Willow by Julia Hoban

Summary:

It only takes one night to loose everything you have.

Willow's life was going great. She had trustworthy friends, loving parents, and cool older brother who lives in the city. Though, one rainy night, her life changes dramatically.

Suddenly, her parents are dead and she has to move in with her brother and his wife who has just had a baby. Now, Willow's life isn't going perfect. Since, for one, it seems like no one understands what she is going through or sees the pain she suffers from every day. So, she begins to take out of all the frustration she holds in with cutting. Though, when a boy comes along who finds out her darkest secret. Will he be able to change everything or make it worse?

Review:

I'm kind of torn over this book. Since, on one side I loved it, but on the other side I kind of disliked it.

First off, Willow was a great character, one that you could completely understand her story and why she did what she did. Plus, she had all the feelings that a teen girl who has lost her parents has: anger, loneliness, frustration, ex. Though, I just couldn't relate to her in the cutting area of her life. Possibly because I have never cut and have never had friends that have cut. Or maybe because I can never quite comprehend why someone would want to inflict that kind of pain on themselves. Also, as a result of her cutting, she was sometimes so painfully awkward with what she said to the situations she got herself into. Some I could understand, but with others I felt like screaming, " Willow, just don't say that! You are making yourself look like a weirdo." Though, as the novel progressed she began to get more comfortable with herself, leaving the awkwardness to happen less frequently. Overall, she was still an extremely well developed character even if she did have a few flaws.

Guy was just an all around wow. I loved how he was so careful with Willow and how he always acted like a big shield that wanted to protect Willow from cutting and the world. Plus, he was just so gentle with her. Guy was just that kind of prince charming type of guy that all girls want, especially me! :)

The one thing that truly got me hooked on this was the story Julia created and the writing she used to present it. Both were descriptive and always kept you entwined in the story. Plus, I loved the ending.

Even with with the faults Willow had, it was still an extremely well written debut, that teen girls (and possibly guys) will come to love. I truly look forward to reading more by Julia.

Grade: B+/ A-

Willow will be released April 2, 2009. You can find out more about here. Also, be sure to enter Lauren's(from Shooting Star Mag) amazing contest.

* Much thanks goes to JL, once again, for sending me this. :)