Book Spotlight: The Accident by Lori Miller Kase
The Accident is a tense, emotionally charged YA novel that explores how one terrible moment can fracture families, friendships, and a teenager’s sense of right and wrong.
Overview
Hannah has a secret: She thinks she knows who’s behind the hit-and-run accident that killed a popular high school football player in her small Connecticut town. But could it really be her brother, Rob? Or worse, his best friend Zach, the first boy to show her any romantic attention? (Barnes & Noble, 2026)
As the police investigation unfolds and Hannah falls hard for Zach, she vows to protect them both. Consumed with guilt, she finds herself lying to her parents and her friends alike.
The Breaking Point
Tensions mount as Hannah discovers she and Rob aren’t the only ones in the family with a secret. As her friends turn against her and two different versions of the truth emerge, she is forced to decide where her loyalties lie: With her brother? Or with her boyfriend?
The Accident is a story about choices and consequences, secrets and lies, and what happens when you follow your heart instead of your conscience.
Review: A Deep Dive into Moral Complexity
Set in a small Connecticut town, Kase captures the claustrophobic pressure of secrets where everyone watches and rumors spread faster than facts. Hannah’s guilt feels palpable as she convinces herself that loyalty is the same as love.
What Makes This a Must-Read:
- Vivid Imagery: The narrative is written in the first person with poetic language. Kase writes: “A bright yellow or red leaf clings stubbornly to a limb here and there, but most of the foliage now litters the grass and the walkways like giant pieces of confetti.”
- Fast-Paced Plot: Short chapters keep the action flowing seamlessly, making it a “one-sitting” kind of read.
- Relatable Themes: By exploring family, identity, and betrayal, the book avoids easy answers. It forces readers to sit with uncomfortable questions about self-deception and the cost of protecting the people we love.
The Bottom Line: The Accident is a suspenseful family drama and a sharp reminder that choices, once made, never come without consequences. Fans of YA coming-of-age fiction will find Hannah’s journey of self-reflection deeply relatable.
“I stand outside The Music Shoppe and stare after the boy and his babysitter long after they disappear from view. Then I walk home and cry. For the boy, for Tyler, for all their family has lost.”
About the Author
Lori Miller Kase is an award-winning journalist, short story writer, essayist, and young adult author. Her work has appeared in prestigious publications including The Atlantic, Vogue, Literary Mama, Brain, Child, and Discover.
With a background as a reporter-trainee at The New York Times and a health editor at Vogue, Lori has covered everything from neuroscience to clean beauty. However, as a lifelong lover of books, her true passion lies in writing for children and young adults.
*Thank you to Meryl Moss Media for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
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