Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Publication Date: 11/22/2011

Publisher: Harlequin

Pages: 336

Format: e-book

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Summary:

Harper Scott's older sister, June, took her own life a week before high school graduation, leaving Harper devastated. So when her divorcing parents decide to split up June's ashes, Harper steals the urn and takes off cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going—California.

Enter Jake Tolan, a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession…and an unknown connection to June. When he insists on joining them, Harper's just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanor and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what Harper needs. Except…Jake's keeping a secret that has the power to turn her life upside down—again.

_____________________________________________________________________

I'm not sure where to begin with this review.  So I'll start with the characters and go from there!  Harper Scott is a teenage girl who feels as though she is the screw-up of the family.  Her parents are divorced and always treated her older sister as though she was perfect and could do no wrong.  Now that June is gone, Harper is facing the wrath of her parents and family who seem even more annoyed with her.  Harper holds a lot of anger and has trouble facing her emotions.  She basically went through an emotional journey in this book that taught her so much more about herself.

Laney is Harper's amazing best friend.  She helps Harper through every tough situation and is always there for her.  She puts up with more than she should at times, but they always work it out.  Eric Tolan is a very mysterious boy who wants to go with Harper and Laney, but they are still trying to figure out what his connection to June is.  He and Harper fight constantly and make each other mad yet they seem so much alike in so many ways.  Harper and Jake have a lot of their own problems to work through and the connection to June is going to help them out.

This truly is a story about finding yourself, your place in the world, and discovering more about a person you lost.  Harper is trying to get closure over the surprising loss of her sister.  She feels like she should have expected it and isn't sure how to handle it.  As I'm sure no one would know how to handle the loss of their sibling from suicide.  She feels guilt and ultimate responsibility.  This trip is helping her discover that not everything is her fault and she has a place in the world.  Harper learns more about her sister, life, and those around her through this trip.  She works through all her emotions and becomes a stronger person for it.  I really enjoyed this novel and I'm glad I had a chance to read it.  Harper's story needed to be told and portrayed a very typical reaction to someone losing someone so close.  I felt sorrow for Harper which turned to joy as she found herself and where she belonged.  YAY Harper!!