“Trust might be a two-way street, but I’ve been run over by lots of people who thought it was only one-way.”

Interestingly enough, people seem to learn this lesson as teenagers when their friends betray them and they’re left wondering why they ever shared their inner most thoughts with people so willing to use them to get ahead. As a high school teacher, I’ve often wondered if teens are too trusting…too forgiving because their need to fit in and not be bullied becomes more important than putting their hearts on the line for others who may not reciprocate that idea.

There’s so much truth to Susan Gale’s thoughts about trust and it’s especially fitting because that very idea is exemplified in Kylie Scott’s newest release, Trust. Scott’s story about Edie and John, two high school seniors, whose lives are completely redefined after a life or death situation is not so much a coming of age story as a journey to realize what’s important in life…to wade through the bullshit and insignificant, everyday details and understand what’s truly

I think every reader will agree that being a teenager isn’t easy; those years are hard enough due to the bullying, the need to fit in, and the bevy of hormones that seem to emerge out of nowhere, so adding in the fact that Edie was a victim of a store robbery and becomes a bit of a spectacle after she survives the whole ordeal only adds to her anxiety and insecurities, but it also helps her in some ways because she’s able to sort out what matters and what shouldn’t hold any power over her.

Kylie Scott does a fantastic job of illustrating the ways in which Edie and John are changed from the events at the Drop Stop; both of their lives could have been lost that night, which not only makes them question why they’re the ones who lived, but it also forces them to make significant changes to the choices they make and the actions they take, understanding that there are consequences to every decision, right or wrong, and what that means to more than just their lives.

Edie and John are the perfect main characters for Trust. Their imperfections, their contrasting social statuses, their shared traumatic experience, and their redefined lives put them in the unique position to truly understand one another despite their differences and the role reversal that seems to occur once Edie switches to John’s public high school and refuses to be bullied and soft-spoken any longer.

Initially, John sees himself as poison, only bringing Edie down, so he tries to keep his distance from her, which only further isolates Edie in her new environment, but slowly, they become each other’s crutch to battle through the darkness and combat the nightmares and dark and morbid thoughts that seem to keep them awake.

Scott eases Edie and John into their newfound friendship and then allows them to progress at their own pace into something more. There are a lot of personal demons that this duo need to work through and as they come to terms with the horrifying event that brought them into each other’s lives, they realize that life is what someone makes it and they’re willing to trust in one another and themselves in order to make the most out of the second chance that they were given.

4 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)

2 stars

It really pains me to say this, but I did not enjoy this book. Kylie Scott is a go-to author for me, she’s written some of my favorite romances ever, but this one fell flat for me.

Trust is about Edie, a seventeen year old who finds herself a hostage in a convenience store robbery. Having just popped in for a few things, the entire encounter changes her life and leads to her decision to leave private school and her so called friends behind and attend public school.

At her new public school, Edie begins to cross paths with John, a boy who was stuck during the convenience store robbery himself. Because of their bond from the tragic night, they begin to form a friendship that means a lot to the both of them. Edie begins to make other, more loyal friends at her new school as well, and things seem to be looking up. But as can be expected, feelings for John begin to form, but does John like her back?

This book started out really strong, but then around 30% slowed down a bit for me. The pacing was a bit off throughout most of the book, and with an unclear plot for most of it. That combined with a rushed ending made it difficult for me to truly enjoy this book. I also didn’t care for John, he and Edie seemed to have zero chemistry, on top of his lack of personality. He wasn’t developed well enough.

I loved that we got a plus sized heroine, Kylie Scott has always shown readers that beauty is more than a skinny body. I respect that she challenges traditional standards of beauty. Plus sized women are often seen as undesirable, and that’s just not true. I also liked the friendship between Edie and Hang, I love seeing stories that portray healthy and supportive female friendships.

According to the Goodreads definition “Young-adult fiction (often abbreviated as YA) is fiction written for, published for, or marketed to adolescents and young adults, roughly ages 13 to 18.” Considering this book contained graphic sexual content that I in my job as a public librarian would not feel comfortable handing to someone 13-15 years old (and 16 is stretching it), I do not consider this YA. I’ve seen lots of reviews citing this as “YA I actually like to read, and I don’t like YA”. Well….. that’s because it’s not YA. This was a contemporary romance novel meant for readers 17 and up. That’s my professional opinion, I understand if you disagree with me.

Obviously I am in the minority when it comes to this book, there are a ton of favorable reviews out there and I encourage you to read them. Also, everyone has different reading tastes, mine fall pickier than others, so I think you should pick up this book and decide for yourself.

ARC provided by the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Wow! What a story! John and Edie's journey was intense to say the least. What began with such tragedy, ended so sweet. I liked that John and Edie were survivors and through their experience, they each changed for the better. I loved Edie's fire and how I was able to see John's vulnerability as their relationship progressed. Together, they took something ugly and made it beautiful. A high five to Kylie Scott for another great read!

♥ Review by Lys

Trust was Kylie Scott's FIRST Young Adult and she NAILED IT. I had absolutely ZERO doubts since it's KYLIE SCOTT. I really love Young Adult, but it's difficult to find a GREAT one because either the kids act too immature, not deal with deeper issues, or barely even kiss. I'd like to have at least SOME kissing. Kylie covered everything I've ever wanted in a YA book in her own original way.

The characters were a HUGE part why I loved this book so much. Edie was so likable and relatable. I saw so much of myself in her. I liked John more and more throughout the story. When it was over I was irrevocably in love with him. Then there was Hang, Anders, and Edie's mom. I really FELT the love and friendship between them.

I do REALLY hope Kylie writes more of this genre along with her contemporary. She can't give us a taste and leave us hanging!! ;)

5 stars for - Trust - a coming of age stand-alone by Kylie Scott that is both unique and gripping. I read this book cover to cover in one sitting and it left me wanting more. This book was not at all what I expected it to be and was so pleasantly surprised with how much I loved it! The only thing that could have made this story better was to know we would get more in the form of a series about the other enigmatic characters from the book.
Edie Millen is a self-proclaimed "fat chick" that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when a armed robbery occurred that severely injured her and took the lives of two other people. Edie knows that if it wasn't for a couple of boys in the gas station subduing the robber she would also have been one of his victims. She will be forever grateful to the boy that saved her life regardless of his reputation.
John Cole was at the Stop Drop when a guy his big brother knows decided to rob the place.  A cute, but terrified blonde was bleeding on the floor and he had to help her before the robber really hurt her. John did what he had to do to save Edie's life, but never realized the consequences of his actions. The last person he ever expected to see again was the blonde from the robbery but imagine his shock as he walks into his history class on his first day of senior year.
This story was a roller coaster of emotions with tons of angst and real life drama that you can just imagine happening. Their relationship was real and raw, but also sweet too. Absolutely loved this story and hope the author considers making it a series in the future :)

I am not an avid reader of the Young Adult genre, but this book kept calling my name. To be honest, it had nothing to do with the author as my experience with her was limited, having only read one book written by her. The synopsis was the driving force behind my decision to read Trust by Kylie Scott.
This story differs from anything I have read before. Its unique storyline sucked me in and if it were not for my busy work schedule, I would have finished it sooner than I did. It tells the story of two high school students who were brought together because of a tragic event which would forever change their lives. Trust is a coming of age story that embraces the themes of friendship, love, drug addiction and fat shaming.
The title aptly fits the story as this was what Edie was forced to do when she found herself in the middle of a hostage situation involving a crazed drug addict. Placing her trust in a complete stranger was the last thing on her mind when she went to purchase snacks in the middle of the night dressed in nothing but her PJs and flip-flops. Her fear at that moment was palpable. She had no idea if she would get out alive. However, in the midst of all the chaos, she discovered she was not alone. There was a guy, a teenager like herself, who went above and beyond to secure her safety. The two found themselves bound to each other through shared memories of a night they would both prefer to forget.
The highlight of the story for me was the unlikely friendship that developed between John and Edie. They never expected to see each other again after that fateful night. However, Edie’s decision to change schools led to their paths crossing once again. Theirs was a friendship borne out of tragedy, but it would provide them with the healing they both needed. Despite the challenges faced, their friendship developed to the point where lines became blurred and so not only do they have to deal with painful memories, they have to figure out if their feelings for each other were real.
I admired Edie for her strength of character. She refused to be labelled a victim. Her body was on the plump side and she faced constant shaming as a result, but she did not allow the hateful remarks define her. She accepted herself the way she was, and no intention of changing to please others. In spite of this, there were moments when her insecurities would rear its head, especially around John. Not only is she a fighter, she is caring and funny.
I loved how John was with Edie. His need to protect her extended beyond that fateful night. John has his share of struggles, however, he always finds time for Edie whenever she needed him. They were protective of each other and they had each other’s back at all times. I loved that John saw beyond her plumpness and accepted all of her.
The secondary characters played their part in making this story shine. They provided enough laughter to balance out the pain, fears and angst.
I did have a few issues with the story, but it did not take away from my enjoyment.
1. I thought the situation with John and his brother could have been handled better. The whole scenario was rushed and lacking in details.
2. The story was told primarily from Edie’s POV. It would have been great to be privy to John’s inner thoughts and feelings. My knowledge of his struggles and feelings were gained from Edie’s perspective. I believe that having the story from John’s POV would have made the story that more realistic, especially as it relates to their romance. Edie’s feelings for John were obvious based on her inner dialogue, but it was difficult discerning how John’s true feelings.
3. I expected more information in regards to Edie’s feelings after the traumatic incident. I understood why she had trouble sleeping, but the other aspects did not ring true for someone who stared death in the face.

Recommendation/Conclusion
In spite of the issues, Trust is an enjoyable read and fans of the YA genre and Kylie Scott will fall in love with this book.

I LOVE YA Fantasy and Sci-Fi, but when I want a contemporary read, I tend to avoid YA like the plague - all the angst with no...completion? It's equivalent to literary blue balls to a grown @$$ woman like me. But if all YA was like Trust, my wallet and bookshelves would have a real problem. I DEVOURED this book. From the excitement of the stick up, to the utterly relatable issues Edie dealt with as a female larger than a size zero in our image obsessed society, to John's struggle to turn a new leaf and improve his life (I found that so admirable), and their burgeoning and evolving relationship - Kylie Scott singlehandedly has made me rethink my stance on the Young Adult Contemporary sub-genre (although, to be honest, I appreciate the "Mature Young Adult" designation Trust carries and the nuances that implies). The plot/story was flawless and the characters - both main and secondary - were so real and well-developed. Plus Edie's sassy snark and the dialogue throughout the book is so intelligent, humorous, and engaging. I give Trust 4.75 out of 5 stars and I hope that Kylie Scott continues to write books in this fashion. I'll also have to start her Dive Bar series, because if this is how she writes teens, I can't wait to see what she does with adults!

Guys! I have a new book to add to my favorites and it was completely unexpected. I can't even tell you how much I loved Trust. This is my second Kylie Scott book, even if it's her first (mature) young adult I read, but I still didn't know what to expect. I actually didn't know what it was about so I was happy to see how much I ended up loving it.

This book is told solely from Edie's POV. Edie is such an amazing girl. As you might have read in the blurb Edie (and also John) went through a traumatic event that completely changed them. Seeing them dealing with the aftermath of the hostage was so heartbreaking. As I said, Edie was the best, I loved that girl. After such traumatic event Edie's views about life changed quite a bit but that made her grow so much. Her development was amazing and it was one of my favorite parts of this book. John was also amazing. I loved how he tried to be better after the hostage. Just like Edie, John grew so much and he ended up being such a great guy. I also loved that Edie was a "big" girl. I keep reading books where the main characters are all skinny and beautiful so it was a breath of fresh air to have a slightly bigger girl (who was still beautiful) who also had to deal with the insecurities about her body.
I have to tell you, her portrayal was so good. Everything that went through Edie's mind about her body insecurities are things that went through mine (and still do) because just like her I'm a slightly big girl who never felt that comfortable with her body. I just have to praise Kylie Scott about this because this made the book so much better. I also loved that the fact that she was big didn't make John treat her differently. He never judged her for her body, he never tried to make her lose weight and he was so supportive and helped her so much with her struggles. I loved that. To be honest, I loved their relationship as a whole. This was one of those slow burn romances. They start as friends and only after a while and after becoming closer they become more than that. I also loved how much they helped each other with the aftermath of the hostage.
But here's the thing, you would think Edie and John would be the only amazing characters in this book, right?? They weren't. I loved their family and friends. Edie's mom might have been a little bit too overbearing at some points but I loved her to bits. I also loved Matt, the stepfather, even if he barely appeared. But my favorites, apart from Edie and John, had to be Hang and Anders. Those two were the best and they were such amazing friends. Kylie, if you want to write a book about these two I would read it without any doubt :P.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There were probably a few things I could have changed but in the end I jus loved it to bits. It's not a wonder I ended up reading it in only a few hours. I 100% recommend this book to everyone who's looking for some really cute but kind of heartbreaking romance.

Edie is caught in a horrific burglary where two lives are lost. She was so near to dying herself, but John's courage and interference were able to get her out harm's way. I was never so scared. These are high school kids we are talking about. Reading the description of the burglary made me feel I was right there with them. In the end, I was so happy Edie and John survived the ordeal. But this was just the beginning of their friendship.

As these two unlikely friends try to comfort and help each other, a foundation of TRUST is laid. The intimacy of best friends grows between them. For two people who have just recently gone through a horrifying experience, this friendship is a lifeline to developing a normal life.

They are both good for each other. They start at the two extremes, the good girl and the bad boy, but through their relationship, their bond allows them both to grow as adults and more than friends.

Kylie Scott's masterful storytelling gift shines in this story. She has a deep understanding of the emotions affecting our characters. Her easy writing style describes the scenes so vividly it plays like a movie.

I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I thank the publisher for sharing a copy of this book with me.

5 stars
If you follow my reviews. You know I do NOT give out 5 stars very often. I have to be blown away by a book to give one out. Well, Trust was a 5 star read for me. From page one I was captivated by the premise of this book. It was so different and original that I loved every second of it.

At first I thought it was going to be too young for me. Since the book takes place in high school and Edie and John are seniors, I thought I might be too old for this. But, good news, this book didn't read like high school drama at all. The book was an amazing take about 2 people who didn't know each other and survived a terrible incident together.

I am not going tot give away the plot line. I went into this book blindly. Didn't read a lick about it beforehand. Because of this, I am so glad I went into it this way. I had no preconceived notions about anything and it won me over.

Edie and John were amazing together and apart, They both endured so much (maybe John a little more). I am so glad I read this and it made me fall in love with Kylie Scott's books all over again!

This was a beautiful story, even though it’s nothing like the books I’ve read by this author, I loved every second of it!

The main characters bump into each other in one of the worst types of situation you can get; they were at risk of dying and one wrong choice could destroy everything. Coming out of something like that alive leaves its mark so it was only natural for them to change and gravitate towards one another.

Near death experiences makes you appreciate life and like in Edie’s case, shows you that you are strong enough to face the fears that used to consume you. She wasn’t scared of her bullies anymore; her flight instinct was replaced by this strong urge to stand and fight; and even though she was now conscious of her mortality she was also aware that life was short and you never knew when yours was going to be cut short.

Her growth during the book is impressive, she changes so much it’s hard to recognize her at the final scenes of the story. John is responsible of a great part of this change, he is there for her, and he really sees her, something she wasn’t used to happening before. Little by little her confidence levels rise and she becomes who she was always supposed to be.

It’s not always about the guy liking you for you to feel beautiful and strong, but it definitely doesn’t hurt.

Let’s talk about John now, popular and sexy bad boy, leaning more and more into his bad side until something changed within him and he realizes he wants more out of life.

After dropping all that made him who he was, he finds himself lost and alone, and that’s when he finds Edie. She is his beacon through the storm, his friend and confidant; but life might have more in store for them if they let go of their fears and find themselves within each other.


A beautiful love story about real people, first love and fighting for what you want.

My Review: I... guys, I don't know if I have enough words. I am writing this review seconds after finishing the book, and I am in an absolute giddy phase. Kylie Scott is one of my favorite authors. And this book is just another example of how amazing she is. First off, she gives her readers an immediate punch to the chest, and then we get to spend the rest of the book trying to recover. But you know what? She can hit me again whenever she wants.

I will admit, I was nervous how this book would turn out - after all, Kylie Scott is most definitely an adult writer. I wasn't sure she could pull off a young adult novel - it takes a special author to conquer both. But she did it. She crossed that bridge with elaborate fanfare, and I feel like a fool for even thinking of doubting her. It takes a little time, but her humor and snarkyness comes through, and fits her young adult characters just as well as her adult ones.

Trust is well written, absolutely engrossing, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Cover Lovin': Yum, indeed.

Recommendation: Trust stands alone. This is listed as Young Adult, but I would firmly list it as 16+, for some mature content.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE stars (5/5)!! I'm in love with this book. It's action packed, exciting, suspenseful, funny, and just everything I didn't know I needed.

Trust is Kylie Scott’s first foray into the Young Adult genre and is nothing short of spectacular. Riveting reading from beginning to end, Trust is a delicious tale of first discoveries, love and friendship unfolding with real, harrowing and gritty moments that give this incredible story life.

Life is all about firsts; first love, first kiss….first time you’re held hostage as part of an armed robbery. All seventeen year old Edie wanted to do was buy snacks for a night of tv with her equally socially awkward best friend when she finds herself with a gun to her head in a convenience store. Held hostage by a drugged out madman, Edie barley escapes with her life thanks to the quick thinking of fellow teenager John who is also inside the store. With her attitude about life drastically altered, Edie decides to escape the snobbery at her private school and enrol in the local public high school, putting her in close proximity to John. Known for his history of partying and dealing drugs with his older brother, John is desperately trying to turn his life around. John and Edie should be leagues apart, but as they bond over the traumatic experience they both endured, their strong friendship begins to blossom into something more, bringing them as close as two people can be. But with danger hanging over John, will Edie be drawn back into a dangerous situation she won’t be able to escape this time?

Largely known for her brilliant adult romances, I truly believe Kylie Scott has really outdone herself with Trust. There is really nothing I can say that will do this book justice, nor can I fault the way Kylie Scott has written this story. Trust was perfectly paced, featured teen characters who were relatable, believable and true, and managed to weave together all my favourite aspects of an authentic contemporary story dealing with hard hitting teen themes.

Though Trust is classed as a YA novel, I do think it’s more appropriately a NA tale, or at the very least an upper class YA as it does deal with some strong topics, includes some realistic violence and depicts sex scenes. That being said, Kylie Scott explores these topics so very beautifully and in an authentic, believable way. These teens felt real. They experienced emotions and insecurities all teenagers experience at some point or another; trauma, body issues, insecurity, uncertainty, embarrassment, sex, drugs, alcohol, relationships and betrayal---the whole kit and caboodle. It was there; Trust explored it and managed to do so through the eyes of a genuine down to earth seventeen year old girl who embodied so much of who today’s teenage girl really is.

Breaking away from your typical jock/cheerleader school dynamic or tales where the ‘plain Jane” still manages to entrance every boy she comes across, Edie does break the mold in the sense that she is what a lot of teenagers seem themselves as. She’s junk food addicted, awkward, chubby, bitter and somewhat jaded. She’s been bullied and betrayed, but as Trust unfolds Edie finds her own happiness amongst a great group of friends and thanks to a teenage boy who is determined to help her with all her “firsts” and who comes to adore her for all she is; seeing in her what Edie can’t seem to see in herself.

I mean John; John has been a “bad boy”. He’s dealt drugs and dabbled in his fair share of teen shenanigans, but in his final year of high school he’s determined to turn things around. He’s Edie’s savior during the robbery and quickly becomes a very focal point in her life as a friend, a confidant and eventually a lover. What I adored about John—aside from the fact Scott writes him as a fantastic specimen of a man—is that he cares so deeply for Edie. He’s a typical guy, but he’s also a loyal friend. He’s kind and protective of her and thinks the world of her. John thinks she’s hot and there’s nothing sexier than a man who adores his girl for everything she is.

So in saying that, I absolutely adored the relationship between John and Edie that Kylie Scott has written. They developed such a beautiful friendship on the back of a tragedy and managed to truly help each other. The kindness between them, seeing them really care…about the small things and the simple things with each other was wonderful to witness unfold. And then there’s the romance that develops.....

No spoilers where this is concerned as we all just knew it was going to happen, but that didn’t make the burning attraction any less addictive. The small touches and emotions that developed as they crossed the bridge from friends to lovers in an honest way was perfect and so alluring. Sex is messy and awkward and difficult under the best of circumstances, and Kylie Scott doesn’t shy away from making the intimate moments between Edie and John as realistic as possible. And props to her for writing Trust this way and being truthful in her writing. The sex scenes were sexy and appealing in their honesty and were perfect with the rest of the tone within the story.

Gritty and raw, Trust is a real beauty, perfect for those who love Colleen Hoover and Abbi Glines. Kylie Scott has created something wonderful with Trust and even though I’m sad to say goodbye to Edie and John, I will definitely revisit their story again and again…..

Genre: YA–Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person – Female

This book starts with a thrilling exciting scene; we witness a very shocking scene that will mark Edie and John's life. Edie is having a girl's night with her best friend; they decide to run to the gas station for candy and all the good essential a girl needs for a movie night. She never could have imagined that a normal night would end up changing her life entirely. The events of that night hunted her dreams every night; to top it off school was becoming more and more intolerable. Edie was fed up with all the years being bullied and she finally steps up for herself.

"In life, unless you're willing to run away and live in the woods and risk being eaten by bears, some things just were unavoidable."

John Cole; meets Edie the ugly night were both of their lives were in someone else's hands. That night will be one he most definably would never forget. Ever since, he decided to change how he was living and decides to get better grades and get a job. He soon discovers that Edie had transferred to his public school recently after that night.

John and Edie have more in common then what they think. Where Edie is tortured by bullies due to her weight, John is the popular one and good looking. The experience of that night has brought them together now and they seem to understand each other so much so then they could have imagined. After realizing they share English class together; they start to develop a very close friendship. I particular loved this book for that reason. Their friendship felt so real and fantastic; John was ahhhhh he was dreamy, protected and he seemed genuine to me. He would understand and knew exactly what Edie needed without her telling him. With John, Edie was able to enjoy herself without feeling uncomfortable. He made her feel normal. She couldn't understand that someone with such a great popularity and great looking could even notice her even as a friend.

“He was beautiful and I . . . I was nothing. An out-of-her-depth girl who wore too much black and feared the bulk of society.”

I must admit I wanted to feel lots of butterflies with these two but I just didn't. The chemistry was not there it was mainly friendship up until much later towards the end of the book. I almost wished they would have dated differently too; like I felt they were both pushed into the boyfriend/girlfriend relationship card, so it took me forever to actually warm up to the idea of them dating. Still I really enjoyed the story; the side characters were fantastic. John was such an amazing hero; I loved how protected he was and how he cared for Edie. The story is full of sarcasm, funny scenes, and it will be appealing to readers who enjoy young adult high school stories.

"Being young is all about the experiences: the first time you skip school, the first time you fall in love...the first time someone holds a gun to your head."

I was really anticipating reading Trust, but I was hesitant when I began because I really didn't know what to expect. I've read this author's previous books, but this was her first YA. I should NOT have feared reading this because it turned out to be quite enjoyable! It did take me a little while to really get into the story, but I think that was just me and not the book. I went on to read the last 70% in one sitting because it was SO good!

Edie and John share common ground over a traumatic, almost fatal, event. They form a bond that keeps drawing them back to each other. Edie and John were unsure about showing their feelings for each other, especially in public. But as they continued to spend time together and grow closer, they began to care less about what others thought of them. They both had to sort out their emotional and mental well being as they worked at getting over what happened to them. As friendship turned to love, the author didn't gloss over the sexy times. (Nothing graphic since it IS YA, but not unexpected for me since I've read this author's adult books.) Respect and responsibility are definite musts, so I was glad to see it taken seriously.

I liked that Edie's mother was involved in her life. Nothing puts me off YA more than invisible parents. Edie found a great friend in Hang, and Anders was really starting to grow on me! Can Hang and Anders get their own book, please?

I haven't been reading much YA recently, so I'm really glad I had the chance to read Trust. This was definitely an emotional read with likable characters and really great writing. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Tragedy brought them together, and changed their lives forever. John & Edie bonded together through their tragedy, after all they both lived through it, and each other were the only ones who understood what they were going through.
Follow their story in this book by Kylie Scott....4 stars you won't be sorry, from tragedy comes sunshine!

This was my first book by this author and I was blown away. The concept and the character build was utterly amazing. I really enjoyed Edie and John as they go through so many ups and downs. I found I could not put this book down and I enjoyed every minute. The journey of these two was brilliant.

Loved it!
Edie is a great character and I loved her attitude. She and John kept each other on their toes and I loved that they called on each other if they behaved shitty.
Kylie Scott's writing is witty and thoughtful and was perfect for this story.

Only thing I didn't like was the very abrupt ending.

I'm one of those odd, rare creatures who hasn't devoured Kylie Scott's entire backlist. I had only read one book by her, but when I saw that she was experimenting in the YA genre, my curiosity was piqued. And that synopsis? Forget about it, I was sold at the get go.

What do you do when your life abruptly narrows down to a moment, when your next breath could be your last? A simple late night convenience store run for junk food turns into a life altering, senseless tragedy. In those terror filled moments, she discovered with crystal clarity how fragile life could be.

How do you come back from the trauma of seeing innocent people die right before your eyes at seventeen years old? How do you go back to the person whose biggest problem was dealing with bullying by mean girls for your weight? The answer? You can't. Returning to her private school after summer ended, she realized that she wouldn't sit back quietly and allow the daily abuse that was served to her. Their opinions suddenly seemed inconsequential and she wasn't affording them any more headspace. In fact, she was done with the snobby, privileged kids at her school so she insisted on moving to the public school.

She thought she wouldn't know a soul there, but to her shock, one of her new classmates was none other than John Cole. The boy who risked his life to save hers. Edie had nothing in common with him, and didn't expect him to acknowledge her presence despite their violent meeting. He was at the top of the school popularity stratum, and a bad boy who could get any girl he crooked his finger at.

But she underestimated the bond that was forged that night at the Drop Shop. He did seek her out, because she was the only one who could understand what he had been going through. And while John was inspired to give up selling drugs and try to improve himself, Edie was becoming the rule breaker.

As much as I enjoyed these two, I think having John's POV would have been a huge help in feeling more invested in their romance. I liked them together enough, I just didn't love them. I felt like there was something missing for me. The beginning of the book drew me in with that very intense scene, and then the middle seemed to to drag more than I would have liked. I needed more push to keep the momentum of the story moving forward faster. The last scene had another exciting climactic moment that I really loved, but unfortunately it ended in an abrupt manner followed by a bland epilogue. The entire conclusion seemed more like an afterthought rather than a significant conclusion to their conflicts.

Based on everyone else's excitement, this is most likely entirely a me thing. Don't let my personal issues prevent you from giving this one a go. Trust was an original story about two teens trying to make sense of their lives after surviving a life or death situation together. I'd recommend this to not just YA lovers, but those looking for something much different than what's out there.

They say that people who’ve gone through a traumatic event together, form a special bond. This is definitely the case for Edie and John. Being held at gunpoint is life altering. Edie’s life no longer feels her own. Her private school is even worse than before, the relationship with her best friend doesn’t feel the same, that overall feeling that no one can relate to you.

All except John. The boy who saved her. Who everyone else still sees as a drug dealing troublemaker, but to Edie he’s her hero. When Edie transfers to public school, she runs into him again, and an unlikely friendship forms.

Edie is desperate to feel alive, do the things she always shied away from. Gone is the nice, good girl, and the spiral goes downwards. Meanwhile for John, the robbery was a wake-up call. Trying to get his life on the right track, he has to fight all the prejudice, proof that he means business.

As their friendship evolves, John actually becomes the good influence Edie needs at that moment. They can confide in each other about what happened, how it makes them feel, and the daily life they struggle with. I very much-loved how Kylie Scott didn’t rush the romance. These are two teenagers trying to navigate a very difficult situation. We get to see that connection form, and grow over time.

Trust was excellent written, and Edie and John were fascinating characters. Impossible to put down, this story deals with a lot of teenage issues such as bullying, self-image, stereotypes, fighting prejudice… From the first chapter you get dragged into the story, and it holds you in its clutch way passed the last page. Trust is a young adult novel I will be rereading a lot.

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*