healingtothemax's review against another edition
3.0
Intriguing concept, likable characters, fast-paced and evocative prose, fun dialogue and execution for the most part is on target in this well-written YA contemporary mystery. It's a common occurrence yet a topic rarely discussed: a female friendship breaks due to unexplained circumstances (not death) and the fallout feeling spiral afterwards. Such a breakup hurts as badly and even worse than a romantic breakup for the bonds of connection have been severed. Worse is when the wounded party searches through the rubble of what-was in puzzling out the why's of what-now-is. Family and friends can't help the grief stages one must go through alone. Debut author Katy Loutzenhiser conveys the pain caused when one BF moves away then stops answering the other BF's electronic calls (emails, texts, social media). Our heroine's growing misery over the mystery of why her friend ditched is conveyed through her increasingly desperate, obsessive behavior. Only a new friend - in the form of a romantic interest, the hot new guy in town who has his own secrets - helps our girl in her solo sleuthing. (That plot choice in itself is ripe for analysis!) Interesting supporting characters abound in school, work, and two divided households. But the gal-pal disappearing act dominates the plot and our heroine never does what everyone insists she must do: accept, let go and move on to live her life. The writer rewards her heroine's doggedness, the safer choice. Cleverly seeded clues blossom into splashy reveals - too big - in the third act. The final confrontation is a letdown; the characters' casual attitudes at such a shocking discovery after a book bursting with heart-breaking angst undermines the dramatic tension built by the mystery's clue-gathering. When the big confrontation arrives, the book's hidden theme is revealed: another adult made a bad decision that their kid paid the price for. Overall IYOT left this reader puzzling out the mystery's shady characters and murky reasons but enjoying the writer's skills in steering her audience through friendship's rocky landscape.
[SecondStar Debut Author Launch Box March 2019 edition]
[SecondStar Debut Author Launch Box March 2019 edition]
fictionfiend74's review against another edition
3.0
Adorable BFFs, adorable love interest, enjoyable writing, and I was hooked in to the mystery, but was a little disappointed with how it wrapped up. Still a recommended YA read.
magicalmystery's review against another edition
2.0
This wasn't my cup of tea, so I'm glad it at least was a quick read.
debzemanlms's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the use of strong female protagonists in this book. The story was told from Zan's POV. The author's use of words helped me as a reader really feel Zan's frustration, confusion, and despair of losing her best friend. The mystery itself was interesting. I liked the way the author used Social Media as a way to begin the mystery, along with her reference to CSI and how Zan builds a crime board to figure out if she's really being ghosted or not. The introduction of Logan as the love interest brought a sweetness to the story. If you like mysteries, this is one you should try.
yade95's review against another edition
3.75
It's a bit anticlimactic but a nice and fast read/listen that touches on different difficult subjects such as loss, divorce, and depression.
gracie_0319's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
logan and zan were cute, plot was good too. wrapped up too fast
abbimbay's review against another edition
5.0
“every time i look at priya, my heart swells a little. it’s almost like the world has returned to its axis. the ground is solid. i’m solid.”
freaking. loved. this. book. i tore through it in one sitting. a gorgeous testament to the power of female friendship—there is nothing stronger and nothing we won’t do to protect each other. it was funny, sweet, and a great mystery to unravel.
freaking. loved. this. book. i tore through it in one sitting. a gorgeous testament to the power of female friendship—there is nothing stronger and nothing we won’t do to protect each other. it was funny, sweet, and a great mystery to unravel.
ginaauran's review against another edition
4.0
This book is definitely worth the read, it's interesting and keeps you hooked. I would recommend for a light mystery read with a little bit of romance.
piikasmalls's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0