Title: Hushed
Format: eARC, 224 pages
Published: 12/6/11
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Source: Netgalley
Challenges: Completely Contemp Challenge (hosted by Chick Loves Lit), Ebook Reading Challenge (hosted by Workaday Reads)
“He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.
Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.
Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.
But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.”
Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.
Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.
But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.”
Characters:
Archer was kind of brooding and pessimistic, yet also naïve in an endearing way. My heart really went out to him. I love that even though Archer has killed 3 people, I still felt overwhelming sympathy for him. I had to continually remind myself that he was the murderer. Though, I thought that his character waivered on the “lost puppy” side just a little too much, especially when he was with Evan.
I really liked Evan. He was optimistic, compassionate and understanding, kind and caring, and completely loyal. He’s probably the most perfect of all perfect characters ever written. His character is unrealistic, but he just seems so genuine that I really didn’t mind.
Now I have never gotten into the whole “favorite couples from books” thing, but I think that Evan & Archer have to be my favorites I’ve yet read. They are the definition of “opposites attract”.
Plot and Story:
Hushed starts out with a huge attention getter. (A murder made to look like an accident.) After I read the first chapter, I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down. It was very fast paced, and it didn’t feel rushed at all. Not an easy feat for a 224 page book. (The finished version is 260 pages, and I wasn’t able to get a copy of the book in time for the review, so I’m not sure what changes were made.)
Overall:
I want to recommend this book to everyone I meet! I loved Hushed! It’s one of those books that you’ll never forget. I’m giving 5 of 5 stars to an awesome LGBT thriller. I don’t think that there’s much more to be said. I can’t wait to see what Kelley York writes next.
Thank you so much for the awesome review!! :)
ReplyDelete