Book Review: Speechless by Hannah Harrington

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Mira Ink (1 Feb 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184845192X
• ISBN-13: 978-1848451926
• 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 is a brilliant new contemporary YA. Speechless will have you cringing, laughing, swooning and everything in between.

Chelsea is best friends with the most popular girl in her school. She goes to all the great parties, crushes on the hottest guy and knows she has to earn her keep if she wants to stay at the top. Chelsea takes her cues from those around her and doesn’t think twice about ruining someones reputation by sharing all the gossip she hears. But when her last secret nearly gets someone killed, Chelsea does some serious life-evaluating. 

After reading an article about vows of silence, Chelsea figures this is best for everyone if she simply stops talking. But people don’t appreciate her silence. Her secret and truths have already been spoke and it’s too late to take them back...no matter how much she is pressured. 

Her friends abandon her. She is verbally attacked in school. No one understands her. Except Sam. Who should, in theory, hate her more than everyone else combined. But Sam takes the time to listen even when she doesn’t say a word. Sam is the one who tries to get Chelsea to forgive herself. It is Sam who shows Chelsea who she really is. 

Speechless concentrates on some really important matters. But it doesn’t lose its quirky and funny voice. I couldn’t put this book down. It was simply brilliant. And I want to reread it, like right now. 

Many thanks to Mira Ink for the copy to review!