Author: Gillian French
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
Published By: HarperTeen (May 1, 2018)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!
Book Description:
Everyone in Tenney’s Harbor, Maine, has heard of the Garrison tragedy. A mysterious fire. A family of five reduced to one. For people like Pearl Haskins—whose dad was the caretaker of the Garrison property when the house went up in flames—the whispers about that night are more than upsetting. They hurt. With her disgraced father now trying to find steady work in between booze benders, Pearl is stuck waiting tables at the town’s country club where the rich townspeople come in the summer to flaunt their money and gossip about one another.
This year, a group of privileged boys has made a point of sitting in Pearl’s section—throwing careless insults her way while also attempting to flirt. Though she’s repulsed by everything they stand for, she’s drawn to the quiet leader of the pack, Tristan—the last surviving Garrison. He wasn’t home the night a blaze took his entire family, and the sadness coming off him in waves is hard to ignore. Befriending the summer boys might irk her to her core, but inside their fold of elite parties and reckless whims could be answers to what happened the night of the fire. And that’s just what she finds.
Hidden beneath the glittering façade of wealth and luxury, Pearl discovers a dark and twisted web of lies and betrayals that, once untangled, will leave no life in Tenney’s Harbor unchanged. That is…if it doesn’t take Pearl’s first.
It's been a really long time since I've
read a YA mystery that has kept me on the edge of my seat, not only
guessing at what was about to happen, but with what did happen as
well. The magical whodunit.
I usually figure these things out and
yet this time, I think I didn't want to be right. I didn't want to
feel something for the bad guy. I didn't want it to be who it was and
more importantly, because of it, I didn't see it coming as well as I
should of and because of that, this had me turning the pages rapidly
towards the end, eager to be wrong, eager to be right and most of
all, wanting to know it all either way.
French craftily wove a tale riddled
with darkness, deceit and lies. Something full of hate and prejudice.
Of being wronged and unforgiving. Something oh so addicting and
delicious in all its horribleness.
Needless to say, I loved every minute
of it. A must read for everyone.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
Yay! I love a good YA mystery. Adding this one for sure. Great review!
ReplyDeleteMe too and thanks so much!
DeleteAhh! So glad you enjoyed this, Ali! It sounds right up my alley and I really love that cover. I haven't read a good YA mystery in a while too, so adding this to my list! :)
ReplyDeleteWoot! It really is hard to come across a good one that keeps my attention in this genre anymore for some reason so definitely check it out.
DeleteThat's great you loved this one. I do love a good mystery, and they can be hard to find in YA sometimes.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Yes! More so than lately I think so it was a nice surprise for sure. ;)
DeleteI love it when a book keeps me on the edge of my seat! Great review!
ReplyDeleteSimply Angela
Me too, they really are so much fun! :D
DeleteOooh it's been so long since I read a darker YA thriller, and I'm definitely intrigued. Awesome review!
ReplyDelete- Aimee @ Aimee, Always
Thanks so much Aimee, it really was fun. I tend to like the darker mysteries when it comes to this genre.
DeleteI had my eyes on this one but read a couple reviews that said the mystery was predictable. Your thoughts renew my interest. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThere were some parts that were, I won't lie but it was so intriguing and interesting still.
DeleteThis sounds good and I kind of shy away from YA mystery but this sounds steller.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot lately as well so I totally get it.
DeleteLove a good mystery, too. And it's so rare in YA. Adding this to my list!
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Ali!
Yes sadly that is so true.
Deleteyay! I finished one I loved so much as well with Little Monsters by Kara Thomas
ReplyDeleteI need to try that one next!
DeleteSometimes YA thrillers fall flat for me. But dang! You've grabbed my attention with this one.
ReplyDeleteThey do for me a lot of the time as well Tyler so I completely get it.
Deleteoh very cool that this really got to you kindlemom
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie!
DeleteHope you like it.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading more mystery so I'm definitely going to check this out. Glad you enjoyed it and it kept you guessing.
ReplyDeleteI have been too this year and late last year and I'm loving it so let me know if you have any other recommendations too!
DeleteThis sounds so good got me interested.
ReplyDeleteYay!
DeleteThat sounds quite good. Not my usual type of read but if I feel in the mood for something different I'll keep this in mind.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Mary!
DeleteThis sounds exciting. I love a good mystery so I will be looking out for this one. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteYay, glad to hear it! :D
DeleteI LOVE a good YA thriller and I've been looking forward to this one since I heard about it. Plus I liked her first book. :) And wow you've sold this one! Can't wait now with a rec like that! :)
ReplyDeleteYay! Thanks Greg and I truly hope you love it as much as I did!
DeleteNice review! I'm adding this one now. I love books that keep you guessing, and also books that make you love the bad guy. It sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing this one and bringing it to my attention.
ReplyDeleteFollowing you via Bloglovin'! I thought I was before, but I'm making a point to check has I hop around and comment tonight. So glad I did!
Do You Dog-ear?
Thank you so much!! I follow you as well. ;)
Delete😍
DeleteThis YA genre can be such a hit or miss for me, so it's always nice to discover a good one.
ReplyDeleteSame. It was pretty good, still somewhat predictable at times but enough mystery still to keep reading for sure.
DeleteOoohhh sounds so good. I don't know though-I don't want to like the bad guy. And the guys sound like snotty snobs. Or something like that. Still I bet it's a good one!
ReplyDeleteIt was good, bad guy and all. ;)
DeleteThis sounds so good. I have not read this genre in a while but adding this to my list!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are adding it, hope you like it as well!
DeleteOh cool. Love when they can get ya feeling twisty over some characters.
ReplyDeleteMe too Anna.
DeleteI haven't read much YA mystery lately and my! I am really curious of this one!
ReplyDeletexx
Vanessa @ Blushing Geek
I haven't either but I'm so glad I picked this one up.
DeleteYou had me at delicious horribleness. :D I admit you have me curious about this one. Brilly review!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Melissa!
Deletehave seen this all over my GR feed recently, did not realize it was a YA or a thriller o.o great to hear it was told really well, exciting!
ReplyDeleteI think you would like it Lily.
DeleteI love YA mystery which was why I was so excited to start this. Unlike you, I wasn't a fan. I wish she made us work for the whodunit some more.
ReplyDeleteIt was predictable at times but most of these are.
DeleteInteresting to read a Gillian French YA book, i think authors underestimate teens ability to reason which makes these books more predictable! Great Review!
ReplyDeleteTori @ In Tori Lex
I think your right for sure, which is too bad because so many of them have so much potential to be truly great mysteries if the author would just put a little more mystery into it. ;)
Delete