Bitter End by Jennifer Brown is about high school junior Alex. All Alex wants is to someday get to Colorado with her two best friends, Bethany and Zack. Colorado was her mother's ultimate destination the night she left her family and was killed in a car accident. Alex is convinced that she will find a missing connection with her if she can make it to the mountains. The "Three Headed Monster" (Alex and her friends) have been planning the trip since they were 8 years old. Every Saturday night they had a standing date to get together and plan.... that is, until Alex starts dating the new (and very attractive) senior, Cole. Cole seems to be the perfect guy. He's got it all: looks, charm, athleticism, etc. However, he does not get along with Bethany and Zack. Feeling compelled to spend more and more time with Cole, Alex ends up alienating herself from the people she cares about most, blowing off their planning sessions and forgetting about previous commitments. But, the worst part is, Alex is beginning to see a nasty side of Cole. He can become downright mean, even violent, in an instant. Alex tries to wrap her mind around the different sides to Cole, knowing she shouldn't be with him, but feeling as though she can't be without him.
This was a very powerful story. It really takes an in-depth look into the mind of someone who is being abused. It makes you think about what you would really do if you were in a situation like Alex's - just how difficult it would be to leave. I would recommend this book to pretty much any teen. It is for a more mature reader due to physical situations, violence, and some language.
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