Angelina (Angie)’s life is instantly changed on Prom night. Her best friend Lizzie is caught sleeping with her boyfriend. Pretty and popular cheerleader Angie – the victim of the biggest scandal at Verity High School. The ultimate betrayal between girlfriends is the only the beginning. After the weekend fun and drama, four little letters appear in black permanent marker on Lizzie’s locker – SLUT. Unable to bring herself to speak to Lizzie, Angie fades into the background as a spectator to witness as this word grows all over her locker. It continues to spread to her backpack, notebooks and etched like wallpaper onto her car.

The fascination was supposed to fade, but Lizzie kills herself leaving only behind her diary for Angie to sort through. The word SUICIDE appears in Lizzie’s handwriting above SLUT. Angie becomes obsessed with discovering who has written these words, the catalyst to her best friend’s death. The truth can be more painful than reality and Angie must live with her choices. In the matters of the heart in high school there is more than just what everyone sees.

The S-Word is brutal, but so brilliant in it’s depiction of modern High School drama. Angie is essentially the popular girl that everyone loves to hate, but through her story readers grow to learn about the insecure girl that rose to be a Princess Bee. She’s real with flaws and passion. Angie’s voice is amazing. She’s harsh and cruel and I loved everything she said. It’s hard to explain unless you give this book a read.

Although this novel deals with sensitive topics, it’s so honest that’ll you’ll be hooked from the first chapter. I loved that this wasn’t about romance and that this also isn’t a series. It’s a breathe of controversial air that will have you reliving those painful high school days but will also be able to shed some light as to why people act the way they do. Everyone has secrets. The S-Word is a brilliant set of words. Well written and realistic to a fault this is a stand out for the Young Adult genre.

This book was provided by the publisher Simon and Schuster from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the author Chelsea Pitcher for book! This book will be published May 7^th. Buy your copy in advance today!