Author: Therese Fowler
Genre/Age: Contemporary fiction, drama, adult
Publication: 2011
Source: For review, Pump Up Your Book
Summary: Anthony, 18, and Amelia, 17, two high school seniors, are deeply in love. They have big plans for the future that all include each other. However, their world comes crashing down when Harlan Wilkes, Amerlia's overprotective and wealthy father, discovers nude "sexting" photos of Anthony on Amelia's computer, and immediately contacts the authorities. Within days, Anthony has been arrested and accused of being a sexual predator. He has become a pariah to everyone around him, except for Amelia, who remains faithful and loving. Then, things take a turn for the worse when photos of Amelia are discovered as well, and she too is arrested. Life has become a disaster for both teens and their families, and nothing will be the same ever again. Desperate to be together, and afraid to spend life in prison, Amelia and Anthony take drastic measures to escape what their lives have become.
My Thoughts: This book is breathtaking, heart-pounding, and gripping - impossible to put down. It is raw, shocking, scandalous, and unforgettable. I became immediately entranced by this story, and delved into the characters lives as if they were my own.
At the core of this story is the true and intimate love between Amelia and Anthony. Their love is real, palpable, and heartbreaking when they are forbidden, by both law and Amelia's parents, to see, or even contact, each other. Despite how out of control their lives have become, they are desperate for each other and never once relinquished their love. Even though this book is about the scandal that envelopes their lives, the love makes this story real and enchanting. So touching and true is their love that I, as a mere reader and spectator, became all the more invested in their story.
The story fascinated me and the writing was exceptional, almost poetic and lyrical, despite the dark and troubling aspects. Fowler managed to make beautiful a story that seems nothing but controversial and desolate. An interesting aspect of the book is that the perspective shifts between the characters, giving us glimpses and insights into the thoughts of all the main players, including Amelia, Anthony, Harlan Wilkes, and Kim Winter, Anthony's mother, who also becomes deeply entwined in the trouble, despite her lack of involvement or prior knowledge of the photos.
This story is shocking and unforgettable. Truly. This is by far one of my favorite books of 2011 and one of only two 5 star ratings for the year thus far. I will be reading Fowler's two previous books, Souvenir and Reunion just as soon as I can get my hot little hands on some copies. I promise you will love this book! It is explosive!
My Rating: 5/5
I want to read this and see how it ends. It's an interesting topic and I kind of want to read it, but the struggle sounds so intense that I don't know if I can handle it. Sometimes I need to know the ending of movies to be able to get through their struggles, and, for once, I feel that way about a book. I don't know if I'd be able to get through it without previously knowing how it ends, and I usually HATE when people read the ending first since that's how my mom reads.
ReplyDeleteGreat reivew, I think you've convinced me to give it a shot. Usually the difficult books are the best.
Wow, it really does sound emotionally charged. I'll definitely look out for this book. What a great review.
ReplyDeleteWow...this book clearly had a big impact on you :) I like the fact that the author used different perspectives in telling the story; with such an emotionally charged issue, I would think that added alot of depth to the story.
ReplyDeleteA blogger review that I read indicated that she really did not like the character of the father...I'm wondering if you had the same reaction to him?
I think this is an important subject this day and age. I really need to get my hands on this and read it. I am hoping to get it at the library one of these days. It sounds emotional but riveting! Great review!
ReplyDeleteFantastic review Steph, so much emotion in this one, I can't wait to read it. Everyone has been impressed with this one. I also assumed she was a debut author. Hope you enjoy the others also.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I love that you gave it 5 stars and think it's one of your favorite books of 2011. Will definitely check it out!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review! I've seen this book on Goodreads before and thought it looked interesting, so I'm so happy to hear that it's good. I'll have to read it sometime soon. :)
ReplyDeleteI just read a review for this on Alison Can Read and it was the first time I'd heard of the book. Amelia and Anthony relationship sounds so heartfelt.
ReplyDeleteYou completely sold me on this book with this: one of only two 5 star ratings for the year. Now I must get my hot hands on it. Thanks Steph.
Amazing review! This sounds incredibly intense! I'd love to see how the author handled this topic! I'm going to need to find a copy soon!
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