Review: Forgiving Trinity by Elizabeth Reinhardt

It is one night. The Night that wrecked not only her life, but also his life.

Trinity McCabe has sworn that she would become a new self after the Catastrophic Night that involved two cars, a dog, lots of tears, and sirens. In the late years of her seventeenth, she had committed many poor decisions. She was friends with people she shouldn’t have with. Her grades are poor and she barely passed her classes. She did drugs and she drank way too much.

Trinity decided that she had enough and she would like to change herself, but then The Night happened. The Night when Aidan Achelles took all the blame and went to juvy. The Night when Aidan acted all knight-in-shining-armor. The Night that makes Trinity goes autopilot and she sleepwalks through her life, hidden in the comfort of her flannel pajama.

Trinity doesn’t even think that she deserves second chance. However, people around her seem disagree at that idea. Even Aidan forgives her and they gradually become friends. Everything seems perfect for awhile. But for how long this little peaceful time would last? Will Trinity finally able to escape from her past? And could she save Aidan in time, when Aidan starts avoiding her and hangs out with people from Trinity’s past?

Forgiving Trinity is a complex story and the kind of book that will make you think after. I have been warned before that Forgiving Trinity tackles some serious stuff and it’s more appropriate for mature YA readers. I won’t recommend this book for younger readers because the mention of drugs, alcohol, and parties. Even though drugs using is not explicitly told, the emotional and gory aspects of this story aren’t suitable for younger readers.

I never got when and why exactly Trinity started to fall into that pit of darkness. She has amazing family and I’m sure that she had some pretty good friends in Junior High. Maybe it’s a rebellious phase but in my opinion, two years are very long time to let your daughter and little sister becoming stranger to you. It would be much better if her parent had taken some preventing steps before Trinity crushed and was in a big problem. I didn’t understand why they didn’t ground her and told her to stop seeing her ‘friends’ earlier.

Nonetheless, I really like it that her family is very supportive of her healing process. Trinity’s brother, Christian, genuinely cares for his little sister and I think that’s really sweet of him. I love it that Trinity has a new girl friend, Ruth, along the process. Their friendship is lovely and I found myself genuinely happy when Trinity finally has someone she can confide her thoughts about Aidan and a fairy godmother in fashion business sometimes.

I like this book because the whole healing process seems very real. Trinity tries really hard to become the new, clean Trinity and it’s not an easy task. There is nothing instant about forgiving yourself because you can’t pretend that all bad stuff you had done in the past can be erased magically from your history. Trinity did run away a good amount of times but it is all part of her healing process. I without doubt can feel that she grows up a lot throughout the story. The characters are complex, very human-like, and completely relatable. In mood to read a realistic YA book with believable characters, intricate story line, and possibility of being a tear-jerker? Then this is the book for you!

As much as I want Bad Trinity purged from my life, I realize that Good Trinity also has to go. I’m not either one anymore. I consider that I should, maybe, focus on figuring out what I’m not instead of what I am.

1. I’m not a Bad Girl.

2. I’m not a Good Girl.

3. I’m not a total coward.

4. I’m not very brave at all.

5. I’m not ready to know who I really am.

 Website * Goodreads * Amazon 

I rate this book:

 Four cups of tea. Amazing! Love the book, it’s simply awesome. I love the tea flavor!  A strong recommendation.