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Ketchup Clouds

Review

Ketchup Clouds

What happens when the lines between guilt and innocence become blurred?

Sitting in a garden shed behind her house in England, Zoe has a dark secret weighing her down. The only thing that helps Zoe alleviate her sorrow is writing to her pen pal, Stuart, who, incidentally, is a death row inmate in Texas. Why would Zoe choose to confide in someone who murdered the person he was supposed to love? Because last year, Zoe killed the person she loved, too.

"Annabel Pitcher presents a harrowing tale of a girl learning to deal with love, family, remorse and grief... Zoe comes to life on the page."

Zoe’s fatal story begins with a drunken night at a party, and one striking pair of brown eyes. The eyes belong to quietly sexy Aaron, whose unique sense of humor perfectly complements Zoe’s witty quirkiness. Zoe and Aaron are instantly drawn to each other, but when Zoe loses sight of him at the crowded party, she soon finds herself in the arms of popular boy Max, who all the girls swoon over. Zoe enjoys being with Max but can’t seem to get Aaron’s electrifying stare out of her head. Zoe begins dating Max even though her spirits continue to soar every time she crosses paths with Aaron---that is, until she discovers that Max and Aaron are brothers. Can Zoe and Aaron keep their feelings for each other hidden, or will they commit the ultimate betrayal? As Stuart’s looming execution day quickly approaches, Zoe pens a deadly confession: how her love for both brothers led to the death of one.

In KETCHUP CLOUDS, Annabel Pitcher presents a harrowing tale of a girl learning to deal with love, family, remorse and grief. Through a mixture of her hilarious, sweet and honest confessions, Zoe comes to life on the page. The heart-wrenching conclusion and authentic introspective musings create a raw and beautiful effect. Zoe’s voice will resonate with readers long after her letters end.

Reviewed by Sabrina Abballe on November 21, 2013

Ketchup Clouds
by Annabel Pitcher

  • Publication Date: November 12, 2013
  • Genres: Fiction, Young Adult 12+
  • Hardcover: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  • ISBN-10: 031624676X
  • ISBN-13: 9780316246767