Reading Response 1: Breaking Beautiful

 

Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw is a compelling story of a young girl who suffers a great loss. The main Character, Allie Davis, is in a tragic car accident that she just can't seem to remember.. At least that's what she's saying. She loses her boyfriend Trip in the accident and now only pictures and few memories of the end are what is keeping her glued in her bed. She hasn't returned to school yet and is now afraid that being questioned yet AGAIN is in the near future. She isn't interested in talking about it-does she have a secret to hide?

The author adds a bit of mystery in the story as you wonder what caused the accident. Introducing the characters after the accident has already happened makes for anticipation to keep reading.

"More questions? Things I can't answer. Things I don't remember. Things I don't want to remember, I was too sick, too hurt before. Everyone felt sorry or me. But now..."

The way Jennifer Shaw expresses the Character of Allie makes the audience wonder. Was she in love? Was she in a healthy relationship? The only way to find out is to keep reading, and the author has made this easy.

As she deals with all of her grief and personal issues, she comes back into reality of what she had before her relationship with Trip. It's Blake. Her best friend in the whole world, her first kiss, and now an awkward relationship that leaves him with nothing but empathy for her. She is mixed up with all of the realities she has experienced since she was last his true best friend. Trip and Blake weren't apart of the same group, and now that Trip is gone, Blake is stepping up to the plate and bringing Allie her school work. She's seeing him routinely, wondering what he's thinking. What will happen between the two of them? I'm so excited to find out as I keep falling in love with the story.