Dylan has a bad-boy past
and a criminal record. He knows that rich, beautiful Jess is way too
good for him—but she has always been the one person who sees through his
tough exterior and straight to his heart, and he has been hopelessly in
love with her from the first time they met. He would change his life
for a chance with her.But trouble follows Dylan wherever he goes, and a deadly mistake soon forces him to hit the road and leave his dreams behind. He’s on the run and in search of answers—answers to questions he wishes he’d never asked.
My Review:
This is a fantastic story that is realistic as well. It explores some issues, and it keeps the reader completely engaged in the story while weaving several plotlines together.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD
Dylan is a fabulous main character. He's a guy who's been to juvie, and he's dropped out of high school. He also is not really able to read very well. He has just gotten out of juvie, and is on parole, when he gets into some trouble because of something his friend does. He and his friend, Wade, then find themselves running from town. They head to Texas, to the town where Dylan's father is on death row. Despite having been through some rough things in life, Dylan has a sweet side to him. He falls in love with a girl named Jess, and he cares about his family and friend.
One interesting character in this story was Dylan's father. He is on death row for the murder of a policeman eleven years before. Through flashbacks, Dylan learns that he was there the night the policeman died. He tries to sort through his memories to see if his father really murdered Jack Golden. If his father didn't commit the murder, who's he trying to protect? Dylan eventually realizes all of what really happened that night, and who did kill Jack Golden. This book explores the idea of the death penalty, and it makes you really think: what if new evidence comes to light, and it's already too late?
Wade is Dylan's best friend, and he is at the root of many of Dylan's problems. The two boys became friends in juvie. After getting out of juvie, Wade decides he wants to join a gang, but the gang won't let him join unless Dylan joins too. Without telling Dylan, Wade takes him to meet the gang and become a member. Dylan refuses, and the gang members start to attack Wade. Dylan throws a punch to defend Wade, and the guy he punched lands badly, so he dies. Now, Dylan and Wade have to run from this so they don't get in trouble for Two Tone's death. Once in Texas, Wade begins to change. He finds God and he starts to date the preacher's daughter.
Jess is the girl that Dylan likes. She is very sweet, and kind to Dylan. She really sees him, and not as the kid who went to juvie. She has some problems of her own. Her parents basically leave her living alone, while they each live in their own separate apartments. They begin to fall in love with each other, but then Dylan leaves town. Jess ends up finding him later. The romance between these two is very sweet.
If you like YA contemporary with some darker themes, read this book.
Katie
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