**Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of THE 11TH HOUR by Kristine Scarrow in exchange for my honest review**

Spoilers!

3.5 STARS
GRADE: B-

After Annika’s parents try to get her to stop seeing Dylan, the couple sets out on their own. She doesn’t understand why her friends and family don’t approve of their relationship. Dylan is devoted to her, so devoted he’s often jealous. Not long after leaving, trouble begin with an rattle in the car’s engine. Soon the problems escalate.

THE 11TH HOUR is very much Annika’s story, though told from the points of view of both Annika and Dylan. I could see how she fell for his charms and didn’t recognize the warning signs of an unhealthy and controlling relationship because his behavior crept up on her. Warning signals aren’t always apparent, particularly to younger people. Both characters were multidimensional.

THE 11TH HOUR is a cautionary tale. I wish that Scarrow had focused more on the mental health aspect of the story before the ending, when Dylan’s parents narrated the ending explaining (telling, not showing) his history of self medicating, finally getting on psych meds and going off them. This could have been an important focus throughout the story. Dylan’s mental illness is never named, although I’d guess he’s bipolar.

THE 11TH HOUR takes place over a day. Scarrow’s writing kept me interested, building with intensity until the shocking ending. I held my breath through much of the last 25% of the story.

I hope teens read THE 11TH HOUR and take heed at some of the warning signals for dysfunctional, unhealthy and controlling relationships.