whatemilysreading's review
4.0
I FLEW through this book! I almost never read thrillers or mysteries, and while this was definitely thriller-light I found myself really enjoying it. I loved finding the little clues that Marit Weisenberg was dropping throughout and kept turning pages faster and faster. Maybe I should read more mysteries??
I was immediately on Poppy's side and wanted the best for her, and was glad when she began to let others see glimpses of her life and seek their support. While I thought the ending was a bit abrupt and could have given me a bit more ~drama~ it was such an easy read and would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a bit of a puzzle.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the advanced e-book!
I was immediately on Poppy's side and wanted the best for her, and was glad when she began to let others see glimpses of her life and seek their support. While I thought the ending was a bit abrupt and could have given me a bit more ~drama~ it was such an easy read and would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a bit of a puzzle.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the advanced e-book!
meg330's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this book! The main gal, Poppy, has been on the run with her parents and sister as long as she’s been alive, and she’s almost 18 and has no idea why. Her family lands in the Bay Area, and i appreciate her determination to finally start to take her destiny in her own hands. She takes a summer class and meets Harry, who comes from the other side of the tracks. Rich, mother is a political figure, etc. But they form a bond, and I love Harry’s loyalty. They both take DNA texts after the Ancestry company comes to speak to their class, and we finally find out the truth behind Poppy’s parents pasts. This one was so closed to five stars! I just would have loved to see the independent course Poppy takes as she grows up. There isn’t much to the book after her parents are exposed, and Poppy has so much ahead of her. I recommend this one!!
mels_booksandhooks's review
4.0
This Golden State is a must read for the summer. A YA Fiction/Coming of Age/Romance/Thriller, This Golden State by Merit Weisenberg will keep you intrigued from the first page.
Poppy is not your average 17 year old. She has spent her entire life on the run with her parents and little sister. The only things she knows for sure are the five rules they must abide by:
1. No one can know your real name
2. Don’t stay in one place too long
3. If you sense something is wrong, go immediately to the meeting point.
4. Keeping our family together is everything.
5. We wish we could tell you who we are, but we can’t. Please-do not ask.
But Poppy is tired of moving, tired of running and tired of not knowing the truth about her parents and herself. When Poppy makes a split second decision to take a DNA test she puts things in to motion that even her over protective father can’t stop.
This is a fantastic book! The writing flows so smoothly, the characters are intriguing and the plot will keep you guessing until the end. I read this book in one sitting-I opened the book at noon and the next thing I knew it was 9pm. This is an edge of your seat, page turner with just a touch of romance.
I read this book of my own accord and offered my personal review in exchange for the digital copy. Thank you to @netgalley, @flatironbooks and the author for the opportunity to read and review this great book.
Poppy is not your average 17 year old. She has spent her entire life on the run with her parents and little sister. The only things she knows for sure are the five rules they must abide by:
1. No one can know your real name
2. Don’t stay in one place too long
3. If you sense something is wrong, go immediately to the meeting point.
4. Keeping our family together is everything.
5. We wish we could tell you who we are, but we can’t. Please-do not ask.
But Poppy is tired of moving, tired of running and tired of not knowing the truth about her parents and herself. When Poppy makes a split second decision to take a DNA test she puts things in to motion that even her over protective father can’t stop.
This is a fantastic book! The writing flows so smoothly, the characters are intriguing and the plot will keep you guessing until the end. I read this book in one sitting-I opened the book at noon and the next thing I knew it was 9pm. This is an edge of your seat, page turner with just a touch of romance.
I read this book of my own accord and offered my personal review in exchange for the digital copy. Thank you to @netgalley, @flatironbooks and the author for the opportunity to read and review this great book.
samanthadilley's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this! Really quick and easy read. The con artist/grifters plot was so fun and something you don’t always see in mysteries. It felt very coming of age with the messy twist of actually not knowing who you are. Definitely recommend!
lilibetbombshell's review
3.0
The potential for this book was large. Huge, in my opinion. I had looked forward to reading it, and was fully invested at the very start.
But there’s the rub: I was fully invested ONLY at the start.
After a rather suspenseful and exciting first quarter of the book, the book just slogged for me. It moved slowly and I found myself struggling to keep reading.
The last 20% of the book had me rallying a little, but by that point I wasn’t sure I even cared all that much about the fate of our main character and her family. Ultimately, I just felt ambivalent about it all in the end.
The book has a hazy, summer feel to it, and that fits. Like this family has one halcyon summer in California that’s going to turn their world upside down. Had it leaned into the suspense a little more, or at least picked up the pacing a bit throughout the middle section of the book, I feel it could’ve been so much better.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for early access to this title in exchange for a fair and honest review. Due to the 3 star rating, this review will not be posted to me social media accounts.
But there’s the rub: I was fully invested ONLY at the start.
After a rather suspenseful and exciting first quarter of the book, the book just slogged for me. It moved slowly and I found myself struggling to keep reading.
The last 20% of the book had me rallying a little, but by that point I wasn’t sure I even cared all that much about the fate of our main character and her family. Ultimately, I just felt ambivalent about it all in the end.
The book has a hazy, summer feel to it, and that fits. Like this family has one halcyon summer in California that’s going to turn their world upside down. Had it leaned into the suspense a little more, or at least picked up the pacing a bit throughout the middle section of the book, I feel it could’ve been so much better.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for early access to this title in exchange for a fair and honest review. Due to the 3 star rating, this review will not be posted to me social media accounts.
erinlibrarian's review
2.0
*possible spoilers*
I really really wanted to like this book. I was pretty much onboard all the way through, until I finished it and thought about it for a bit. Both this book and the other one I just finished both involve parents causing their children a lot of trauma that seemed wholly unnecessary, which is probably why I'm coming down so hard on this book. In the case of This Golden State, Poppy's family is so psychologically abusive that she had to live her entire childhood in a perpetual state of flight and doubts she's worthy of friends, education, stability, romantic love, and any type of future that doesn't involve being completely dependent on her parents for every aspect of her life, even into adulthood. It was sad and weird. I feel like she never really comes to terms with the damage her parents have caused her. I felt like she escaped a cult. I'm sure Poppy will be unpacking this in therapy for years to come.
I really really wanted to like this book. I was pretty much onboard all the way through, until I finished it and thought about it for a bit. Both this book and the other one I just finished both involve parents causing their children a lot of trauma that seemed wholly unnecessary, which is probably why I'm coming down so hard on this book. In the case of This Golden State, Poppy's family is so psychologically abusive that she had to live her entire childhood in a perpetual state of flight and doubts she's worthy of friends, education, stability, romantic love, and any type of future that doesn't involve being completely dependent on her parents for every aspect of her life, even into adulthood. It was sad and weird. I feel like she never really comes to terms with the damage her parents have caused her. I felt like she escaped a cult. I'm sure Poppy will be unpacking this in therapy for years to come.
emaretea's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rebelqueen's review
3.0
YA suspenseful thriller. Poppy’s family has been on the run since she can remember, but she has no idea why. Well, she soon finds out. I did not find the reason for being on the run really compelling. The ending was disappointing. The suspense is well done throughout. And I enjoy the CA setting.
jeannine_'s review against another edition
4.0
Realllllly liked this a LOT. I can’t really tell you why, specifically, but everything about it worked for me.
hk_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75