Review: Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook

Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook
Release Date ~ 1/29/13 (TODAY!)
Format ~ ARC
Publisher ~ HarperTeen
Source ~ Publisher

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Bonnie and Clyde meets IF I STAY in this addictively heart-wrenching story of two desperate teenagers on the run from their pasts.
They’re young. They’re in love. They’re on the run.
Zoe wants to save Will as much as Will wants to save Zoe. When Will turns eighteen, they decide to run away together. But they never expected their escape to be so fraught with danger....
When the whole world is after you, sometimes it seems like you can’t run fast enough.
Nobody But Us, told in alternating perspectives from Will and Zoe, is an unflinching novel, in turns heartbreaking and hopeful, about survival, choices, and love...and how having love doesn’t always mean that you get a happy ending. Described as “beautiful, heartbreaking, and exhilarating” by Kody Keplinger, author of The DUFF, Nobody But Us will prove irresistible to fans of Nina Lacour, Jenny Han, and Sara Zarr.

 Though it's no secret I prefer genre books, a contemporary novel can be just as powerful as any genre novel... and Nobody But Us totally delivers. It's hard to handle, it's raw emotion, it's a true work of art.

Zoe and Will are both the most endearing, vulnerable characters that you can't but want to help. They've both lived very, very unemployable lives. With Will growing up in the foster care system and Zoe suffering from an abusive, drunk father since her mother died, it's no wonder they ditch town the second they get the chance. And although you so want them to get the f**k away from their shitty lives in small town South Dakota, you know that something's not going to go right. This book is probably the best example of "you can't run away from your problems" you'll ever read.

Nobody But Us takes you on a true emotional whirlwind that will have you crying, sometimes laughing, and often wanting to punch things - in the best way. When I finished finished the novel, I couldn't decide if I wanted to punch Kristin Halbrook or bow down to her. She creates characters and a story that leaves you hanging on every word. It's a beautiful and scary portrait of the what the world is really like. Because Halbrook doesn't sugarcoat a thing, and she doesn't hold back. She takes risks, but when has someone ever written something amazing by playing it safe?

Nobody But Us is a novel that connects to you on a deeper level. It draws you in and makes you reflect on your own life - in my opinion, the highest achievement a book can ever make. A true gem.