Trust

Contains sensitivities such as violence, assault, substance abuse and intimidation

Trust
Written by Kylie Scott
Mature Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
382 Pages
Publishing July 18th 2017
Thank you to Kylie Scott and Netgalley
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★★★★
After being held hostage during a robbery at the local convenience store, seventeen year old Edie finds her attitude about life shattered. Unwilling to put up with the snobbery and bullying at her private school, she enrolls at the local public high school, crossing paths with John. The boy who risked his life to save hers.

While Edie’s beginning to run wild, however, John’s just starting to settle down. After years of partying and dealing drugs with his older brother, he’s going straight, getting to class on time, and thinking about the future.

An unlikely bond grows between the two as John keeps Edie out of trouble and helps her broaden her horizons. But when he helps her out with another first, losing her virginity, their friendship gets complicated.

Meanwhile, Edie and John are pulled back into the dangerous world they narrowly escaped. They were lucky to survive the first time, but this time they have more to lose. Each other.
Seventeen year old Edith has been taken hostage. Lying on the floor of the convince store bloodied and terrified. While Edie survived the volatile hostage the repercussions of her trauma have altered Edie's perspective, abandoning her private school education and enrolling at the local public school in Northern California where she will become another young woman within the nondescript student community.

John is plagued by nightmares. Surviving the convenience store ordeal, the former narcotics trafficker is determined to change perceptions, returning to solitary and exclusion. Although John internalises the confrontation, Edie reluctantly attends counselling. Tethered by the harrowing experience, Edie and John discover companionship in one another, a tentative friendship flourishing.

Edie is a quiet, intellectual young woman who survived a terrifying and violent hostage incident. Although experiencing anxiety, the incident has emphasised how fragile our lives are when faced with adversity and encourages Edie to appreciate each moment. Edie is magnificent. Mostly. Her tenacity to confront her oppressor was a culmination of abuse and torment because she's a voluptuous young woman. Edie is confident but experiences moments of insecurity but with her positive perspective, refuses to allow others to demoralise or degrade her. It was wonderfully portrayed. 

John is an intriguing young man who was coerced into dispensing narcotics after his parents relocated, placing John under the supervision of his brother. John is afflicted by post traumatic stress disorder and although often agitated and sullen, remained resilient although tormented by nightmares. Aesthetically, John is a prototypical male protagonist. Attractive, indifferent and assured. In an act of altruism, John valiantly liberates Edie by confronting the perpetrator. Throughout their tentative friendship, John and Edie are a tremendous support to one another.

If rumours are to be believed, John prefers sexual encounters with various consenting partners. Positive sexual liberation is a wonderful exploration for teens but John and Edie became too dependant on their friendship to allow the other to explore relationships beyond their companionship. The gradual relationship between John and Edie was lovely but the decision to begin their physical relationship felt contrived. The narrative ventured into what is typically viewed as a conventional new adult romance and although I applaud authors who create positive sexual content, I felt mildly disappointed. Trust also touches upon post traumatic stress disorder, abuse, substance abuse and domestic violence. Delicately. 

Kylie Scott is a wonderfully accomplished author.  Trust is a pragmatic and conscientious narrative, captivating and tender, emphasising our fragility when faced with adversity. To appreciate each moment.

21 comments

  1. How terrifying to read about two characters that have gone through a hostage situation like that. I applaud both Edie and John for finding their own two feet in the aftermath, and leaning on each other. I can't even imagine what it'd be like going through such a scary ordeal, but PTSD is probably a very common outcome. Edie and John's relationship sounds slow burning, and it's great to see that they have each other to rely on during such hard times.

    Lovely review Kels, glad you enjoyed it! x

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    1. My goodness Joy, it was one of the most confronting first chapters I've ever had the privilege of reading. The terror for Edie is so palpable. I really enjoyed the exploration of their relationship and the support both John and Edie offered one another. This is my first Kylie Scott read but definitely won't be my last. Really enjoyed it.

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  2. Yeah, that was quite the opening, wasn't it? I'm glad you liked this one, Kells. The characters made the book for me. I especially really liked Edie and her growth throughout the book. John was pretty wonderful too. I totally get your points on the sexual aspects of the story and I can see where you're coming from.
    Lovely review, Kelly!

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    1. I loved the progression of their relationship but the particular moment when they decide to become physical left me a little disappointed. I think they both deserved more. Edie was wonderful and I liked both John and Edie as individuals as much as I enjoyed them together. I'm so glad you enjoyed it too sweetheart.

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  3. I had no idea Kylie Scott had started writing YA. I need to read this, STAT. Great review! :)

    Sarah @ A Weebish Book Blog

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    1. Thanks Sarah. I believe it's her first young adult novel and it's wonderful. It's mature young adult with a very new adult feel but spectacular nonetheless. Would love to see what you think of it.

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  4. I've never read anything by the author, but I'm glad to hear this was MOSTLY a good read for you. It sounds like the tougher topics were handled well, which is always a positive in my book. Thanks for sharing!!!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. It was written with care Lauren which is always the sign of a wonderful read for me. I can't even begin to imagine being in that situation and surviving and I really appreciated that Edie was being counselled after her trauma.

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  5. I get a little wary of *losing your virginity to your friend* trope but I do occasionally like it. Coming Up for Air by Miranda Kenneally is a good example.

    This does sound good though.

    For What It's Worth

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    1. That was my one issue with the narrative too Karen, but such a small gripe in an otherwise gripping read.

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  6. Amazing review Kelly, I've got this one to read as well so it's brilliant to see that you loved it. It sounds like Edie and John were both complex and balanced characters where their resilience came through. Thanks for sharing lovely x

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    1. Oooh, I can;t wait to see what you think of it! I really enjoyed it. Those opening few chapters are explosive.

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  7. I always see a lot of praise for her books, but my slacker ass hasn't read one yet. This one sounds really good!

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    1. Her crossover into mature young adult has been an absolute success Christy. So superbly written and gripping.

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  8. oh wow. i can totally see myself reading this... i just have to wait till the kids are in high school

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    1. Such a wonderful read, would love to see what you think of it!

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  9. Sounds like a pretty good read. This one has been on my radar for just a few weeks and I know it'll probably be a book I'll enjoy. It has some old school angsty YA vibes but updated to fit an audience where folks want substance not just a bunch of angst and drama. I've read Kylie Scott's adult books so fingers crossed YA books work for me too.

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    1. I'm really looking forward to your review, especially seeing how it compares to her new adult books. It's captivating and a little angsty but highly entertaining. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

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  10. Oh dear. As much goodness as there is in this, the forced romance does put a damper on things. M/F can be friends, people lol

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    1. I liked them as individuals and as friends Verushka but not as a couple unfortunately. The romance doesn't overwhelm the storyline though which I really appreciated.

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  11. I liked your review. Very well written. The premise of the story sounds intriguing but I don't venture into YA very much. Do you thinks it's worth it for me to venture out for this book? Let me know. Sue

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