This was a well written and such an easy read with a very heavy topic. I was hooked from the first page! Tess is someone you will quickly feel attached to.

4.5

Red is a book that caught me by surprise in the best way. I knew that it had something to do with The Scarlet Letter, religion, and abortion, but I didn’t imagine how skillful Annie Cardi was going to be when tackling such difficult topics.

The story follows a young 16 year old girl named Tess as she struggles with bullying, harassment, and abuse in the months following her abortion. With attacks coming from all sides—strangers, people she thought were her friends, and her own family—Tess feels like nowhere is safe. And just when things start to look better for her, she soon faces another tough decision: should she reveal the identity of the man who got her pregnant?

As I said above, Annie Cardi did a phenomenal job of tackling these topics with extreme grace. Tess’ mother is an unwavering pillar of support throughout the entire book, willing to do anything in her power to protect her daughter from harm. While there are several instances where times get really tough for Tess, readers never have to really worry about things not working out for her in the end. This makes the book serve as both an incredible resource of information about the intersection between generational trauma, religion, and bodily autonomy while also being a book where readers can feel safe in escaping the real world in these pages.

I read a lot books that cover heavy subjects that affect me personally, and so often I leave those books feeling traumatized and triggered. But as someone who has been affected by religious trauma as well as sexual abuse, this book left me feeling a sense of hope that I never expected. There are many people out there who don’t have the same support systems that Tess is able to find in this book, but I really hope we can change that.

Enjoyable Young Adult Fiction with a nice twist to the Scarlet Letter theme. Contemporary and relatable, although the author never makes a decisive moral argument for abortion. Maybe it's better that way since it reflects the experiences of the many.

Annie Cardi definitely knows how to bring out your emotions with Red. It is a heavy read that I had to stop a few times and regroup. Annie has a beautiful writing style that makes you feel that you are the characters and in the story. The storyline is perfect and real. It is sad to know this happens all over the place, and the victim does not realize they are a victim until later on.

I love all the characters except Adam and Rodger. I can smack them. Annie is a very strong character even if she does not realize it at first. I love that even though she felt alone at first and was naive that she eventually found her voice. I felt after she found her group of people who supported her that she was unstoppable. The way she turned a bad situation into a good one made me smile. Not everyone can.

I definitely recommend this read to everyone. You will definitely learn a lot, which in this situation is important. I enjoyed the message and story. I do not want to say much because it would be spoilers. If you want to discuss this book with me dm me. This is a five star read.

This didn't start at all where I expected; I thought we'd get Tess and her mother moving to town and making friends, but instead it starts in the middle, more or less, with Tess's huge decision already in motion. Flashbacks and memories fill in the back story for us.

From outside the story, it's devastating watching the way Tess is groomed and led down a very specific path, and how blind people are or have made themselves to it. Watching the support system she built around herself was extremely satisfying. I loved that, despite the terrible associations she must have had, she never gave up on her faith or her music; she made both more private and personal and more meaningful to her, instead.

Every time I read something like this, I'm horrified that stories like this are based on real life and that people really go through this kind of thing. Hopefully, by sharing stories like this, we can bring more attention to the issues and make things better for everyone.

This is a powerful story of a girl's abuse at the hands of someone she thought she could trust. She is manipulated and then humiliated because of choices she makes as a result of the abuse. She finds solace in music and a group of accepting friends. She learns to heal and become an advocate for other girls in her situation. The situations are handled with care and sensitivity.

Red is a beautifully bold and raw novel that resonates deep. While we are centuries removed from the Puritan period of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, we are faced with a devastating and lasting legacy of that scarlet A that still penetrates deep into our society, perpetually placing undue blame on women. Annie Cardi brings the hypocrisy of Hawthorne’s masterpiece back to life in this thought-provoking and humbling novel of a young girl, Tess. Through trials, tribulations, and absolutely unwarranted shame from her faith community, Tess shows us light and redemption, the kind that comes from true faith in a God that offers grace and forgiveness. Red is a tale of learning to love and accept yourself and finding your true God-given voice, “I’m not saying that I haven’t made mistakes, and I’m still wrestling with a lot of things, ya’ll, but I don’t think God wants is to feel alone or ashamed, especially if you’ve been hurt and abused.” This is a coming of age novel that I will save for my children to read when they are older.

Moving to her mom’s hometown was supposed to be a fresh start for Tess and her mom. First, Tess’s dad died, then her mom was laid off, so they moved in with Tess’s grandparents. Tess found a new community in her grandparent’s church’s youth group, and everything was great…

Until it wasn’t. After something she did privately goes public, Tess is shunned and/or harassed by her classmates and “friends”. Red addresses the whispers and coverups of a small religious town, and the hypocrisy that’s all too common in real life places like fictional Hawthorne.

Tess’s journey back to her own agency and spirituality is really sweet. She makes real friends, finds her voice (literally - at open mic), makes peace with what happened to her, and finds a way to speak out against it.

I read this all in one day - it wasn't especially groundbreaking but it was compelling and quick. There was a part that unexpectedly made me cry near the end with her grandma! This book really tackles the "what's my relationship with God if I don't go to church and also if everyone thinks I'm a sinner" thing pretty well, I guess especially considering I haven't really read that scenario before lmao

I was a bit hesitant going into this book since I knew religion would play a part- I had concerns about it demonizing abortion, but the author doesn't do that.

Cardi has written a novel that balances strong beliefs with the realities of the world we are in. I am not religious at all and did not find this book to push that narrative so I was happy about that.

5 stars for this emotional read. Well written with imperfect characters, this story had me cheering for Tess throughout. The characters, well rounded and flawed, make them easy to relate to with tough decisions being the underlying storyline. The level of bullying will have you shaking your fist and wanting to jump into the book to protect Tess. It’s a story of hope as she learns to navigate life while finding herself along the way. While I realize that is a common trope, this is no common book. The author weaves difficult subjects into a well told story that never sounds preachy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

RED is an amazing book of strength and love. It is truly an ode to sisterhood and much needed in a time when sex education in schools.

I am blessed to live in a country where abortion is not only legal but covered via health care. Many people are not, and I can't imagine how they feel.

Clever adaptation of the Scarlett Letter featuring a relatable girl. Reminded me of my childhood growing up and being the judgemental one.
Definitely a relevant piece of work. I'd definitely recommend this book to high schoolers.

Red by Annie Cardi

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a modern retelling of “The Scarlet Letter”. It follows a teen girl named Tess, who moves to Hawthorne with her mother. She joins her grandparents church and finds friends in the youth group and finds the community she always wanted. When she becomes pregnant and has an abortion, somehow the whole town knows. She loses her church friends and is harassed by them, her family members and people of the town.

I found this to be a well written story of forgiveness, healing, but also one of abuse and heartache. It shows that you can’t take everything as black and white without looking into the gray areas as well. This book deals with issues we see in the world today and it does it in a very relatable way. Highly recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and Union Square & Co for the ARC!

"Red" by Annie Cardi is a poignant and emotionally charged YA novel that explores the complexities of tough decisions, bullying, and the resilience of the human spirit and one’s personal beliefs and faith. The narrative is a modern retelling of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," focusing on Tess, a 16-year-old girl who faces harsh judgment and ostracization after her private decision to have an abortion becomes public.

The novel skillfully weaves together themes of abortion and religious bigotry, presenting a raw and honest portrayal of the challenges Tess endures in the aftermath of her decision. The author, Annie Cardi, handles these controversial topics with a powerful voice, hoping to inspire others to find their voices and break the cycle of victimization.

Tess emerges as an incredible character who, despite facing mistreatment and judgment from her community, never loses her strength or faith. The support she receives from her mother and new friends, along with the healing power of music, becomes a crucial element in her journey. I think what I enjoyed the most was how Tess continued her exploration of faith, that she never left hope or her beliefs, despite the bigoted members of the religious community she was a part of. The importance of finding one's voice and standing up against injustice is a central theme, and Tess's bravery shines through as she faces adversity with kindness and forgiveness.

The novel received praise for its emotional depth and relatability, making it a compelling read that resonates with readers on a personal level. The realistic and imperfect portrayal of characters adds depth to the narrative, showcasing the author's skill in bringing them to life. I think the growth of Tess’s new and old friendships throughout the course of the book really helped you see the community of supporters that Tess was surrounding herself in that culminated in the ending of the book.

"Red" offers not only a gripping story but also important messages of healing, forgiveness, and the nuanced nature of complex situations. It highlights the dangers of judgment and the impact of societal pressures on individuals, urging you to consider the depth of each situation beyond surface judgments. The book also shows the impact of small, little things you can do to help others in challenging situations. When Tess received an anonymous care package, that small gesture made me tear up a bit, and I’m sure the scene had the same effect on other readers.

"Red" is a thought-provoking and impactful book that tackles challenging subjects with sensitivity and honesty. Annie Cardi's storytelling prowess shines through, creating a narrative that is both relevant and humanizing. This novel is more than just a story; it's a powerful exploration of resilience, hope, and the strength found within oneself. I highly recommend this book for its emotional depth and the important messages it conveys, and I think it would do very well in a high school library or English classroom.

This is such a fantastic book.

Tess is an amazing main character - fully flawed, but she grows to become brave and confident throughout the story. Despite being shunned by nearly everyone in her town - her church youth group, her groomer, her grandparents, and everyone else in the small town of Hawthorne - Tess still found the strength to use her voice, to speak out against the stifling silence, because the support she had from her mom and the friends who stuck by her. I really like the relationship between Tess and her mom, who is probably one of the best parents I've seen in YA with how firm she stood with her daughter.

I also really love the music aspect of this. It's written so genuinely, and it sounds so natural and true to how musicians think/talk about it. It's also what Tess turns to as she heals, as she picks up her dad's old guitar, and it's a phenomenal way to show how fuels her with the confidence and community she needed.

Books like this are so important, and I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read this before its official release!

4/4,25⭐️

“People ­ didn’t talk about that kind of thing, in my day. If something happened to you, you carried on as best you could. You know? I ­ don’t know. Maybe it’s better to talk about it. ­ People have been saying—­ I’ve been hearing . . . ​ It’s good to talk about ­ these ­ things. Now.”

First of all, thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Annie Cardi's YA book, “Red”, deals with a range of topics, including abortion, pedophilia, and religious bigotry.

After someone photographed her leaving the abortion clinic, Tess, the main character, becomes the target of daily harassment, bullying, and slut shaming.
Suddenly, her former friends reject her, as well as the church community, the youth group, and the church choir ; all places that gave her a sense of belonging and that, along with faith, filled a void Tess didn’t know she had.

I loved the importance that music had in this book, but also the fact that Tess never lost her faith, despite the religious bigotry that she had to face. I also really appreciated the characters and the how they changed their “beliefs” through the story.

Overall, “Red” was such a powerful book and I strongly recommend it to everyone.

TW: SA, abortion, misogyny, religious bigotry, bullying, pedophilia, adult/minor relationship, toxic relationships

I heard about this book on a webinar and as I had just finished Plan A by Deb Caletti which deals with sort of the same situation, I was excited to read it. Although both books deal with the aftermath of abortion, the stories are very different. I did find that in both books there was no big discussion of should I or shouldn't I have an abortion, that decision was already baked into the story, but how the girls are treated because they had an abortion. I hate to believe that young women have to face this kind of stigmatization, but I suppose that probably these authors have done their homework and have heard many instances on which to base their stories. Red brought a lot of religion into the story and I wondered why Tess and her mom just didn't go to another church, but I guess Ms. Cardi did kind of explain it later in the book. Although in the webinar this was billed as a modern day Scarlet Letter, it was quite different, although not naming the father and having him be a member of the clergy in both books was blatant. This book had a happy ending and a promise of a future whereby Hawthorne's book was the opposite--I liked Red's hopefulness a lot better.
**One criticism was the use of "y'all"--it was not used consistantly and I found it jarring when it did turn up...

A very good book about making some tough decisions on how to handle bullies as well as making tough choices in her situation.
I think Tess is a wonderful character who learns how to navigate through life's journey including finding herself along the way.
The author has done a wonderful job in bringing these characters to life and making them realistic and relatable.
She is an amazing storyteller.
I finished this novel in one day because it was so good.
I love that the author has made her characters imperfect and flawed.
She also shows us that not a one of is perfect and that we all fall short of the Glory of God.
My heart went out to Tess and I found myself rooting for her through the whole story and I was proud of her for being the person I knew she could become.
I loved that this book offers hope to others in hopes that they can overcome bullying by others just because of the decisions that were made or u make. It's no one's business but it it only takes one person to tell your secret. You can't trust anyone.
5 stars for an emotional read that was very well done. I highly recommend! Maybe it'll offer you hope too.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Do you remember the Scarlet Letter? How Hester Prynne had her baby and everone treated her like garbage because she wouldn't name her baby's father--and how HE was able to live his life normally because Hester kept his secret? Yeah, that's this book, but updated.

After Tess's father dies, she and her mother are forced to move to Hawthorne to live with her grandparents and catch up on bills. Tess ends up joining her grandparents' church, the youth group there, and the church choir. Things she never did in her old town. She has a great new friend group and really feels like she's fitting in in her new town.

And then Tess ends up pregnant and has an abortion, She doesn't plan to tell anyone, because really, it's no one's business. But they find out. And life at school and at home are both affected--her phone blows up with anonymous text messages and someone paints a big red A on her locker at school. And not a single person from youth group comes to her defense or aid. And suddenly, Tess has no friends.

This is a great story about tough choices and how horrible people can be when y make a decision they don't agree with. Also a good story about forgiveness and faith and how you need to rely on yourself most of all.

I see this book becoming this generations 'Speak" I am Catholic but I moved down to the South and I understand what Tess community is like and I think a lot of teens in small towns and religious communities can relate to this book for different life choices not just abortion like Tess does. It was very powerful.