24853763Title: Consent

Author: Nancy Ohlin

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publication Date: November 2015

Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Contemporary

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

 

Synopsis can be found here.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

Review:

Dane Rossi is the new music teacher. Young and handsome, he singles out Bea Kim, a piano prodigy who hides her skills. Both broken and sad and lonely, these two find each other and start an illicit relationship that is passionate and uncomfortable. Dane is her music teacher and once others find out…

I like Bea a lot. She’s totally lost in her life. Her brother is never around and her father is always working. She carries guilt with her mother’s death and uses music as a secret solace. Dane is equally as sad, but of course, is the adult and should know better. But he too seems thrown about by people in his life, expecting him to be something or someone he isn’t. This all takes place months before Bea’s 18th birthday, the age of consent.

The questions that arise from the book are thoughtful and messy. He is a teacher, he is 10 years older than her. In all instances he is the predator. But seeing it from Bea’s sympathetic and teenage romantic eyes, it’s hard not to feel what she feels. She finally sees someone she can relate to and trust, even if it’s not a suitable or legal option. The book touches upon how ages of consent are different in each state and underage (underage of consent) sex is technically illegal even if your partner is under that age. What makes 18 the magical number in their state but 16 in others?

Music and history of music plays a big part in this story. I really liked all of the conversations as Bea and Dane bond over classical music. Those parts felt very real to me, two lonely souls finding comfort and companionship in each other and their shared love of music.

The book ends abruptly, and a little unrealistically for me. But I don’t think the ending was the point. The book topic is uncomfortable and sad and taboo. It sparks all of the questions that are grey area for a lot of people.

Overall, Consent is hard to put down.

Rating 8 Cookie Worthy