The Secret Year is a story coming-of-age, young love, class war story about Colton, a guy from the "flats"and his secret affair with Julia, who lives where the rich kids live up on the mountain.
Julia is killed in a car accident and Colt is left to mourn alone, because no one knew about their complicated relationship. Soon after Julia's death, Julia's brother, Michael, gives Colt a notebook in which Julia had written letters to Colt while they were dating.
Colt's voice is so real and so is the voice-from-the-past of Julia, as presented in her purple notebook.
The side story of Colt's brother Tom is quite good as well. Also, Colt's parents are completely real. Neither demons nor angels, as parents in YA books are often made out to be. They are simply, human.
This is the first book from Jennifer R. Hubbard and what a terrific one it is. I had the pleasure of hearing Ms. Hubbard speak at the 2010 PaLA Conference in Lancaster, PA and was smart enough to buy a copy of this book. She even signed it, which was very cool. Of course, in my messy car, I lost it and just found it this week! Now I can give it to the library so that I can feverishly recommend it to others! I do recommend it whole-heartedly and look forward to the next offering from Ms. Hubbard!
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