Mundie Moms

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Book Review: In Honor by Jessi Kirby



Published by: Simon & Schuster
To Be Released on: May 8th, 2012
Source: ARC from publisher at ALA
4.5 stars: I Really Enjoyed It
Pre-Order from: Simon & SchusterAmazon | Barnes & Noble

A devastating loss leads to an unexpected road trip in this novel from the author of Moonglass, whose voice Sarah Dessen says “is fresh and wise, all at once.”


Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences? -quoted from Goodreads

Why fret over the cost of gas and where to go this summer on a road trip, when all you need to do is pick up Jessi Kirby's upcoming release, In Honor! This is one of those stories that will live you wising you had a trusty guy friend, a sweet red pair of cowboy/girl boots, and a classic car to hit the road with. Not to mention a few mishaps, and some unforeseen adventures, all of which accompany Honor during her whirl wind road trip from TX, to CA. Shortly after laying her only brother to rest who was killed in action, Honor receives a letter from him and a request. In order to honor his request Honor decides to hit the road for an incredibly moving and unforgettable road trip.

I loved Honor! This girl made me want to laugh with her, cry with her and had me wishing I was sitting in the passenger seat along side her for her trip. Yes I know Rusty, her brother's best friend had that spot, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind sitting in the back, or maybe he would. She's a strong girl who's just learning to cope with losing her brother, finding her way, keeping his request and learning to maneuver through the various mishaps that accompany her on her journey. The biggest complication of all lies with Rusty. Oh this boy knows how to push the right buttons, as well as work it. 

Here's the thing with Rusty, he is who he is. He knows how to get to Honor, as much as he knows how to comfort her. He made me frustrated at times and other times me made me love him for all his imperfections. The thing between Honor and Rusty is complicated, and wonderful all at the same time. They have this rich history since Rusty's been her brother's best friend since grade school. Things grew differently for them after high school, which also makes for an air of uncertainty and some complications with Honor and Rusty now. Their relationship to say the least is strained.

The thing I love about a well written contemporary is getting to really know the characters. I felt like I not only got to understand the history and the feelings between Honor and Rusty during their road trip, but I felt like I apart of their lives for this brief moment. I felt like I was getting to know them during their process of getting reacquainted with each other during their drive through the hot desert, with the windows down in the car, and their sometimes awkward conversations and walks down memory lane. It's definitely a unique relationship these two have, but it's one I felt drawn to in many ways. They're both learning to grieve, cope, love, trust and open up about things they'd rather not. 

One of the most appealing things to me about this story is the relationship between Honor and Rusty and the love that they have for one another. It is so unique and different than a actual love story, and I loved that! Here's the thing I've come to admire about Jessi Kirby's writing, she keeps it real with her realistic characters, their life like situations and the fact that she can emotionally hook me from the get go. This is a story that made me laugh, got me a little teary eyed, made me want to smack Rusty in the shoulder and give him the "what the heck are you thinking" and "I can't believe you just said that" look a few times, and in the end left me with that happy sigh with how things were left. It's that ending where you things will be okay.... 

4 comments:

  1. " Oh this boy knows how to push the right buttons, as well as work it."

    Does he ever! I loved this one as well. Personally though if I was in the passenger/drivers seat I wouldn't mind if Honor wasn't in the car at all. ;)

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    1. LOL! I'm sure Rusty wouldn't mind either :) So glad you loved it. I totally adore Jessi's writing.

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  2. Such a fantastic review! I have had this on my wish list for a while and it looks like I might have to go and buy it right now! lol :) Thanks for string - fantastic!
    Stephanie
    My latest post: From the Review Pile (1)

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    1. Thank you Stephanie! I really appreciate it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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