Review: Speechless by Hannah Harrington

Title: Speechless
Author: Hannah Harrington
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Category:  Contemporary
Release date: August 28th, 2012
Pages: 288 (ARC)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Publisher
Goodreads | Amazon | Author 

Everyone knows that Chelsea Knot can't keep a secret

Until now. Because the last secret she shared turned her into a social outcast—and nearly got someone killed.

Now Chelsea has taken a vow of silence—to learn to keep her mouth shut, and to stop hurting anyone else. And if she thinks keeping secrets is hard, not speaking up when she's ignored, ridiculed and even attacked is worse.

But there's strength in silence, and in the new friends who are, shockingly, coming her way—people she never noticed before; a boy she might even fall for. If only her new friends can forgive what she's done. If only she can forgive herself.

Chelsea has always loved to gossip.  Any rumor she hears about someone else is instantly reported to everyone she knows.  It's all fun and games, because no one is really getting hurt, right?  Wrong.   One night, things are taken too far because of a secret that Chelsea blabbed.  People get hurt in more ways than one and she's guilty for causing it all.  If only she'd kept her big mouth shut...Well, that's exactly what she plans to do from now on.

After a terrible mixture of bad timing, spilled secrets and alcohol, Chelsea finds herself responsible for all of the damage that's been done.  Her best friend won't return her messages and by the time she gets back to school after winter vacation, she sees why.  The entire school hates her for what she's done.  Not only did she start this mess, she's ruined a handful of lives, including her own.  By then, her vow of silence is in full effect.  She read about it in the National Geographic and decided that it's perfect for her.  If she doesn't talk, there's no way she'll dig a deeper hole.  When the entire school is against you, who do you turn to?

I loved every moment of this book.  The change that Chelsea goes through in just a little over a month is remarkable.  She learns just how bigoted and disgusting her so-called friends could be and that being like them is something that no one should aspire to be.  The characters, whether good or evil, were perfectly created.  They were so entirely believable that it's easy to get emotionally attached.  A few of my favorites have to be Asha, the girl who gives everyone a chance and Sam, an incredibly sweet boy that goes unnoticed for far too long.

Hannah Harrington isn't afraid to write about tough issues that teens are forced to deal with.  The bullying and ignorance that takes place in this story is heartbreaking, but will hit close to home for many people.  Our protagonist will learn how much power words hold.  Overall, Speechless isn't just a book about taking a vow of silence, it's about being able to get over anything.  Chelsea learns to do the right things, and that you can't necessarily change the opinions of others, but you can do your part in trying not to spread the hate.