#26 Book Review: Saving June

Saving June
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 336
Published: May 1st 2011
Author: Hannah Harrington
Source: Borrowed from library

Summary from Goodreads:
‘If she’d waited less than two weeks, she’d be June who died in June. But I guess my sister didn’t consider that.’

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why.

When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going California.

Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanour and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.

Except June wasn’t the only one hiding something. Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down again.

My review:

Cover: Well, the cover is okay. I don't hate it at all. I just wished there is something that reflects Jake, the music and the road trip in the story of this book in the cover.What intrigued me to read this book first was the summary, not the cover. Of course, even if I don't particularly like the cover, I did not judge the book by its cover itself. I checked out the summary first. I actually prefer the US cover for Saving June.

Australian Cover

US Cover

3 Forget-me-not flowers for the cover!

Story: It's so realistic and enjoyable. Basically, Harper just lost her sister, June, who comitted suicide. She wanted to 'save her' by spreading her ashes in California, the place where June dreamed to go. She planned a road trip with her bestfriend, Laney but  a guy called Jake Tolan insisted to come with them. He seemed to know June and Harper wonders why he's coming with them. She did not want Jake to come but alas, Jake had a car so the three ended up having a road trip together to California.

This is another road trip book which is so fun and enjoyable to read. The last book I read with a road trip was Amy and Roger's Epic Detour which I enjoyed reading too. The story was simple and flowing. Before they arrive at California, they stopped at different places, meet different people and Harper also finds out more about Jake and fell for him in the trip. It's not love at first sight. She was intrigued when she saw him first but as the time they spent together in the road trip, they fall for each other. It's not a complicated story plot but I did not expect what Jake was hiding when he went on the road trip. I keep on guessing what he is hiding but when I do found out about it, I was completely wrong. The story is also carries mature themes. It covers sex, drinking, smoking and also sad themes about death. The characters also love listening to music so you should expect musics from the 80s or 90s 'playing' in the book as you read during the road trip.

Characters: I love Jake. He's a music lover. He loves old musics like the Beatles and some of the music which I am not really familiar with but it's great how the road trip is filled with musics to entertain him, Harper and Laney. Jake himself is a great character. He's kinda like a bad boy whose life is always accompanied with musics from the 80s or 90s. He smokes but he does not drink. A typical teenager with a bad attitude but a big love for music.

Harper is not a perfect teenager at all. She has a bad-temper, smokes and she acts just like a teenager who just lost her sister. She did not cry during June's funeral which made everybody thinks something is wrong with her. Sometimes, death doesn't always mean you have to cry. Your tears are just to dry because you still can't believe it's happening to you. It's a bit like what Harper feels. Her bestfriend, Laney, is also the same. She's a bit wild but they both always support each other and well, that's a teen's life.

The characters are written well and they represent a teenager's life, dealing with their own issues and life.

Overall: A novel with a good road trip and story. I really enjoyed reading this and it is a great debut. Moreover, Harrington is an American born author who lives in Australia. What a cool combination. At first, I thought the setting of the book is going to be in Australia but when I read and found out it's set in US, I'm really impressed! Recommended to 13+ who enjoys a good YA novel with a road trip.

4 Forget-me-not flowers for Saving June!

Oh, and if you do read this review, would you please comment by telling me which cover is your favourite? The US or Aussie cover? Thank you!