liz089
Written on Sep 20, 2019
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In this "gripping tale for lovers of dystopian romance" (Kirkus Reviews), true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.
Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane's parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they'll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who's been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone-but so are their memories.
Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He's promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it's getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in.
And The Program is coming for them.
"I think I broke my femur," James says, as he lies underneath me. "On the console when you were attacking me? I think I broke it."
I laugh. "Shut up."
"I didn't mind though," he says conversationally. "Like when you bit my shoulder. It was—"
I reach up and put my hand over his mouth, not moving it even after he licks my fingers. "Shut up." As if agreeing, he pulls me closer, resting his cheek on top of my head. When it's quiet, I move my palm and rest it on his chest.
"It was nice," he whispers, but not jokingly. "It wasn't weird, either. And that's... kind of weird."
We had so many secrets together and now they're just mine. The weight of them is too heavy for me to carry.
What I see is someone broken and fierce. Someone loyal and hardened. Someone who could belong to me completely, and me to him.