Hush, Hush Review

Well as you know, here at FNC we’re pretty big fans of Becca Fitzpatrick. You can imagine how thrilled we were to receive an ARC of Hush, Hush from Simon & Schuster, right after our interview with Becca which you can read HERE. Donna and I (or Frankie and I, depending on your preferred POV) devoured the book in a day and decided to write a review of Hush, Hush together! This is a bit of an experiment in co-writing. But we love Hush, Hush so much, we thought what better way to spend our Friday night than writing a co-review. A conversation if you will.

About Hush, Hush...

Falling in love was never so easy . . .or so deadly.

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

D – So, Frankie, you discovered Hush, Hush. You first. (I’m a chicken.)
F - Woman up Donna! But I will go first. So let’s start with Patch. Hot, sexy, or arrogant bastard?
D – He’s definitely arrogant, but I’d have to say sexy. There’s something about his confidence and certainty with Nora that I found very appealing. He pushed the boundaries of the inappropriate many times when he spoke to her, but I never saw it as degrading.
F – Because Nora held her own?
D – She didn’t really, though. Patch’s appeal to her was how he got under her skin, saying things that unnerved her, breaking her walls of protection and perfect-student/daughter/friend exterior. What did you think of the progression of their relationship?
F - I loved that he was able to break down her walls and get under her skin. It allowed for a heightened level of intimacy between them that is rarely achieved in YA fiction and it was done without any physical contact at all. Their connection was magnetic. I think a large part of this is due to Becca’s awesome writing skills. The entire book was tightly written, atmospheric and full of emotion, but it never felt weighed down by descriptions or flowery language.
D – I totally agree. The sexual tension level of Nora and Patch's kiss-less scenes rivals Pride and Prejudice. I needed to fan myself after reading, and I’m no prude! You can tell that she spent five years writing Hush, Hush. Her characters are great, too. Nora was really well-developed (Becca mentions in her interview the evolution of Nora through various drafts), but her best friend Vee is one of my favorite foils in YA lit, especially in the beginning of the novel.
F - Oh I loved Vee! Who doesn’t want a friend like Vee? Seriously, the awesome, confident, doesn’t-take-no-for-an-answer, willing-to-call-in-a-bomb-threat-for-you-just-so-you-can-achieve-your-goal sort of friend? She rocks, always had a funny comment, or insight into Nora’s personality, although as with all best friends, you didn’t always agree with her choices and wanted to shake some sense into her (especially where certain boys are involved).
D – To be fair, there is one character that was mentioned (but never shown) that I had different expectations for: Nora’s dad. He was murdered prior to when the book takes place, and it really shapes who Nora is. But somehow, because of the type of book Hush, Hush is, I expected his murder to become relevant to the plot, but it never did.
F -Yes I’m very intrigued by the role her father might have played in this story beyond character development…maybe there are more answers for us to be found in Crescendo (the sequel). And I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Detective Basso. But you know what I want more of?
D -What? (ok actually Frankie typed that, but Donna is in suspense!)
F - More angel mythology! I want to know more about Patch’s life before he met Nora, about his time in heaven or wherever angels live before they fall, how many angels are living on earth fallen? How many are Nephilim? There was a perfect amount of back story to flow with the quick suspenseful pace of the book, but I so want to know more more more!
D – I noticed that Becca continued the trend of main characters Googling information on paranormal subjects (also check out Wicked Lovely and Twilight for more of this) which is totally realistic, but I love that Nora actively pursues information in other ways. Vee, of course, is a part of the crazier schemes, which include covert spying operations and blonde wigs and stilettos!
F - Yes, which brings us back to Nora’s character. She was quiet, reserved and controlled, but she was one tough cookie who wouldn’t just sit back and wait for something to happen. I loved that about her, even though some of her schemes did seem a little off the wall. But that’s why she is so cool. She went to those places most of us wouldn’t even dare to go. Hey, let’s talk about plot!
D – Brilliant segue, very smooth. I loved how the first few chapters set up Nora’s world and gave a great snapshot of her relationship with Vee while setting up the tension and conflict with Patch. It lends a sense of normalcy to an otherworldly plot, and I feel like the mysterious elements were filtered in at the perfect pace. I don’t want to spoil any details, but some seriously creepy things begin happening!
F -Yes, and then once they do, get ready for a ride. The plotting was tight and quick and left you on the edge of your seat, I literally read the book in one sitting. And not only did Becca keep you guessing about what would happen next, guessing which of the many characters in the ensemble to trust, and dying to know how things would end between her and Patch, she kept you completely hooked with brilliant cliffhangers and fast paced chapters.
D – I was totally sucked in, and I can’t wait to see what Becca has in store for us next. The verdict? Oh yeah, I’ve fallen for Hush, Hush. (Couldn’t resist that one.)
F - Aw come on! How am I supposed to top that?
D – Accept it, you can’t. Just promote the book’s Amazon link or something.
F - Lame, why do I get stuck with the promotional part of this blog? Ok, hang on a second, I’m about to have an epiphany here…wait for it…wait for it…Hush, Hush gives you wiiiiiiiiiiiings!
D - No, that’s Red Bull.
F - All right, fine, I’ll do the promotion, but I LOVED LOVED LOVED Hush, Hush, even without a cool way to say it. So…check out Becca’s website HERE. Preorder your copy of Hush, Hush HERE! And now, let us all pray that October 13 arrives quickly. Let the countdown begin. Be prepared to fall ;)