Review: Hushed by Kelley York

Hushed
by Kelley York
pub date 12/6/2011

product description from goodreads.com

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.

My Review:

You guys, please believe me when I tell you to read this book. Seriously. Hushed is such an awesome, well-written, gritty, heart-warming, sexy (yeah, I could fill this post with adjectives) novel that sucks you in from the very first page and doesn't let go until the end. After reading it, you're gonna want more, trust me.

Hushed tells the story of Archer, a self-loathing college student who has lived his entire life basically as a whipping boy for his best friend, Vivian. Archer loves her. She doesn't feel the same way. But that doesn't stop Archer from doing whatever he has to to give her a better life. The pain Archer goes through on virtually every page is so real and honest that you find yourself hurting right along with him--an excellent feat, Ms. York!

And there's no way I could talk about Hushed and not mention the opposite of Vivian in Archer's life, Evan. Aah, Evan. He's sweet. He's sexy. He genuinely cares for Archer--and Archer for him. Evan is light to Vivian's darkness, constantly fighting her pull on Archer. Evan only wants to help Archer believe in himself, think for and of himself, and put himself before others--especially Vivian. Evan's love for Archer is constant and strong and oh-so-good...an excellent character!

My Rating:

I seriously would give Hushed higher than 5 stars if my rating system were greater (hmm, maybe I could change it just this once? Okay, 10 stars then!). It's such a fun, sexy, gut-wrenching read that leaves you breathless and altered afterward. This book releases tomorrow, so please...pick up a copy ASAP!!