Review: In Honor by Jessi Kirby

In Honor
Jessi Kirby
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 8, 2012

Honor receives her brother's last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn's celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.
Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn's last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only 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 him in ages, thanks  to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn...and ruggedly good-looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn't. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn--but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences? 

Before I started reading this book I had no doubt that I would love it. First, because, of course, it features a road trip! Second, I really enjoyed Jessi Kirby's first novel. And third, because the summary had me hooked. 

Even though Honor could be selfish and callow at times, I still really liked her. She loved her brother whole-heatedly and I loved how loyal she was to him. She had a lot of growing up to do, and she did along this road trip. 

What I wasn't expecting was this book being so humorous. Although it had plenty of tear-jerking moments, but it was actually pretty funny. There was a perfect balance of laugh and tears in this novel. 

My only issue with this novel is the ending. Although I liked it in a way, I wanted more. The book was so short and I was so attached to the characters, I just wanted to find out more about how they ended up. So, the novel looses points with me for that. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It could have been one of my favorites of the year, but, unfortunately, because of the ending, I didn't completely love it. I will, however, be looking forward to more of Jessi Kirby's works, though. 

4.5/5