This is Not a Love Letter by Kim Purcell
Young Adult
Published: Jan. 30. Hyperion Books.
Just before their high school graduation, Jessie’s boyfriend, Chris, vanishes from his usual evening run. Chris; a straight A student, well loved, friendly, and non-violent athlete. Everyone is shaken by his sudden disappearance – especially Jessie. She and Chris’ friends spend endless hours searching his favorite hang outs and running trails, but there is no sign of their friend. The police believe that Chris is another runaway – a conclusion that sets everyone on edge.
For Jessie, she strongly believes that Chris has fallen victim to a violent hate crime. She remembers that a couple weeks prior to his disappearance, Chris had been out jogging as usual but was jumped by a group of rich white boys from a rival high school. While beating on him they were also verbally harassing Chris because he’s African American. Dave Johnson, the one who initiated Chris’ beating was jealous that he lost a sports scholarship to Chris, and is known to become violent when things or people stand in his way.
The police investigate but rule out Johnson. Anger, hurt and the need to bring these perpetrators to justice blinds Jessie to the point where she openly tells people that Johnson and his friends are to blame – even going as far as to bring up her suspicions when she was interviewed on the local news. Not the brightest move.
Appalled by Jessie’s accusations, some residents of her small, “white paper mill town” in the Northwest attempt to discredit Chris and even threaten Jessie, forcing her to shut down all social media accounts. She’s afraid to answer her cell, and is convinced that there is a mysterious car that continues to drive pass her house.
After days of endless searching and investigation, Jessie and her friends are forced to reconsider a new theory regarding Chris and his disappearance, making them question everything they thought they knew about their beloved friend.
This was a heavy read. I mean, every emotion was raw present. Readers will ride the waves of every single thing Jessie felt – from the initial shock and disbelief, to anger and annoyance that the police “are not doing enough,” all the way to the painful longing, and hopelessness that settles in. It’s one hell of a roller coaster ride that’s enhanced because of Purcell’s layout.
This whole story is written in the form of letters that Jessie writes to Chris after she receives the news of him missing.
This, along with Purcell’s attention to detail and emotion just makes this one of those novels that pulls on the heart strings.
Drawing from real life experience, Kim Purcell did a grand job at placing her readers in the mindset of a young adult, whose set to graduate from high school, but whose life is turned upside down and how she copes with it.
Kirsten Lowe studies at Athabasca University.