Thursday, April 05, 2012

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.




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

21 comments:

  1. OOOO! I've seen this book somewhere before. The cover looks really awesome. Your review definitely made me interested to read this book. I also love stories where the character's family is really supportive because THAT'S WHAT FAMILY DO! SUPPORT EACH OTHER!

    Anyway, awesome review, Hilda! So glad you enjoyed it! ♥

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    1. I can't agree more with you! Family is supposed to be there with you, in bad time and good time! <3

      Thanks, Celine! If you ever pick up this book, I hope you'll like it too! <3

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  2. I loved Liz Reinhardt's book Double Clutch, so I can't wait to read this book.
    Thanks for the great review!

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    1. I haven't read Double Clutch, but I like Forgiving Trinity so I will definitely check it out! Thanks, Tabitha! <3

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  3. I'm excited to start reading this book:) I love reading books where the main character is like Trinity going through a process to try to change themselves for the better:)

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    1. I love reading that kind of books too! I think the main character feels so much more real when they do grow up throughout the story. :)

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  4. I'm glad to hear this is a complex story that leaves you thinking - it sounds pretty good! Great review, Hilda. You have convinced me to give this a try one day! :)

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    1. I couldn't stop the wheels in my brain when I just finished it! I keep thinking about drugs, alcohol, and how little things can slip into big disastrous problem. Thank you, Sam! If you ever read this book sometimes later, I hope you'll enjoy it too! <3

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  5. Thank you so much for your awesome review, Hilda! And thank you to everyone who commented ;)! You guys rock!!

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    1. Thank you for letting me joining the fun, Liz! I had a blast doing the interview with you and reviewing your book! :)

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  6. You know, I love how mature this book sounds. I don't really read contemporary YA often, but when I do, I like it when it has some depth, when it's not just another romance with no actual substance.
    I remember when Lisa reviewed Double Clutch, she really liked it, but it didn't sound like a book I'd enjoy. This is much closer to my tastes. I love that she stops trying to define herself eventually.

    Wonderful review, Hilda.

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    1. Contemporary YA that makes me think (and cry!) is always my favorite. I do enjoy light Contemporary sometimes, but the ones that make me emotional? That's my kind of books! :D

      Thank you, Maja! :)

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  7. Oh, Hilda, I LOVE you for posting this review now! <3 I was just debating on whether or not I was going to add it to my To Be Read Soon list or To Be Read Later list, and your review helped me decide that I want to read this book sooner rather than later! I've been in a very contemporary-craving mood, and the way you describe this one as real and sweet makes me think I'll really like it. Who doesn't love the posibility of a tear-jerker? :')

    GORGEOUS review, Hilda! <3 Definitely going to read this book soon! :)

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    1. Oh, I can't wait to read you review on it, Mimi! I hope you'll enjoy it too! LOL I've also been on contemporary mood these few weeks, and I found myself a little hard to get into Paranormal! Not good. x) Books that make me cry always have a special place in my heart. <3

      Thanks, Mimi! Anxiously waiting for your review! <3

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  8. This sounds like such a heartbreaking story. And I loved your review <3 Guilt can eat you up and I can see how it would weigh Trinity down! It's so great that she has a supportive family. In the end, that really really counts!! I'm glad you enjoyed it, Hilda! Definitely going into my Books-I'm-Reading-this-Summer-holidays list (and I can't wait for the holidays! Just twenty more days!!)

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    1. Because it is in some ways, Ajoop! :D Thanks! Family has to support each other! <3 If I ever make a list like you, I just know that the list will be near infinite LOL! I have so much books I want to read this Summer! <3 Hopefully you'll end up liking this book too, Ajoop! I won't have holiday until June *bummer!* but I'm glad to hear that your holiday will come soon! <3

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  9. This sounds like a great book Hilda! I love when I hear about new books from blogs because then not only do I get to see the cover and synopsis, but I also get an opinion that I trust! I will definitely be picking this up in the near future! Great review!

    Darlene @ Leather Bound and Lovely

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    1. Aww, Darlene, I'm glad that my reviews play a part of your reading choice! This is a contemporary YA and I don't remember you eve review a Contemporary, so I can't wait to read your review! :)

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  10. I like that this is a mature YA that seems realistic while tackling tricky subjects! It already sounds a bit uncomfortable from the summary so I'm glad the author did it so well. I've read the author's previous works and enjoyed it so this one should be good! Fantastic review as always, Hilda. <3

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    1. I was also really surprised at how realistic it is, Elena! Most YA books I read are fairytale-like story, so this book comes as a great surprise. Trinity tries so hard to overcome her problems, and the process is long, real, and lonely. That makes her story very real. If you enjoyed it, then I think you'll enjoy think book too, Elena! Thank you! <3

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