Scan barcode
liralen's review against another edition
4.0
When Jude's best friend is found dead in her family's pool, the official story is suicide—but Jude can't imagine that Maggie would kill herself. She had too much to live for. Jude takes it upon herself to figure out who might have done it and why.
So it's a murder mystery, after a fashion. But the book's strongest point is not that mystery—it's the depth of character Smith brings to the page. These are not cookie-cutter characters; they're a diverse bunch (racially, socioeconomically, experientially, disability-wise)...and, more importantly, the things that make them 'diverse' are used to inform their characters rather than to define them. This is something that's so often done wrong in YA lit, and I'm thrilled to see it done right here.
Now, in terms of the plot... It's also pretty interesting to see Jude develop. Her situation is complicated in a way that the reader isn't allowed to fully understand until late in the book, and also in a way that can't be easily or tidily 'fixed'. Some of the secondary characters—teens—are so clearly playing at being adults, and while Jude scoffs it's clear that she's still looking for something else, a way to get past the limitations of her current life. And part of that means understanding what happened to Maggie, who had all the advantages Jude hasn't had.
It's worth discovering the whodunnit for yourself, soooo be warned that the following really is a massive spoiler:
I wish this had been discussed more thoroughly in the book, because it's such a complex situation, and I kept jumping from one interpretation to the next. Because first: No, that's dumb; all it means is that when there are no more time-buying treatments for her brother, her parents will have lost both children. Second: But there does seem to be something in the idea that she's clearly always been the less-favoured child and couldn't bear the idea of always knowing that they would have preferred her brother to live. And third: No, there's still an element of dumbness to it; if it really was even partly logic based on finances, she could have picked another university—a less expensive one—and/or applied to scholarships and/or taken out loans.
And yet I understand it, at least as frightened teenage logic. It's sad, but I can more or less understand why Maggie might think choose this path. Still wish there'd been more time to discuss it within the book, but it's interesting food for thought.
I received a free copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
So it's a murder mystery, after a fashion. But the book's strongest point is not that mystery—it's the depth of character Smith brings to the page. These are not cookie-cutter characters; they're a diverse bunch (racially, socioeconomically, experientially, disability-wise)...and, more importantly, the things that make them 'diverse' are used to inform their characters rather than to define them. This is something that's so often done wrong in YA lit, and I'm thrilled to see it done right here.
Now, in terms of the plot... It's also pretty interesting to see Jude develop. Her situation is complicated in a way that the reader isn't allowed to fully understand until late in the book, and also in a way that can't be easily or tidily 'fixed'. Some of the secondary characters—teens—are so clearly playing at being adults, and while Jude scoffs it's clear that she's still looking for something else, a way to get past the limitations of her current life. And part of that means understanding what happened to Maggie, who had all the advantages Jude hasn't had.
It's worth discovering the whodunnit for yourself, soooo be warned that the following really is a massive spoiler:
Spoiler
As Jude comes to discover, Maggie's death was both self-inflicted and intentional; she killed herself, in effect, because there wasn't enough money to pay for both her Ivy League education and her terminally ill brother's (next) surgery.I wish this had been discussed more thoroughly in the book, because it's such a complex situation, and I kept jumping from one interpretation to the next. Because first: No, that's dumb; all it means is that when there are no more time-buying treatments for her brother, her parents will have lost both children. Second: But there does seem to be something in the idea that she's clearly always been the less-favoured child and couldn't bear the idea of always knowing that they would have preferred her brother to live. And third: No, there's still an element of dumbness to it; if it really was even partly logic based on finances, she could have picked another university—a less expensive one—and/or applied to scholarships and/or taken out loans.
And yet I understand it, at least as frightened teenage logic. It's sad, but I can more or less understand why Maggie might think choose this path. Still wish there'd been more time to discuss it within the book, but it's interesting food for thought.
I received a free copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
paigelm's review against another edition
3.0
I read this because Sherri Smith has written some other really great YA stories that I couldn't put down. This book was humorous and terrifying and short, but took me a while to read through. The main female character was punchy and unapologetic, which I always appreciate. However, I wanted a bit more of a mystery, and a bit more of a dectective crew between her and her best friend/love interest Joey. The book was represented as noir style, and I feel like it didn't quite live up to that. Compared to Smith's other novels, not her best, and not one I am interested in recommending for the GMBA. Trigger warning, rape is part of the plot. Also, California seems hot.
tellalltales's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Maggie was a very important person to Jude and losing her destroyed her. Maggie was a big part of Jude’s life but she was also a big part of other’s lives too which Jude didn’t know.
Jude trying to get to the bottom of her bestfriends suicide is understandable but the reason for the suicide was not a huge secret like the story makes it out to be.
Although I understand that Jude went through a lot and confided in Maggie, I disliked how she treated Joey, who was only nice to her. She expected him to always be there for her and stay loyal but only when she needed him. What about how Joey felt about his friend commiting suicide?
Overall I liked the book but had some issues with the main character and especially Maggie’s mom saying she knew her daughter would go to hell!
Maggie was a very important person to Jude and losing her destroyed her. Maggie was a big part of Jude’s life but she was also a big part of other’s lives too which Jude didn’t know.
Jude trying to get to the bottom of her bestfriends suicide is understandable but the reason for the suicide was not a huge secret like the story makes it out to be.
Although I understand that Jude went through a lot and confided in Maggie, I disliked how she treated Joey, who was only nice to her. She expected him to always be there for her and stay loyal but only when she needed him. What about how Joey felt about his friend commiting suicide?
Overall I liked the book but had some issues with the main character and especially Maggie’s mom saying she knew her daughter would go to hell!
ravenness's review against another edition
4.0
***I received this E-ARC for free from Penguin’s First to Read in exchange for an honest review***
This book was amazing, terrifying, touching and so many other adjectives that fall short of describing the experience of reading this story.
The author does an amazing job painting the picture of this broken girls life. Jude the main character was relatable, especially for me as our childhood experiences and home life were parallels. Jude receives a call while visiting her family back east for the summer that her best friend, Maggie Kim committed suicide. Distraught and confused , she returns to her home to her oblivious but loving mother and her mother’s inappropriate (to put it mildly) alcoholic boyfriend.
With the help of Joey, the boy who wants to be more than her friend, Jude sets out to discover the truth of what happened the night Maggie died. She doesn’t believe that her rich, popular and enigmatic friend actually committed suicide. Of course no one believes her claims that someone must have murdered Maggie, so she goes through her own investigation to try and unravel the mystery.
Many twists and turns throughout the story will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew when the story first started. Jude’s pain is real and raw and it isn’t masked or glossed over for the reader to feel more comfortable with it. There are trigger warnings galore, so if you are really sensitive to issues such as suicide, drug use or rape, those things will be discussed. This does not take away from the story at all. This is a great book and I would recommend to anyone looking for a new YA read.
This book was amazing, terrifying, touching and so many other adjectives that fall short of describing the experience of reading this story.
The author does an amazing job painting the picture of this broken girls life. Jude the main character was relatable, especially for me as our childhood experiences and home life were parallels. Jude receives a call while visiting her family back east for the summer that her best friend, Maggie Kim committed suicide. Distraught and confused , she returns to her home to her oblivious but loving mother and her mother’s inappropriate (to put it mildly) alcoholic boyfriend.
With the help of Joey, the boy who wants to be more than her friend, Jude sets out to discover the truth of what happened the night Maggie died. She doesn’t believe that her rich, popular and enigmatic friend actually committed suicide. Of course no one believes her claims that someone must have murdered Maggie, so she goes through her own investigation to try and unravel the mystery.
Many twists and turns throughout the story will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew when the story first started. Jude’s pain is real and raw and it isn’t masked or glossed over for the reader to feel more comfortable with it. There are trigger warnings galore, so if you are really sensitive to issues such as suicide, drug use or rape, those things will be discussed. This does not take away from the story at all. This is a great book and I would recommend to anyone looking for a new YA read.
catladyreba's review against another edition
4.0
This is more like a 3.5, but I am feeling generous today, so 4 stars it is :) There was a lot about this book I really liked. I liked the narration, the "realness" of the characters. They were not perfect, or one-dimensional. I'm still not sure I loved the ending. It seemed like both a stretch, and yet at the same time, perfect. It did grab my interest and keep me reading, so I guess that counts for something!
plumeriade's review against another edition
1.0
overdone, flat "i'm damaged because i was molested as a little girl and now i can't love anyone so i put on a tough face" female protagonist, and a really, really stupid cop-out ending. if you're curious:
Spoiler
Maggie killed herself because she got into Brown University, which is expensive, and her brother needs an expensive surgery. maybe just... go to a different college?!?? postpone college??? christlcarslibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Nice YA noir mystery. Dreamy but also real. Good, quick read.
mollyabrown's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts