Title: Saving June
Author: Hannah Harrington
Release date: November 22, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 322
Source: BEA
When her older sister commits suicide and her divorcing parents decide to divide the ashes, Harper Scott takes her sister’s urn to the one place June always wanted to go: California. On the road with her best friend, plus an intriguing guy with a mysterious connection to June, Harper discovers truths about her sister, herself and life.
Saving June is one of those books that reinforces my love of contemporary novels. It may not have any edge of your seat action or paranormal creatures but that does not mean that it isn’t impossible to put down. Hannah Harrington’s debut novel is one of the best I’ve read.
Saving June is one of those books where it is impossible to pick the best thing about it. This book was perfect in every aspect: the characters, the story, the writing, the emotions. It really is one of the most perfect contemporaries that I have read in quite some time. Harper is torn about her sister’s suicide but instead of breaking down she does something for her sister: she takes her ashes to California, the one place she never got to go in life. Along for the ride is her best friend, Laney, and the mysterious Jake Tolan. Laney is pretty much the best friend ever and the comic relief for the book. She’s hilarious. Jake is confusing in so many ways. His role is not clearly defined at first, nor is his relationship to June. He’s a very well-developed character and the mystery of how he was connected to June played a big role in keeping the book interesting. The characters are all very broke because of June’s death but together they manage to fix each other. It’s hard not to fall in loved with them all, especially Harper and Jake together. Their relationship has it’s ups and downs and it’s such a real relationship. They start off hating each other but it quickly changes and their banter was just hilarious.
This book though is not all about the characters, it’s about the journey they take together. It starts as a simple road trip to California to scatter June’s ashes but quickly becomes a road trip that shows them who they are and who they can be. Along the way there are quite a few detours but it only added to the fun, as did the people they met along the way. What starts as a journey of loss turns into a journey of love and hope.
Overall, Saving June is definitely a must-read for everyone. I can’t possibly put into words how much I loved it. Even if you aren’t a contemporary fan, check this one out. There is no way you will be disappointed.
Bookish Novelties’ review
I loved this book so much! The friendship between Harper and Laney, and Jake is so cute 🙂 Glad you loved it too – great review!
I liked this book as well! I wasn’t really keen on all of these detours, though, and some of them for me were a bit unnecessary but other than that, I enjoyed it. 🙂 I love contemps as well!
Yay! Glad you loved it so much. Me too! This is the kind of the book(one of the kind, at least) that got me falling head over heals over YA contemp. Awesome review! 😀
Fara @ Tumbling In Books
What did you think of the music as part of the story? I thought the integration was cool, plus the playlists are in the back of the book.
I loved this book and I am glad you did too. Great review 🙂
I love contemporaries and this one looks great. I have to add it to my list.
I loved this one too and the music talk just added to the love. YA contemp is a fave genre 🙂
If you have a minute here’s my review
http://teddyree-theeclecticreader.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/saving-june-by-hannah-harrington.html
ooh this sounds good, i was worried it would make me cry but this sounds like something i would like..thanks!
Ooh your review and the novel bio has got me intrigue. I don’t usually read contemporary. However I have read a few that I have fallen in love with.
I will definitely check this out. It sounds really good. Thanks for reviewing it.
Maura @ Monster of Books
This was one of my favourite books of 2011. What an amazing debut. Saving June got me into the whole road trip contemporary shebang! 🙂
This sounds like an awesome read…. (runs to go put it on her to-read list) 🙂
-JennyC
I like that cover 🙂
ugh i really need to read this one! I have heard SUCH amazing things about it!!! Sounds like the contemporary novel i need right now.
awesome review!
– juhina
What an awesome book!!! I cannot describe my love for Jake’s character. The fact that he was so respectful and kind to Harper when she needed it but sarcastic and witty had me hooked! Laney’s character was fantastic too!
This sounds amazing! It has been on my TBR shelf for like 6 months and I still haven’t read it!
I’m glad you loved this one! I thought it was a wonderful read. 🙂
Great review!
I hope she keeps writing novels, because I’ve loved all her books. Her characters are always deep and real and I love their relationships. They all have the complexities you’d find in real people and how they love each other.
Lovely review 🙂