Being young is all about the experiences: the first time you skip school, the first time you fall in love…the first time someone holds a gun to your head.
After being held hostage during a robbery at the local convenience store, seventeen-year-old Edie finds her attitude about life shattered. Unwilling to put up with the snobbery and bullying at her private school, she enrolls at the local public high school, crossing paths with John. The boy who risked his life to save hers.
While Edie’s beginning to run wild, however, John’s just starting to settle down. After years of partying and dealing drugs with his older brother, he’s going straight—getting to class on time, and thinking about the future.
An unlikely bond grows between the two as John keeps Edie out of trouble and helps her broaden her horizons. But when he helps her out with another first—losing her virginity—their friendship gets complicated.
Meanwhile, Edie and John are pulled back into the dangerous world they narrowly escaped. They were lucky to survive the first time, but this time they have more to lose—each other.
My Thoughts:
I had long intended to explore Kylie Scott’s works, and when I discovered she had released a young adult novel, I thought it would be the ideal starting point. Trust certainly served as a decent introduction, though I remain hopeful that Scott’s other books will leave a stronger impression.
First, I wouldn’t strictly categorize Trust as young adult fiction. In my view, it leans more toward the new adult genre. Sex is discussed quite openly and repeatedly among the characters. While this didn’t bother me personally—and I don’t believe such content automatically disqualifies a book from being labeled YA—some readers might find it unsuitable.
The novel opens with a literal bang, delivering one of the most gripping opening scenes I’ve encountered lately. The protagonist, Edie, is taken hostage during a robbery, and this near-death experience profoundly alters her life and worldview. However, once the immediate tension of the robbery subsides, the pacing slows noticeably. At times, my attention drifted. While not exactly boring, the middle section struggled to maintain the intensity set up by such a powerful beginning. Fortunately, the ending delivered, though the middle portion could have been more engaging.
Edie’s determination to live life to the fullest after the robbery is understandable, but her approach felt misguided. Rather than seeking meaningful experiences, she seemed focused on checking items off a list. Her attitude toward life and others was often negative; she distrusted most people and kept even those close to her at a distance. I suspect these traits existed before the robbery but became more pronounced afterward. There were moments I just wanted to shake some sense into her.
The romance felt somewhat slow to develop and then somewhat abrupt. While it was clear early on that Edie would develop feelings for John, his interest in her seemed less apparent. John’s character lacked depth, and their relationship seemed to rely heavily on their shared traumatic experience rather than meaningful interaction or genuine connection. Their limited communication made it hard to believe in them as a couple. Ultimately, the romance didn’t resonate with me.
Overall, Trust was a quick and not unpleasant read, but it isn’t a book I’d highly recommend. I haven’t given up on Kylie Scott yet, but I’ll likely adjust my expectations moving forward.
What Others Are Saying About Trust:
From Natasha is a Book Junkie: “For a book with such deep themes, this was an easy read, told in an entertaining narrative that draws us along like a conversation with a close friend.”
From The Bookish Sisters: “Even if you’re not a fan of Young Adult books, I promise you’ll find yourself hanging on to every single word of this fun coming-of-age book.”