Review: Saving June - Hannah Harrington

Where I got it: Library
Rating: 2.5 stars  
Cover Rating: 3 stars (I don't mind it.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: Novemeber 22, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Page Count: 322 p.
Buy it: Book Depository / Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Harper's sister June has killed herself. No one is sure why. She didn't seem unhappy and she was always the good daughter. Now Harper is left in the wake of this tragedy. June had always wanted to go to California, so when Harper hears that her parents are planning on splitting up the ashes she steals them. Now all she needs is a road trip crew. Her best friend Laney is in, but her car dies before they can even really think about California. That's when Jake appears. Jake knew June too, though Harper isn't sure how. Now though, they have an entire road trip to find out that and about themselves and about life.

This is a great book if this is exactly the topic you like to read about. It was cliche and predictable at times. Most of my drive to keep reading it was so that I could figure out why June would kill herself.

I don't really have a lot to say about this one, it was typical. The writing wasn't anything special, so it didn't really stand out against other books. Each person was a caricature of the character they were playing. I mean the young rebellious daughter who's always asked "Why can't you be more like your sister?". The best friend who ends up needing help. The cute rebel/mysterious boy. The road trip (now don't get me wrong I love a good road trip story, but...). The relationships, the drama...Maybe I'm getting to old for YA ;-P

It wasn't a bad story, but I know it will fade in my memory with all the others like it. I don't mind the same story as long as there is something that sets it apart. There were even some great parts to it. I enjoyed the music conversations, which I guess could set it apart. This book almost seemed to mash two perfectly good books into one and the result was less than amazing. If you enjoyed The Sky is Everywhere and don't mind the same story but with a road trip instead of grief, check it out.

First Line:
"According to the puppy-of-the-month calendar hanging next to the phone in the kitchen, my sister June died on Thursday, exactly nine days before her high school graduation."

Favorite Line:
"'You'd have to have no soul to not like Johnny Cash,' he says."