
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review

Trust by Kylie Scott is an emotionally gripping, uncut, raw, realistic story of human social interactions. Scott pushes her readers out of their comfort zone to see and feel for her characters. She allowed us to be in their shoes to feel their vulnerabilities, insecurities, fears and love. Trust me when I tell you that this book is a visceral literary tale of raw honesty and second chances.

Edie is a normal 17 year old high school student ready to get out of her small town in Northern California when suddenly one trip to the liquor store changed everything. Held hostage in a robbery gone wrong, Edie saw her life flashed before her eyes. With a gun held to her head, Edie knew instantly this could be it that is until a complete stranger risked his life to save her. John Cole saved Edie’s life that day.
John is the hero but in the eyes of the public, he was still the troublemaker drug dealer but Edie knew the truth. He was the guy who saved her. The boy who changed her life. The boy she trusted.

When Edie goes back to her private high school nothing is the same. Her friendship with her best friend is strained and bullying is incessant and so Edie decides to transfer to the local high school. It is there, Edie sees John Cole again.
John and Edie begins to form an unlikely friendship since that day in the liquor store affected them emotionally and mentally. They both suffer from PTSD. Since that day, John made a choice to change his life and stop dealing pot. He wants to make a better life for himself and so he begins to study and take school seriously whereas Edie begins to spiral down with her grades. She begins to rebel but John stops her from totally spiralling down as he becomes her confidant and friend. Together, they find comfort, strength, friendship and an unspoken bond. As John begins to change his ways for the good, what happens when his past comes colliding with his future?
Trust is an exemplary story that raises awareness of body shaming, bullying, preconceived notions and stereotyping individuals. This book exceed beyond my wildest expectations because I didn’t expect to fall in love with YA book so passionately as I did with this one. I loved how Kylie didn’t rushed the romantic relationship with Edie and John but allowed readers to feel the emotional and physical connection. She made us vulnerable to Edie and John as they clawed their way out of darkness together. I could go on and on about this book, but I won’t since this is one of those books that you have to read. This story and these characters are forever embedded in my heart as a reminder that trust, love, kindness, and hope goes a long way. So trust me when I tell you Kylie Scott’s writing was amazing and this story was emotionally gripping as it will leave a lasting impact.
