I was geared up to REALLY shred this but the last 5% or so actually went a long way.

All I'll say: this is your average nice guy "why does she only date assholes when I've systematically murdered her enemies" thing, but gayer. The MC is sort of a psychopath. I'm not clear on how Evan is fine with that. Couldn't put it down despite my disbelief.

eta: the author liked my comment! I'll add that I actually remember this book quite fondly due to, uh, the most appropriate ending possible. Also, that's classy. ( )

Hushed started with a murder, and I didn’t expect to feel sympathy for the murderer by the end of the second chapter. I like Archer. I want things to work out for him. He just can’t seem to see that he’s as much a victim of Vivian’s demons as she is. He wants to save her; he needs to save himself. The most important adult in Archer’s life, Marrissa, Vivian’s mother, not his, told him, “Everyone lets you down; it’s a fact of life. The key is to know when they’re doing it because they don’t care enough not to.” I highlighted this passage because it brought tears to my eyes. Evan, Archer’s new friend, kind of gives me the creeps; I feel like he might be manipulating Archer, if not grooming him. But—they are the same age, and Archer doesn’t resist Evan. I’m not sure Archer even knows enough about himself to make a good decision regarding Evan and their relationship. Events pile up out of Archer’s control, and I am afraid. This cannot end well, but I am compelled to finish!

“I’d like to live.”
Marrisa smiled.
“Good. You haven’t done that in a while.”

Sigh. It’s going to be okay.
( )

It was pretty much what I expected; I enjoyed it a lot a lot. The highlight of this book were definitely the characters, Evan is just great and I absolutely loved Archer's thought process. Very quick read, but worth checking out. ( )

This book has the most messed up love triangle I've ever read, and I loved it!

First there is Archer, the narrator of the book (well, at least most of it). He keeps to himself and is in love with Vivian, his best friend since childhood. But some bad shit happened to Vivian, and Archer is determined to "get even" for her by killing those who raped her or stood by and did nothing - which includes Vivian's own brother. Vivian, meanwhile, has gone into a tailspin since the rape; she only dates loser guys who smack her around, and Archer is desperately trying to save her from herself, although Vivian doesn't seem very interested. And then there is Evan, whom I loved, the third leg in this triangle - a sweet, genuinely nice guy who likes Archer for himself, something that Archer has never had, and who shows Archer that a nice, normal life might be possible for him.

Wow, that's a lot of messed up, and I enjoyed every second of it.

First, yay, a bisexual main character! And he's male! I have only ever read one other book with a bisexual male main character, and as soon as an interested woman came along in that other book, the character suddenly morphed into someone who was as straight as an arrow. So I really enjoyed that Archer had a latent bisexuality that Evan brought to life. And Archer and Evan are a great couple - all sorts of messed up, of course, because Archer is secretly killing people (although he does have a conscience, which Evan kind of stokes into life toward the middle of the book), but they really fit well together. Archer has never had someone who genuinely loved and cared for him, and Evan is exactly what he needs.

This book definitely has some Dexter tones to it, which I immensely liked, because I really enjoy the Dexter book series (and the Showtime TV series through the fourth season). But Archer isn't completely without redemption, and I think that the author did a great job of building a nuanced character without shying away from the darkness. Because I loved the darkness of Archer. And the interactions between the other characters were just as nuanced and developed, and you could see Archer and Vivian developing and changing as the book continued.

And then the ending. It was about as happy as one could ask for in this type of book, with Evan and Archer ending up alive and still together. Archer's in a mental institution, which is what he desperately needs, and Evan keeps visiting him. Loved it. And I loved that Archer and Evan ended up together in spite of the murders Archer committed; hell, I didn't care, I shipped these two boys hard and I wanted them to end up together alive. And I got it in a realistic way. So I was super happy. :)

Definitely recommended! ( )

Oh gods. This is so beautiful. After reading the Suicide Watch which had totally stolen my heart and now, having this, Kelley York definitely gave me more reasons to love her even more. I don't know how to elaborate my feelings but this is really wonderful. Wait- am I the only who thinks the guy on the cover is cute? He is really cute. Anyway, the tone is obviously dark. Deaths were everywhere.Death. Death. Death. And. Death. And it was quite depressing and heartbreaking to see the characters you used to love died. Just ouch. But at the end of the story each pieces of our broken hearts will be stitched back with hope and love.

Kelley, with no doubt is really great in making fabulous characters. I do really love her characters so much that I am willing and desperate to search fairy godmother, to ask her to bring them to life. And give them warm hugs.

Vivian Hilton, this girl was confusing. I don't know what to feel for her. Compassion? Anger? Annoyance? She had gotten raped by her brother's friends and received no justice after. Her life was ruined. And yet, she chose it to be more miserable. Going out with different guys and letting them to use and hurt her. And she didn't even bother to learn something,and kept doing it again and again. Oh gods. That made me want to slap her. Her terrible childhood experiences probably changed her view of life. And she chose it. And I really really feel bad for her, because she was broken and thought her actions were the right and good thing to do, which obviously were not. And some of us do the sameway. And Archer Pond did the same way. But he learned.

Archer was broken inside. With his mom hating him because of the death of his father. And also his obsession of Vivian. Vivian here. Vivian there. Always for Vivian. Oh gods that was tiring. But after he witnessed the rape of Vivian, he grew up promising to himself to avenge her. And he killed for her and he would do anything for Vivian just to make her happy. But Archer's life wasn't his anymore, it was Vivian's. But things started to change when Evan Bishop cameto his life. Okay. This is it. The best part of the story. I liked how they met. How the sparks flew. And it was awkward and cute. And I was like, at last! Bye bye Vivian! Hellooo Evan!!!

So Evan was the good guy who helped Archer in his worst times and to sort things out. And apparently, he discovered what Archer did in the past. And I was glad he haven't freaked out that much. I told you he was the good guy. The chemistry between this two characters started innocently. Which was superbly cute. I mean they felt awkward sometimes when they were together. Especially Archer every time he felt comfort and happiness in Evan.

This book is awesome. You'll definitely love Archer and Evan. Go read it! ( )