Title: Hung Up
Author: Kristen Tracy
Release date: March 4, 2014
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 288
Source: Edelweiss/Publisher
Reading level: YA
Can you fall in love with a voice? This witty romance, told entirely through phone calls, chronicles the tale of a wrong number gone right.
It all started with a wrong number. The voicemails Lucy left on James’s phone were meant for someone else—someone who used to have James’s digits. But then when James finally answers and the two start to talk, a unique bond forms between the two teens.
Gradually Lucy and James begin to understand each other on a deeper level than anyone else in their lives. But when James wants to meet in person, Lucy is strangely resistant. And when her secret is revealed, he’ll understand why…
For some reason, I keep reading Kristen Tracy’s books even though I never really love them. There’s nothing bad about them but there is just something that always keeps me from loving them. That was once again the case with Hung Up.
Hung Up is an adorable story told in phone calls and phone messages. It’s a really nifty idea but it caused some problems with the story and the characters. A lot of the time it felt like I was missing something, like there were gaps in time where things happened and I just wasn’t present for them. I also never felt like I connected to the characters because it was a hard way to present a back-story of any kind. Lucy and James were cute together, at least when it came to their phone calls, but I never felt like I got to know either of them.
The story was really fast-paced though. Almost like reading a book written in verse, Hung Up can be read in just a few short hours, if it even takes that long. It’s captivating enough that readers will be entertained throughout and you won’t want to stop reading once you start it. There is a bit of a mystery surrounding Lucy’s past but that really didn’t matter to me. It almost seemed like an afterthought to the story. It was unexpected and I didn’t see it coming at all, that’s for sure.
The romance was more cutesy than anything else. There wasn’t really any chemistry between Lucy and James but that was mainly just because you never get the chance to see them interact in person. I understand that it wouldn’t have worked with the style of writing but I never felt like they would have worked together based on phone calls alone.
Overall, Hung Up was another mediocre read from Kristen Tracy. However, it was pretty cute and it’s definitely a quick read so maybe give it a shot. It’d probably appeal a lot more to younger readers.
What others are saying about Hung Up:
Anna Reads’ review: “Still, if you want a quickie read, something cute and simple and entertaining that will take your mind off of things for a few hours, this one will absolutely do the trick.”
The YA Kitten’s review: “If you’re looking for something to get started on epistolary YA with, go pick up Moriarty’s books and this one while you’re at it.”
Queen Ella Bee Reads’ review: “All in all, the emotional support Lucy and James provide for each other is truly heartwarming.”
Other reviews for this author:
A Field Guide for Heartbreakers by Kristen Tracy
Lost It by Kristen Tracy
I’ve never read anything by Kirsten Tracey, but yesterday I read a review for Hung Up that said very similar things. That the phone calls were cute, and that it made the book a very quick read, but it also made it really difficult to connect to the characters.
This sounds totally interesting! I was really into the AOL days so you know, we’d do a lot of calling people we didn’t really know and falling in love with other peoples voices… it was fun! This totally sounds like something I’d enjoy!
This one seemed really, really cute. I think I’ll still try it because I enjoy simple fluff now and again. They’re really great palate cleansers!
I had a hard time believing their romance as well. Actually the whole story is a bit unrealistic to me and I had to DNF it. However I’m glad that you enjoyed it! The idea is pretty awesome. Great review!
I felt the same way. It wasn’t really all that great but I couldn’t stop reading it.
The format for this sounds cool! It’s different, and as you said it gave you the impression that there were gaps in the story, but it might give you a different perspective on their relationship they way they experienced it.
Glad it’s adorable, sometimes that’s what needed 🙂
Lovely review 🙂