Twice Baked Thursday(6): Hush Hush

Title: Hush, Hush

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal Romance (fallen angels)

Audience: Teen

Pages: 391

Source: Library; bought a copy (of course!)

Rating: 2 stars : I'd give this book an awkward hug(Becky)

              3.5 stars: I'd friend this book on Facebook and then         shamelessly flirt with it (Randi)

Goodreads Summary:

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

Our Thoughts:

If I wanted to read Twilight again I would go get it off my bookshelf...but I never do.  Why?  Because it is badly written. Harsh! While this wasn't amazingly written, it was well-written according to conventions (that's not what the sentence fragments said). Now Twilight...that was just badly written all around. Editors are valuable resources. Just sayin'. If you are going for a quick, candy romance then I would recommend this, but if you want any substance at all, stop at the gorgeous cover. I can't disagree with that! This book contained everything I don't like in YA fiction and just about nothing I did like. I liked the boy! The story of the fallen angels was different than others that I've read (which, granted, isn't all that many since I tend to avoid any religion in my fiction and, by extension, try to avoid angels just in case). Plus there's the whole thing about this being one of my best friend's favorite series, so I thought I should give it a shot! Though, with all the books I'm dying to read, I likely won't continue the series, or, if I do, it will definitely be because I'm looking for one of those mindless kind of books (though with this semester's schedule, who knows! I may need it!).

Characters:

The characters were entirely flat.  They had absolutely no development and followed familiar stereotypes.  Of course Bella, oops I mean Nora, had an idiotic sensual friend who did all the wrong things and by comparison made her look less foolish. Wow. For a best friend, Vee totally sucked! Though I do think the mind control aspects made Nora seem less a pathetic figure than Bella. And also, she was just more likable in general. Patch was your typical bad-boy stalker with no redeeming characteristics aside from being attractive. Very attractive. He physically assaulted Nora, (where?!)(EVERWHERE!  he's always grabbing her and shoving her) verbally harassed her (oh that was just sexy talk!), and was generally annoying all the way through (I found his mystery and way of magically appearing out of nowhere was kind of endearing! LOL).  Thank God for his "hidden smiles," "black eyes" and "slightly tilted lips."  How charming.  Let's all also be thankful that Nora's mom doesn't care enough about her to actually be home and raise her. But she had to pay for the house you say?  Is a house more important than actually being near your family?  I think not.  Ouch! Okay, I do have to defend Nora's mom on this one since my mom was a bit absent in order to pay the bills. It's difficult when you're living paycheck to paycheck as a single parent. Really difficult. She could've gotten a local job, but it's hard to say whether that would have made them happier. Not the perfect mom, certainly, but I understand the working part. (Your circumstance is undoubtably different because Nora's mom had the easy option of selling the house and getting an apartment and in-town job)

Writing Style:

The writing was bland with a capitol B.  There are few if any sensory details, and those that do exist are repeated over and over. Okay, honestly I didn't notice this while reading...But you're right. Sometimes I just get so wrapped up in the story! :) The story is entirely reliant on its fast pace and the "sexual tension" which seemed awfully close to sexual harassment. That fast pace kind of made me oblivious to much else. Also, every time I see the word "harassment," I think of my seventh grade teacher who pronounced it hair-iss-mint. Random factoid. (Me too!) There are many many sentence fragments, which would be ok (I guess) if they added anything to the style or story. What?! I love sentence fragments in fiction! Maybe I'll have to reread it.... ;) 

Story Line:

I don't know about you, but I had a pretty god idea what was going to happen in this book from looking at the cover. True story. Although Nora was constantly surprised by the "twists and turns," the reader really shouldn't be unless they are actively trying not to figure it out. What are you trying to say, Becky?! ;) The ending was especially obvious.  I won't give you a spoiler, I'll just highlight what we know from the cover- attractive male angel falls from heaven and meets attractive girl.  Ask yourself what kinds of angels there are, particularly in cheesy movies, and what kind of ending you think this book will have. I love cheese. Ohhh, you were talking about plot! Oops... Yup, you've got it. Sometimes we all need a little fluff. I must say that the plot and characters are not all that original *cough*typicalYAparanormalromance*cough* but if you like fluffy books with cute angels, Hush, Hush is probably right up your alley.

Sorry for the snark, but I just lost four hours of my life I will never get back to this book.