"Waiting on" Wednesday: Collateral by Ellen Hopkins

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly even hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we're super excited about. This week, my pick is:

Collateral

Ellen Hopkins

Expected Publication: November 13th, 2012 by Atria Books

The gripping story of a woman torn between love for her boyfriend, a dedicated Marine deployed to Afghanistan, and the resentment she has for the war that is tearing their lives apart.

Written in Hopkins's stunning poetic verse style, Collateral centers on Ashley, an MFA student at San Diego State University. She grew up reading books and never dreamed she would become a military wife. One night she meets a handsome soldier named Cole. He doesn't match the stereotype of the aggressive military man. He's passionate and romantic. He even writes poetry. Their relationship evolves into a sexually charged love affair that goes on for five years and survives four deployments. Cole wants Ashley to marry him, but when she meets another man, a professor with similar pursuits and values, she begins to see what life might be like outside the shadow of the war.

Collateral captures the hearts of the soldiers on the battlefield and the minds of the friends, family, and lovers they leave behind. Those who remain at home may be far away from the relentless, sand-choked skies of the Middle East and the crosshairs of a sniper rifle, but just at the same time, all of them will sacrifice a part of themselves for their country and all will eventually ask themselves if the collateral damage caused by war is worth the fight. (Goodreads)

I am a major Ellen Hopkins fangirl, and I found out about Collateral at the book signing I went to a few weeks ago. Hopkins was lively and excited when she talked about this novel, and told us of a LOT of research she did to write it. She's very proud of this book, she said, and I cannot wait to read it. Though I have a really bad feeling I'm gonna need a LOT of tissues....Eep.

This is my "Waiting On", what's yours?