Saving June
Hannah Harrington
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: November 29, 2011
Pages: 336

Rating: 5 stars

If she’d waited less than two weeks, she’d be June who died in June. But I guess my sister didn’t consider that.’

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why.

When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going California.

Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanour and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.

Except June wasn’t the only one hiding something. Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down again.

Saving June by Hannah Harrington is seriously just so awesome that I honestly don’t know how to put words to it. I loved the story, the characters, and just everything about it. It is a book that I want to take and press into the hands of everyone I can find, so they can experience this beautiful journey that Hannah Harrington has written.

The story built and built as the story went on. It starts out good, but with every step Laney, Jake, and Harper take on the road trip, the story got better and better, and I simply just fell in love with it. I love books with music. Something about them is so special, and I find myself connecting with them on a much higher level. There were so many great scenes, there were some super funny scenes and others were so serious and emotional. The story became more than just a road trip to California. They stopped at every sort of place you can imagine, most of them on a whim. It was so much fun to follow.

I loved Hannah Harrington‘s writing. The story is so intricately woven, and her prose is just beautiful. It was one of the best written books I have read in awhile. Hannah Harrington also plays with readers’ emotions. I really found myself connecting with Laney, Harper, and Jake’s story and experiencing all the emotions they were feeling.

In Saving June, all the characters have a unique story to tell. All their stories were so vastly different, yet all the same. They all had flawed characteristics, and I just loved that. I loved Laney – she is the best friend anyone could ever wish for. She was one of those characters that is so good hearted, and I would love to have a friend like her. I had a hard time connecting with Harper at some instances, but overall I still really did like her character and the strength she held throughout the book. I just want to say, can someone please tell me where I can find a Jake of my own?

Saving June by Hannah Harrington is definitely one of the best books of the year. I was expecting to like it, but not expecting this rare gem of a book I found. It’s a one of a kind book, and I am very excited for future works from Hannah Harrington. Saving June is a stunning debut that I will recommend to everyone.

——————————————————-

Now for the interview with Hannah Harrington. Hannah Harrington resides in Michigan with one dog and too many cats. When she isn’t busy writing like a crazy person, she enjoys arguing about politics, watching documentaries, playing guitar (very badly) and speaking about herself in the third person. You can find her on the web at her website, on Twitter, or on Goodreads.

To start off, could you tell us 5 random facts about yourself?

1) I’m left-handed.
2) I’ve never been able to snap or do cartwheels. Coordination isn’t my strong suit, I guess!
3) On the plus side, I’ve never broken any bones.
4) I was born and raised in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, which hails such notable alums as President Gerald R. Ford and the guy who wrote the American Pie movies.
5) I name all of my pets after famous musicians.

What character in Saving June do you relate most with?

I relate to all of them in different ways, but probably most closely to Harper. We’re not exactly alike—she says what’s she thinking more than I do, for one—but I was sort of like her at that age. Her trouble in understanding and communicating her emotions is something I definitely relate to. And her sarcasm. I’m a pretty sarcastic person.

Could you share a favorite quote from Saving June that doesn’t give away anything?

“Neither of them spoke for a moment, but I knew what they must be thinking. That this was a pain the two of them shared that no one else could touch. Not even me. And they would share it for the rest of their lives, even if they weren’t together. I couldn’t think of a more terrible thing to bind two people.”

If could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I’ve never been to Europe, and I’d love to go some day. Probably London most specifically!

Is there a book you’ve read lately and want to tell the world about?

I just read “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)” by Mindy Kaling. It’s absolutely hilarious and engaging. I’ve been a fan of hers for a long time, and her book didn’t let me down!

So there are two giveaways throughout the tour, one for a copy of Saving June and a grand prize for this awesome iPod skinned with the cover art of Saving June.

Buy Saving June: Amazon | B&N | IndieBound

Follow the tour:

Monday, November 28th – Reading Angel
Wednesday, November 30st – The Secret Life of an Avid Reader
Monday, December 5th – The Unread Reader
Wednesday, December 7th – Mindful Musings
Friday, December 9th – Oodles of Books
Monday, December 12nd – Alice Marvels
Wednesday, Deember 14th – Letters Inside Out
Friday, December 15th – YA bibliophile