The You I've Never Known

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Much like other books by Ellen Hopkins this book is written in verse. The thing that surprised me while reading this book is that it was also written in prose which is how most books are written. Hopkins wrote this book from two different points of views. One of these is from Ariel's POV and her story is written in verse. The other POV is Maya's and this one is written in prose.

I have read countless other Hopkins books and this one didn't disappoint. It was fast and easy to read like all of her other books. One of the things I liked and disliked about this book is the two different writing styles. When I pick up a book by Ellen Hopkins I expect to finish it in one sitting. This book on the other hand took me about two weeks to finish.

Ariel is a teenaged girl who has been moving around with her father as long as she can remember. She has always been told that this is become of her lesbian mother “running off” with her best friend. Unbeknownst to Ariel she was kidnapped from her father who is AWOL from the Military. Her mother, Maya, has spent many long years searching obituaries, moving across the United States looking for her long lost daughter.

Maya's story is about her meeting this solider in the army named Jason and how she falls in love with him and having his daughter which they named Casey. Jason decided to kidnap his daughter and give them new names and new lives.

I would recommend this book. I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

I was sent this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.