Unspeakable - Early Book Review

Unspeakable (Freedom #1)
by Michelle K. Pickett

What is it about:
“Breathe. No one will break me. I’m strong. Breathe. Just breathe.”

On the outside, Willow appears to have it all. She’s beautiful, smart, from an influential family, and she dates the most popular guy in school—Jaden. But she would walk away from it all in a second. Willow is tormented by lies and suffocating guilt, not the hearts and flowers people believe her life is full of.

She carries a dark secret. Plagued by nightmares and pain, the secret dominates her life. If she hadn’t walked away. If she had just…but she didn’t. And now she has to live with her choice. But when someone uncovers her family’s past, they use it against her, crushing her spirit little by little. She tells herself she just has to make it to graduation. Then she can leave Middleton, and her secret, far behind.

When Brody transfers to Cassidy High, he turns Willow’s life upside down. He shows her what it feels like to live again, really live. And suddenly, she isn’t satisfied with just surviving until graduation. She wants a normal life—with Brody—and he wants her. But the closer they become, the more it threatens to unravel the secret she’s worked so hard to hide.

Willow finds true love with Brody. Will she let his love save her, or walk away from him to keep her secret safe?

What did I think of it:
I loved PODs by Michelle K. Pickett, so when I got the opportunity to read an ARC of Unspeakable I jumped at the chance.

This being a contemporary YA instead of Post apocalyptic YA, it's quite a different read though. And it's hard to write a review that will do this book justice.

This story is filled with hurt, secrets, and desperation.

Did I enjoy reading this book: No
Do I think it's good: Yes

There are some fun things in this book, like Willow's t-shirt slogans, or her interaction with her two best friends. The scenes between her and Brody are sometimes really sweet as well. But mostly this book depressed me. Willow's problems are many and they're serious problems. I think the fact she hasn't totally caved under the pressure is a testimony to her inner strength, but at the same time it shows how she's powerless to change her life to the better.

What I really liked about this story is that although Brody might be the person who makes Willow want to change her life, he's not the knight in shining armor who solves all her problems for her. This story does show that love might give you the strength you need to take action, it doesn't magically make your trouble disappear. It still takes courage and work.

One thing that nagged me was that Willow was at times slut shaming other girls. When it was a girl making out with a boy who had a girlfriend, I could forgive willow, especially as she not only blamed the girl, but also the boy. But in the case of her slut shaming a girl for wearing revealing clothes, I was very much annoyed at her.

All in all this is story that will appeal to people who enjoy reading Contemporary YA. I myself will stick to Pickett's Post Apocalyptic and Paranormal books from now on.

Why should you read it:
It's an intense Contemporary YA read.