Review: Far From You by Tess Sharpe

Far From You

Author: Tess Sharpe
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Genre: YA Contemporary/Thriller
Format: ARC
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Source: ARC received from publisher at ALA
Rating: 5 Stars
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***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***  

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Sophie Winters nearly died. Twice.

The first time, she's fourteen, and escapes a near-fatal car accident with scars, a bum leg, and an addiction to Oxy that'll take years to kick.

The second time, she's seventeen, and it's no accident. Sophie and her best friend Mina are confronted by a masked man in the woods. Sophie survives, but Mina is not so lucky. When the cops deem Mina's murder a drug deal gone wrong, casting partial blame on Sophie, no one will believe the truth: Sophie has been clean for months, and it was Mina who led her into the woods that night for a meeting shrouded in mystery.

After a forced stint in rehab, Sophie returns home to a chilly new reality. Mina's brother won't speak to her, her parents fear she'll relapse, old friends have become enemies, and Sophie has to learn how to live without her other half. To make matters worse, no one is looking in the right places and Sophie must search for Mina's murderer on her own. But with every step, Sophie comes closer to revealing all: about herself, about Mina and about the secret they shared.

My Review:

Where do I even begin? How do I tell you how much I loved this book in clear and coherent sentences? I probably won’t be able to. But I’m sure as hell going to try. Because this book deserves all the hype, all the praise, all the buzz that it has been getting. This book will sink its (sometimes ugly) claws into you and not let go until it’s all over and you’re completely out of breath, gasping for air and trying to hold back tears that can’t be held back.

This book in a word: powerful. Let’s start with our main character. Sophie Winters. Is she perfect? Absolutely not. She is a drug addict. She has messed up. Big time. But Sophie is strong. Stronger than most. She has gone through a lot. The girl has literally almost died twice. She has lost her best friend. And she’s been shipped off to rehab by her parents even though she’s clean because really, who would believe a drug addict? I felt for this girl. She literally witnessed her best friend get brutally murdered and then her parents ship her off to rehab to deal with a relapse that didn’t happen and her grief over losing Mina. Sophie is so broken. She’s so screwed up. She’s messy. She’s in your face. She’s not eloquent. But she’s so incredible. So amazing. Determined. Resilient. Beautiful. I loved everything about her, flaws and all.

The romance. The romance in this book is a tangled, messy web. I loved every moment. The romance is what made me cry and what broke my heart the most. The love in this book is so strong and powerful and I loved that the author didn’t hold back when writing about it. It was incredible and beautiful and I seriously shed tears over it.

The plot. If the characters aren’t enough to keep you tuned into this story (which they will be, trust me) the plot will suck you in. Trying to unravel the mystery of Mina’s murder was so intense and suspenseful. I didn’t figure it out at all and was pretty shocked when the answers finally got revealed at the end. I was on the edge of my seat totally freaking out the whole time.

Basically if you haven’t read this book, you’re going to want to. If you’re a fan of contemporary, thrillers, or powerful characters that will really make you stop and think, this one is for you. It’s more than just a pretty cover. This book is one that will stick with me for a long time, forcing me to think about love and the different ways a person can be brave. Happy reading all! 

Let's talk! Have you read this one? Did you love it as much as I did? Did your heart break for Sophie? How did you feel about her relationship with Mina?