by Jessi Kirby
Published on May 14th 2013
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 278 pages
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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.
- Goodreads.com description
Golden was a beautiful young adult story, filled with hope, chances, figuring out who you are and what you want from life.
The whole story revolves around the question "What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" It's funny, cause I have the same quote written on my wall for a while now. And every time I look at it.. it fills me with.. even more questions. But this book made me actually think all of the things that I am missing. All the things that I want to do, but keep postponing them. All the things I wish were different, but aren't. And finally all the things I wish I would do, if I only knew what these things are.
Parker is a sweet character. It's easy to relate to her. Everyone probably know the feeling of fear to disappoint your parents. Doing things so they would be proud of us. So, they would love us. This story was about slowly stepping up for your own decisions and accept the consequences of those choices. I really liked Parker.
The romance was very subtle, but very sweet. Trevor Collins is a really nice guy. I think you'll like him ;)
The mystery that the whole book is wrapped on is intriguing. It fills you with hope and dreams for a happily ever after. And on this road, Parker discovers who she is.
Golden is a very inspiring book. So, if you are searching for a young adult book, filled with mystery, challenges of growing up, that best friend that will always be there, and all mixed with the the sweet first love, Golden is the perfect book for you.
