4 Stars

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Young Readers for this eARC copy of Sync in exchange for my honest review.

I love Ellen Hopkin's writing style and Sync was no different. Sync follows the story of twin teenagers who were separated in the foster system. It shows the good and the bad of the foster system and took me on a roller coaster of emotions. Especially towards the end of the book. Storm and Lake were great characters to follow and I loved the relationship they had with each other even though they weren't able to always be together. I think there was great character development from the main characters and look forward to reading more from Ellen Hopkins in the future.

I recommend this book for anyone who likes reading in prose, and would like to read a fast pace and emotional story.

Happy release day for Sync by Ellen Hopkins! I'm very thankful to NetGalley and Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group for sending me a free copy in exchange for a honest review.

Sync follows two twins who have been separated for the last five years due to the foster system. The story is told in dual pov in Hopkin's traditional story telling via prose. The writing was excellent and the characters were well developed.

Please read the below trigger warnings and protect your mental health before reading this book.

Trigger warning:
Abuse (sexual, emotional, physical) SA, rape, suicide off page, homophobia.

Ellen Hopkins is an imperative author who helped shaped my reading. have been reading her books for almost a decade and a half. From middle school level to adult books, I have read almost all of her books. Many of her books are on the banned list. Her stories are realistic fiction and can be triggering so make sure you are in the right headspace before reading her books

4.5 Stars

When I saw that there was a new Ellen Hopkins book out I raced to find myself a copy. I’m a huge fan of hers and I have read 10, this being number 11 books from Ellen Hopkins. I would say she is one of my most read authors and one that leaves one of the biggest impacts as well. And Sync was no exception. This story follows a set of boy/ girl twins through their foster care journey. I don’t want to give anything away but I did cry more than once while reading this book. I’m actually really hoping that there is a second book because I need more of their stories, I feel unfulfilled with their lives.
You can’t help but love both Lake and Storm and you as the reader just want to to get something happy in life finally. It really shows how different things can affect people’s lives. Storm just wants to look after his sister and any female in his life, but by doing that he seems to always be in trouble and no one is feeling bad for him for standing up and doing what’s right, he does sometimes just cross the line in doing so. Lake is trying to find herself and falling in love but also trying to survive.
There are a lot of trigger warnings as all Ellen Hopkins books have. They don’t sugar coat anything.
I also love how Ellen writes everything in verse. I would absolutely recommend Sync and any of Ellen’s book to be honest.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for this amazing read

It has been a long time since Ellen Hopkins has released a new book, and I was excited when I got an ARC of this one. This book is a typical brilliantly written piece that explores so many issues that teens face today. The verse novel is told in dual perspectives: Storm and Lake. They were twins who were separated in the foster system.

This one releases this week and it will be another best sellers for Hopkins!!

This book was a roller coaster of emotions, it absolutely crushed me but put me back together again. ❤️‍🩹

I couldn’t help but love the main characters Lake (sister) & Storm (brother) I felt so bad for the both of them and couldn’t stop rooting for them the whole time.

I enjoyed that the author wrote this in duel pov, it was like reading two interconnected stories at once. Their stories and what they go through is absolutely heartbreaking but the ending made me feel really hopeful for them both.

I do wish this was a little longer but at the same time I was happy with the ending. I would highly recommend this one! Especially if you enjoyed the books: “how it feels to float” or “girl in pieces”

Also- Teddy & Jim were both so sweet side characters 🥹

I am probably a bit bias because this is one of my all time favorite authors but I loved this book so very much! I love her writing style, I loved the main characters, I loved the plot. I literally have no notes.
As much as my heart aches for the twins, I’m so glad that they powered through the hand they were dealt and are learning that they can have any future they want despite the past. The ending made me tear up and not very many books do that. I’ll definitely be rereading in the foreseeable future.

*
*

FYI: on a 5-point scale I assign stars based on my assessment of what the book needs in the way of improvements:
*5 Stars ~ Nothing at all. Chefs kiss. No notes.
*4 Stars ~ It could us some slight adjustments here and there but pretty solid overall.
*3 Stars ~ Adjustments need to be made and rewriting needs to be done. Good but could be a lot better. I read it once and don’t need to do it again.
*2 Stars ~ This book needs a lot of work. Whether it be rewriting the plot, characters, style or ending. Something or everything needs to be changed.
*1 Star ~ Dumpster fire.

Tropes/Themes: Found Family, Troubled Past, Perseverance Over Difficulties

Sync is a story of two twins as they navigate life in the foster system after being removed from an abusive mother. Lake and Storm have always been close and even through the distance they still find themselves connected to each other.

I remember first reading Ellen Hopkins in middle school and into high school. I loved her books and loved how she wrote in verse. It is said that writing in verse can help younger readers build confidence in reading as they read book quicker.

The themes in Ellen Hopkins’ books are on a darker side but there is also so much hope and triumph in them and Sync is no exception. The book leaves you wanting to read more about Lake and Storm. You root for them to find their happy ending and to find their way back to each other. If you are a fan of her other books this one doesn’t disappoint. If you have never read one of her books before this is a good one to start your journey.

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
**-will post on designated date

“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.