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Red
Moving to Hawthorne was something Tess and her mom never anticipated, but after Tess’s mom loses her job, it’s their only option. Tess’s grandparents welcome them into their home, but with the condition that Tess and her mom attend church, something Mom isn’t too pleased about. But Tess enjoys the church community, finding a place in youth group and the church choir. Faith fills a void Tess didn’t know she had.
After a very personal decision goes public, Tess faces daily harassment and rejection by her former friends, and singing in the church choir is no longer an option. When she meets some kids in the music room, her only place of solace in the school, who don't judge her for what's happened, she learns to find her voice again. Against the backdrop of the Spirit Light Festival, Tess will need to find the strength to speak out if she has any chance of ending a silent cycle of abuse in Hawthorne.
After a very personal decision goes public, Tess faces daily harassment and rejection by her former friends, and singing in the church choir is no longer an option. When she meets some kids in the music room, her only place of solace in the school, who don't judge her for what's happened, she learns to find her voice again. Against the backdrop of the Spirit Light Festival, Tess will need to find the strength to speak out if she has any chance of ending a silent cycle of abuse in Hawthorne.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 30, 2024
10 people are currently reading
3447 people want to read
About the author
Annie Cardi
3 books103 followersAnnie Cardi is the author of Red, which was chosen as Kids’ Indie Next Pick by the American Booksellers Association and The Chance You Won’t Return, which received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, and was named a Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year. She has an MFA from Emerson College, and she currently lives with her family and dog in the Boston area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
January 2, 2025
January always gives me at least one favorite book of the year and 2025 is no different. Annie Cardi put her soul into this one. I literally devoured this in one day and now I'm wishing that I would have read it a little slower. CW: sexual assault, grooming, bullying
What Worked: Everything. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this one. It tackles tough topics from abortion to sexual assault to religious trauma, but somehow Cardi was able to find a perfect balance and tone for Tess as a main character. Thematically, she was able to beautifully navigate the internal struggles that Tess faced while cultivating commentary on a community that permitted it's religious views to cloud it's judgement about a teenage girl and a grown man grooming youth group members. This book is also messy, but in a refreshing manner where everything doesn't work out perfectly. There isn't a neat ending with everything tied together in a perfect bow. Instead, readers are faced with the reality of the impact this has on Tess' life as well as how it forever changes her community. Loosely based on The Scarlet Letter, I think teen readers will find an interesting contrast of the journey of these characters to those in the original work.
This was a phenomenal, well written, and damn insightful. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what Cardi does in the future.
What Worked: Everything. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this one. It tackles tough topics from abortion to sexual assault to religious trauma, but somehow Cardi was able to find a perfect balance and tone for Tess as a main character. Thematically, she was able to beautifully navigate the internal struggles that Tess faced while cultivating commentary on a community that permitted it's religious views to cloud it's judgement about a teenage girl and a grown man grooming youth group members. This book is also messy, but in a refreshing manner where everything doesn't work out perfectly. There isn't a neat ending with everything tied together in a perfect bow. Instead, readers are faced with the reality of the impact this has on Tess' life as well as how it forever changes her community. Loosely based on The Scarlet Letter, I think teen readers will find an interesting contrast of the journey of these characters to those in the original work.
This was a phenomenal, well written, and damn insightful. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what Cardi does in the future.
February 7, 2024
A timely and sensitively written book, Red is a coming of age story following Tess, a church girl who has an abortion and is pilloried for it in her high school and by part of her family. And then she slowly finds her way back to herself after this life-changing event.
It's a book that deals with grooming, hypocrisy in religious spaces, and how complicated the realities of reproductive rights really are. And it's not an anti-Christian book either. Tess has a complicated relationship with religion, but ultimately finds a lot of comfort and meaning in God and in belonging to a faith community. But the novel does suggest Christians might find a more loving and thoughtful stance on abortion.
Despite the heavier subject matter, the writing has a lightness of touch and a groundedness in character that it's easy to read and very hopeful. I would love to see this get into the right hands because a lot of people need it. I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.
It's a book that deals with grooming, hypocrisy in religious spaces, and how complicated the realities of reproductive rights really are. And it's not an anti-Christian book either. Tess has a complicated relationship with religion, but ultimately finds a lot of comfort and meaning in God and in belonging to a faith community. But the novel does suggest Christians might find a more loving and thoughtful stance on abortion.
Despite the heavier subject matter, the writing has a lightness of touch and a groundedness in character that it's easy to read and very hopeful. I would love to see this get into the right hands because a lot of people need it. I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.
February 12, 2024
This is a really lovely, moving book about a couple of really important topics that aren't written about very often in YA these days--a Christian faith community + abortion. Like...a lot of American teens are at least nominally Christian and plenty of them do believe in God. But they don't necessarily want to be reading capital-C Christian Fiction. Anyway so, I think this will really resonate with a lot of teens. Also I loved the role music plays in the story and in Tess discovering her own voice. This is great for fans of like Deb Caletti, Jen Mathieu, etc.
ALSO, I always feel like this will come across as damning with faint praise, but it's fairly short! We as a society need more short YA books! Not every teen wants a big brick novel and not every novel needs to be a big brick!
ALSO, I always feel like this will come across as damning with faint praise, but it's fairly short! We as a society need more short YA books! Not every teen wants a big brick novel and not every novel needs to be a big brick!
October 11, 2023
I'm having trouble writing about this book without writing a full article, because it resonated so deeply for me. When I was a teenager, I was in an interdenominational youth choir that toured across the upper Midwest and became deeply involved in the culture of the community. My dearest friends were in this group, and they had a huge impact on my teen years.
Fast forward to twenty years later, when the founder and lead director of the group is tried and convicted on multiple counts of sexual assault and rape of dozens of boys in the group. Dozens.
So this book speaks my language in a way that only a good story can, and proves how little things change in hundreds of years. Hawthorne's story of misplaced affections that lead to a battle with the very foundations of relationships, life, and faith is still heartbreakingly relevant. The dangers of a fundamentalism that puts dogma above relationships and destroys lives as a result is still disgustingly common. The men who exploit that dogma for their own pleasure is as current as it was in 1850.
And, I feel entirely safe predicting that because of the way this book speaks the truth to a corrupt power in this country, it's going to top the list for new books banned in 2024. This book taps into timeless conflicts between the empowered and the vulnerable especially in places of faith, and it's going to rattle the people who want to suppress marginalized voices. Nathaniel Hawthorne knew it in the 19th century and it's just as true today--these men (especially the men) will want to shut these voices down, and it is our job to make sure that doesn't happen. Read this book. Step into the shoes of someone forced to deconstruct and reconstruct the very foundations of her faith. In that, you'll have fought for your own freedom to think and learn and grow for yourself, in spite of those who would like to see that exploration and honesty silenced.
Fast forward to twenty years later, when the founder and lead director of the group is tried and convicted on multiple counts of sexual assault and rape of dozens of boys in the group. Dozens.
So this book speaks my language in a way that only a good story can, and proves how little things change in hundreds of years. Hawthorne's story of misplaced affections that lead to a battle with the very foundations of relationships, life, and faith is still heartbreakingly relevant. The dangers of a fundamentalism that puts dogma above relationships and destroys lives as a result is still disgustingly common. The men who exploit that dogma for their own pleasure is as current as it was in 1850.
And, I feel entirely safe predicting that because of the way this book speaks the truth to a corrupt power in this country, it's going to top the list for new books banned in 2024. This book taps into timeless conflicts between the empowered and the vulnerable especially in places of faith, and it's going to rattle the people who want to suppress marginalized voices. Nathaniel Hawthorne knew it in the 19th century and it's just as true today--these men (especially the men) will want to shut these voices down, and it is our job to make sure that doesn't happen. Read this book. Step into the shoes of someone forced to deconstruct and reconstruct the very foundations of her faith. In that, you'll have fought for your own freedom to think and learn and grow for yourself, in spite of those who would like to see that exploration and honesty silenced.
July 17, 2023
Absolutely STELLAR.
October 21, 2024
I've re-written my review a few times and still not happy with it so for now i'm just gonna say this:
(Being sick doesn't help either)
Trigger warnings ⚠️: abortion, misogyny, religious bigotry, bullying, pedophilia, adult/minor relationship, toxic relationships
------
This a timely,sensitive, moving and important book handled very well by the author. This book made me see red (and also imagining dumping nickelodeon slime on people's heads) across my vision for different reasons.
Go into this with open mind and give it a chance.
(Being sick doesn't help either)
Trigger warnings ⚠️: abortion, misogyny, religious bigotry, bullying, pedophilia, adult/minor relationship, toxic relationships
------
This a timely,sensitive, moving and important book handled very well by the author. This book made me see red (and also imagining dumping nickelodeon slime on people's heads) across my vision for different reasons.
Go into this with open mind and give it a chance.
November 21, 2023
"Red" by Annie Cardi is a modern retelling of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" about a 16-year old girl named Tess. After moving to a new town following her mother losing her job, Tess finds community in her grandparents' church as well as the youth group at the church. However, after finally finding a strong community like she always craved, Tess finds herself ostracized and harassed by friends, family, and even total strangers after her private decision to have an abortion becomes public. In the aftermath, Tess begins to make new friends who help her find her voice--and by doing so, help her reach into her past and confront the abuse that led to the circumstances in the story.
I thought that "Red" was a great, emotional novel with good messages at its core. The topics it is centered around are obviously considered very controversial and polarizing today, and Cardi addresses those divides head-on. However, she also focuses on themes of healing, forgiveness, and shows that events aren't black and white--and the "problem" or root cause of a situation may not be what it appears from the outside. "Red" is also a clear warning sign about the dangers of grooming, and how abuse may not even look like abuse, to spectators or even to the person being abused, until irreparable damage is done. Tess was a great character who felt very honest and I found myself truly rooting for her throughout the book.
In all, I really enjoyed "Red" and I think it's an important story that needs to be told. This book shows that there is far more depth to be found in situations than can be seen from a bird's eye view, and Cardi does a great job bringing Tess and her experience to life in a way that is humanizing and topical.
"Red" goes out for public sale in January 2024. 5/5 ⭐️
I thought that "Red" was a great, emotional novel with good messages at its core. The topics it is centered around are obviously considered very controversial and polarizing today, and Cardi addresses those divides head-on. However, she also focuses on themes of healing, forgiveness, and shows that events aren't black and white--and the "problem" or root cause of a situation may not be what it appears from the outside. "Red" is also a clear warning sign about the dangers of grooming, and how abuse may not even look like abuse, to spectators or even to the person being abused, until irreparable damage is done. Tess was a great character who felt very honest and I found myself truly rooting for her throughout the book.
In all, I really enjoyed "Red" and I think it's an important story that needs to be told. This book shows that there is far more depth to be found in situations than can be seen from a bird's eye view, and Cardi does a great job bringing Tess and her experience to life in a way that is humanizing and topical.
"Red" goes out for public sale in January 2024. 5/5 ⭐️
December 12, 2023
4/4,25⭐️
“People didn’t talk about that kind of thing, in my day. If something happened to you, you carried on as best you could. You know? I don’t know. Maybe it’s better to talk about it. People have been saying— I’ve been hearing . . . It’s good to talk about these things. Now.”
First of all, thank you NetGalley for the ARC
Annie Cardi's YA book, “Red”, deals with a range of topics, including abortion, pedophilia, and religious bigotry.
After someone photographed her leaving the abortion clinic, Tess, the main character, becomes the target of daily harassment, bullying, and slut shaming.
Suddenly, her former friends reject her, as well as the church community, the youth group, and the church choir ; all places that gave her a sense of belonging and that, along with faith, filled a void Tess didn’t know she had.
I loved the importance that music had in this book, but also the fact that Tess never lost her faith, despite the religious bigotry that she had to face. I also really appreciated the characters and the how they changed their “beliefs” through the story.
Overall, “Red” was such a powerful book and I strongly recommend it to everyone.
TW: SA, abortion, misogyny, religious bigotry, bullying, pedophilia, adult/minor relationship, toxic relationships
“People didn’t talk about that kind of thing, in my day. If something happened to you, you carried on as best you could. You know? I don’t know. Maybe it’s better to talk about it. People have been saying— I’ve been hearing . . . It’s good to talk about these things. Now.”
First of all, thank you NetGalley for the ARC
Annie Cardi's YA book, “Red”, deals with a range of topics, including abortion, pedophilia, and religious bigotry.
After someone photographed her leaving the abortion clinic, Tess, the main character, becomes the target of daily harassment, bullying, and slut shaming.
Suddenly, her former friends reject her, as well as the church community, the youth group, and the church choir ; all places that gave her a sense of belonging and that, along with faith, filled a void Tess didn’t know she had.
I loved the importance that music had in this book, but also the fact that Tess never lost her faith, despite the religious bigotry that she had to face. I also really appreciated the characters and the how they changed their “beliefs” through the story.
Overall, “Red” was such a powerful book and I strongly recommend it to everyone.
TW: SA, abortion, misogyny, religious bigotry, bullying, pedophilia, adult/minor relationship, toxic relationships
April 7, 2024
A YA modern retelling of The Scarlet Letter for the Roe v. Wade era, Red is an extremely important book that I think everyone should read. I thought the way Cardi portrayed sexual abuse and religious bigotry was incredibly well done. Tess was such a well written character with her complex feelings about her choice to have an abortion while also being a part of a Christian environment and also her conflicting feelings about the man who abused her. One of the things I really liked about this book is that while yes, Cardi shows how some Christians can be hypocritical, judgmental and down right un-Christian, there were still people in the church that were kind and understanding to Tess’ situation, people that felt like she still belonged in their community. I am not a religious person at all, but sometimes I think books like this can go too hard into demonizing Christianity to prove a point and I liked that this one didn’t. Tess still wanted to feel that sense of community and support and I liked that she got to do that. Also, I loved the author’s note at the end. I do think it could have been about 50 or so pages longer with more scenes of her friendship with Chloe, Mia and Connor, but overall, I really loved this book.
CW: grooming, religious bigotry, sexual assault, abortion, bullying, slut shaming
CW: grooming, religious bigotry, sexual assault, abortion, bullying, slut shaming
January 22, 2024
Gobbled this down in one sitting! A real page-turner, with a ton of heart, and the main character was complex and relatable. Treats a complex subject sensitively and with the seriousness it deserves. Wish it weren’t so relevant to the time we live in.
January 3, 2024
My review in School Library Journal:
FICTIONRedby Annie CardiUnion Square & Co. Jan. 2024. 256p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781454951308.COPY ISBNGr 8 Up–Tess’s dad died a while ago, and now her mother lost her job, so they have no choice but to move back to Mom’s childhood home in Hawthorne. Under her grandparents’ roof, church is a must. Tess joins the Grace Presbyterian youth group and finds she really enjoys her new friends and singing in the choir. Upon discovering she is pregnant, the scared teen confides in her mom, who supports her choice to have an abortion. Despite traveling to an out-of-town clinic for more privacy, Tess begins receiving disparaging messages on her phone, and a red letter “A” is spray-painted onto her school locker. Her youth group friends shun her, and as soon as the town gossip gets back to her grandparents, she and her mother are no longer welcome there. Meanwhile, Tess has not shared the identity of the baby’s father with anyone. This modern remix of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne takes on the misogyny, abuse, and hypocrisy that can take place in some strict religious circles. Although Tess endures being slut-shamed, vilified, and repeatedly maligned, she digs deep—determined to keep moving forward. Another musical venture brings new friends into her radius, while the convincing plot positions the abortion as only part of her story, rather than something that defines the rest of her life. Readers will feel gratified as Tess gradually finds ways to speak up about multiple misdeeds perpetrated against her.VERDICT An encouraging view of finding ways to connect and climb again post-trauma.
FICTIONRedby Annie CardiUnion Square & Co. Jan. 2024. 256p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781454951308.COPY ISBNGr 8 Up–Tess’s dad died a while ago, and now her mother lost her job, so they have no choice but to move back to Mom’s childhood home in Hawthorne. Under her grandparents’ roof, church is a must. Tess joins the Grace Presbyterian youth group and finds she really enjoys her new friends and singing in the choir. Upon discovering she is pregnant, the scared teen confides in her mom, who supports her choice to have an abortion. Despite traveling to an out-of-town clinic for more privacy, Tess begins receiving disparaging messages on her phone, and a red letter “A” is spray-painted onto her school locker. Her youth group friends shun her, and as soon as the town gossip gets back to her grandparents, she and her mother are no longer welcome there. Meanwhile, Tess has not shared the identity of the baby’s father with anyone. This modern remix of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne takes on the misogyny, abuse, and hypocrisy that can take place in some strict religious circles. Although Tess endures being slut-shamed, vilified, and repeatedly maligned, she digs deep—determined to keep moving forward. Another musical venture brings new friends into her radius, while the convincing plot positions the abortion as only part of her story, rather than something that defines the rest of her life. Readers will feel gratified as Tess gradually finds ways to speak up about multiple misdeeds perpetrated against her.VERDICT An encouraging view of finding ways to connect and climb again post-trauma.
August 13, 2023
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC to review.
I had a longer review written but the Goodreads app hates me. 🙃
Read if you like to see a book that doesn’t demonize faith, but does show how it can come up short. And how good intentions doesn’t mean that good is necessarily being done.
I had a longer review written but the Goodreads app hates me. 🙃
Read if you like to see a book that doesn’t demonize faith, but does show how it can come up short. And how good intentions doesn’t mean that good is necessarily being done.
June 12, 2024
I really liked this one! I think that the way Tess (MC) was developed throughout the book was great, spent the whole thing rooting for her. Some of the aspects of the story felt a bit lacking (The ending felt rushed to me, and Tess’s mother felt more like a caricature than a character), but nonetheless, an important and impactful read!
*3.5 stars rounded up
*3.5 stars rounded up
February 3, 2024
An absolutely wonderful book about a difficult topic, sensitively and thoughtfully explored.
January 19, 2024
Trigger Warnings: abortion, misogyny, religious bigotry, grooming, adult/minor relationship
After Tess’s mom loses her job, the two move in with her grandparents in Hawthorne. The one condition is that the two must attend church. Tess’s mom isn’t too happy about it, but Tess enjoys the community and quickly finds a place among the youth group and choir.
But after a very personal decision becomes public, Tess faces both harassment and rejection from the church community. After meeting some kids in the band room during lunch - the only place she’s able to find solitude, she learns to find her voice again with their support.
I like that this book had a religious theme, but it wasn’t overly preachy. Tess had a relationship with God before and she spends the duration of the book talking about that and how she wants to reconnect but isn’t sure how to do so.
I appreciated the fact that Annie Cardi addressed the subject of abortion and how it can still be considered controversial today but that it’s not so black and white that some people think it is. The fact that characters changed their views throughout the story was authentic and felt right - now granted, some still had a hard time “accepting” Tess’s decision but it was still nice to see.
This novel also shows how the act of grooming and abuse aren’t always so easily detectable. Predators can be anyone.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. This is unfortunately something that young women can go through and I feel like this will help a lot of girls feel seen.
*Thank you Union Square & Co. for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
After Tess’s mom loses her job, the two move in with her grandparents in Hawthorne. The one condition is that the two must attend church. Tess’s mom isn’t too happy about it, but Tess enjoys the community and quickly finds a place among the youth group and choir.
But after a very personal decision becomes public, Tess faces both harassment and rejection from the church community. After meeting some kids in the band room during lunch - the only place she’s able to find solitude, she learns to find her voice again with their support.
I like that this book had a religious theme, but it wasn’t overly preachy. Tess had a relationship with God before and she spends the duration of the book talking about that and how she wants to reconnect but isn’t sure how to do so.
I appreciated the fact that Annie Cardi addressed the subject of abortion and how it can still be considered controversial today but that it’s not so black and white that some people think it is. The fact that characters changed their views throughout the story was authentic and felt right - now granted, some still had a hard time “accepting” Tess’s decision but it was still nice to see.
This novel also shows how the act of grooming and abuse aren’t always so easily detectable. Predators can be anyone.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. This is unfortunately something that young women can go through and I feel like this will help a lot of girls feel seen.
*Thank you Union Square & Co. for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
October 8, 2023
Do you remember the Scarlet Letter? How Hester Prynne had her baby and everone treated her like garbage because she wouldn't name her baby's father--and how HE was able to live his life normally because Hester kept his secret? Yeah, that's this book, but updated.
After Tess's father dies, she and her mother are forced to move to Hawthorne to live with her grandparents and catch up on bills. Tess ends up joining her grandparents' church, the youth group there, and the church choir. Things she never did in her old town. She has a great new friend group and really feels like she's fitting in in her new town.
And then Tess ends up pregnant and has an abortion, She doesn't plan to tell anyone, because really, it's no one's business. But they find out. And life at school and at home are both affected--her phone blows up with anonymous text messages and someone paints a big red A on her locker at school. And not a single person from youth group comes to her defense or aid. And suddenly, Tess has no friends.
This is a great story about tough choices and how horrible people can be when y make a decision they don't agree with. Also a good story about forgiveness and faith and how you need to rely on yourself most of all.
After Tess's father dies, she and her mother are forced to move to Hawthorne to live with her grandparents and catch up on bills. Tess ends up joining her grandparents' church, the youth group there, and the church choir. Things she never did in her old town. She has a great new friend group and really feels like she's fitting in in her new town.
And then Tess ends up pregnant and has an abortion, She doesn't plan to tell anyone, because really, it's no one's business. But they find out. And life at school and at home are both affected--her phone blows up with anonymous text messages and someone paints a big red A on her locker at school. And not a single person from youth group comes to her defense or aid. And suddenly, Tess has no friends.
This is a great story about tough choices and how horrible people can be when y make a decision they don't agree with. Also a good story about forgiveness and faith and how you need to rely on yourself most of all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2024
This was a modern retelling of “The Scarlet Letter”. It follows a teen girl named Tess, who moves to Hawthorne with her mother. She joins her grandparents church and finds friends in the youth group and finds the community she always wanted. When she becomes pregnant and has an abortion, somehow the whole town knows. She loses her church friends and is harassed by them, her family members and people of the town.
I found this to be a well written story of forgiveness, healing, but also one of abuse and heartache. It shows that you can’t take everything as black and white without looking into the gray areas as well. This book deals with issues we see in the world today and it does it in a very relatable way. Highly recommend.
I found this to be a well written story of forgiveness, healing, but also one of abuse and heartache. It shows that you can’t take everything as black and white without looking into the gray areas as well. This book deals with issues we see in the world today and it does it in a very relatable way. Highly recommend.
July 7, 2025
Red is a modern retelling of The Scarlet Letter. It tells Tess Pine’s story; she is a high schooler living in Hawthorne and navigating life after her father passed away. She and her mom live with her grandparents and are struggling to make ends meet. Tess is a member of her church choir and Grace Teen Life which is a youth group through her local church that she has become deeply ingrained in. When Tess becomes pregnant and gets an abortion, her goal is to keep it a secret from every single person in her life. Except that is not what happens… someone sends a photo of her leaving the clinic to all her Grace Teen Life friends, and her life completely flips upside down. Not only is she being harassed through anonymous text messages, but someone keeps spray painting a giant red “A” on her locker. Tess refuses to tell anyone who the father is and decides to struggle with her secret coming to life by herself.
I read The Scarlet Letter when I was in high school, and the book left me feeling so incredibly angry. I had felt like there had been no justice, so when reading Red and watching Tess get redemption on her abuser, it made me proud and happy to be a woman. This book is definitely for an older high school crowd; the beginning details of Tess’s abortion could be triggering to some younger readers. I do think this retelling was done extremely well and could be found much more relatable to teens today.
I read The Scarlet Letter when I was in high school, and the book left me feeling so incredibly angry. I had felt like there had been no justice, so when reading Red and watching Tess get redemption on her abuser, it made me proud and happy to be a woman. This book is definitely for an older high school crowd; the beginning details of Tess’s abortion could be triggering to some younger readers. I do think this retelling was done extremely well and could be found much more relatable to teens today.
July 8, 2025
The central theme of Red is summed up by a quote from page 239: “This will all be a thing that happened to me. Choices I made. Paths I took. It won’t be all of me, and maybe it won’t be something other people will see when they look at me, but it will be something I carry with me. It’ll all be a part of the person I am and the person I’m becoming.” Red tells the story of a high school junior who gets an abortion and struggles with the fallout after her church, school, and community find out about it. The reader experiences the narrator’s struggles through her first-person perspective as she works through her relationships with her friends and family.
This novel was powerful and moving. The reader sees first hand what it’s like for someone to be shamed and humiliated for making a difficult decision - a decision that no one else knows the full context of. The reader also sees what it looks like to truly help someone, and what it looks like when someone says they’re trying to help someone, but in reality are doing no such thing. This novel is also powerful for the work it does with the topic of grooming and sexual abuse. The reader also sees what bravery in the face of cruelty looks like, as well as redemption for those who mistreat others. This novel belongs in any classroom library, and, in fact, should be required reading for every teenager.
This novel was powerful and moving. The reader sees first hand what it’s like for someone to be shamed and humiliated for making a difficult decision - a decision that no one else knows the full context of. The reader also sees what it looks like to truly help someone, and what it looks like when someone says they’re trying to help someone, but in reality are doing no such thing. This novel is also powerful for the work it does with the topic of grooming and sexual abuse. The reader also sees what bravery in the face of cruelty looks like, as well as redemption for those who mistreat others. This novel belongs in any classroom library, and, in fact, should be required reading for every teenager.
July 14, 2025
3.7 stars! Red is a story about the oppressiveness of shame and the search for belonging. Set in the small town of Hawthorne, the novel follows Tess, a teenage girl forced to relocate and live with her grandparents after her mother loses her job. The story is told in first-person point of view, allowing readers access to Tess’s thoughts as she endures judgment and religious expectations as a result of a private matter that is ultimately revealed to the public. Tess's internal journey and overall characterization is vulnerable and is enhanced by Cardi's "in her head" style of writing. This book encourages empathy, and also successfully explores dynamics within a faith community without completely demonizing it.
As an English teacher, I found the writing to be filled with emotion and effective. The book shines when it allows Tess to reflect on faith and music as sources of hope. I appreciated how the novel drew inspiration from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and incorporated themes of public shaming and private guilt in a modern context—this would make for rich classroom discussion alongside Hawthorne’s classic. While I wouldn't recommend this book for every student, it could be powerful for those interested in stories of spiritual tension, moral ambiguity, and the complexity of forgiveness.
As an English teacher, I found the writing to be filled with emotion and effective. The book shines when it allows Tess to reflect on faith and music as sources of hope. I appreciated how the novel drew inspiration from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and incorporated themes of public shaming and private guilt in a modern context—this would make for rich classroom discussion alongside Hawthorne’s classic. While I wouldn't recommend this book for every student, it could be powerful for those interested in stories of spiritual tension, moral ambiguity, and the complexity of forgiveness.
February 25, 2024
A very timely story about a teenage girl who finds herself on the outs with her church, friends, and overall community after getting an abortion, and her slow journey towards healing not just from the abortion but from the events that necessitated it.
This felt a tad unrealistic in parts, especially towards the end; I grew up in an extremely strict and conservative religion and based off that, I find it hard to believe her church friends would’ve warmed back up to her as quickly as they did. I wish that were realistic, don’t get me wrong, but the pro-life people I grew up around would’ve needed more than a single conversation to re-examine their views. That being said, this ended up being a touching and affirming story of people taking some power back from the people who harm them, and a condemnation of the institutions and structures that allow that hurt to happen. Recommended.
This felt a tad unrealistic in parts, especially towards the end; I grew up in an extremely strict and conservative religion and based off that, I find it hard to believe her church friends would’ve warmed back up to her as quickly as they did. I wish that were realistic, don’t get me wrong, but the pro-life people I grew up around would’ve needed more than a single conversation to re-examine their views. That being said, this ended up being a touching and affirming story of people taking some power back from the people who harm them, and a condemnation of the institutions and structures that allow that hurt to happen. Recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2024
What an inspiring novel!
Scarlet Letter but the girl has an abortion and it's not by a man who deserves to be unknown.
A nice catholic girl is groomed by her youth posters and the chuch kids from her school find out and try to help her in the meanest ways possible. It truly shows how there's no worse hate than a catholics love. They think what they know and do is right but it's just bullying with a bow wrapped on top and a cross stamped on it.
I do have to say, she still holds on to her faith in the end which I do find admirable but to me would have cast me out knowing the church and congestion just throws people to the side. I thought we are supposed to forgive sins and it's not our job to judge?
Sorry ex-catholic trauma. Good book!
Scarlet Letter but the girl has an abortion and it's not by a man who deserves to be unknown.
A nice catholic girl is groomed by her youth posters and the chuch kids from her school find out and try to help her in the meanest ways possible. It truly shows how there's no worse hate than a catholics love. They think what they know and do is right but it's just bullying with a bow wrapped on top and a cross stamped on it.
I do have to say, she still holds on to her faith in the end which I do find admirable but to me would have cast me out knowing the church and congestion just throws people to the side. I thought we are supposed to forgive sins and it's not our job to judge?
Sorry ex-catholic trauma. Good book!
February 11, 2025
This was a powerful and intense read. With topics of abortion, misogyny, religious harm, grooming and sexual abuse, I feel that this is a book that 100% needs to be in the hands of teens.
I loved how nuanced this book was; it didn't demonize faith, but it did show that sometimes people do more harm with it than good.
I also really appreciated how our main character Tess never had to denounce her belief in God - instead she was able to understand that some people can misconstrue who He is.
Overall, I can see this book becoming a classic for our younger audience and it's amazing to see something so raw and complex and riveting still being published for the youth.
I loved how nuanced this book was; it didn't demonize faith, but it did show that sometimes people do more harm with it than good.
I also really appreciated how our main character Tess never had to denounce her belief in God - instead she was able to understand that some people can misconstrue who He is.
Overall, I can see this book becoming a classic for our younger audience and it's amazing to see something so raw and complex and riveting still being published for the youth.
January 27, 2024
Moving to her mom’s hometown was supposed to be a fresh start for Tess and her mom. First, Tess’s dad died, then her mom was laid off, so they moved in with Tess’s grandparents. Tess found a new community in her grandparent’s church’s youth group, and everything was great…
Until it wasn’t. After something she did privately goes public, Tess is shunned and/or harassed by her classmates and “friends”. Red addresses the whispers and coverups of a small religious town, and the hypocrisy that’s all too common in real life places like fictional Hawthorne.
Tess’s journey back to her own agency and spirituality is really sweet. She makes real friends, finds her voice (literally - at open mic), makes peace with what happened to her, and finds a way to speak out against it.
I read this all in one day - it wasn't especially groundbreaking but it was compelling and quick. There was a part that unexpectedly made me cry near the end with her grandma! This book really tackles the "what's my relationship with God if I don't go to church and also if everyone thinks I'm a sinner" thing pretty well, I guess especially considering I haven't really read that scenario before lmao
Until it wasn’t. After something she did privately goes public, Tess is shunned and/or harassed by her classmates and “friends”. Red addresses the whispers and coverups of a small religious town, and the hypocrisy that’s all too common in real life places like fictional Hawthorne.
Tess’s journey back to her own agency and spirituality is really sweet. She makes real friends, finds her voice (literally - at open mic), makes peace with what happened to her, and finds a way to speak out against it.
I read this all in one day - it wasn't especially groundbreaking but it was compelling and quick. There was a part that unexpectedly made me cry near the end with her grandma! This book really tackles the "what's my relationship with God if I don't go to church and also if everyone thinks I'm a sinner" thing pretty well, I guess especially considering I haven't really read that scenario before lmao
July 12, 2025
⭐️3.5 rounded to 4⭐️
Annie Cardi really did something with this one. Tess, a teenager who has a supportive mother and forced into a difficult situation, is 16 and struggling with the decision to have an abortion. Through her faith, friendship, and time, she learns to trust herself and come to terms with what she’s experienced.
Cardi crafts a narrative that sits heavy and flows realistically while maintaining a style that is accessible and easy to comprehend.
Red is an incredibly important read for any and everyone. Women and victims of assault and abuse are constantly told to silence themselves for the sake of their assailant. Your voice matters, your future matters, your life matters, just as much as theirs.
While touching on difficult and troubling themes, this book is an important read for young adults. Sometimes, it’s difficult to talk to adults. But hearing from a narrator who is just like them could be life changing.
RAINN Hotline: 800.656.HOPE (4673)
Annie Cardi really did something with this one. Tess, a teenager who has a supportive mother and forced into a difficult situation, is 16 and struggling with the decision to have an abortion. Through her faith, friendship, and time, she learns to trust herself and come to terms with what she’s experienced.
Cardi crafts a narrative that sits heavy and flows realistically while maintaining a style that is accessible and easy to comprehend.
Red is an incredibly important read for any and everyone. Women and victims of assault and abuse are constantly told to silence themselves for the sake of their assailant. Your voice matters, your future matters, your life matters, just as much as theirs.
While touching on difficult and troubling themes, this book is an important read for young adults. Sometimes, it’s difficult to talk to adults. But hearing from a narrator who is just like them could be life changing.
RAINN Hotline: 800.656.HOPE (4673)
Read
February 23, 2024This is a pretty frank story about a young christian girl clinging to her faith during a difficult time in her life. The characters felt nuanced - while most of the antagonists are people from her church, there are other christians in her life who support and love her through her ordeal.
February 13, 2025
this book was described to me as the modern version of the scarlet letter. i liked this book a whole lot more than i originally thought that i would and even rated it a 4.5 stars overall. i would not have picked this book if it wasn’t recommended in my AP Lit class but i am really glad i read it.
April 29, 2024
The themes really resonated with me as a woman and I appreciated the authenticity of the characters.
January 10, 2025
3.75 *
July 1, 2025
3.5⭐️
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