I was really excited for this book when I was approved on Edelweiss. The concept was something I haven't really read a lot of in YA and I liked the idea of two people of the opposite sex being friends and nothing more. It intrigued me from the description almost immediately. And honestly all of the components were there. Well, all accept for one. I hated the characters of Mo. 
 The Vow is a story of a friendship between Annie and Mo. Two outcasts that have managed to become best friends and stay that way. Annie is living in the shadow of her deceased sister while Mo is a prisoner to his Middle Eastern heritage. These two BFFs have stayed by each other's sides through thick and thin and for years have dealt with the rumors that there is more going on between them. When the unthinkable happens and Mo is being forced to move back to his home country Annie and Mo hatch a plan to keep Mo in the country, the plan to get married. But as time passes what was once a simple plan begins to take on a life of its own and more than their martial status is at stake. 
 Seriously, I really detested the character of Mo. He was so self-absorbed and self-righteous that he ruined half of the book for me. Here Annie was trying to be a great friend and help him out and all he thought about was himself. He didn't lose much in this arrangement and she was losing just about everything and I didn't once find him thank her or apologize or offer her a legitimate way out. Anything he said was contrived and I didn't believe it. He really brought the book down for me because he was 50% off of the story. 
 On the other hand, I loved Annie. Her story was a really great one with her being smothered by her parents in part due to the death of her sister, and her connection to Reed. Annie was really the true friend in this whole story, the one that was willing to do anything for her friend with Mo just reaping the benefits. I almost feel if the story was just from Annie's POV with Mo being a secondary character that I would have enjoyed the book more. To me Annie and Reed's story was the story that I would have wanted explored more. But unfortunately I got saddled down with too much Mo. 
 All in all I didn't hate The Vow, I just disliked parts of it. It was a bit of a slow read for me because of that, but I still enjoyed the journey and learning about Annie and seeing how far she would go for a friend. I was a little surprised by the end, but when I think about it I really wasn't. I will say I'm glad that I read this one though because like I mentioned in the beginning it was different than most of the YA books I read. I say pick it up. You may not dislike Mo as much as I did.