Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Review: In Honor by Jessi Kirby

In Honor
In Honor by Jessi Kirby
Honor receives her brother’s last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn’s celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.
Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn’s last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn . . . and ruggedly good-looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn’t. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn--but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?
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Publishes in US: May 8th 2012 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Simon for review
Series? No.

Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound BookDepository.com

Find Jessi online: site Twitter Facebook

 
    Even the subject matter screamed to me: read me. I am a sucker for emotional books like this, and the road trip is an added bonus. It is so important that it talks about the death of a marine, and how the family feels after the loss from the one they loved that made such a sacrifice. I know this is fiction, but there are so many true stories, and feeling the emotion and getting inside Honor's head--if it makes me understand even a little bit, then it has done an important service. 
    Being inside Honor's head was amazing ride. She experienced grief but she also was trying to work through it in a way to remember and honor her brother. That lead her on quite and adventure and she discovered so many things, about herself and about life, even about Finn, her brother. 
    Rusty, oh Rusty. He is so rough around the edges and there were moments when he was so insensitive and I just wanted to smack him. And then the next he was deep or kind and I wanted to hug him. I realize that he was going through the loss of his best friend as well, and that brought out to extremes the rough edges that were there before, but not as hurting to other people. 
    I loved the interactions with Wyatt, a random, very sweet, understanding guy that takes her on an adventure. The possibility of love was palpable, but it wasn't meant to be obviously since they meet in the middle of nowhere and are going different directions. It was sweet, and also helped Honor learn about herself. 
    The ending itself was also well done. The secrets that Honor found out, and the guilt that she felt were all an emotional roller coaster. But there was a sweet friendship with hope of more, something that I wasn't sure I wanted to happen, but ended up being thrilled about. 

Bottom Line: This is a sweet, yet emotionally packed book about loss, love, grief and healing.

Books similar to :(links go to my review) Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by MatsonSecond Chance Summer by Morgan MatsonInvincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz,Unbreak My Heart by Melissa C. Walker

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you could or would want to take a roadtrip the day after sibling's funeral to honor what you felt were :last wishes for you"?

36 comments:

  1. This sounds really good! I'm definitely adding it to my TBR pile.

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  2. Done! Following on Bloglovin. I love the color of your blog :-)

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  3. Great site! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am taking your feeds also

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  4. Rusty sounds very interesting. And I've not heard much about this book, but glad you liked it. Awesome review!

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  5. Sounds good, and I'm adding it to my pile, today! Nice review!

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  6. This sounds delightful and well done. I love books about road trips and dealing with lose. I am glad the author chose this topic and it falls close to home for many military families as well. Love your review!

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  7. I have always liked the idea of being able to leave behind, in death, a way to help others change or grow, and part of me has always--secretly, morbidly--hoped that if someone close to me died, I could discover more meaning behind his or her death, be given a purpose that transcends death. But I've long since learned that usually the things I'd like to happen to myself are the things that never happen to me, but which I could do for others. *starts planning quests just in case of my unexpected death*

    As a side note: I like the idea of this story, but yeesh, that synopsis. Why all the cliche-ridden, heavy-handed emphasis on the romance? For that alone, I would not pick up this book.

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  8. Road trip right after a person's death would feel wrong but if it's the person's last wish I would do it.

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  9. I liked this book, but I didn't love it as much as I'd hoped I would. I think it was just too short for me =P I'm glad you liked it, though. I probably wouldn't road trip because I'm a MAJOR planner.

    Taylor @ Reading is the Thing 

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  10. sounds really good. I love a good summer road trip book and this might just have to be the one I read! Great review!


    Http://www.daydreamerN.blogspot.com

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  11. I'm so glad to hear you loved this! Jessi Kirby is wonderfully talented at bringing these emotional stories about grief and moving on to life. I loved Honor so much in this book. I agree, I also loved the ending. Fantastic review Brandi! :-)

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  12. you're right it must be a greattopic. Honor sounds so interesting, I would love to learn more about her too.

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  13. This one already has me knowing I'd be crying, but I also suspect that I would love it too. Oh I will have to put it on the wishlist... with a box of kleenex.

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  14. I have had this book forever and it sounds utterly fantastic, I love road trip books too, so think this would be a perfect Summer read! Great review Brandi! :)

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  15. Not sure if you've read any Ellen Hopkins but I'm sure you'll love her stories. It's raw and gritty.

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  16. Sounds like a book that would make me cry LOL..... I get emotional with that sort of stuff. Great review!!Melody @ JC's Book Haven.

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  17. I'm just like you, I love emotional read and an awesome road trip! I'm glad you liked this! :)

    ~Sara @ Forever 17 Books

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  18. I loved this one too! And I also love road trip books.

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  19. I enjoyed this one, but it didn't blow me away. I was a little disappointed with the ending. Great review, Brandi. :)

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  20. Ooh I loved Rusty. I wish I loved this one more than I did, but I still enjoyed it overall. I think it's one I might want to re-read sometime, possibly for the road trip element alone, because that was so well done.

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  21. Yay -- I loved this one. Have you read Saving June by Hannah Harrington? Another great "road trip after a loss" book.

    You can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics

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  22. I hadn't heard of this one but it sounds really good! I love a good emotional story. It's a good contrast to some of the other stuff I've been reading. Road trips are my favorite and if you loved it, I'll definitely have to check this one out! Nothing is more sad than meeting a complete stranger in the middle of nowhere who you connect with but then have to part ways. I always feel sad for people in that situation. It sounds like this does have a happen ending, though. I wonder if Honor and Rusty end up together?!

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  23. Oh this sounds really interesting and I love road trip books! I also love really emotional books! Awesome review!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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  24. Emotional books scare me but I must admit, this one sounds good. Happy you liked it so much.

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  25. This sounds like a great read. I agree with Jennifer about emotional ones scaring me a little too, but it looks like a well-told story and even if a bit emotional it's great to see that Honor worked so well through her grief and the characters were so interesting to follow. Thank you for sharing! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

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  26. I have heard such great things about this author and I want to try both her books. To answer your question, I thnk a road trip woudl be a great way to heal, but I doubt I could leave on the day of the funeral as I would be so exhausted.

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  27. I have this book, and can't believe I haven't read it yet! I'm so glad you enjoyed In Honor, Brandi. Great review!

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  28. I think we all deal with Death in different ways, so I might, if I had to get away. It sounds like a bit of an emotional journey!! Great review!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  29. Aww, I loved this one too! Honor was great, and I loved the idea that she was honoring her brother's last wishes. It was awesome. I agree with you, though-- I think that being with Honor after the death of her brother just brought out all the rough edges on him. :( Awesome review, Brandi!

    Um, that's a hard question. I think yes.

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  30. I think this sounds emotional, and definitely something I would like to read. Glad you enjoy it. Great review.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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  31. This sounds lovely, even with the almost romance that sounds a bit odd. I've been in the mood for contemporary lately so I'll go see if I can get a copy right now.
    Great review.

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  32. This was a very emotional book and I loved the way the romance built slowly, based on their personal history.

    Kate @ Ex Libris

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  33. Not sure, would depend what those last wishes were. Think this could be a hit or miss for me, but think I might have to get a copy after reading your review :)

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  34. Rusty, Oh Rusty....hehe!! and you wanted to smack him! LOL!! This sounds great! I shall put it onto my tbr pile. Great review!

    Mich

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  35. This sounds like I'd be crying from the first page lol. Even in fiction, the stories can be very realistic and still have a great impact on us. That's one of the great things about reading. I don't know if I could go the next day, though. I'd be too depressed probably, especially being someone so close.

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  36. This book sounds so good, it reminds me of the book Saving June By: Hannah Harrington, which is really similar, I am hoping to getting around to reading this one soon, thanks for your thoughts!

    Kristin @ Young Adult Book Haven

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