Review: The Unloved by Jennifer Snyder

The Unloved

By: Jennifer Snyder

Pub. Date: July 30, 2012

Publisher: Self

Pages: 220

Source: Author

Sometimes the love our heart needs to heal can be found in the familiar eyes of a childhood friend...

Julie Porter learned the hard way that trust is something which must be earned and not something to be given out lightly, those who say they love you are those who hold the power to hurt you most, and best friends can help you survive anything—until they move away.

Nick Owen knows a thing or two about a hard life. At a young age Nick learned how to take a hit and to make lemonade out of the lemons life tossed his way. Returning home after nearly two years of being away, all Nick cares about now is protecting his mom from the abusive hands of his father and catching up with his best friend—the girl who lived across the street, the girl he can’t seem to stop thinking about.

Finally reunited after two years apart, Nick and Julie are about to learn that age does nothing to protect you from life’s trials and tribulations, heartache and loss, but maybe together they’ll find a way to survive.

The Unloved is not your happy kind of book. The characters go through real, emotional stuff. It's honest and raw, and I loved every minute of it.

Julie and Nick are neighbors who were best friends growing up. Between Nick's abusive dad and Julie's druggie mom, the two of them only had each other. Two years ago, Nick was sent to live with his Aunt and Uncle, leaving Julie to deal with everything at home by herself. Nick's mom finally kicks the dad out, and Nick is able to come home. Nick is bigger and stronger, and vows to not only protect his mother if his dad comes back, but protect Julie too.

Poor, poor Nick. The first time his dad came back, he ended up getting the shit kicked out of him like the old days. All he wants to do is protect the women in his life, but it never works out for him. I thought Nick has it bad, but Julie's life is much, much worse. Her mom has the worst taste in men, and many of them have a thing for young girls. For most of her life she has had to fend off their looks, knowing one day it might get worse. She also has to deal with her ex boyfriend, who her mom is now sleeping with for drugs. Nick and Julie are broken characters who need each other. They both deserve to be happy, but for both of them, it is going to get a lot worse, before it can get better.

I really felt for these two characters. I couldn't believe what was happening to them and I was so connected to them, I wished there was something I could do to help them.

Overall, this book was heartbreaking, but in a good way. There really is a message of hope at the end, which I liked. It reminded me a lot of Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine, which was one of my favorite books that I read last year. The Unloved is definitely worth the read! It's a quick read that will leave you thinking about it days after you finish it.