The Words Between Us is a standalone novel by Erin Bartels.  She writes the story of Robin Windsor who is a present day adult continually flashing back to experiences in her high school years.  Although it is most certainly designed to keep readers interested, the dramatic cliff hangers in many of the vignettes get really frustrating. 

The basic model of the book is like that of many others.  A traumatized character reflects on experiences from her youth that both contributed to and helped heal some of her trauma.  These life moments lead up to present-day where Robin is still scarred from her past and has a hard time moving forward in the present.

The thing about this story that really makes it different is the way the author shows the person Robin has become.  Bartels spends a lot of time tugging at heartstrings, but then subtly shows the characters’ compassion and concern for others.  This is true of many of the characters in the book. 

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Revell

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Report that someone murdered three people, this is referenced regularly; a car accident occurs in which a person’s bone is sticking out of her skin and another is killed, blood is mentioned as well.

Sex/Nudity:  Character says a book is about rape; non-married characters share a bed, but nothing sexual is implied; non-married characters kiss and hug; a man gives a woman an unwanted kiss; report of a married man having liaisons with a woman not his wife.

Mature Subject Matter:

Suicide, murder, death of family and friends, infidelity (reported).

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Character mentions another high schooler was drunk; character is under the influence of substances.