Golden - Jessi Kirby
Book Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance. Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury. Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.
Messed up! That should've been the summary of this book. Seriously, don't bother... just kidding, but at some points I just wanted to jump into the story and shake some sense into a certain character.
Parker Frost is so book smart, her fatal flaw however, such stupidity when it comes to being street smart. I mean, come on! She's named Valedictorian at her high school, I would've thought she could've been smarter about life and at least more experienced when it comes to social situations. Kat is her best friend and she really reminded me of Kat Dennings from that show Two Broke Girls (I've never ever seen it before), but I'm sure the author drew some inspiration from that actress.
What I loved about this book was that it wasn't a try hard typical YA love story. Jessi Kirby took some time weaving a believable, yet entertaining piece of work. It's amazing, truly, the plot twist that comes right out of nowhere. I was constantly reminded of my high school years and disappointed in myself that I never took the road less traveled, it would have made all the difference. Anyway, I thought that this book was brilliant.
Her mother was so on her case about everything, no wonder Parker was named Valedictorian. Despite her mother being high strung, you could tell that she really cared for and loved her daughter - she wanted the best for her, opportunities that Parker would be qualified for.
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver.
If you haven't already been swayed by my review to read this book, that quote alone should intrigue you enough to pick this book up and start reading.
Rating: ★★★★★