Author: Debra Doxer
Series: Book One in the Candy Series
Published: July 28, 2015
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Author (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Mystery
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Book Description:
Revenge is sweet, just like candy.
Candy Seaborne knows she’s badass. She takes after her father, an assassin and possibly a spy, although he won’t admit to either. She idolizes him. Her dream is to follow in his footsteps. But first, she has to finish high school.
Biding her time, waiting for real life to begin, Candy craves drama and isn’t above manufacturing some. If you’re a classmate who wronged her or a boyfriend who cheated, watch your back. She’s no pushover, and revenge may be her favorite pastime.
Jonah Bryson is the senior class heartthrob who breaks all the stereotypes. He’s a jock, but he isn’t the typical player. He’s moody and antisocial. No girl has gotten anywhere with him since his last girlfriend broke his heart.
Candy sees Jonah as a challenge and the perfect distraction. But she may be in over her head because unlike everyone else, Jonah isn’t buying her tough act. He sees the lost, lonely girl inside. He sees too much. When he looks at her that way, she wants to let her guard down and be vulnerable. But that’s the last thing she should do because her father’s world is spilling over into hers, and life is about to get real much sooner than Candy expected.
*Amazon*
Debra Doxer can always be counted on for a well written, well designed story that is every bit as original as it is fun.
With characters that are both lovable and memorable and even those that you love to hate, her stories really are something you don't want to miss out on.
Her latest book, Like Candy isn't any different. With a main character that you almost can't decide to like or dislike and a swoon worthy leading man and mystery that you can't help but be captured by, this really was one that was hard to put down.
Drama, intrigue, mystery, and a romance that kept me turning the pages and coming back for more, it really was something I wasn't expecting to like when I first met the sometimes shallow, and sometimes conceited, drama loving Candy.
But like only Debra seems to be able to do, Candy's characters grew on me in the most unexpected ways and before I knew it, I found myself liking her and caring for her well being and happiness.
I love the way this ended even though it was a cliffhanger simply because, I can't wait for more. There are so many questions I have about, well, everything and I can't wait to get them.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
Yay for swoon worthy men! :D That's more than enough to make me want to read this book. I've never read anything by this author but it seems like I'm missing out!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Ali! :D
She really is a great author Nick, I do hope you try something of her's soon!
DeleteOooo I love it when this happens Ali! It's always so much fun when an author's able to completely change your mind about a character over the course of the story:) Love the cover of this one too!
ReplyDeleteI agree Jenny! And yes, I love the cover! There were a lot of really neat details on the pages as well!
DeleteI have this one coming up for review and I can't wait to read it. I love debra's books. And i am glad tha tthis one was good for you too! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou will love it. It's different from her other stuff but still really well written!
DeleteI like when the main characters is unreliable and you cannot decide if you like them. You have been on quite the mystery kick of late and keep adding books to my wishlist!
ReplyDeleteI know, it has been a lot of fun. ;)
DeleteWow Ali, a dad who's a hitman and she wants to follow in his footsteps. Very Interesting
ReplyDeleteThanks!
LOL it was really interesting. ;)
DeleteIt sounds like the character development in this is really fantastic. Thanks for sharing, Ali!
ReplyDeleteIt really was Tyler! Thanks so much for stopping by. :D
DeleteI love that cover!
ReplyDeleteI had her over a few months back, I should read her one of these days. I remember you reviewing her NA-thriller too, I know you liked that one as well.
You really should! I have loved all of her books so far. :D
DeleteThat's great Candy grew on you and you ended up liking her character more. Sounds like a really good book!
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun read for sure. :D
DeleteI never of this before. I have students who been clamoring for more mystery reads, so I'll put this one on my tbr pile. I really like the sound of a character growing on you.
ReplyDeleteYay! I hope your students love it!
DeleteMemorable characters is something I've really been wanting lately. I had just been thinking the other night how most of my current reads they just blur together. It's been a long while since I had one that really stuck like years go. Ones that I can still remember both hero/heroines names and all the storyline. I still enjoy the current reads but they all flow together.
ReplyDeleteI love the books and characters that stick with you long after, they are definitely rare sometimes.
DeleteConflicting characters are the best! I like to be forced to stop and analyze like that :) This one sounds like a find!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely have to analyze a few things in this one. ;)
DeleteYay! This sounds all kinds of awesome. I'm surprised I haven't heard of it before!! I love characters that I love to hate. ;)
ReplyDeleteThey can be fun can't they? :P
DeleteThis book sounds amazing, especially since you mentioned that the writing is well-rounded. This is where a book is a hit or miss with me, the writing has to be solid. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteHer writing is always top notch. ;)
DeleteFirst - LOVE the cover. I haven't read anything by Debra Doxer before. This sounds awesome - Drama, intrigue, mystery, and a romance - all stuff I love - Great review!
ReplyDeleteYou will love this then and yes, the cover is awesome!
DeleteWow, this really seems to have it all, and I really love characters that grow on me slowly. I've never seen this book before, but I'll go add it to my Goodreads list.
ReplyDeleteYay! Happy to hear that Maja!
DeleteThis one sounds good! I love that it has some mystery too. I might have to add this one to the list!
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you do and that you love it as much as I did.
DeleteI'm glad that Candy grew and you liked her more as the book went on - I have a hard time with unlikable characters sometimes, but it sounds like Candy's worth waiting for!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
It can be hard sometimes but it was easy in this, probably because she did have redeeming qualities throughout.
DeleteThis sounds fantastic, Ali! I love that it has everything in the mix, yet it seem to have worked. Adding this to the big pile!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo!
DeleteIt's great to have an author like that. Plus I hope that the sequel will be as good now!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm really hoping so as well.
DeleteI love mysteries, and this sounds like an awesome one. Though considering the cliffy, I'm gonna wait for at least book #2 to come out before diving in.
ReplyDeleteLoved the review!
Thanks so much Livia!
DeleteThis sounds like a really cool novel! A teen assassin, huh? It's not everyday you read something like that, lol. Adding this to my TBR! Wonderfurl review! :)
ReplyDeleteBlessie @ Mischievous Reads
Well she isn't an assassin yet, but she wants to be!
DeleteI love books about revenge. I'm keeping my eye on this one. You mentioned lovable characters, too?! Have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI bet you would like this one. ;)
DeleteThis sounds so good. Now when you say "cliffhanger" do you mean an "oh my gosh are you series" cliffhanger or "i cannot wait for more"? Yes they are different ;)
ReplyDeleteThe worst kind LOL! It definitely left you hanging but in a good way. I do know though, that book two will be out soon (the author told me) so thankfully, not long to wait to see what happens. ;)
DeleteGreat review! I got a review copy to review as part of the Like Candy Blog Tour, and I liked it, too. I agree about Jonah, too. Totally swoon worthy material ;)
ReplyDeleteP.S: I nominated you to the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award, here's the link if you want to check it out: http://www.confessionsofabookfreak.blogspot.se/2015/07/sisterhood-of-world-bloggers-award.html
So glad you liked it too and thanks for the nomination!
DeleteAh cliffies kill me! Still I'm glad the characters grew on you and super happy to hear there's a swoonworthy romantic lead. I haven't read anything of Doxer's so this would be a great choice for me.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you try this or at the very least something else of her's.
Delete