#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!

In My Mailbox #7

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. I've got wonderful books this week and I'd like to share it with you all!

Source: Bought

Summary from Goodreads:

Only Willow has the power to defeat the malevolent Church of Angels, and they will stop at nothing to destroy her. Willow isn’t alone, though. She has Alex by her side – a trained Angel Killer and her one true love. But nothing can change the fact that Willow’s a half-angel, and when Alex joins forces with a group of AKs, she’s treated with mistrust and suspicion. She’s never felt more alone…until she meets Seb. He’s been searching for Willow his whole life – because Seb is a half-angel too.

My opinion:

Angel Fire is book 2 of the Angel series. I really enjoyed reading the first one and when I found this, I was really shocked. it was 709 pages and really heavy! I can't wait to read this and see how the story is developed within the 700 pages!

 

Source: Bought

Summary from Goodreads:

In the third installment of the Tiger series, Kelsey Hayes pushes through the pain of lost love and strengthens her friendship with Kishan. Despite his strong feelings for her, Kishan has agreed to be her ally in helping her reunite with the man she still loves. Together, they seek to help Ren regain his memory and begin the search for the third magical gift—an object of power that will help break the curse that causes them to live part of their lives as tigers.

They board a luxury yacht and seek Durga's aid once again, who supplies them with her golden weapons. With Nilima, Mr. Kadam, Ren, and Kishan at her side, she soon learns that the task ahead will be even more difficult than the others. Confronting a dark magician, multiple dragons, and terrifying denizens of the deep seems easy when compared to facing the daunting task of stitching up her heart. Just when she thinks she's ready to set her feet on a new path, she is yanked back with a jolt to the one she's determined to leave behind.

The jarring tug-of-war that ensues for Kelsey's heart leaves her anxious and confused. Combined with the stress of almost being killed every other day, it would appear that saving the tigers is almost more than she can handle. Still, she presses on, knowing that a choice is looming on the horizon. One she cannot put off making for long.

Tiger's Voyage is an irresistible romance with a barrage of action on the high seas, where a reader will find a treasure chest full of dragons, sea monsters, knights in shining armor, fabled weapons, and enduring love. The tropic waters of India create the backdrop for the latest installment in the tiger series. This novel, a multicultural take on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale, delves into the complex emotional turmoil and pressure associated with not only making the best choice for a nation but also the best choice for yourself.

My opinion:

Well, I have been really dying to read this book ever since how things ended in Tiger's Quest. The cover is just as gorgeous as the previous 2, but it's really interesting to see dragon in the cover rather than tiger so yeah, can't wait to read this!

Source: Won (Thank you Amanda @Stuck in YA books!)

Summary from Goodreads:

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

My opinion:

I can't wait to read this! The buzz and the good reviews about this book makes me even more dying to read this and I am so lucky to have won this book in Amanda's giveaway! Interesting paranormal theme in this book!

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 opinion:

Another Aussie YA read! I am currently reading this and so far, really enjoying it! 

Source: Borrowed from library

Summary from Goodreads:

Who is the real McLean?

Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out.

Combining Sarah Dessen's trademark graceful writing, great characters, and compelling storytelling, What Happened to Goodbye is irresistible reading.

 My opinion: 

So this is Dessen's newest book. I just finished reading Along for the Ride which I really enjoyed. So far, I have read in total, 3 Dessen's books: Just Listen, The Truth about Forever and Along for the Ride. I can't wait to see what it's like in this story!

That's all I got this week! A pretty big IMM! Leave a link below for your IMM and I'll check it out! Thank you for checking out what I got this week!