Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Title:Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Publication Date: Feburary 1st 2013 (UK)
August 28th 2012 (US) 
Publisher: Harlequin UK 
Via Net Galley

Book Summary

         Chelsea Knot can't keep a secret to save her life until the last secret she spills sends her on a vow of silence. She goes from being the best friend of Popular girl Kristen, to the girl hated by almost everyone in her school. 

Chelsea Knot- Her character in the start of the book was immature and I wanted to give up on reading the book because I couldn't stand a character who was completely selfish. I decided to give her character a chance to redeem herself (which she does). Her character in the beginning is what a typical popular character is like, selfish and mean. Towards the end of the book she learns to become a better person. 

Kristen-I hated her character throughout the whole book. Even towards the end I wanted to punch her because she is the stuck up girl that doesn't think of anyone but herself. (I never got along with her type in high school.)

Sam-He is my favorite character throughout the book. He is the type of friend, I wish I had. I admired how even though Chelsea gossiped about his best friend's secret, that he still decided to befriend her. At first he was wary of befriending Chelsea which is understandable. 

Asha- Her character is the most selfless of them all as she takes Chelsea Knot as a friend despite the things she has done. She isn't popular but, she has a heart of gold. 

Noah-We don't really get to see much of his character throughout the book. I did enjoy the parts he is in though. 

Andy-I enjoyed his character. I wish we could of seen more of him throughout the story. At first he isn't really nice to Chelsea because of what happened to Noah because of her. I understood his pain and felt sorry about what happened. Towards the end we get to see what a great character he is. 

+/- or Dislikes/likes

+The concept of not being able to keep a secret

-Kristen 

+Chelsea/Sam's friendship
-How people treated Chelsea throughout the book
+Writing Style 
-Slut shaming 
+The dance scene
-/+The cover, I love the color scheme but, I think it is a bit bland.

"Hate is easy, but love takes courage" 

At first when I started Speechless, I wasn't sure I would enjoy it. I read Hannah Harrington's Saving June and fell in love with that book. After the whole drama played out, the main character became likable to me. I really enjoyed this book and love Hannah Harrington's writing style. I loved the concept the author came up with about someone deciding to become mute after spreading a secret went wrong, I think she did a  brilliant job portraying it in this book. 

Rating:3/5

Cover: 3/5 

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Title:Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Publication Date:November 22, 2011 (US)

June 1, 2012 (UK)

Publisher:Harlequin Teen

Book Summary
          Harper is the opposite of her older sister, June. June gets good grades, popular and the favorite. Harper is rebellious, gets bad grades and has a few friends. Her sister June, commits suicide a week before she is suppose to graduate high school. No one knows why June did what she did which leaves Harper feeling like she is to blame. Harper decides she wants to take her sisters ashes to California because she knew that is what her sister would have wanted. Her best friend, Laney tags a long on this road trip and a mystery boy who knew June.

Harper- Harper's character is going through something in life that is exteremly difficult, the loss of an older sibling. Through out the book she feels as though it was her fault and she should have done more to prevent her sister from committing suicide. I felt a connection with her character, and felt as though I was living her grief. Even though she has moments of break downs, she was an extremely tough character. 

June- She is the favorite in the family (or at least Harper feels that it seems this way), she can not do wrong and she gets good grades. No-one understands why she killed herself, not even Harper. Harper unlike most of the characters in the book (I.E. Mother,Father etc.); She wants to find out why the one person who seems to have life going for her would commit suicide. I wish we could of seen more of June's past. 

Jake- Jake is the key for Harper to possibly learn why June might have committed suicide. I loved his character since he showed up in the book. He had this mysterious vibe. I did find him a complete jerk at times during the book but, I still love his character. 

Laney-Laney is the outgoing friend who can make friends easily. Her character was fun to be around but, I didn't really relate to her. 

Aunt Helen- I extremely disliked her character. I believe in God and religion but, I hate when people are pushy about it and Aunt Helen seems like the down your throat christian.

+I loved the music reference throughout the book. 

+California <3  

+The whole concept of this book and the after effects of what someone might be like after losing someone

+Road Trip! 

-When Jake's a jerk 

+Romance
+Plot 
+Characters aren't 2-D

 "It's like a department store makeup counter threw up on her face." 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and felt like it was an emotional roller-coaster for Harper. The author created the characters and wasn't afraid to allow them to have flaws and acknowledge them. Most YA Books now a days are plastered with perfect characters and beautiful, while in Saving June, the characters might be beautiful their actions aren't always pleasant.

Rating: 3.5/5

Cover: 2/5 (I am not really a fan of this cover.)