The Hurting

I devoured this book in a weekend. It is very well written and will keep you guessing right up until the last page. Nell is the main carer for her sister Harper who has cancer and needs daily medication. Their dad is strictly religious and in public, a pillar of the community. Behind closed doors, however, he is an alcoholic who simply cannot cope with Harper's illness and their mother's disappearance. Their mum abandoned them when Nell was young and somehow Nell feels that she is to blame for this. Nell feels trapped in a depressing existence. Her own life is on hold due to her sister's illness and she feels that she is unable to follow her own dreams of becoming a musician. Nell also feels guilty for wanting a life when her sister doesn't have one and she does love Harper dearly. She has also promised that she will not fall in love until her sister does - but then she meets Lukas. The enigmatic, adopted heir to a Norwegian oil fortune in a wolf coat. The attraction is instant, but is Lukas the escape she needs, or will she be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire? Her father has warned her off, declaring Lukas as evil. But has forbidding the relationship made Lukas all the more attractive? When Lukas suggests that the two of them run away together could this be her chance of happiness? This was a gripping read. Full of plot twists and turns. Set in the atmospheric Norwegian wilderness on 'Wolf Mountain', Where Lukas spent his early childhood being raised by a pack of wolves. I would recommend this book for older teenagers as it does touch on alcoholism, domestic and emotional abuse, bereavement and drug use. Nell is a strong female lead character who is incredibly resilient and a force to be reckoned with. 352 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Clair Bossons, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+