Review: A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

Title: A Need So Beautiful

Author: Suzanne Young

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 252

Published: Available June 21, 2011 by Balzer and Bray

ISBN: 9780062008244

Source: ARC from Around The World Tours

Description: Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.
There have been others before who’ve felt the Need, but they’re gone—erased from the memories of everyone whose lives they had touched. It's as though they never existed. This is the fate that awaits Charlotte. But the last thing Charlotte wants to do is disappear, to be Forgotten. She wants to stay with her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend’s arms forever. She wishes she could just ignore the Need, but she can’t. And as everyone important in her life begins to slowly forget her, she has to decide if she’ll fight the Need in order to remain herself—no matter how dark the consequences.

I Give This ...

 

 

This book was both frustrating and great all at the same time (well maybe not the same time).   I spent half the book wondering when it was going to get better and then the last half not able to put it down.

I had trouble with Charlotte at first.  She seems like such a ordinary person even with the need.  There didn't seem to be anything striking about her.  When the need strikes, it was played down quite a bit and even Charlotte's tries to write them off as asthma attacks.  Her rich best friend trying desperately to get daddy's attention seemed so cliche.  And I wasn't really found of the casual sexual relations throughout the book.  Especially in light of what Charlotte really is.

About half way through, I completely changed my mind.  I enjoyed learning what Charlotte really is and what is to become of her.  I liked how she struggles against it, even to the point that it physically makes her ill.  I started to enjoy her relationship with Harlin.  It seemed so physical at first, but I started to see the true depth especially at the end.  I was intrigued by the idea of those around her starting to forget her.  At first it's just the little moments, but then more.

In the end, I was surprised.  For a book that started out as nothing special, I would read it again just for the end.  The story wraps up so beautifully, but leaves room for me.  So, if there's another one...I will read it.