The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard

The Secret Year
Author: Jennifer R. Hubbard
Publisher: Viking Juvenile 
Pages: 192
Rating: 5 Stars! 

Take Romeo and Juliet. Add The Outsiders. Mix thoroughly. Colt and Julia were secretly together for an entire year, and no one—not even Julia's boyfriend— knew. They had nothing in common, with Julia in her country club world on Black Mountain and Colt from down on the flats, but it never mattered. Until Julia dies in a car accident, and Colt learns the price of secrecy. He can't mourn Julia openly, and he's tormented that he might have played a part in her death. When Julia's journal ends up in his hands, Colt relives their year together at the same time that he's desperately trying to forget her. But how do you get over someone who was never yours in the first place? ~Goodreads 

It was so freakin' refreshing to read a YA novel in a male's point of view, because i usually don't. I was surprised at how much i enjoyed it & it was because i simply adored the main character Colton! 

He is a typical teenager that hangs with friends, works a job, has parental problems, & also relationship problems. I think the way in which he handles his issues is what makes him a relatable character. He is calm & collected on the outside(for the most part) but inside he struggles & thats what made me really connect & feel for him.  

Another character i absolutely loved was Colt's brother Tom! The brother I wish I had! He brought much needed comic relief to the book, as well as another issue facing teens. Homosexual relationships. It really upset me the way his parents handled his "coming out", but i think it added another element to the plot. 

Just a unique and well crafted story line, i did not want it to end.The things referred to in the novel were so modern and issues that teens have to deal with on a regular basis, (sex, alcohol, work, social status & being judged for who you are.)so it was so easy to relate to.

I highly recommend this book! After i read it, Jennifer herself sent me a bookmark & it's my favorite! Check out how well used it is ---> Click Me! it looks pretty "well read" haha! get it! :)