Title: In Honor
Author: Jessi Kirby
Release date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 240
Source: ALA
Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.
Honor 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 Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?
If you thought Jessi Kirby’s debut novel, Moonglass, was fabulous, just wait until you read In Honor. It will blow you away!
Road trip stories can be either awesome and fun-filled or boring and dull. In Honor definitely fits in the first category. Honor and Rusty are on the road trip for sad reasons but instead of dwelling on that, they talk about the good times with Finn and do things that he would have wanted to do. The trip consists of car mishaps, underwear driving, tequila drunkenness, and some unwanted but super cute romance. The romance, however, actually plays only a small role. The real story is about the love of a family member and friend, the loss of a brother, and learning how to face a life without them in it. It’s a heartbreaking story but one with so many great moments.
Honor is an all-around good character. She is strong at times but weak at others, funny at times but sober at others, and decisive at times but super confused at others. She is easy to like because she wears her heart on her sleeve and you can’t help but feel for her after you see what she is going through. She does make some stupid decisions but it’s easy to forgive her for those. Rusty, on the other hand, spends all his time making stupid mistakes and he doesn’t seem so forgivable at first. He copes with Finn’s death with alcohol and it definitely causes him to say some things he probably wouldn’t otherwise. Still, he is very funny, handsome, kind (sometimes), and a pretty good guy (when sober.) He and Honor bring out the best and the worst in each other. Also, while Finn may be dead, I feel like he was a very important character. You get to know him and the kind of person he was through memories shared by Honor and Rusty. It was very moving.
Overall, In Honor is one of the best contemporaries I have read and I highly recommend it. It is definitely a tearjerker so get your tissues ready when you start reading. I can’t wait to see what Jessi Kirby writes next!
Looking for more reviews of In Honor?
A Good Addiction’s review
Mundie Moms’ review
One of the best contemporaries you’ve read? if you didn’t have me sold with the whole beginning of your review, you definitely had me there! This book sounds great. I can’t wait to read it now. Thanks for the review! (:
I really really really want to read this book! I loved Moonglass, and In Honor just sounds SO GOOD. Yay for road trips! And Rusty sounds like an awesome character! Great review 🙂
I’m getting this book! So it should be in the mail soonish! I’m a little disappointed to hear that romance isn’t a huge part of the novel – honestly I was expecting lots of romance but one of the best contemps you’ve ever read? That’s a big call and I’m sure I’ll love it no matter what!
Ta for the review 🙂
Oooh I love books that make me cry. This is definitely going on my TBR list
I love a good contemporary and this one looks great. I’m going to pick it up the next time I’m in the mood for a good cry.
Wow, one of the best contemporaries you’ve read? I definitley need to get my hands on this! Great review, I can’t wait to read In Honor!
I’ve seen this one around a lot lately. Each review I read makes me want it even more!
I love it when the character can either be the best thing for each other or the worst, because it makes real and solid and unpredictable. Which is pretty much life. I like roadtripping books to some extent – it just really depends on what I’m reading. The last one I read was Saving June so I do believe I’m quite overdue.
Oh wow! I had been looking forward to this book, but this is the first review I’ve read of it. It sounds absolutely amazing and you’ve made me even more anxious to pick it up! Thanks for the fantastic review!
Stephanie
My latest post: From the Review Pile (1)
Squeal! Pre-Ordered it and it’ll be here on Friday!
By looking at the book, I wouldn’t have thought it would be something I would read. But after reading the blurb, I’d consider it. Not to mention u give it high remarks 🙂
I wasn’t sure if I was going to read this at first, the cover didn’t really grab me, but the synopsis and your review have me hooked. I need this, like yesterday 🙂 Great review.
I am so excited to read this book! I love the dress and boots on the cover. Thanks for the review.
I love the road trip. I love the characters. And I like the romance.
Have to say, I’m not usually a fan of ambiguous endings, but this one was hopeful and it worked.
Lovely review 🙂