Ever since I saw the gorgeous cover and saw the pitch for this book, I knew that I had to read it. And it didn't disappoint. Charlotte has always known that she's different. Ever since she was young, she's been drawn to help perfect strangers, and to her dismay now the Need to help is growing stronger. When she finds out that she's destined to leave the Earth as a Forgotten and spread her light of hope to the people whose lives she has touched, she wants out. All she wants to to hang out with her best friend Sarah like normal and plan her future with her boyfriend Harlin.
Charlotte has a powerful voice. She's kind, beautiful, and willful. Underlying the entire book is a hint of desperation. Charlotte is a gentle, loving girl by nature, but the growing inability to conceal her Need is driving her to the breaking point. She has a life with people who care about her. She doesn't want to hide anything from them, but she's afraid that they'll think she's crazy. What else do you think about a girl with compulsions to help complete strangers that can happen at any time of day?
A Need So Beautiful isn't a long book, yet it had be enchanted for an entire day. Somewhere, I found myself hanging on every word, eager to turn the page and yet wanting to absorb every single word. There's action in this story; more than that, there is mystery and yearning. Charlotte can't escape the Need, but she doesn't want to be Forgotten. She wants to leave her mark in history just like the rest of us.
I did feel that we didn't need the last chapter, as the thought of Charlotte giving herself to the light was such a beautiful, bittersweet ending. However, I am excited at the same time, as it tells us that there is more to this story--that there will be a sequel, even without Young's announcement. I can't wait to read the sequel, A Want So Wicked!
There are suggestive scenes in this book. I recommend A Need So Beautiful for the older teen readers.
