Hush, Hush

Hush Hush had the ideas for the making of an interesting story ( some intense scenes of questioning reality vs. imagination, some areas of mystery) but spoiled the strong points with extremely toxic relationships not only with the main characters, but supporting characters as well. There is sexual innuendo in nearly every exchange the MC has with supporting characters (sex ed/heart rate monitoring would make way more sense in a health class than biology by the way) and nearly everyone ignores the MC’s concerns over the stalking/harassment behaviors of the lust interest—yes I said lust, not love—and abuse. I’m really surprised this is so popular in the age of #MeToo. I’m sure the author was going for a bad-boy vibe with Patch (sorry, I don’t buy a HS student being allowed to swindle people out of their money/car in what is essentially a bar/pool hall), but refusing to leave someone alone, making suggestive comments, invading privacy, pressing yourself against someone, and physically restraining or blocking someone against their will is abusive behavior (kind of surprised CSM didn’t expound on this in the Sex Category). And don’t get me started on the best friend—who is such a bad influence (practically dreams of hooking up with anything that breathes, calls in fake Bomb, knowingly goes off alone with another abusive character, etc.) and not someone I see the MC realistically being comfortable hanging out with a normal basis. The actual age of the characters vs the age they act/the situations they find themselves in seems geared towards university age. Read any red-flag list for abusive behavior and you’ll understand why I can’t recommend this book and will not continue the series.

I think this book is very good. As I’m reading all these reviews I notice the adult ones are saying they don’t want their kids reading this because it has sexual harassment in it. Well guess what? So does our world. If you read the kids reviews, they talk about how they like the book because they can RELATE to it. I’m 18. According to the law I’m an adult. But I’m still a teenager. I relate to this book. A lot of adults don’t realize what this world is like for kids. My mom always said “I was a kid once too you know.” Well good for her but these are different times and the world is a different place! I get it, your a parent and don’t want your kid to read this book because of what it will expose them to. But before you criticize the author for it, open your eyes and realize what your kids are exposed to everyday.