My review of Straightjacket

Straightjacket by Meredith Towbin
Release Date: February 15, 2013
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Eighteen-year-old Anna has lived her whole life in shame, losing herself in books to cope with crippling panic attacks triggered by her abusive parents. Forced into a psychiatric hospital, she can’t imagine a future that’s anything but bleak—until she meets Caleb, a gifted, 19-year-old artist who insists he’s an angel.

He swears his mission is to help Anna break free from her parents’ control and fulfill a destiny that she can only dream of. The doctors, however, are convinced that Caleb is delusional.

Anna doesn’t want to be that girl who’s in love with the crazy guy, but when she sees his stunning portraits of her and the way he risks everything to keep her safe, she can’t help but imagine a new future for both of them, filled with hope. But just when it seems they’ve created heaven on earth, Caleb’s past emerges full force, threatening to destroy their tiny, blissful world. And Anna has to decide if she should follow her heart, or if Caleb’s really as troubled as his doctors say…

Straightjacket is a YA contemporary romance telling the story of a girl who ends up in a psychiatric hospital and a boy who believes he's an angel. Meeting in the most unlikely place, the two form a connection that no one can deny, and soon they are falling for each other harder than ever. Meredith Towbin will touch you with this imaginative and slightly different YA novel.

The book begins with Anna settling into the psychiatric hospital that they controlling and abusive parents have forced her into with no valid reason.There, she meets Caleb, a talented artist and apparently an angel. She doesn't know whether to believe him or not. But the more she gets to know him, the more she considers that he might not actually be as crazy as everyone says.

I found the premise of this story very interesting to read about and I found myself conflicted between believing Caleb that he's an angel, or if he's just delusional. The novel was well written and the writing flowed nicely. At times, I did feel detached from the story and and felt that nothing was really happening. On the other hand, the second half of the book was filled with tension and surprises, and I loved every second!!

Anna and Caleb were likable characters with complex personalities and lives. The two were extremely cute whenever they were near each other and I adored every moment they spent together. But, I thought that their relationship was rushed and it would have been a lot better for the two to know each other better before jumping straight into things as (almost) strangers. 

Straightjacket is a unique YA novel that is a contemporary with sprinkles of paranormal. The romance is sweet and the characters are real. I would happily read the sequel.

Rating

A review copy was provided by the author