Book Review: Hushed by Kelley York

Title: Hushed 
Author: Kelley York
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: December 6th, 2011
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley

He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

Archer has loved Vivian for as long as he could remember; from best friends when they were young, to truly loving her as they grew older. Bound to a promise he made years ago, to free Vivian from her dreaded memories of the incident that changed her forever, Archer sets off to kill the men responsible for her change. He tells himself that only when all of them are dead can he rest. His utter devotion to her shatters when Evan, a new student at school enters his life. Will Evan be able to help Archer pull away from Vivian and start a new life without centering around her every need?  

One of the best parts of this book was the characters. Everthing about them rang true. Archer; how flawed and relatable he was! His entire life revolved around Vivian; her needs became his needs; her wants became his wants and it was truly to the point that if she told him to jump off a bridge, he would have done so willingly. There was no room for his own desires, and yet he seemed happily content to live for her.

Vivian was a relatable character as well. Her selfishness, jealousy and all her flaws made her such a pitiful character that I couldn't help but like her. Although, at times you can't help but hate Vivian for the power she had over Archer’s free will, there was something about this unhealthy relationship that felt so real. I could understand her determination and actions to pull him back, keeping him for herself and also Archer's inability to completely pull away and leave her to fend for herself. I really, truly loved how this intense and dominating relationship was presented in this book!

And wow, what an ending! Half-way through, Iwas wondering how this would end and whether I would be pleased with the ending or not. I seriously would never have expected that major twist towards the end. And the ending? PERFECT!

Intense, addictive and completely original, Hushed will appeal to readers of Contemporary YA. If you like books that delve deeper into realistic issues and relationships, this is the perfect novel for you! Highly recommended!