Friday, May 18, 2012

Breaking Beautiful ~ Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Title: Breaking Beautiful
Author: Jennifer Shaw Wolf
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Pub Date: April 2012
Pages: 354
*subject content does include abusive relationship/situation.

Rating: 4/5


When this book first came available on NetGalley, I wavered about getting it; but now I am glad I did. It was such a strong book for a debut. And somehow I initially missed that there was abuse in the story, so when it showed up I was a bit taken back.

Allie and her boyfriend Tripp were in a car accident. She survived, but he didn't. Unfortunately, Allie has no recollection of the accident, or even the night of the accident.

As police re-open the investigation she is forced to try and remember more. And slowly, pieces  begin coming back to her. But remembering (and telling) are hard, especially when the beloved dead golden boy was an abusive prick. His own friends turned a blind eye when Tripp would beat Allie in front of them.

Will Allie be able to remember what happened, and more importantly to tell what was really happening before someone else gets hurt? Someone else like her new friend/boyfriend. Apparently to Tripp's family and friends, Allie should still be in mourning and not making eyes at a new guy.


Even though Allie knows she doesn't still need to be, she is still afraid of Tripp. His memory, his presence are so strong that Allie cannot relax. She is also still getting notes from him, and everytime she lets go of something from him, it ends up back with her.

There was so much emotion in this book. Granted, many times throughout I got pissed at Allie-why didn't she just say he beat her?! But then again, that shows just how strong Tripp's hold of her was. Even in death she can't betray him.  Looking at the book cover, it occurs to me that this is probably one of the most appropriate book covers ever. Having images of people would not have done justice. Instead, missing shoes, a guardrail, and a beach in the background speak volumes to what the book contains.


No comments:

Post a Comment