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What's it about?
‘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...more‘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
I don't think I loved this book as much as others did, but I did enjoy it. Harpers journey was a fun one to travel with her but it was also sad to and the author did did a good job of capturing and balancing the emotions of the book, so even though there were fun moments, I didn't forget the reason why she was travelling to California.
Even though we don't actually meet her in the book, I felt like I knew June by the end, although I'm not quite sure I grasped why she commited suicide.
I felt the book was really well written and the road trip a fun one, even though it had a sad end, I enjoyed seeing how they went off the path of their journey when things came up and looked forward to seeing what they're next venture would be.
Watching Harper dealing with the grief of losing her sister and trying to understand and accept why she did it was also really emotional, Harper really grows up through the book and is also a great friend to Laney, who comes along on the journey. I also enjoyed the slow romance and was, of course, willing her and Jake to get together!
All in all, Saving June was an enjoyable book and I would recommend it.
My thoughts on the cover
This a nice cover and red is always a striking colour, I like how the girls face is half covered like she's keeping a secret.
Favourite quotes
'So I'm going to do this. I am going to go toCalifornia and spread June's ashes in the pacific like she would have wanted, like she deserves, and that is it.'
'One of his hands falls across the inside of my knee. I turn my head to see his face, hovering inches from mine. His expression is so open and understanding and sympathetic that my throat closes up just looking at it.'
Find the author
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Quickie interview
Though Saving June is about a fun road trip there's the sad side of Harper’s sister passing away that spurs the road trip, were the emotions difficult to write?
Finding the emotional balance was tricky at times! I didn’t want everything to be depressing doom and gloom from start to finish, but it also couldn’t be about all these wacky light-hearted shenanigans either. Some of the more angsty, dark bits were difficult to write, just trying to get into that kind of head space and make it believable
There's a playlist in the back of the book, are these songs that came to you as you were writing the scenes or did you think of them before?
Most of the songs were ones I’d known and loved before writing the story, a few I discovered while I was writing, and all of them I listened to on while I was writing, for sure! So each one inspired me at least a little bit.
What types of books do you usually read yourself?
I love contemporary YA, such as anything by Courtney Summers or Sarah Dessen. I’m also a fan of memoirs; the last ones I read were Bossypants by Tina Fey and Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling.
And lastly, are you a bookaholic?
Absolutely! I live to read. :)
I like the title font, but that's the only saving grace for me.