“I refuse to be a tortoise.” – HUNG UP by Kristen Tracy reviewed
reviewed by Anupya, age 15
“That’s true. I refuse to be a tortoise.”
– James Rusher, pg 189 Hung Up
Hung Up by Kristen Tracy is exactly what you think it is: a light, fun, girly romance. But the thing that separates it from other teen romance novels is its unique and fun writing and the dark themes in the book. I decided to give this one a shot and I admit it was very cheesy in some parts, but TRUDGE on my friends! For this is a good one.
Lucy is a an angry customer who leaves voice messages to an out-of-business… business and her messages are heard and answered by a boy named James. He is an eighteen-year-old guy who likes to take baths and is so very mature that it scares Lucy sometimes. He replies back to Lucy and starts a phone friendship with her. Although extremely cautious, Lucy decides to share her life with him and he does the same. However, he is much more comfortable at revealing his past than Lucy. There is a reason for that and I shall say no more.
The entire book is pure dialogue and it feels like reading a movie script except without any acting directions or filming notes. You will definitely laugh at James’ sassy remarks and Lucy’s equally light replies. Her secretiveness in answering his questions and his badgering will annoy you, but it makes sense when you find out why. We all know a Lucy and James and it is very hard to not think of a certain blue-eyed hunk or James Potter when reading James’ dialogue — if only he had a less-common name than James. He does question the usefulness of writing a school essay (something I’m sure we’ve all wondered at some point in our high school days) and he wins the reader over with his thoughtfulness and sarcasm. He refuses to be a tortoise and likes to live life in the fast lane, something that Lucy learns from him just as he learns to be patient and curious from Lucy. I do love the book and would recommend it for a fun read.
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