Purple Prose + YA novel review

The Secret Year

Book blurb: Colt was with Julia for a year, but nobody else knew about it. Julia lived on Black Mountain Road in a mansion—with servants—and had a country-club boyfriend to complete the package. Colt definitely didn’t come from Black Mountain, and no one would have understood why they were together. But it never matter to them. Until Julia dies in an accident right before her senior year, and Colt is suddenly the only one who knows their secret. He tries to pretend that his life is the same as ever, but he’s haunted by memories of Julia. Things get worse after the journal she kept about their romance falls into his hands. Colt searches every entry for answers: Did Julia really loved him? Was he somehow to blame for her death? But the ultimate question—one nobody can answer—is how he’s supposed to get over someone who was never really his to begin with.

First line: Julia was killed on Labor Day on her way home from a party.

I thought the characterization was strong, and I loved the diary entries. Between those and Colt’s memories, Julia’s character is cleverly revealed, as are the events that led to her death. The subplots were interesting as we gained a deeper understanding of the differences and conflicts that existed between the kids from the flats and the Black Mountain kids. They also showed why Colt and Julia kept their relationship a secret.

Overall, I liked the book, but I didn’t love it. I found the pace to be slow in places, and I lost interest in it a number of times. But since the book is short, I was determined to finish it. Plus I enjoyed Colt’s wit, especially around his parents.

Another issue I had was the ending. I had to ask a friend who’d read the book where the climax was. Not a good sign. The part that was the most climatic occurred about forty pages before the end. Apparently that wasn’t even the climax. The true climax was nothing more than a revelation that came off as anti-climatic after the big conflict between several characters.

I know a lot of people loved the book, which is why I wrestled with the decision as to whether I should review it. I think the book is worth reading, but for me it was a study as to how not to write an ending. Rating wise, I’d give it a three stars out of five.

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The Secret Year + YA novel review