Booktacular: Review : Night Road by Kristin Hannah

"For eighteen years, Jude Farraday has put her children’s needs above her own, and it shows—her twins, Mia and Zach—are bright and happy teenagers. When Lexi Baill moves into their small, close knit community, no one is more welcoming than Jude. Lexi, a former foster child with a dark past, quickly becomes Mia’s best friend. Then Zach falls in love with Lexi and the three become inseparable.

Jude does everything to keep her kids safe and on track for college. It has always been easy-- until senior year of high school. Suddenly she is at a loss. Nothing feels safe anymore; every time her kids leave the house, she worries about them.

On a hot summer’s night her worst fears come true. One decision will change the course of their lives. In the blink of an eye, the Farraday family will be torn apart and Lexi will lose everything. In the years that follow, each must face the consequences of that single night and find a way to forget…or the courage to forgive.

NIGHT ROAD is vivid, emotionally complex novel that raises profound questions about motherhood, identity, love, and forgiveness. It is a luminous, heartbreaking novel that captures both the exquisite pain of loss and the stunning power of hope. This is Kristin Hannah at her very best, telling an unforgettable story about the longing for family, the resilience of the human heart, and the courage it takes to forgive the people we love."

Published : March 22nd, 2011

Format : Paperback

Source : Purchased

Author : http://www.kristinhannah.com/content/index.php

I loved this book. This was my first Kristin Hannah novel, and I found it very similar to Jodi Picoult, which is a good thing!

Lexi was a foster child who goes to live with her aunt. On her first day of school, she sees a boy who takes her breath away, but of course he's the most popular guy in her grade, so she just ignores him. She also meets Mia, a loner like herself, and they quickly become best friends. Lexi goes to Mia's house after school and is welcomed into the family. And then in walks Mia's twin brother, Zach, the popular boy that Lexi met earlier in the day.

Fast forward a few years. Lexi and Mia are still best friends, and seniors in high school. Lexi still is in love with Zach, and it soon becomes apparent that Zach is in love with her as well. The three basically become joined at the hip.

Until one night, they each make the same mistake, and one of them winds up not coming home from a party. The story continues with how each person in the family deals with their grief.

I thought the book was excellent. It was beautifully written and descriptive, there wasn't really anything written that wasn't a vital point of the story. The bond between Zach and Mia intrigued me, as I always found it fascinating the way twins are so connected to each other. While I do consider myself close with my younger sister, I found myself wishing I had the relationship they had.

I loved Lexi. Her character was just incredible. I respected her so much for owning up to her mistakes and facing the punishment, regardless of the consequences. And then with her following decisions, she just grew as a person in my eyes. I could never have done everything she did in this novel, and I loved that Zach loved her in spite of the fact that his mother, Jude, hated her.

Speaking of Jude, I could not stand her. She was the definition of overbearing parent. She was such a helicopter mom when the situation did not require it, but when it was necessary, she just laid back and stood to the side. It infuriated me.

All in all, Night Road was a lovely read. I'll probably be picking up another Kristin Hannah book soon.