Review: The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard

Mar 30, 2010 by shanyn

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Title: The Secret Year
Author: Jennifer Hubbard
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Publication Date: January 7, 2010

Book Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Colt has been sneaking out at night to meet Julia, a girl from an upper-class neighborhood unlike his own. They’ve never told anyone else about their relationship: not their family or friends, and especially not Julia’s boyfriend.When Julia dies suddenly, Colt tries to cope with her death while pretending that he never even knew her. He discovers a journal she left behind. But he is not prepared for the truths he discovers about their intense relationship, nor to pay the price for the secrets he’s kept.

Review:
I enjoyed being able to read a book from a guy’s perspective, as it is not as common in the books I have been reading lately. Hearing how a boy dealt with the death of his love was interesting, and the added aspect of Julia’s journal giving us insight allowed Colt to explore themes he would not have been able to otherwise.

I felt a little empty after the finish, because the relationship between Julia and Colt was a little hollow to me (rich girl, poor boy, etc). It was an enjoyable read, it just did not stick with me like I imagined it would.

I’d really like to read more by Jennifer Hubbard – her writing is very emotional and I admire the heavy topic she tackled for her debut novel.

2 Comments

CaraBee

March 30, 2010

I'm all about the Y/A literature these days. Can't seem to get enough of it. But like you, don't see many from the boy's perspective. Interesting. I'll check that author out!

Hey, we'd like to feature you next Monday on BlogTrotting! Can you have a post ready?

Victor | UPrinting

March 30, 2010

Agree, must be pretty interesting to read a story like this through the perspective of a male protagonist. I wonder what are the truth that Colt discovered.

Must be really challenging for the author to write a novel in a male perspective.