Review - Protected by Claire Zorn

Title: Protected
Author: Claire Zorn
Pages: 261
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: 3rd October 2017

Blurb from Goodreads: 

I have three months left to call Katie my older sister. Then the gap will close and I will pass her. I will get older. But Katie will always be fifteen, eleven months and twenty-one days old. 

Hannah has survived high school by putting up walls. At first, they were meant to protect her from the relentless bullying that no one would defend her from, not even her popular older sister, Katie. Then Katie died, and, in a cruel twist of fate, Hannah's daily torment abruptly stopped. Now the walls try to shut it all out-the grief, the loneliness, and the harsh truth that Katie's death has somehow improved Hannah's life.

Then something happens that Hannah couldn't have predicted-friendship comes knocking in the form of new student Josh Chamberlain. Hannah has never been so desperate for connection. But if this isn't for real, if it's just another joke, Hannah's not sure she can take it.

 

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley*

Hannah was viciously bullied by her high school classmates.

Then her older sister, Katie, died in a car crash and it was as if Hannah was suddenly invisible - now everyone ignores her.

Lonely and with the anniversary of Katie's death approaching, Hannah could really use a friend - enter Josh Chamberlain.

Will Hannah's family tear itself apart?

Is Josh sincere in his attempts to befriend Hannah?

Protected was an emotional read.

I felt so sorry for Hannah - not only was she tormented by her classmates who were awful to her, but then her sister died, sending fractures throughout her family. Hannah was a nice girl and I had my fingers crossed that she would make some friends.

It was refreshing to read a book set in Australia for a change.   

I liked the lists that were at the beginning of some of the chapters.

The plot was interesting and I liked that romance wasn't a huge part of the story (books with this theme usually have a lot of romance in, so it was a bit of a relief that this one didn't).

The writing style was easy to follow and held my attention.

Overall this was an enjoyable read.