Review: Suffer Love by Ashley Herring Blake

Suffer Love by Ashley Herring Blake
pub 5/3/16 by HMH Books
for Young Readers
YA - Contemporary

Suffer Love is messy. It explores messy relationships, dysfunctional families and the ups and downs of what it means to love someone. What made the book stand out to me is that every single person is flawed and no one makes the “right” choice. Instead everyone is doing the best they can, which often times didn’t feel good enough. And that’s life. It’s a reality I’m glad the author didn’t shy away from and I can see many readers relating in some shape, way or form to everything that unfolds here.

We get the dual perspectives of Hadley St. Clair and Sam Bennett. Hadley’s been living with the knowledge of her father’s year-long affair, which she found out about in the most horrible way. Her parents are “trying” to work it out but her mother’s barely veiled contempt only succeeds it making Hadley feel more alone. She deals by making out with different guys in her class, allowing the moments to temporarily help her forget without getting too attached. Then she meets Sam and the connection between them is immediate. Then he realizes that her family’s current problems are linked to his own and he knows he needs to keep it a secret. And we all know that can only lead to disaster.

It was so eye-opening to watch how Hadley and Sam and their two different families dealt with their struggles. It just goes to show that no one is perfect but that there’s so much power in love, forgiveness and honesty. It’s impossible not to feel for both Hadley and Sam, not to mention the rest of the people in their lives (I adored Sam’s little sister!).

Do I recommend? 

Yes! It’s extremely well-written with a memorable story and moving characters.