Review: Gilt Hollow by Lorie Langdon

Nov 27, 2016 by Samantha Andrews in Reviews

Synopsis for Gilt Hollow

Willow Lamott’s best friend is a murderer, and no one in the small town of Gilt Hollow will let her forget it. For four long years, she’s tried to fade into the background—but none of that matters when Ashton Keller comes striding into school, fresh out of juvie and fueled by revenge. The moment their eyes meet, Willow no longer feels invisible. Drawn to the vulnerability behind Ashton’s mask of rage, she sinks deeper into his sinister world and begins to question whether he’s a villain, a savior, or both.
Ashton thought he wanted vengeance, until Willow reminded him what he’d been missing. Now he longs to clear his name and become the person she sees in him. But the closer they get to uncovering the truth, the darker the secrets become, and Ashton fears his return to Gilt Hollow will destroy everyone he loves, especially the girl he left behind.

I love YA and I love romance so when you put the two together it’s a recipe for the perfect story. Gilt Hollow is YA with romance and a bit of mystery. It had me swooning and on the edge of my seat trying to figure out the mystery. In fact, I didn’t know if I was more excited to figure out the mystery of the story or keep reading the romance blossoming between Ashton and Willow.

Right away the story was captivating for two different reasons. Ashton has returned to town after four years in juvie for a murder. It was intense having him back in town because no one wanted him there and that’s when the mystery began. I was also anxious to see Ashton and Willow’s reunion after years of being apart. They grow up together and were best friends when Ashton went away. I knew them meeting again was going to be exciting and it was. There was also brief flashbacks to Ashton and Willow growing up together and the day the murder happened which provided more depth to the story.

Ashton and Willow were great together. I felt their chemistry as soon as they were together again, even though they were both hurt from their time being separated. I was able to tell they still cared for each other despite them trying not to care. There’s plenty of teen angst in Gilt Hollow. My heart hurt for Ashton coming home to a town and family who has all abandoned him.

Lisa, Willow’s only friend, was a great secondary character. She kept the book fun with her spunk and amazing sense of fashion.

Young or old, if you love YA romance I would definitely recommend Gilt Hollow.

I received this book in exchange for a honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book in any way.