Review - The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard

The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard -
5 out of 5 stars

Colt and Julia were secretly together for an entire year, and no one—not even Julia’s boyfriend— knew.

They had nothing in common, with Julia in her country club world on Black Mountain and Colt from down on the flats, but it never mattered. Until Julia dies in a car accident, and Colt learns the price of secrecy. He can’t mourn Julia openly, and he’s tormented that he might have played a part in her death.

When Julia’s journal ends up in his hands, Colt relives their year together at the same time that he’s desperately trying to forget her. But how do you get over someone who was never yours in the first place?

I LOVED THIS BOOK! Loved it. I seriously don't have much to say other than that. It was one of the most moving, and real books I've read in a long time.

I hate to use cliche words like "gritty" because it doesn't really describe this book, and yet, Colt is not a rich kid. He lives in a town literally divided by class (and a mountain) and his world is so vividly described. As someone from a small town (not a suburb) I could really relate to his world and I loved the way it was described.

Colt is a beautiful character and I loved being inside his mind while he read through Julia's diary entries and tried to sort through his feelings. His confusion and heartbreak are perfectly rendered here. This is such a great book. If you haven't picked it up yet, you're really missing out.

Cover: LOVE the cover! The cover of this book is one of the things that drew me to it. I love all the dark space with just the hint of the couple at the bottom. It looks sort of secretive and the way they're almost out of the frame gives a sense of motion and loss, like that moment is already drifting away from us. It really sets the tone of the book. Plus on the actual book it has a sort of velvety texture which is cool.

Writing: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5

Overall Rating: 5/5