Through the Looking Glass: Review: Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Saving June by: Hannah Harrington
Publication Date: November 22, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Page Count: 322
Format: Paperback Original
Series: None
Genre: Contemporary
Buy the Book: Amazon

Summary from Goodreads:

When her older sister commits suicide and her divorcing parents decide to divide the ashes, Harper Scott takes her sister's urn to the one place June always wanted to go: California. On the road with her best friend, plus an intriguing guy with a mysterious connection to June, Harper discovers truths about her sister, herself and life.

My Review:

This year I have made a resolution to read more contemporary books and this is one of my first for 2012. I have a hard time imagining picking a better way to kick off the New Year! This book was full of gritty and harsh reality but also the beauty of being human and enjoying everything life has to offer, as cliche as that might sound.

Saving June began on a rather sad note, with June's death the main event. I knew however, with a character as snarky and brutally honest as Harper, that her journey was going to be gripping and fantastic.

The second that Jake, Harper, and Laney began formulating the plan to take a road trip to California, I was hooked. The way all of their personalities clash was just amazing and hilarious to read. Laney, with her obsession with Hollywood film stars and live-in-the-moment attitude. Harper, with her Polaroid and snarky comebacks. And lastly, Jake, with his fedora and never failing ability to both annoy and thrill Harper.

I love seeing relationships like Haper and Jake's. The whole love-hate thing is just absolutely fantastic! Its probably my one of my favorite dynamics in the story. The tension between them built up to a massive boiling point that kept me madly turning the pages! Jake seemed to know what Harper was thinking all the time and was always honest even when the truth wasn't something she wanted to hear. The same vice-versa.

The detours that the trio took on route to California was a great plot addition. From the protest to the punk rock mosh pit, they were all interesting and unique. Each stop contributed to a huge theme in the story, I think. That even with the pain of losing June, Harper would rather have that and be stunningly bursting with life than to take the road that June did.

Official Rating: