Review: Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Rating: YA 15+
Genre: Realistic Fiction, High-School Contemporary
Pages: 288

Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can't keep a secret

Until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast—and nearly got someone killed.

Now Chelsea has taken a vow of silence—to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting anyone else. And if she thinks keeping secrets is hard, not speaking up when she's ignored, ridiculed and even attacked is worse.

But there's strength in silence, and in the new friends who are, shockingly, coming her way—people she never noticed before; a boy she might even fall for. If only her new friends can forgive what she's done. If only she can forgive herself.

**This review is based on an Advance Readers Copy, provided by the publisher (thanks!)**

❝ I was never happy before, and I never even realized it. I know now. You can be surrounded by people and still be lonely. You can be the most popular person in school, envied by every girl and wanted by every boy, and still feel completely worthless. The world can be laid at your feet and you can still not know what you want from it. ❞

Hannah Harrington has done it again. She's created a situation most would find completely devoid of any happiness, friendship, compassion, and love, and shown us that there is hope even in the darkest of places, hardest of times. How? Through heartwarming and realistic characters, beautiful writing, and a poignant and timeless message. No matter what's happened, you can get through it. And, sometimes? Silence speaks louder than words.

Chelsea Knot used to be the girl who hid behind her popular best friend--who couldn't stand up for herself and couldn't for the life of her keep a secret. She had status, but it all relied on Kristen, her best friend. Still, she liked her life. She was popular, people worshipped and feared her at the same time, and she actually had a fair chance with Brandon, the boy of her dreams. She had power.

All of that changed on the night of Kristen's party, when she stumbled on Noah Beckett kissing another guy. Unable to stop the words from spilling from her mouth, she publicly outed him--resulting in the pretty much expected laughter and shock she desired. What she didn't expect, was that Noah was hospitalized the next morning. Of course, Chelsea and Kristen know what happened; that Kristen's equally powerful and popular boyfriend, Warren, and his friend Joey physically assaulted Noah. Chelsea had the choice: to speak up and tell the truth, lose her status, best friend, and social life; or to stay silent and keep it all, but live with the guilt. She spoke up.

At first, I didn't like Chelsea Knot's character at all. She seemed like the typical annoying, popular, tag-along girl who everyone hated but was too scared of to say anything to. However, as the book progressed I got to learn more about her and really ended up loving her character! I liked how she didn't change completely and still had that kind of mess-with-me-and-I'll-punch-your-face-in vibe going on! She befriended Asha, the quiet, nerdy, Indian girl with a big heart (someone she never would have even looked at before), and together they really did form a friendship for the ages. Asha was so sweet! I don't really think I've ever met anyone as nice as her! Be my best friend? :') 

I really felt for what Chelsea was going through. And for what? Speaking up and telling the truth. I can't even imagine what it would feel like to have your so-called best friend writing shit on your locker and spreading rumors all around school. No one should ever have to go through that! I'm just happy Sam was there to help her with it all.

Sam was so darn cute! He was so sweet and I loved how good him and Chelsea were together. Speechless raised so many questions for me; if I was in Chelsea's situation, would I have spoken up, or stayed silent? Does silence really speak louder than words sometimes? And would I really be able to go without speaking for a whole month? [NO WAY BUDDY.]

Speechless was a short, cute, touching read that was sad and funny in all the right places, in all the right ways. I was in tears upon finishing it (in a good way!). Honestly guys, I'm just speechless! 

❝ Hate is easy, but love takes courage. ❞

If you like this, try:

Live Through This by Mindi Scott

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Last Chance by Sarah Dessen

Defying the Diva by D. Anne Love