Thank you Penguin Teen for the #gifted copy of Sync! PenguinTeenPartner #SyncBook

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐜
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

𝟓★

This was my first time reading a book by Ellen Hopkins, and let me tell you: this book was so powerful but so emotional. I am in awe of how this book was written and it’s one I will not forget. It’s in dual perspectives through unsent letters and also written in verse. While it’s over 400 pages long, it’s the type of book that you can read quickly because once you start, you find it hard to stop. I was so invested in Storm and Lake, seventeen year old twins and their story. This book was very difficult to read at times, so please check the content warnings. But it is such a powerful read and I loved how it’s not your typical YA book. I will definitely be reading more books by Ellen Hopkins after this one! This book was truly brilliant!

Posted on Goodreads on August 23, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around August 24, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on August 27, 2024
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“Believe me, inside a stranger’s head
Is no place you want to be.”

Seventeen-year-old twins Storm and Lake, always inseparable, face new struggles after being torn from each other and placed in different homes. Storm, now in a supportive placement, finds hope in his girlfriend Jaidyn, but, when Jaidyn is assaulted, Storm’s retaliation lands him in lockup. Lake, meanwhile, is in a precarious relationship with Parker and living on the streets after running away from strict foster parents. Only their shared connection, their ‘sync,’ gives them any indication about the other's condition. Through unsent letters to one another, Ellen Hopkins latest novel in verse explores their journey through the foster system and their desperate quest to reunite.

Vivid, harrowing, but ultimately life-affirming, Ellen Hopkins’ Sync might be her best work yet. This careful portrait of the foster care system is Hopkins at her most lucid, offering readers a window into a world that everyone may not be overly familiar with, but that hundreds of thousands of children and young adults experience every day. At times, I found myself resistant to continue reading such a relentlessly upsetting story. That knee-jerk reaction made me contemplate, and I realized that the cycle of homelessness, violence, and (in Storm’s case) incarceration is actually best examined through Hopkins’ free verse style. Her books tend to have young characters with the emotional intelligence of a much older person, but, in this case, I think it helps to clarify the horrors. Storm and Lake’s experiences are unfortunately common, and the subjectivity of free verse softens the blow for the reader, letting them experience the twins struggle within the safety of the page. The main reason I think this is Hopkins’ best is because of its message. As the title suggests, Storm and Lake's special connection shows that even in this vicious cycle, they are tethered together. There is hope. The ending punctuates their connection in a masterful and satisfying way. I highly recommend this read for those who are looking for something raw and real.

Wowww!!!! I honestly didn’t know where this story was going to take me but I was not expecting all the twists this story took me on!! Gosh what an emotional rollercoaster!! I did not want to put this down. I have not read an Ellen Hopkins book in over 10 years and after reading this I don’t know why I’ve waited so long. I love her writing style and how she gets the point across so quickly, easily and you can understand every single thing that’s going on with such a minimal amount of words! I cannot wait to get back into her books and I will try to *patiently* wait for her next book, I’m so ready for more Hopkins books now!!!

Storm & Lake are twins who had a rough upbringing between living with their mom and grandma and all of their issues. They eventually get put into the system and put into different foster homes, but each home has their own complications. The twins ends up getting separated and their lives take completely different routes! It’s so sad to see what happens to them and everything they had to endure from a very young age! This was so relatable, not even as a foster kid, but just growing up in general and trying to figure yourself out and the world. What a beautiful heartbreaking story, but this is definitely a MUST READ!!

I typically love books written by Ellen Hopkins but this one, for some reason, felt very flat to me. It had all of the basic framework of her other works, but it just felt almost disengaged.

The plot is definitely engaging. It's easy to read through the book in just one sitting because you really want to know what's going to happen to Lake and Storm. I wasn't really a fan of how open ended it was at the end. Maybe a book two? 👀

I really enjoy when a book has more than one pov. It makes me feel more connected to the characters that way. I'm nosey. I like knowing what everyone is thinking.

Absolutely not a bad book and for sure worth the read, just not my favorite.

Ah, the nostalgia of reading an Ellen Hopkins book. As a millennial, her works always bring me back to my childhood bedroom and my mom probably not realizing the subject matter her 9-year-old was reading. I've always been drawn to the way Ellen can tell a story in verse; her poetic conveyance is unmatched and opens the readers eyes to either a world they couldn't fathom or helps their readers feel safe and seen and not alone.

I couldn't put this one down, as predicted. As devastating and beautiful and heartbreaking as I remember. I will be recommending this one to anyone in need of a gritty and compelling read.

Sync is the heartwarming story of a brother and sister who are separated by the foster care system. Ellen Hopkins depicts true to life situations that children in foster care endure. This dual POV book is written as if you are in each character's mind and experiencing all they do. We see their day-to-day life, what it's like for them to go from foster home to foster home, their love for their sibling and how much they miss each other, and more. This is a wonderful book.

I’m always fascinated by a story told in poetry, basically just the essential emotion and bits of story without everything else. I did enjoy this book, but it was quite the emotional punch to me. I work in child welfare to see two such great kids struggle in the system (and be kept apart so long) was painful. I wish I could say it wasn’t realistic but it was all too realistic (except when the social worker brought one of the kids home until she found a placement). I loved that we got to see both Storm and Lake’s perspectives. I was definitely rooting for both of them. The ending wasn’t quite enough for me, but I like that it ended with a feeling of hope. The writing was excellent and the characters were well developed even though all we got were mostly unsent letters between the siblings. Overall I gave this one 4.5 stars which I rounded up for the emotional hangover the book left me with.

Review: As with all Ellen Hopkins books, I loved this one. There were moments that made me tear up, moments that made me gasp, and moments that just made me want to give Lake and Storm a big ole mama hug. Ellen Hopkin's books defined so much of my reading journey in high school and reading this book felt like coming up to the reason I'm just an avid reader. I loved it so much.

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old twins Storm and Lake have always been in perfect sync. They faced the worst a parent could do and survived it together. In the wake of their mother’s rejection, they’ve spent the last five years moving from foster home to foster home—sometimes placed together, sometimes apart.

After being separated from his sister once again, Storm is devastated. He’s the older brother and promised to always take care of Lake. But after a stint in juvie, his newest placement has him feeling almost hopeful. His foster dad is kind, and his girlfriend, Jaidyn, is the first person other than Lake he feels he can trust. But when Jaidyn is sexually assaulted by a violent ex, it pushes Storm over the edge. He retaliates and lands back in lockup—and he fears this time it will be for good. He wishes he could talk to Lake, but he doesn’t know where she is, and he' s now feeling more alone and out of sync than ever before.

Lake, like Storm, has found her own happiness in a relationship with someone new—her fellow foster, Parker. Life with Parker is never boring, but Parker has her own scars. She can be withdrawn and unpredictable, and that can be dangerous, especially after Parker convinces Lake to run away from their Bible-thumping fosters after they are caught in a compromising position. With no money, shelter, or ID, they’re living on the streets. Lake thinks of Storm and his promise to take care of her, and wonders where he could be now.

Told in dual perspectives through unsent letters, at turns heartbreaking and always honest, this latest novel in verse from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins is a searing and unforgettable account of two teens caught in the teeth of the foster care system, fighting their way out and back to each other.

Sync by Ellen Hopkins is a heart-wrenching story about twin siblings battling the foster care system. Told in verse, it offers a raw and honest look at their struggles to survive and find each other. It's a powerful and emotional read that will stay with you long after the final page.

I was absolutely immersed in this tragic story. These kids are going through life in such treacherous circumstances. Life and decisions have led them into such cataclysmic situations. I love Hopkins writing. She does such an amazing job of making you truly feel what the characters are going through. The heart and pain of these kids bleed through her writing and pierce through to your soul. Such a fervent story isn’t one to be missed.

Absolutely devastating but also such an amazing read. I loved the alternating POVs and the story being told in verse. A must read.

One-word review: Emotive
Emojis: 🥹😢😭
Rating: 5🌟s

Favorite Quote: "All those things / are so simple, yet perfect, / and in those moments / happiness shivers."


My Top-Five-style Review:

5. I marveled at Hopkins’ use of dual POVs (twin siblings) in a story told through poems. This technique is new to me, and I would never have guessed how effective it could be.

4. Several trigger warnings are understandable, considering the dark scope of the story, so potential readers should be sure to check them. StoryGraph is a great place to easily find them.

3. The book skillfully weaves in more hopeful themes of friendship, love, and resilience, providing a stark contrast to the darker, heart-wrenching moments. This emotional rollercoaster, with its highs and lows, had me bawling as my heart ached for these very realistic characters.

2.The palpable authenticity of this story is a testament to the author's courage. The author fearlessly delves into the harsh realities of the twins’ lives, a rare but much-needed experience for teenagers and society at large. Their courage is something to be respected and admired, fostering empathy in all who read.

1. The raw, relatable, and emotive nature of this story, told through poems, is truly transformative. Each poem had the power to reach in and grab my heart, leaving me inspired and deeply moved.

Twins Storm and Lake have always had a connection. Some may say they are in sync. Even after five years in the foster care system, they easily know what the other one needs. They are currently living in different homes, but they have hope as they age out of the system. When Storm’s girlfriend is attacked and he retaliates, he is sent to lockup … again. Lake has found acceptance in a new relationship until she is convinced to run away. Now she is out in the world with no resources and no hope. What obstacles will these teens have to face next?

Sync is a realistic fiction story that is told in a novel-in-verse format. The story alternatives between Lake and Storm’s point of view, yet it was easy to follow along as the story unraveled. There are various triggers throughout this tale, so readers should be prepared to read or skip over these events. Hopkins did a wonderful job balancing some hard issues in an easy-to-digest format. Sync is a strong pick for older teens or adults wanting an edgy read.

Ellen Hopkins remains a perennial YA favorite. This will be a must purchase, as her titles circulate well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this ARC which I was so thrilled to receive. Wow I am so emotional over this and I loved this book so much. Ellen Hopkins never misses! I haven’t read a Hopkins book since I was a teenager and I enjoyed returning to her writing as an adult.

I particularly loved Lake’s story, and enjoyed seeing how her story unfolded, and how it interconnected with Storm’s. Shoutout to the LGBT representation in this book!

The content in this book is heavy and in line with Hopkins’ other books which was to be expected. Definitely read the trigger warnings before reading. I appreciated that the level of detail was enough but not overly graphic.

Hopkins never fails to throw in twists you never see coming and it truly keeps you on the edge of your seat and it’s why I finished this book so quickly. I was absolutely enthralled the whole time!

💫 When the stars align, when the world is in sync, when the chorus is in harmony... things just fit!

🩵 This book hits differently, having been a youth who "aged out of foster care." The layers of heartbreak, survival, being an outsider to other family units, and constantly questioning where your future may take you. Sprinkle in fear, trauma, abandonment, rejection, judgments, stigma, and terrible odds! You get a black cloud that never leaves.

🩵 This book touches on the heavy topics of abuse, family homes that add trauma, and rejection from birth parents who barely survive their own demons. The desire to latch onto love in order to stay afloat. The self doubt of any good being possible in the future. The never-ending hope of wanting unconditional love from your own mom. The required bravery to remain kind and loving while facing those who caused harm in the courtroom.

🍭 One must search for the good things in their lives. You are faced with the consequences as you realize just what lengths you'll go to protect those you love and those who love you. Despite the self-doubt, you continue to fight with slivers of hope. Such beauty as the world continues to bring those people into our lives at the right moments. The world syncs up, and love wins in the end!

💫 The beautiful layering of love, loss, hurt, and boundaries. Reality of some needing to be loved from a distance. Being unable to love away the depression in others. Holding onto the faith that your people will return to you someday. Ellen does a fabulous job in tackling such hard topics. So take breaks, take as much time as needed, and hold love within yourself as you join in the journey of life! But don't quit!

"Sync" by Ellen Hopkins is a compelling and lyrical exploration of identity and connection through the lens of a fractured family. Its evocative prose and multi-layered storytelling create a powerful and emotionally resonant read.

This was a great, well written YA book. Written in verse, this book reads quickly, but packs an amazing punch. It’s sad, devastating, hopeful, emotional…I can’t give it enough descriptions.

This story about twins who are separated within the foster care system broke my heart. After I finished reading it, I spoke to my husband about wanting to foster, it was THAT impactful.

Calling this book entertaining seems wrong, because of how serious the issues within it are. However, it was very engaging and I was completely engrossed in it. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. I totally recommend this book for YAs and adults alike.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group/Penguin Young Readers Group for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Readers who are new to Ellen Hopkins and/or are not well read in recent YA should be especially mindful of the content warnings. Think of a topic that usually comes with a TW or CW. It's a guarantee that you'll find that material here. Also, there will be other challenging topics you had forgotten about that will also be tough to read.

Prospective readers who, like me, are well read in the wonderful but upsetting world of Hopkins's characters will already be prepared for difficult content. This is what Hopkins does best. And once again, it's her execution of this content, realistic and unflinching delivery, and tightly structured verse that make this novel another must-read from her collection.

Lake and Storm are twins who are, as the title suggests, in sync, even when they are apart, which is the case physically but not emotionally here. Thanks to the challenges their mother and grandmother faced, the siblings end up in foster care and are ultimately and heartbreakingly separated prior to the start of the novel. What happens to them both after their separation is even worse.

The horrible circumstances are basically relentless. While there are glimmers of hope and humanity, there are multiple instances of rape and sexual assault, child abuse and neglect, and late in the novel, even an injured animal.

So the right reader for this book should not be one who is looking for pleasure or a lighthearted tale. But this is exactly on par with what many actual teens need and want to read lately: experiences that reflect their own realities and those of the people they know and love.

I'll be recommending this one enthusiastically but with many caveats to my college students who are studying YA.

Thank you to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP, Penguin Young Readers Group, Nancy Paulsen Books, and Ellen Hopkins for the opportunity to read Sync in exchange for an honest review.

Hopkins does it again: she sets the bar for novels-in-verse and realistic situations that teens face, making for a brilliantly crafted story told in a poetic style.

Sync follows the alternating first person perspectives of teen twins Storm and Lake. With an abusive and neglectful mother, Storm and Lake are placed into the foster system. They have a great foster family, until their guardians move out of state. Unfortunately, the state of California requires foster youth to remain within the state, meaning Storm and Lake are transferred to a new foster family, one that certainly isn't as caring.

Storm and Lake have always felt very in sync with each other (hence the title) in a way that twins often are. This is a measure of unholy closeness, according to their new foster family, and they are split up. Storm ends up with a nice gentleman and falls in love with a girl named Jaidyn, everything seemingly perfect. Until something happens to Jaidyn, of which Storm exacts revenge and ends up in juvenile detention...

Lake falls in love with her roommate, Parker, but their foster parent is hyper religious and controlling. When she finds out about Lake and Parker's relationship, the girls run away, learning what life is like on the streets.

All the while, Storm and Lake worry about each other, trying to maintain contact through letters, with the occasional visits allowed through their case-workers. But with Storm locked away, will they ever see each other again?

This novel demonstrates some of the good and some of the ugly when it comes to the foster care system. It is an eye-opening read, especially from my perspective as an educator. With an emphasis in my 10th grade class on juvenile justice, Storm's story resonates to further contemporary issues regarding youth and how our justice system affects them. I do really appreciate the ranch aspect later in the novel, and find that a better way for youth to serve time and learn from their experiences.

This book does have quite a few triggers for many people, including physical abuse, substance abuse, and rape, to name a few, but the topics are approached in a real way that offers an understanding of these perspectives to the readers. This novel made me chuckle at times, and weep at others. Leave it to Hopkins to rip my heart out in the most brilliant, wrenching of ways. Yet another must-read for teens and adults from the novel-in-verse master.