aelynreads's review
2.0
This started off really great, but then it seemed to forget it was meant to be a thriller.
About 30% in, the mystery takes a complete back-seat for a romance plotline, which didn't engage me at all. At that point, it's just a high school teen romance. The thriller-mystery element doesn't come back until about 80% and the decisions made by the main character towards the end of the book are ridiculous, frustrating and come out of nowhere.
For something advertised as a 'thriller' with such a good premise and intriguing mystery, it's super disappointing that this wasn't the focus of the book.
About 30% in, the mystery takes a complete back-seat for a romance plotline, which didn't engage me at all. At that point, it's just a high school teen romance. The thriller-mystery element doesn't come back until about 80% and the decisions made by the main character towards the end of the book are ridiculous, frustrating and come out of nowhere.
For something advertised as a 'thriller' with such a good premise and intriguing mystery, it's super disappointing that this wasn't the focus of the book.
debi_g's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of those gems that I couldn’t stop thinking about and had to pick up whenever I had a few minutes to spare.
I have been avoiding YA of late, but when YA is written this well, it is truly for anyone.
The novel never reveals much, and a day after finishing I find myself continuing to wonder about various characters. It would be easy to spin-off several books from various perspectives at various times, but the blanks are probably more fun to fill in my own.
I have been avoiding YA of late, but when YA is written this well, it is truly for anyone.
The novel never reveals much, and a day after finishing I find myself continuing to wonder about various characters. It would be easy to spin-off several books from various perspectives at various times, but the blanks are probably more fun to fill in my own.
uranium_92's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
mdettmann's review against another edition
3.0
I was intrigued by the story and I liked the characters but the reveal felt like a knock off of Patty Hearst’s story, but not nearly as interesting for such a long lead up to it.
justinevandale's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was the October bookclub pick for Calgareads Book club. I got it from the library a bit late but decided to read it anyways. I enjoyed this book. I didn’t have any clue what it was about initially and I’m not too big on reading the synopsis sometimes I just go in blind. But it was a cute YA mystery read. I did really like the plot. The only part I didn’t like was the ending. Like it was fine but just wondering how parents could just leave but what do I know. This Golden State kept me interested and it was a fast and easy read.
pearcactus3's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I absolutely loved this book. The mystery of Poppy’s parents past kept me guessing and I loved how the family’s relationship was portrayed.
reallyintoreading's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
lilykazily's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
amor_j_daino_600390's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
yade95's review against another edition
2.75
Therapy for all of them!
Kinda disappointing, this book has been on my tbr pile for a while and i was looking forward to reading it but the story just fell flat.
Kinda disappointing, this book has been on my tbr pile for a while and i was looking forward to reading it but the story just fell flat.