whaney's review against another edition
5.0
Another one I couldn't put down. It's pretty dark, but a good read.
katieeliza's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to TheBookClub for the copy to review.
This is a dark, psychological thriller - heavy emphasis on the dark.
Massive strength lies in the creation of the main character - I really cared for her and wanted to help her, becoming increasingly frustrated when she wouldn't do what I wanted her to!
A fab read - well done :)
This is a dark, psychological thriller - heavy emphasis on the dark.
Massive strength lies in the creation of the main character - I really cared for her and wanted to help her, becoming increasingly frustrated when she wouldn't do what I wanted her to!
A fab read - well done :)
kylieeason's review against another edition
5.0
This continuation of Never Smile at Strangers by Jennifer Janes is fabulous for so many reasons!
First, while this is a continuation it also could easily be classified as a stand alone.
You learn about Allie in NSAS, though not towards the end of the book. Her role is minor, but the impact is huge.
When growing with Allie in Ugly Young Thing you hope that the evils that haunted her in the past are gone. As time continues on girls begin dying, at the hands of a vicious murderer. She feels she's to blame for this reoccurring evil, but is she?
Throughout this book I was dying to know more. In the chapters alternating between Allie, Miss Bitty, and "him" you find yourself truly captivated while trying to figure out who is really to blame here.
Jennifer does a wonderful job of misleading the readers, letting their minds wonder to characters who may or may not be guilty. No matter how you feel throughout the book, you are definitely going to be shocked at the ending. It finally pieces everything together.
There was even one point where I was babysitting alone, (the child was already sleeping) and my heart is racing. While I know it's just fiction I feel like it's real, and it's happening to me. Kinda creeped out, but in the best way.
I have to speculate there will be another book coming, hopefully soon! She definitely leaves you wanting more!
First, while this is a continuation it also could easily be classified as a stand alone.
You learn about Allie in NSAS, though not towards the end of the book. Her role is minor, but the impact is huge.
When growing with Allie in Ugly Young Thing you hope that the evils that haunted her in the past are gone. As time continues on girls begin dying, at the hands of a vicious murderer. She feels she's to blame for this reoccurring evil, but is she?
Throughout this book I was dying to know more. In the chapters alternating between Allie, Miss Bitty, and "him" you find yourself truly captivated while trying to figure out who is really to blame here.
Jennifer does a wonderful job of misleading the readers, letting their minds wonder to characters who may or may not be guilty. No matter how you feel throughout the book, you are definitely going to be shocked at the ending. It finally pieces everything together.
There was even one point where I was babysitting alone, (the child was already sleeping) and my heart is racing. While I know it's just fiction I feel like it's real, and it's happening to me. Kinda creeped out, but in the best way.
I have to speculate there will be another book coming, hopefully soon! She definitely leaves you wanting more!
witandsin's review against another edition
4.0
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2015/02/review-ugly-young-thing-by-jennifer.html
Ugly Young Thing is a dark psychological thriller tinged with sadness. Author Jennifer Jaynes has a strong, compelling voice that had me reading late into the night.
Allie’s life has been filled with trauma, abuse, and murder from day one. After the death of her mother and brother (both serial killers), Allie finds herself utterly alone and without resources. When a second chance with a kind foster mother presents itself, Allie’s suspicious. My heart broke for Allie; she’s emotionally scarred, has a distorted sense of herself, and is simply so painfully young to have been through all she has. I wanted to see her get the help she needed to start the healing process. Even as she finds that with Bitty, her foster mother, things take a turn. Another serial killer is on the loose and it seems like Allie will never be able to find peace.
To say much more about the plot of Ugly Young Thing would be spoiling the story, for the fun of a mystery or thriller is watching events unfold. We get several points of view, though Allie and the killer are our primary storytellers. Ms. Jaynes does a fantastic job of fleshing out both of them even as she keeps you guessing as to who the killer is. I love a thriller that keeps me on the edge of my seat, and the suspense is definitely high in Ugly Young Thing. The only real niggle I had about the story was the ending. I was left with questions that continue to bother me, yet at the same time I have to admit that the ending was effectively haunting.
Ugly Young Thing is the sequel to Never Smile at Strangers, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t yet read Never Smile at Strangers, but even knowing major plot points of that story I’ll still be picking it up. Ms. Jaynes knows how to write an edgy, compelling thriller that will have your heart pounding. I can’t wait to come back for more!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Ugly Young Thing is a dark psychological thriller tinged with sadness. Author Jennifer Jaynes has a strong, compelling voice that had me reading late into the night.
Allie’s life has been filled with trauma, abuse, and murder from day one. After the death of her mother and brother (both serial killers), Allie finds herself utterly alone and without resources. When a second chance with a kind foster mother presents itself, Allie’s suspicious. My heart broke for Allie; she’s emotionally scarred, has a distorted sense of herself, and is simply so painfully young to have been through all she has. I wanted to see her get the help she needed to start the healing process. Even as she finds that with Bitty, her foster mother, things take a turn. Another serial killer is on the loose and it seems like Allie will never be able to find peace.
To say much more about the plot of Ugly Young Thing would be spoiling the story, for the fun of a mystery or thriller is watching events unfold. We get several points of view, though Allie and the killer are our primary storytellers. Ms. Jaynes does a fantastic job of fleshing out both of them even as she keeps you guessing as to who the killer is. I love a thriller that keeps me on the edge of my seat, and the suspense is definitely high in Ugly Young Thing. The only real niggle I had about the story was the ending. I was left with questions that continue to bother me, yet at the same time I have to admit that the ending was effectively haunting.
Ugly Young Thing is the sequel to Never Smile at Strangers, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t yet read Never Smile at Strangers, but even knowing major plot points of that story I’ll still be picking it up. Ms. Jaynes knows how to write an edgy, compelling thriller that will have your heart pounding. I can’t wait to come back for more!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
aly36's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it!! This was another great book from Jennifer Jaynes! I am so grateful I found such a great author. This book had everything for me in it. It has serial killer and a little girl trying to find her place in this world. Such a great book! * This book was given to me from netgalley in exchange for a honest review*
gettinglostinagoodbook's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
I was so excited when I won this book in a giveaway, as I thoroughly enjoyed reading Never Smile At Strangers! The minute it arrived I intended to sit down and devour it. However, things did not work out as I planned and for one reason or another I was continually forced to put this book aside. I began it several times, getting hooked, and then having to put it down again. Finally I was able to actually read it last week!
I have to admit, it was worth the wait! Once I actually got past the first chapter (not out of lack of trying) there was no way I was putting this back down. Allie's return to Grand Trespass had me completely intrigued. Having read book one I felt that I already knew a little bit about Allie and understood why she felt the need to sell herself at such a young age. The attachment to her trucker "boyfriend" was also understandable - Allie was going to latch onto anything she saw as genuine love.
Returning to her home, while difficult, was also necessary for Allie. This is when the story truly picks up from the previous one. Being placed under the care of Miss. Bitty was probably the best thing to ever happen to Allie - it would just take her a while to figure that out.
Once again Jaynes had me guessing, and second-guessing myself throughout the story. She led you down one path, then took a sharp turn in another direction. I thought I had it figured out, only to read the next page and know I was completely off-base AGAIN. That is how Jaynes has created a loyal fan in me!
Darkness and terror seem to follow Allie wherever she goes, even in her bright moments. However, it is wonderful to see her strength and persistence in looking for some good. Jaynes has not only created a realistic and likeable character, she has also allowed this character to grow and change in ways that are often very difficult to see in the written word. I cannot wait to find out what happens next - there are so many more things I want to know about the characters I have been introduced to!
I was so excited when I won this book in a giveaway, as I thoroughly enjoyed reading Never Smile At Strangers! The minute it arrived I intended to sit down and devour it. However, things did not work out as I planned and for one reason or another I was continually forced to put this book aside. I began it several times, getting hooked, and then having to put it down again. Finally I was able to actually read it last week!
I have to admit, it was worth the wait! Once I actually got past the first chapter (not out of lack of trying) there was no way I was putting this back down. Allie's return to Grand Trespass had me completely intrigued. Having read book one I felt that I already knew a little bit about Allie and understood why she felt the need to sell herself at such a young age. The attachment to her trucker "boyfriend" was also understandable - Allie was going to latch onto anything she saw as genuine love.
Returning to her home, while difficult, was also necessary for Allie. This is when the story truly picks up from the previous one. Being placed under the care of Miss. Bitty was probably the best thing to ever happen to Allie - it would just take her a while to figure that out.
Once again Jaynes had me guessing, and second-guessing myself throughout the story. She led you down one path, then took a sharp turn in another direction. I thought I had it figured out, only to read the next page and know I was completely off-base AGAIN. That is how Jaynes has created a loyal fan in me!
Darkness and terror seem to follow Allie wherever she goes, even in her bright moments. However, it is wonderful to see her strength and persistence in looking for some good. Jaynes has not only created a realistic and likeable character, she has also allowed this character to grow and change in ways that are often very difficult to see in the written word. I cannot wait to find out what happens next - there are so many more things I want to know about the characters I have been introduced to!
coolerthanudrew's review against another edition
5.0
Up until I was about 90% done with this book it was a nice 4 star book. Not because it wasn't as good as the first, I'd just become familiar with the authors style and figured out who the killer was fairly early. I also figured out how this killer related Ms. Bitty. What sent me for a loop however was how this all related to Allie. I did not see that coming at all! And for that plot twist at the end, this book has earned 5 stars. I just wish that Ms. Bitty would have given Allie an explanation at the end. After all the girl had been through she deserved it.