Love, tragedy, and mystery converge in this compelling novel from “an author to watch” (Booklist).
Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.
Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.
Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.
(Summary from GoodReads)
So many rave reviews and recommendations of Golden rolled in long before its release. When my library obtained the gorgeous hardcover of this book, I immediately checked it out and moved it to the top of my TBR pile, despite having plenty of other books lying around. Gorgeously written and expertly plotted, Golden was exactly what I needed when I read it.
I loved how Golden was plotted. As you can probably tell, passages from the journal are interspersed throughout the story, and it focuses heavily on the idea from Frost’s poem that “nothing gold can stay.” Kirby did a brilliant job of tying this theme into Parker’s story—is she ready to take a chance in life? On love? On pursuing her passions? If I’m not already persuading you here, let me assure you that I was up way past my bedtime finishing this story.
With her third book, Kirby really gives us the full package. In addition to the plot being awesome, the prose was absolutely lovely throughout the entire story. I also found the love interest to be a sweet and entertaining part of the story.
As I finished Golden, I found myself thinking about my own life and the chances I take every day. It left me feeling reflective on what I’ve done, and on the risks I still want to take. Really the whole thing made me want to hug Jessi and tell her how this book genuinely touched me. I do not know what higher praise I can possibly give this gem of a book.
Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my library and then purchased my own hardcover.
Other reviews:
I'm not sure if I want to read Golden. I've seen so many positive reviews, and that cover is gorgeous! But I really had issues with Kirby's In Honor, and I think there are parts of this book that just would not resonate with me.
ReplyBut I'm glad that you liked it.
I had some issues with In Honor too, but this one is a vast improvement. I personally would go for it. I know I'm not the only one who felt that way!