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jenniahw's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book gave me exactly what I hoped for when I read its description. The story of Lauren's life is one filled with a personal trauma that no one, especially a teenager, should deal with. And because of what was happening a dangerous incident sends her away from her home in California to small town life like she's never experienced. Though it's clear that she's still suffering from everything that's happened, I can't imagine how she was hanging on so well. Her coping tactics are less harmful than more full fledge adults, but it's clear that she would still do well to find a therapist that's a good fit for her.
And then you have Robbie, a teenager who has also gone through too much for his age and struggling with it on a level that is also admirable, even if he sacrifices a lot of what he loves in his grief and need to distance himself because the the accusations laid at the feet of his brother and him.
These are two kids who are really just trying to navigate life post tragedy and they fall into each other.
Seeing them both fall - and Lauren fight it - was interesting in the setting of uncertainty that comes with a murder mystery, especially when the body count jumps to three. The way Lauren falls into finding the truth feels like a way to give her something else to focus on and to validate or invalidate how she feels about Robbie. I mean you can stop yourself from having the nicety of a boyfriend and continue punishing yourself for what turned out worse than intended when he's a girlfriend murderer with a brother who may also be one. But her sticking it out and being unafraid to hold on to the belief that her first instinct that Robbie and Trevor could be innocent brings about the answers of families and friends of those gone and show her that she deserve that closure. Deserves to move on and be happy.
I love this book and I love these characters! I would read more about them and I'll definitely reread all about that. Though if there was more I'd definitely hope for a little less traumatizing. They deserve a break like no other.
**MILD SPOILER**
My only "issue" with this story is that I wanted more from her mother. Lauren makes it clear that she's the time to change or adjust herself so that she meshes well with the boyfriend she has. And while it may have just been annoying before, it's led to something that puts her kid in a bad situation. I don't blame her for that, because there is no way to guess such a thing, my problem instead lies within the way I don't think she was apologetic enough. Not about what this led to, but about the way she was barely giving her child who went through something terrible back home and is in her last year of high school, last year living home, the attention she deserved. Like who goes to dinner before your kid's senior night and then thinks that announcing a proposal is a good way to make her less upset with you, especially when you haven't made up for your last fight? She's also someone who needs therapy.
I'm thankful to have received this arc via NetGalley.
And then you have Robbie, a teenager who has also gone through too much for his age and struggling with it on a level that is also admirable, even if he sacrifices a lot of what he loves in his grief and need to distance himself because the the accusations laid at the feet of his brother and him.
These are two kids who are really just trying to navigate life post tragedy and they fall into each other.
Seeing them both fall - and Lauren fight it - was interesting in the setting of uncertainty that comes with a murder mystery, especially when the body count jumps to three. The way Lauren falls into finding the truth feels like a way to give her something else to focus on and to validate or invalidate how she feels about Robbie. I mean you can stop yourself from having the nicety of a boyfriend and continue punishing yourself for what turned out worse than intended when he's a girlfriend murderer with a brother who may also be one. But her sticking it out and being unafraid to hold on to the belief that her first instinct that Robbie and Trevor could be innocent brings about the answers of families and friends of those gone and show her that she deserve that closure. Deserves to move on and be happy.
I love this book and I love these characters! I would read more about them and I'll definitely reread all about that. Though if there was more I'd definitely hope for a little less traumatizing. They deserve a break like no other.
**MILD SPOILER**
I'm thankful to have received this arc via NetGalley.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Drug use
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, and Suicide
Minor: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, and Adult/minor relationship
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