humorous moments that make you smile despite yourself.  I recommend it to absolutely everyone!

****Thank you to Harlequinn Teen for providing me with an eARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review****

I laughed. I cried a little. I discovered that "Let It Be" by The Beatles breaks my heart. There is this strange, hollow feeling that settled in my chest after I finished the book.

I learned to love the characters through their flaws. I related to Harper way more than I thought I would, but I still felt generally disconnected to everything that happened in the book. Does that make any sense? There was something missing for me. I just can't put my finger on it. Also, not a big fan of that abrupt ending. Everything just felt jumbled and unresolved.

Guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm left dissatisfied. Maybe my expectations were too high? Whatever the case, it was an ok read to me.