Thoughts

I went into this with mixed expectations - I got the book from the library as it's not really a series I would want to spend money on, however I am interested enough in how the source material lines up to the TV show to want to keep reading. This is the second book of a trilogy, so we're in the action right from the start.

The two families are reeling from the death of Susannah and reacting in their own separate ways - for Conrad that means doing a disappearing act, and for Jeremiah and Belly, chasing after him to make sure he's okay.

I found this book frustrating because whilst I have a vague recollection of the intensity of young love, Conrad behaves so deplorably to Belly in this, it's a wonder she sticks with it. Time after time, he pushes her away and, in his grief, proves himself unworthy of her, but she remains... until she doesn't.

We stood there, looking at each other, saying nothing. But it was the kind of nothing that meant everything. In his eyes, there was no trace of what had happened between us earlier and I could feel something inside me break. So that was that. We were finally, finally over.

It's dramatic in every way, just as the TV show is. In fact, the two align closer than I was expecting, including the steps forward in Belly's relationship with Jeremiah as well. Normally you get more from a book because you can get inside characters heads and read inner thought processes, I found this to be the opposite. The TV show brings a warmth with it that engages you with the characters, the book feels a lot colder, particularly with Conrad being so closed off. If I had just read this book without seeing it, I'm not sure I'd want to carry on.

The book deals with grief in both the teens and the adults, so that's something to be aware of if you're planning on reading it, but it's handled respectfully and only drives the drama in part. The rest of it is young adult angst, which it delivers in spades.

The book is a little overwrought in places, and too much time is spent chasing after a character who probably doesn't deserve it, so it's a 3 out of 5 from me. I will read the final book in the trilogy, to complete the story, but I'm tempering my expectations in advance.

Rating: 3 / 5