Review -- Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Title: Speechless
Author: Hannah Harrington
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: 28 Aug 2012
Date Read: Dec 2012
Rating: ★★★★☆

Like so many others, I became interested in Speechless because of its cover. The perfect example of less is more. I didn't really know what exactly I was going into, but there was no way I was going to pass up that beautiful cover. Now having read the book, I realize that it's one of the best covers I've ever seen. It cleverly portrays the story, adds mystery and who doesn't want to check out the book with nothing but the title on its cover?

Chelsea Knot is vain, narcissistic, a liar, fake and has no regard for other people's feelings. She could contest Regina George as the ultimate Mean Girl and win. I wanted to punch her in the face, especially at the beginning. I think my mouth hung open in shock for 30 pages at the amount of girl bashing she participated in. She was one big bad bitch. At least she used to be. Chelsea has takafadfasdfasdfasdfasdfen a vow of silence after the last secret she spread left her an outcast and nearly got someone killed. Harrington crafted a beautiful character in Chelsea. She's heavily flawed and realistic. Harrington subtly nursed Chelsea's character until I couldn't help but love her. This book is about the mistakes she's made, the lessons she's learned, the friendships she's created and the growth in her character.

The secondary characters, the friends Chelsea made during her vow, were funny and lovable. Lou and Dex, Asha, Andy and Sam. Their easy banter was witty and funny. I wish I was friends with all these people. And that I worked at Rosie's, that awesome awesome cafe. Plus, the romance was perfect. It was slow-burning and progressed realistically. No drowning in each other's gazes, love at first sight. No 'trying hard to get' games. They were so damn cute together.

Harrington's writing wasn't the most eloquent. It was simple, yet captivating and thought provoking. I couldn't help but hope that stuff like this doesn't actually happen in real life. That this is just pure fiction and people really aren't that horrible to each other. I hope that these are just exaggerated events in teen life and high school because it's too horrible. But who am I kidding? There are some truly horrible people in this place, as this book clearly shows. What it also shows though, is the fact people are good.

"Hate is... it's too easy," he says. "Love. Love takes courage."

Speechless is a beautiful story about acceptance, real friendship and love. It's about finding strength within yourself to do and be whatever you want.

An ARC egalley was received from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.