Erika’s POV: The Program by Suzanne Young

Title: The Program

Author: Suzanne Young

Series: The Program #1

Genre: YA, Dystopia, Romance, Fantasy

Format: Published April 30th 2013 by Simon Pulse

Source: Own copy; bought in Fully Booked

“I look back at James one last time, and he gives me his signature smile, wide and cocky, but it’s not real. Sometimes I think it’s never real. James is the best at hiding his pain, disguising the feelings. He knows what it takes to stay out of the Program. He’ll keep us safe. He promised.”

My Summary:

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

My Thoughts:

I love how in the cover their backs are turned then when I removed the jacket, there was James with his blue eyes staring at me!

And of course, Sloane was there too looking pretty. This book is one of the most beautiful jacketless books ever!!

“You know I’m never going to be able to not kiss you again, right?” he said. “For the rest of my life, every time I look at you, I’ll have to kiss you.”

They were already together when the book started which is GREAT. The anticipation of them meeting and falling in love and kissing would have killed me so it was different that they were already in love! Not just in love though but very passionately in love. You could just feel it when they’re together.

It didn’t take me long to delve into this world. From the first chapter, someone was already taken. It’s just full on action from beginning to end, not boring at all!

“He’s tender and defenseless, as if every part of him is exposed. He’s not the asshole I thought he was, not even close. What I see is someone broken and fierce. Someone loyal and hardened. Someone who could belong to me completely, and me to him.”

James is absolutely sweet and funny. I would laugh so loud at James’ witty remarks which makes him 10x sexier than he already is! I love how much he loves Sloane. How much they love each other. They would always say. “I love you, madly.” Madly! That term just makes everything more intense. Their love story is the cutest thing in the world!! There was this part where James was jealous…

Can James just be jealous all the time?!

“I think that sometimes the only real thing is now.”

But then something happens that caught me off guard! Like what?! I was shouting, “Pull it together man! Don’t give up.” but things happen and so….

You’ll meet Roger whom you would want to kill. Yes, I just want to kick and punch him in all the places that matter. He is a disgusting perverted creep. YUCK. YUCK. YUCK.

Then we have Realm who I was slowly falling in love with him. He reminded me so much of James. He was so protective, sweet and nice. Then a “WTF” moment comes… Heartbroken right here.

“I slowly stand, looking down at my clothes. I wish that there were bloodstains or tears, something to outwardly show how hurt I am.”

Can you imagine how The Program actually deals with depression, how they erase your memories? After The Program, you are practically a new born. No wonder people just choose to die rather than be treated. I think that The Program is definitely making everything worse! They should just stop what their doing!

“I’m so alone it’s like being dead but still conscious.”

In this book, you don’t know who to trust. It’s like everyone is lying to you so you’ll start getting paranoid. It hurts how I trusted a person but then they break your trust.

“If it’s meant to be, you’ll find each other again.”

The epilogue. It was de javu at it’s finest!!! There are times I was like didn’t I just read that?! It’s absolutely crazy. You’ll the one end up mad! There are feels everywhere so prepare.

Happy reading!!!