Just Like That

Reader reviewed by Gabrielle Carolina

Just Like That

Hanna was the last person to see two teenagers alive before they froze out on the lake. She grapples with her emotions, wondering if she could have saved them. She keeps her knowledge a secret, instead withdrawing from life and painting gruesome pictures to try and forget. When Hanna meets Will she finds herself wondering if everyone has secrets and how they can come unraveled, just like that.

My review:

I just loved this book. If you are looking for a subtle, intelligent read this is your book! The characters are flesh and bones, the plot is uncomplicated and realistic. The language is very fluid and you will really enjoy seeing the story through Hannas eyes, though she is an everyday girl her incites and the way she handles her life are so very, very interesting. Just Like That doesnt have sharp corners, or major plot twists, its reading a life and watching a protagonist make decisions that you dont necessarily think are wise. The setting was gorgeous, I kept hearing A Fine Frenzys Christmas EP while I read the book and I was always feeling snow under foot! The ending was amazingly perfect and well paced, I was so wholly satisfied! The theme is secrets, how no one really knows what the truth is, why you cant lock the important ones away and who you can trust to keep them. Great thesis!

Thoughts on names: Nothing really stuck out, but that fit in with the hazy subtly of the novel, so I wasnt incredibly bothered by that. When the girls use fake names, that is hilarious!

Thoughts on the cover: You have to read the book to understand and then I think youll find it wonderful. I dont think that is Hanna on the cover, I think its the girl she didnt save.

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Reader reviewed by nhunggnguyenn

id have to say this book is a little more on the mature side but not completely. i love reading books about teenage girls going through very hard things. this book is about a girl named hanna who feels at fault for something horrible that has occurred. the book mainly shows what hannah feels as she does through this sort of transformation and a state of confusion. i love this book. its a page turner.

Reader reviewed by shopgirl

18 year old Hanna Martin breaks up with her boyfriend, Spencer, because she doesn't feel that oh so necessary spark. She feels breaking up is the kindest thing to do, despite this being a somewhat lengthy relationship. So, she ends things with him, and appears to be completely unaffected by it, and expects to go on with life.

Unfortunately, she decides to take a midnight walk and it changes her life forever. She is the last person to converse with two teenagers before they die, but she can't bring herself to tell anyone.

Needless to say, this messes her up greatly. She finds herself drawn to Will, a boy with his own secrets, and they find that they can confide in one another, and more, because each of them has a secret that pertains to the two dead teenagers.

This book isn't for everyone. Hanna is 18, and Will is younger, and doesn't disclose that to Hanna at first. I won't spoil this completely, but some people may be offended and/or find this storyline inappropriate.

That aside, this book is very emotional. It doesn't hit you in the face and say "this is emotional!" but rather the way the book is written - it moves rapidly, and somewhat jerkily. At first this bothered me, but I think it is more a reflection of Hanna's feelings, and constantly being up and down and having no idea how to react to what has happened.

I enjoyed this book very much, but I think it is indeed for mature readers, just because there are sexual situations in the book, though glossed over as they may be, and some issues that younger readers may not want to read just yet.