ALMOST by ANNE ELIOT :: REVIEW

Almost was an emotional, heart breaking, sweet and beautiful written story. As the title suggests it’s all about the ‘Almost’.   Jess was ‘Almost’ raped.  Because of this Jess has erected walls around herself and uses sarcasm and aloofness to avoid everyone as she retreats into herself and ultimately puts herself forward as an object of ‘Almost’ bitchy ridicule at school.  This story is an intense and poignant read, it is filled with drama and angst and I was emotional through the whole journey wanting it to all turn out okay.

Jess remembers nothing from the night she was ‘Almost’ raped. She goes through such an emotional struggle every day trying to appear normal while she is plagued by nightmares of a night she can’t remember every time she sleeps. She therefore doesn’t sleep much and tries to hide the continuous nightmares from everyone, especially her parents.

Jess’ parents are completely over protective of her. Understandably so, to a certain degree. They tell Jess that if she can prove that she can take control back of her life and become a ‘normal’ teenager with teenage activities; they will allow her to go away to college.

Jess goes for an internship interview where she strikes a deal with Gray Porter who is there for the same interview and goes to her school. So begins, an extremely emotional rollercoaster ride of discoveries, blame, personal struggles, love, confessions, secrets and an ‘Almost’.

I loved the alternating POV’s of both characters this allowed us an understanding of what Jess and Gray went through in the past and in the present dating from the night of ‘Almost’, and wow did their journey have an impact on me.

I can highly recommend this book!