Lucy didn't intend to call James. She was just trying to contact a business about an order. When James answers her call, the two end up starting an ongoing phone conversation. Secrets start being spilled, emotions come out, and suddenly the two are closer than they ever imagined, and they still haven't seen each other in person. When they start to make arrangements to see each other, Lucy has to reveal a secret she never told James, a secret that may change everything.

To say HUNG UP surprised me doesn't do it justice. Largely based on the fun, flirty cover, I started reading Kristen Tracy's book expecting something very romantic comedy-esque, something light-hearted and quite possibly adorable, all of which are great and wonderful. What I got instead is a story full of so much heart, emotion, wit, and voice that I often had to pause between certain parts just to soak it all in. HUNG UP is nothing that I expected it to be, and while I wouldn't have had any problem with a light-hearted read, I am so happy that this is the incredible story I got to read.

The biggest thing that stands out in this novel are the voices of the two main characters, Lucy and James. Since the story is told only in their phone conversations, the beginning does take a bit to get adjusted to without any indications other than explicit verbal ones on tone, but once you get into it, their voices completely shine. Tracy does an incredible job with giving these characters such unique and strong voices. I love Lucy's mature, calm attitude, and James' humorous, but meaningful one. They are two characters that sneakily make you love them from the start and before you know it, you're crying when something bad happens to either.

What I also enjoy about this story are the deep issues it tackles. You get hints (and sometimes more than hints) of heartache, death, grief, loss, etc., and the power behind those emotions is nearly overwhelming. But also in contrast to those, there are excellent moments of humor, wit, and sweetness that have you reading until the last page.

HUNG UP is a book that I know I will be rereading, and often. I do wish the ending had gone on for a bit or had an epilogue, but I can't deny how well it still fits the story. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this amazing author.