Linda's Review: In Honor by Jessi Kirby

May 8th 2012, Simon & Schuster
240 pages, Hardcover
Bought
Young Adult
Amazon | Book Depository | Indie Bound





Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences

                                                        Opinion:
Jessi Kirby’s Moonglass was an amazing read, so I was crazy excited to read her next book. In Honor was much more than I expected. It was more than a road trip book. More than a quick read.
Honor is devastated. She’s broken without her brother, who joined the military and died too young. When she finds Finn’s letter, she sets out to fulfill his last request: attend the farewell concert of Kyra Kelley. She ditches college week for an impromptu road trip with a surprise visitor, Rusty, Finn’s ex-best friend. Reconnecting all those lost years since Finn and Rusty’s falling out is tougher than she imagined, especially when your tag-along is drunk and arrogant.

In Honor was an amazingly fast read, but it knew just where to pull on my heartstrings. Honor continues healing from her loss throughout the journey, but she also breaks through the protective shells Finn and his best friend made in her childhood. The memories both passengers share of Finn open up Honor’s eyes to the truth she was always searching for. Jessi Kirby keeps it real. She tells it as it is, which is why this was such an emotional read.

The chemistry between Rusty and Honor is undeniable. I mean, they practically only had each other for company for hours on end. Their dialogue was fun and humorous. At times I felt like Honor kept nagging and complaining. She seemed too dependent on her brother, but Rusty knew how to put her in her place. I was pulled to his tortured self and the remnants left on his soul by his drunken father. They both needed each other to heal.

The ending left things open-ended, especially concerning their relationship. I think it suited the book well enough. Honor embraced independence and lighter heart. Jessi Kirby has written another fabulous contemporary book. In Honor is for readers wanting an emotional and inspiring read.

                                                        Rating:

   

The elusive Linda-saurus:

Mover and shaker by day, book-ninja by night. Only native to Florida. Afraid of small children but has an affinity to the elderly. Beware of her sarcastic humor.

Categories: 5 stars, Linda, Review, Young Adult