Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Overview [from the back cover]
Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.
Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends, and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her tole in it, in order to amke amends and move on with her life.

Review
This is one of those books that you keep turning the pages because you can't help but want to know more. Jennifer Brown did such a great job with Hate List, I loved it. She brought so much emotion into the book that it was quite great.
The set up for Hate List was awesome, it reminded me of The First Part Last-there's the before and there's the now/after. First there's an article clip about a victim of the shooting. This then leads into present time, before going back to a scene from the day of the shooting and it's followers. It really let the reader understand Valerie more, compared to if the book would have just been written in present time. It also set the mood for what was coming.
Valerie was such a strong protagonist. I do not know what I would have done in her position. Her thoughts and feelings about the situation were very realistic. I'm so amazed that she was able to go back to her regular high school. Guilty to not, I don't know if I would have been able to forgive myself, yet alone muster the courage to go back and face the very people whose life's I had indirectly made more difficult. And then going back and visiting the families of the victims, Valerie is definitely a hero. She matured so much through out the book. I was glad to see her finally put things behind, accept how things were, and just live with it to the best of her ability.
Jennifer also had courage, to be able to stand with Valerie when everyone else was pointing their fingers. I don't know how she did it, especially since it was the right thing to do, but I guess the shooting was really an eye opener. It just sucked that it had to take a shooting for her to open her eyes.
Valarie's family was good too. Her mom was very concerned, just like a mom would be and it took her a while to give Valarie her trust back but at lease she was willing to try. Her little brother was really nice too. She still accepted Valarie and didn't judge her or anything. Her dad was just cruel. He practically disowned Valarie, he didn't even give her a chance to apologize or anything. I didn't like the dad.
Over all, Hate List is written so well. The characters were great and so was the story line. It was a really good coming of age story that you just need to read. I really loved it.