Golden by Jessi Kirby
Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.
Ju;ianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.
Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.
Publishes in US: May 14th 2013 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Library
Series? No
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I really enjoyed this one. It was much deeper than I expected, because of the title and the cover, I was expecting more of a beach read, but that is okay. I liked what I got.
Parker is a main character that I can relate to. She is smart, driven, and doesn't really step out of line much, and she has the best friend that urges her to let go a little more, but still supports her all the way. This could have been me for the most part in school, so it definitely brings back memories.
Watching her connect with Juliana was great, and I loved that mystery and even though I knew the ending to her story because it is one of the first things we learned, I didn't know how she got there, and if there might be more to it than it seems. And Parker goes on that emotional and revealing journey through the pages and discovers a lot about herself and her life through it. And even learns to let loose. She begins to questions what choices she made and what choices were made by her well-meaning but still controlling mom.
The chemistry and banter with Trevor was nice, and I was always anxious to see if it would develop into more as the story went on. I loved his flirtatious nature, and his patience. That there is more to him than a pretty face--he is counted on for getting them out of binds, and as support for a roadtrip that is the final catalyst to change so much for Parker.
The journey to Parker growing as a character was awesome to read about. Her friendship with Kat brought her out more and more, and she found herself in the pages of the journal, as well as her quest to find out more about Juliana, Shane and Orion. I went through the gambit of emotions with her, from joy, acceptance, guilt, heart fluttering at a romance in the pages, and then the splitting of the heart when other desires are made know, to crushing disappointment, loss and pain.
Ms. Kirby, the author writes gorgeously and at a sweet pace.
There were plenty of surprises and always something to keep me turning the pages. I loved the ending, how it all came together, and at first I thought there would be no possible way that would happen, but sure enough, I loved it. It matched the story and themes.
My question to you, my lovely readers:
Did you ever or do you keep a journal?
I have heard good things about this book and it does sound like a good read. Glad you enjoyed! Great review
ReplyDeleteTeresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives
Golden sounds like such a wonderful story, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Nice review!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love Jessi Kirby's writing so I REALLY want to read this! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeletethis was such a good one, glad you enjoyed it too. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear you loved this too! I always enjoy her writing, but I think this is my favorite of her novels. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this one. I haven't read it yet.
ReplyDeleteI do keep a journal, but only sporadically. I used to keep one daily when I was in fifth grade through high school. It's so fun to read what I was worried about back then. Do you keep one?
I've been seeing this book around and heard some pretty good things :) Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
I've seen so many mixed things about this book. But I am curious about it. I was really excited to read it, but saw some not so great things and was less excited. But you've changed my mind again. I am so glad you liked this one and I am looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brandi
I really enjoyed this one too - even though it wasn't perfect. She writes beautifully, and I really enjoyed your review too!
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds interesting. I'm really going to have to check this one out. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good and I like the journey of self discovery. I kept a journal for the longest time and have been thinking of starting again. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
it's so nice to be surprised by a book like that, it sounds like an interesting one!
ReplyDeleteI really loved Golden. I don't think Jessi Kirby can do wrong. I liked the mystery aspect plus the romantic aspect. I just want to do a happy dance when I think about it.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a beautiful story. So glad you got so much out of it with the great characters and growth involved. I definitely kept a diary and a journal that I wrote poems in. Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteI love the chemistry and banter and that it was more then you expected. Wonderful review Brandi!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds a lot like other things I've read. But it's a good framework to work from. And it sounds like Kirby did it well.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've seen this cover all over the place but was like you and thought it was going to be a contemporary beach read. I never even once paid attention to the summary. I wish I had!! I love stories like this and it sounds like it is a fantastic book. Thanks so much for sharing this! I'll have to actually go out and get a copy to read now!
ReplyDeleteEveryone seems to love this and the character development and emotional plot sound amazing. I kept a journal when I was younger, but stopped now.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked this one! I enjoyed it a lot, too!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it; does sound like a nice read! I used to keep journals when I was younger. I want to try and keep something again.
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so happy you liked this, Brandi. :) I LOVED it: the mystery, the characters, and best of all, Parker's journey to find herself. I would have appreciated more development between her and Trevor's relationship (before the romance), but that was a small matter, and I enjoyed this book to no end!
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was a great read Brandi, glad you enjoyed it! And no, I don't keep a journal.
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
I though that this one is shallow, without many serious things in it. Sometimes is better for me not to think. I'm glad you enjoyed this one and it sounds great :)
ReplyDeleteNot really my cup of tea but you do make it sounds tempting.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you enjoyed this too Brandi, the characters I agree were wonderful and so easy to connect to. I also loved the mystery aspect of the story! Fab review! :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this one!
ReplyDeleteI kept a journal for one summer when I was about 10. Reading it now is hilarious!
I haven't read anything by Kirby yet but I'm going to get this book. Parker seems to be a character I could relate to at a personal level and I'd love to see what mystery is involved with Juliana's story. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have heard so many great things about this book. I really need to pick it up. Plus, I love emotional books where the main character learns so much. And I like the sound of the mystery aspect here. It sounds different from usual contemporary books, and I love that! Glad you enjoyed this! :D
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Brandi! :D
~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
Every time I read one of your reviews, I think, "I should read this!" The story sounds very interesting. Thanks for the review!! *goes to add book to goodreads*
ReplyDeleteI was expecting a beach read too but I'm really glad it was something more. Great review, I'm happy you enjoyed it as well!!
ReplyDeleteI've tried to keep a journal and though I'll start with such good intentions, I only write for a few nights before abandoning it. I just don't maintain much consistency though I wish I could because I'd love to look back on how I've changed over the months and years.
ReplyDelete