In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Title: In Honor
Author: Jessi Kirby
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: May 8, 2012
Source: Bought
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Summary: Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn't seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences? 


Review: In Honor is a fantastic read. There's almost no words that will even do it justice. Kirby has total control over your emotions. I was crying one minute, smiling the next, and then rooting for things to go okay for Honor and Rusty. In Honor is a whirlwind of a read, and despite being short will capture you until the very last page. 


Can I just say how much I absolutely love road trips!? And the road trip in In Honor is just how I like them. This road trip is filled with tension, complications and, of course, maybe some romance. The characters were what really made this an amazing read for me but the road trip brought it up a couple of levels into something better and even more unique.


There was not a moment during this book where I didn't feel for Honor. She's a funny girl that tries to be brave but she has many moments of vulnerability. I loved how she was willing to break out of her shell a bit and try things she never did before. It was absolutely amazing seeing Honor change and grow. I'm not sure how you couldn't love Honor. Honor does have a road-tripping partner, of course. Rusty is not exactly a nice guy when we first meet him. But he did grow on me. He was there for Honor when it mattered and I think readers will be able to admire him for that. I know that I certainly did. 


I loved Kirby's writing ever since I read Moonglass last summer. I'm very happy to report that it is even better in her second book. Honor's voice is gorgeous, well-written and heart-breaking.


In Honor is a sweet book that tackles road trips, grief and most importantly moving on from that grief. I just loved it.


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Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Title: Moonglass
Author: Jessi Kirby
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: May 3, 2011
Source: Bought

Summary: I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both.


Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.

While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death- stays buried forever.

Review: Moonglass is the perfect, and I mean truly perfect, read for a summer day.

I loved Anna. I was immediately drawn into her life, her feelings, and her pain. She was such a special character and it was so easy to love and feel for her.

Anna and her Dad's pain through out the book hurt me. I'm tearing up just writing this. I cannot even begin to imagine the type of grief/guilt that both of them went through. But Kirby offered an insight into their grief and made it so real for the reader.

I loved the concept of moonglass. It was such a special little thing that made me want to find a beach and a hot lifeguard and look for some sea glass!

And speaking of lifeguards, I loved Anna's love interest Tyler. He was funny, adventurous, hot, cocky, hot, and some more hot. And I could tell that he cared about Anna. They were so cute. And their relationship was real.

Another thing that I especially enjoyed was the setting. When I was reading Moonglass I felt like I was transported to Crystal Cove with Anna and the characters. I felt like I was a bystander, in the setting, watching them. It was such a special experience. I love books that can make you feel so many emotions and get you wrapped up in the setting.

An absolutely marvelous debut. I can't wait to read more from Kirby.

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