3.46 AVERAGE

amber04's profile picture

amber04's review

4.0

What an interesting story. I really enjoyed A Need So Beautiful I took my time reading this, which in turn, made the reading experience so much more. This beautifully written story has the capacity to capture your emotions and tug on your heartstrings.

This is about good vs evil, making hard decisions to do what's right. These characters were flawed, realistic and capable of leaving an impact on you. Charlotte, our protagonist, has a duty of fulfilling the "Need" As this special Need pulls her to help people, she becomes less of your normal teen. She is a golden light that shines brightly and fills people she's helped and knows with the feeling of love and hope. As the need grows stronger, the golden glow begins to show. There is one person who holds Charlotte's heart, and that is her boyfriend, Harlin. She would do anything to stay with him. While reading this, my heart just broke. As Charlotte gets closer to the end of her time and fulfilling the Need, she will be wiped away from the memories of those she loved and who loved her.

I think this was written so well. In fact, the beautiful imagery and emotion behind the story was compelling. Memories are such an important part of our lives. Pictures, journals and other fascets of capturing moments of our existance. I couldn't imagine never being remembered. But, there is hope for Charlotte too.

The ending was not what I had expected, but was so much better! Just when you think you know how it will end, Suzanne Young, throws you a twist. It was...beautiful.

I highly recommend A Need So Beautiful

memay9's profile picture

memay9's review

4.0

I liked this a lot actually. I didn't know there were others. Gotta look into those.

trisha_thomas's review

3.0

This was an interesting read. Enough that I was intrigued. Not enough that I could say I loved it.
I can see where Suzanne is taking this, I think, and I like the direction, so I'm looking forward to book 2.
jennifervu's profile picture

jennifervu's review

4.0

The whole story was smooth and there weren't any bumps.
Love the whole Need and all of that stuff. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one!!!!
mothmans_library's profile picture

mothmans_library's review

4.0

For being a kind of sappy odd book, it was really good. I mean if a book can make me cry (and I bawled at the end) then I think the book is great. I would give it a 5 star rating but I docked a star off because it was mainly centered around Charlotte's relationship with Harlin. Would definitely read this again, and I can't wait to go scrounging around for the sequel! (:

ashreads10k's review

5.0

A Need So Beautiful is a heartbreaking and beautiful novel about a girl struggling to control a strange urge she gets to help someone in need. This might not seem like a bad thing; what could be bad about helping people? But in reality, this urge--the Need-- is, for all intents and purposes, killing her. And the people she loves are starting to mysteriously forget about her, one memory at a time.

The worst part? Her skin is peeling off, and underneath is nothing but golden light. She’s forced to start lying and hiding, which causes her sweet-yet-almost-a-bad-boy boyfriend Harlin to get suspicious and hurt. But Charlotte can’t tell him what’s going on, she can’t tell anyone. Only Monroe, the doctor at the clinic Charlotte volunteers at, seems to know what’s wrong with her.

My first thoughts: This. Novel. Is. Amazing.

Suzanne Young wrote a novel that plays with your heart strings as you read, emotionally pulling you in every direction. I kept turning the pages, hoping that Charlotte would find a way to make everything work out, so that she could keep her life with her friends and family, and with Harlin. They were so perfect together!


The concept for A Need So Beautiful is very original and exquisitely executed. Would this be considered an angel novel? I’m not entirely sure, but either way, A Need So Beautiful is now one of my favorites!

Harlin was, without a doubt, my favorite character. Despite the idea that he would be a don’t-give-a-crap-about-you bad boy when we were first introduced to him in the story, he turned out to be a loving and caring boyfriend who put Charlotte’s safety and wellbeing at the top of his priorities. The story starts after they’ve already been dating for quite some time, which was actually refreshing to read seeing as Charlotte’s focus wasn’t on getting his love, but rather keeping it.

A Need So Beautiful is definitely a recommended read. It’s relatively quick and oh so heart-wrenching. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
diamontique's profile picture

diamontique's review

4.0

I really thought that this book's take on angels was pretty original. However, I though that Sarah was a pretty lousy friend and really self-centered. I also liked Harlan, but some aspects of him I thought were a tad unrealistic for a boy his age - most boys I know are not nearly as sweet and sensitive!

greatbutuseless's review

3.0

I wish there was more background or detail, right now I'm glad it's over, but I'm not addicted enough to read the next book...
kittytimesfitty's profile picture

kittytimesfitty's review

5.0

This is the first time in a really long time that I've devoured a book in less than a day. I loved it and will be reading the next two books as well. I will also be looking for similar books.
cupcakegirly's profile picture

cupcakegirly's review

3.0

I was really looking forward to reading this book and while I think the writing is good, it just wasn't what I was expecting. The story is one of love and sacrifice (both good themes) and hints at the beginnings of a battle of good versus evil that I imagine will play out over the next few books since this is slated to be a trilogy. My Trilodar went off around Chapter 2, I think.

Charlotte is the main character and she is a closet Angel or a similar form of "light" bearer and is regularly consumed by "The Need" which leads her to the people she is supposed to help. Each time "The Need" begins she suffers severe physical pain until she completes her task but because she can't tell anyone about this (she tried telling a nun once who accused her of lying) she pretends it's just a series of asthma attacks. She lives with Mercy, her foster Mom, who has also taken in Alex and Georgia. Her best friend is, Sarah, a rich girl with major Daddy issues and a bad reputation at the Catholic school they both attend. Harlin is her boyfriend who seems to genuinely love her but she still has to hide her secret from him. Monroe, who is the closet thing to a father figure that Charlotte has, is a Doctor at the local clinic but he's also a Seer who ends up helping her when things begin to spiral out of control in her life.

The more "The Need" calls to her, the more she fades away and those she loves forget her and the closer she comes to the end of her life as she knows it. She is ultimately faced with a choice...to fulfill her purpose, eventually crossover becoming a Forgotten or decide to stay and become one of the Shadows. The more Charlotte learns about herself and her purpose in life, the more she struggles with putting her own wants first, ahead of others needs. She also has to figure out who she can really trust.

I liked that Charlotte is loyal, loving and kind and readily gives in to "The Need" when it calls to her - wiling to help those around her even if she doesn't always agree with what message she's delivering. She's a great friend to Sarah, sticking by her regardless of her reckless behavior and even seeing past it to the hurt and pain caused by her father. She tries on many occasions to encourages Sarah to make good choices but loves her anyway when she doesn't. She loves Harlin wholeheartedly too and tries to help him mend his relationship with his Mom. (His dad was killed a few years prior.)

Angels/Nephilim/Winged Bearers of Good News, etc. have definitely taken over in the world of YA Lit and this book is no different. I'm not sure yet if I'll read the next book when it comes out but I might, even if it's just to find out who Harlin really is. ;)