Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Mystery

Release Date: 10/13/09

About the Book: Nora Grey's life is getting stranger. Someone is stalking her and she's not sure who she can trust.

Patch is trying to get close to Nora, but he has some dark secrets he's hiding.

Nora can't decide if Patch is someone to fall for or run away from. But something is drawing them together-and it could be deadly.

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I can't believe I haven't blogged about this book yet because it's one I think everyone should be picking up. I know there have been mixed reviews out there, but I'm a Hush, Hush fan-so pardon me while I gush (and get a little soap boxy!) :)

This book had a great blend of romance and mystery, which I loved. I felt the romance wasn't the central storyline and wasn't the driving force for the characters-there were bigger issues at stake that added to the mystery and kept the plot moving at a fast pace.

The romance that was there was hot. Move over Edward Cullen-I think we need to crush on Patch. Some people have criticized Nora for even getting involved with Patch in the first place, but let's remember something here-it's fiction and it's paranormal romance. Hush, Hush is not realistic fiction and shouldn't be read as though it is. One of the biggest draws of paranormal romances is danger and bad boys. Patch and Nora's romance has it all. (Plus, do we remember a little vampire book where the love interest is dark and dangerous? Again, it's paranormal romance!)

Some readers haven't liked Vee, but I have to admit, I loved her. Yes, she thinks about herself, yes she does some silly things, and yes she is focused on boys and doesn't think things through. But let's remember something here-she's a teenager! And honestly, Vee reminded me a lot of myself as a teen. I'm not saying all teens are flighty, romance obsessed, and self-absorbed, but I know I sure was. (Was I annoying? Yeah, probably. Did I love being a teen? You bet.) Nora made some mistakes and didn't think a lot of times, but again, this book isn't supposed to be about a perfect teenager who always makes the right choice. As for Nora dressing up and flirting at the bar, yes it was silly, but when I was sixteen my friends and I thought flirting was the answer to everything. So was I a dumb, obnoxious teen? Maybe I was. But Nora and Vee made me think back about my friends in high school and I think Becca Fitzpatrick must have been a fly on the wall of my high school years. I thought she had it down perfectly.

Sure, parts were predictable, but sometimes I like that in a book. Sometimes I just want to get lost and not have to analyze and really read deep into the story. Yes, Nora made some dumb decisions, yes there's lots of lust and sexual tension between Nora and Patch, but it was fun. Sometimes I just like to read a fun romance, realistic or not. Sure, there are reviewers who aren't crazy over this one. But that's the great thing about readers-not everyone will love every book. Some books work for some readers and some don't. Hush, Hush worked for me.

I really, really liked this book and my teen readers at the library have been going crazy over it. It's a fun fantasy, the story pulled me in, and I loved reading about Nora and Patch. If you're a fan of paranormal romance, this one needs to be added to your "must read now" list. I'm looking forward to reading more in Crescendo. I'm only giving it 4.5 stars because I would have liked more info on Nora's dad, but I'm hoping that comes in the sequel.

P.S.-Anyone else love that cover??? I took Hush, Hush to booktalk last week to a group of 8th graders and every class I had picked up Hush, Hush and wanted to know more. My only gripe about the cover is that it gives away the story, but I still think it's amazing.

Full Disclosure: I recieved an ARC from the publisher at ALA.