Review - Hushed by Kelly York

Author - Kelley York
Publisher - Entangled Publishing
Release Date - December 6th, 2011, 260 Pages

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.

                  *A review copy was provided by Entangled Publishing and NetGalley*
Kelley is an absolute genius! I was sucked right into this and it literally didn't let me go...at all (you'll see later in the post what I'm talking about). I mean the first thing that we are thrown into is a forced suicide, or murder, whichever you prefer. Hushed is filled with action, suspense, drama, and several other emitions. Let's take a dive into it a little more. I love writing about the characters so I always have to give them their own little space I guess  you could say. But first here's the jist of Hushed.

Archer has loved Vivian (Viv) his whole life, he feels that he failed her in their past when they were younger and he is now taking revenge on those that hurt her so many years ago. He feels that she won't fully be able to be happy until everyone that hurt her is no longer breathing. Has he killed for her? Of course. Does she know? Not for a while. Viv only calls or comes around Archer when her newest boyfriend has done something and she is needing a break, or she's lonely because they have walked out on her, and Archer has ALWAYS been there for her. He is after all her best friend he cannot stand to see her in pain. But as soon as that guy is saying those magical "I'm sorry" words to her, she bails on Archer and runs back to them. Never seeing that Archer is the one that really loves her, not hurt her in any way, shape, or form, and never takes advantage of her.

Archer isn't one that is approachable, or has any friends besides Viv, but when the new guy Evan shows up at campus, a friendship starts. Eventually Evan tells Archer the things that he has been thinking for quite some time but no one has said it out loud before, not even Archer. Things are set into motion and Archer is thinking of the things that he has done and what he still plan on doing but he feels differently now. He has never had anyone to actually care for him and now that he has attention from Evan his feelings are changing. My heart aches for Archer, he has so many things going through his head and he really thinks that he is the monster. Viv is dysfunctional in her own way but after everything you find out about her and everything that she does and goes through you are left feeling for her as well. Evan is the only thing that is stable in this novel, he is always there for Archer when he needs them. He is like the bright star or light at the end of a very dark tunnel. As much as you want Archer and Viv to finally be together you come to understand that would be a deadly combination and start rooting for Archer and Evan.

 I had mixed feelings going into this book but I absolutely loved it. Every part of it was perfect. The plot was outstanding, the pacing was great. Is this a book that your going to want to read? Um...YES!!! I couldn't put it down. I stayed up until 2:43am almost draining my Nook of all the power (poor thing) and it is now 3:42am and I'm still trying to come up with words to describe how awesome this book is!

-Shellie