*REVIEW* Speechless

Synopsis:

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.

Speechless was a complete and total surprise for me. I really didn't have high expectations going into it. I mean, the cover is very plain (and you all know I love me some pretty covers!) and the synopsis sounds decent, like something I'd be semi-interested in, but it wasn't one of those, "OMG, I have GOT to read this book!" To say that I am pleasantly surprised after reading it would be a MEGA understatement.

Speechless introduces us to Chelsea, a teenage girl with a MAJOR gossip problem. Chelsea loves being in the know and has never had a secret she could keep from anyone. At a raging New Years party at her BFF's house, Chelsea walks in on a shocking scene--a scene she promptly runs downstairs and blabs to everyone within ear shot. Chelsea could never have predicted the events that would transpire due to her loose lips...

The fallout from Chelsea's gossiping, and her subsequent confession to the police, has made her a social outcast. Everyone is angry at her: Some for talking to the police, some for sharing a secret that wasn't hers to tell. Chelsea takes a vow of silence so that her mouth can cause no more harm to herself, or to others. Through her silence, Chelsea begins to reflect on who she is, what really matters to her, and what true friendship and forgiveness looks like. She meets new people who open her eyes, and who begin to help her mend her broken spirit.

SQUEEEEEEE. Recapping this book makes me want to read it again! Hannah Harrington does a remarkable job with this book. The major topic of the initial big secret is so important in our world today... getting to read about teenagers dealing with feelings of hate, acceptance, and forgiveness was truly touching. I was rooting for ALL of these characters to gain some self-awareness. Unfortunately, not all of them got there, but that's the same as it is in reality.

Seriously, this book is a wonderful surprise. Solid 4 stars, if not leaning towards a 4.5. Everyone needs to place this book on their TBR pile. Enjoy! *XOXO*

Expected publication date: August 28, 2012 by HarlequinTeen