Secret for a Song by S.K. Falls

Pages: 206

Genre: Contemporary/Psychological

Series: Standalone

Publisher: Createspace

Release Date: May 31, 2013
UPDATE: The book has been bought by a literary agent so it's no longer available. When it re releases though you guys need to get it and read it!

Saylor Grayson makes herself sick. Literally.She ate her first needle when she was seven. Now, at nineteen, she’s been kicked out of college for poisoning herself with laxatives. The shrinks call it Munchausen Syndrome. All Saylor knows is that when she’s ill, her normally distant mother pays attention and the doctors and nurses make her feel special.Then she meets Drew Dean, the leader of a local support group for those with terminal diseases. When he mistakes her for a new member, Saylor knows she should correct him. But she can’t bring herself to, not after she’s welcomed into a new circle of friends. Friends who, like Drew, all have illnesses ready to claim their independence or their lives. For the first time, Saylor finds out what it feels like to be in love, to have friends who genuinely care about her. But secrets have a way of revealing themselves. What will happen when Saylor’s is out?

After seeing this floating around the blogosphere for a while, I caved and asked the author for a review copy. And was it a good idea? Yes.

At first I was a bit wary because I've heard of this type of psychological syndrome before and I've never understood it. I got that people wanted attention sometimes, especially from absent parents, but I could never fathom how people could hurt themselves, make themselves sick, when others who were naturally sick were trying desperately to live their normal life or become better.
So it wasn't really a surprise that I hated Saylor at first. She didn't seem to understand the people around her, and her hurting herself--for attention, no less--irritated me to no ends. She had a sick fascination and all she wanted was attention, bad or not. She wanted to be noticed, and I loathed that, not to mention that she faked a terminal illness just to feel "special".

Saylor also developed as a character throughout the book, but it was so gradual I almost didn't notice. She starts to learn about the people behind the diseases, and how horrible it is, being sick. She starts realizing that maybe there are things more important than attention--much more important. She grew on me, and I honestly didn't realize it until her world fell apart and my heart just started hurting for her.

Falls clearly did a lot of research on not only Munchausen Syndrome, but all the other diseases mentioned, and it definitely seemed like she knew what she was talking about (but I'm no medical professional!) Not only that, she managed to delve into the mind of a teen with Munchausen and create a realistically portrayed character with it. No matter how annoying she was at first.

All the secondary characters were all amazing and I loved each individually, but we have to focus on Drew. He was absolutely sweet and adorable. And it was deja vu all over again with The Fault In Our Stars. Knowing that the YA love interest you're falling in love with has a disease that'll eventually kill him? It's horrible and bittersweet, especially when you feel like you're invested in their romance. The two just seemed to compliment each others' personalities and how they reacted around each other was just too sweet for words.

At the end of this novel, I actually couldn't read the last two pages because tears were rolling down my face and blurring my vision. I'm not even kidding. Secret for a Song is heartbreaking, but hopeful, and it leaves us with an open ending, giving us just a little bit of hope for our characters. Gorgeously written, beautiful, and lyrical, Secret for a Song is one I have to recommend. And will likely shove in your face should you mention standalones or contemporaries.

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Cutting Room Floor by Dawn Klehr

Goodreads Blurb

Behind-the-scenes secrets could turn deadly for Desmond and Riley
Life in the Heights has never been easy for seventeen-year-old Riley Frost, but when she's publicly dumped and outed at the same time, she becomes an immediate social outcast at her high school. So Riley swears off romance and throws herself into solving the shocking murder of her favorite teacher, Ms. Dunn.
Riley turns to her best friend, budding filmmaker Desmond Brandt, for help. What she doesn't know is that Dez has been secretly directing her life, blackmailing her friends, and hoping his manipulations will make her love him. When his schemes go too far, Dez's web of lies threatens to destroy both of their lives.

Cutting Room Floor sounding amazing and thrilling, but I ended up having a lot of rather conflicted feelings about it.

I loved that Riley seemed confused about herself and her wants, something that teens go through, and in the process also making her a rather relatable character. She was still trying to find herself and know who she was and that made her feel real, but beyond her confusion, Riley really wasn't an...ideal character.
She decided to accuse and avoid her supposed best friend (besides Dez) based on a random video and, despite all her friend's evidence against Dez, always ridiculed and laughed against any accusations against him. She never tried to ask why someone broke up with her either, something I found a) unrealistic or b) stupid. It irritated me that she was so susceptible to Dez's lies and never really thought that hey, maybe there was something Dez was hiding.

Dez was an interesting character. His mind was complex and twisted--definitely a well written character! I could never really trust his POV because of his obsession with Rye and how he viewed anyone even remotely close to her. While I didn't understand his actions (actually, some of them disgusted me) he honestly seemed to think it was for Rye. I guess he really did love her, but the fact that he basically isolated her annoyed me. He did at least know it was wrong, but I felt like that took away from his twisted mind which would've honestly made things a lot more interesting. Instead it made him seem like a sort of pathetic stalker, but I did sympathize with him.

The way Klehr wrote the book was also amazing. At the beginning of every other chapter (i.e. Dez's POV) we would be introduced to the chapter like a script and it fit the book so well! It made the reading experience so much better and how it didn't overdo the details too much.

The mystery was definitely interesting, but it was overshadowed by the blackmailing Dez had going on. A few of our questions are still left unanswered by the end, but I can't deny that it was a thrilling read! While the mystery wasn't that quick paced, the drama made everything the more enthralling and I loved it. I didn't really expect the ending, though, so points for twists!

Fast paced and a quick read, Cutting Room Floor was a great read although I did have a few issues with it! If you like mystery thrillers, you may like this one, but I think it's more for the psychological thriller fans out there!

Pages: 336

Genre: Thriller/Mystery

Series: Standalone

Publisher: Flux

Release Date: Oct 8

Rating: 3.5

Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Goodreads Blurb

Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.
What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides— especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own.
Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.
Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.

Oh dear God.

Before I go into this, know that I actually clung to a wall. Literally. I hugged a wall. I also literally rocked back and forth in both history and Math. My friends can attest to this. One of them is probably even reading this. I screamed. I went on a high pitched rant about this book to 4 of my friends. I laughed hysterically.

Obviously you know you should read it.

I ABSOLUTELY COULD NEVER GUESS ANYTHING THAT WAS HAPPENING. I’d have on theory, discard it, think of another, take back the old one, discover that the second one was right…it was so very unpredictable. Everything happens quickly, and you never know what to expect next. This is so my kind of thriller! 

I was in shock half the time while I was reading The Naturals! Remember when I said I rocked back and forth? Blame it on the plot. Actually, blame everything on the plot. It was absolutely mind blowing. In my notes (yes, I take notes…shhh), I wrote “Holy Crap” over and over and over. And then I gave up on notes and just wrote Holy Crap over the entire page.

And, every so often, Barnes would delve into the killer's mind, giving us a creepy look on what was happening, and giving hints on who it was. I guessed but was so sure I was wrong!

Seriously. The plot was wild.

Ah, so, I guess we should go on to talk about the other things. Like the romance. Yes, there was a love triangle. No, it wasn’t annoying! It was more of a subplot, and we never really focused on it. Though the attraction was…quick, it wasn’t insta-love. This is so hard to explain: it created more conflicts, though, and I’m all for that. The romance was subtle, really. And fun. TEAM DEAN ALL THE WAY. I always pick Team Bad Boy. Hmm.

While I was expecting something typically paranormal, the Naturals' "abilities" aren't really paranormal at all--they just seem like natural abilities. They picked up on hints, actions, behaviors, etc. and pieced them together. That was all it was! I was definitely surprised by that and, though I would've liked to learn a little more about them, it didn't take away from the book at all! I loved seeing them practice, and I loved how they still had to work to discover things, rather than having it magically appear in front of them.

I loved our characters! They each had their own flaws, and they were all so individual! I loved them all! Michael's cockiness and arrogance, Dean's mystery and quietness, Lia's...complicated personality, Sloane's quirkiness, and Cassie's all-around personality. I loved their interactions, and I loved seeing all of their relationships build! 

The Naturals is a thrilling must-read for fans of YA. Engaging, hypnotizing, and absolutely creepy at times, The Naturals isn't one that you'll want to miss--it'll have you gasping in shock and clutching the edge of your chair. 

Pages: 304
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: Nov 5, 2013
Rating: 10/5 Stars

The Dollhouse Asylum by Mary Gray

Goodreads Blurb

A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its destruction. But when Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is thrilled to have a chance at survival.
At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.
The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along.
If they play it right, then they'll be safe.
But if they play it wrong, they'll die.

Woah, guys, woah. I'm definitely impressed with The Dollhouse Asylum and my mind is kind of blown.

The Dollhouse Asylum got off to a pretty rocky start because Cheyenne just irritated me so much. She created all these excuses for Teo when everyone kept telling her, warning her, about him. She was so lovesick and naive I wanted to slap her out of her love induced stupor, but I have to hand it to Mary Gray--she sure knew how to write a character infatuated. Thankfully Cheyenne wised up pretty early on though. She drove the story on and was clever enough to dissuade Teo from...well you'll see. She grew on me as a character, though she was still moldable and pretty easily distracted.

Teo was definitely my favorite character, as psycho as he is. He's a complex character with layers upon layers, and it was fascinating watching him come undone. He loved in a sick and creepy way, but he didn't know any different. He did what he did for Cheyenne and it was a sort of a twisted sweetness. And in the end...well he broke my heart and I sort of cried for him. In the end, he just wanted to love and be loved by Cheyenne, build a perfect world for her--with his own dark desires mixed in.

I didn't really understand Cleo's part in all this though. Her personality, the "slut" of the story, didn't really drive the plot on in any way, except to be that typical mean girl with the gorgeous face. She made Cheyenne jealous when she flirted with Marc...but that was about it.
And speaking of Marc, the romance between him and Cheyenne was a bit ridiculous and I feel like the story would've been so much better if they'd stayed friends without the underdeveloped chemistry between them.

But the plot was...wow. My favorite part of the entire book, it was unexpected, shocking, and wonderfully horrible. The story just hooks you in and traps you in it's web of deaths, realizations, and revelations. It was fast paced and didn't let you breathe at all until the book finished and, like I said, I sort of teared up at the end. Stop looking at me like that! I honestly didn't expect it at all and it hurts every time I think about it.

While a bit awkward in the beginning, The Dollhouse Asylum gets better and better until it's full-blown amazing and a book I have to recommend for fans of psychological thrillers, dystopians, and basically anything that'll break your brain. It's one you should definitely read and one I can't stop recommending!

Pages: 296

Genre: Contemporary/Romance

Series: Standalone

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Release Date: Oct 22, 2013

Rating: 4 stars

Thin Space by Jody Casella

Goodreads Blurb
Ever since the car accident that killed his twin brother, Marshall Windsor has been consumed with guilt and crippled by secrets of that fateful night. He has only one chance to make amends, to right his wrongs and set things right. He must find a Thin Space—a mythical point where the barrier between this world and the next is thin enough for a person to step through to the other side. 
But, when a new girl moves into the house next door, the same house Marsh is sure holds a thin space, she may be the key—or the unraveling of all his secrets.
As they get closer to finding a thin space—and closer to each other—Marsh must decide once and for all how far he’s willing to go to right the wrongs of the living…and the dead.

Thin Space, while absolutely wonderful and making me tear up at the end, made me have a lot of rather...mixed feelings. It did get off to a rather rough start, but it only got better from there! In fact, I absolutely loved the second half.

The main problem I had in the beginning was Marsh's personality. He was just obsessed with thin spaces, neglecting everything. He was just so desperate and while I understand that it'd be the way anyone would be, it just irritated me. He was such a tool, using Maddie just to get in the house. And then...he just gave up. After all that.
But I absolutely loved Maddie. She was such an easy character to relate to. Maybe it's because I didn't grow up with a dad, but I could definitely identify with her. She was a strong character and I loved her attitude and her perseverance. And, well, she sort of reminded me a little of myself. Just a little.
Both characters were fabulously broken (I feel a bit sadistic here) and I loved reading about them, more about their pasts and, for Marsh, the night that changed everything.

The writing was absolutely gorgeous and I loved the voice of Marsh. It was powerful and it was realistic, bitterness and guilt mixed into a desperate and sad atmosphere. Marsh was sort of an outcast, not that he was trying. He'd basically pulled away from society looking for thin spaces to do one last thing for his brother. It was sort of heartbreaking.

And the plot and pacing was absolutely amazing. I loved how the story progressed and the twists! I was not expecting them at all and I had no idea whether a thin space was just a wish or real in this story. I loved the ending and I teared up a lot (surprisingly!) You can slowly piece together everything from the hints dropped around and the result was...not what I expected.

Thin Space was an enjoyable read that definitely got better as the story progressed! With beautiful prose and flawed characters, it's definitely a great read! While the main character did annoy me, the mysterious atmosphere kept me reading and I ended up loving it!

Pages: 256

Genre: Contemporary/Paranormal (or is it)

Series: Standalone 

Publisher: Beyond Words/Simon Pulse

Release Date: Sep 10, 2013

Rating: 3.5

Blog Tour: Six Months Later by Natalie Richards

Goodreads Blurb

Chloe didn't think about it much when she nodded off in study hall on that sleepy summer day. But when she wakes up, snow is on the ground and she can't remember the last six months of her life. Before, she'd been a mediocre student. Now, she's on track for valedictorian and being recruited by Ivy League schools. Before, she never had a chance with super jock Blake. Now he's her boyfriend. Before, she and Maggie were inseparable. Now her best friend won't speak to her.
What happened to her? 
And why can't she remember?

The only thing you should know about this book is that I was in a thriller high/mood for a week after reading it. It was just that good.

It's no surprise that I'm in love with amnesia books, and Six Months Later was no exception. It leaves us exactly like our main character--lost, confused, and, if it's written well, right next to the heroine collecting the clues. That's the thing I loved most about Six Months Later. It was so brilliantly written that we had all these clues and pieces, but you just never knew how to piece them together until you could slowly, ever so slowly, figure it out with Chloe. It seemed like everyone had something to hide, and when you have no idea what happened to yourself, it's hard to figure out what's happened to others.

The plot was definitely filled with twists I definitely didn't expect. I could never have guessed anything that happened and all I can say is that the ride was intense. My heart was beating frantically (legit, in my notes, I wrote "Heart. Beating. WHAT." and I was just so desperate to figure out what had happened to Chloe and the rather sinister plot and mastermind behind it all. Six Months Later is a bit on the creepy side, and completely on the thrilling side.

We have a cast of some pretty awesome characters, especially Chloe. What I loved about her is that she came to logical conclusions, conclusions I probably would've made in her situation. There was no overlooking the obvious thing or somehow snatching onto some ridiculous idea. She's a character you just connect with and can't help but love with her sass and feel for with her clear cut desperation in the beginning.
The rest of the characters were unique in their own way with their own little quirks and I loved reading and meeting new characters. And God knows it was fun (if a bit frustrating) trying to figure out whether he or she was in on what happened to Chloe.

And yes. Yes there is romance. Yes there was a bad boy. YES I DID LOVE IT. It was such a sweet, hesitant romance and I just fell for Adam more than once. It wasn't rushed in any way and the way they treated each other was so...tentative. It was adorable and cute and it's just something you have to love!

Six Months Later is a brilliant read and a heart racing thriller. It exceeded all my expectations and, basically, blew my mind. Unexpected and beautifully written, Richards gives you hints one by one, but never the full story until the end.
It's one I have to recommend to you. And your friend. And your sibling. And your mom. Does your pet read?

Pages: 336

Genre: Thriller/Contemporary

Series: Standalone

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: Oct 1, 2013

Rating: 7/5 stars

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Fiction Freak: How did you come up with the plot?

Natalie Richards: Oh man, it's so cliché these days, but it's totally true.  I dozed off at work one day a few years ago (I know--Way to stay classy, Nat!) and I dreamed that I was looking out my office window on a warm summer afternoon.  In the dream, I blinked.  When I opened my eyes it was dark and snowing outside the window.  It was so creepy that it woke me up and I couldn't stop thinking about it.  What if you fell asleep and woke up months and months later?  What if you weren't asleep at all?  So, that's where it all started.

FF: If you were stuck in Chloe's shoes, you would've...

NT: Depends on which part of the book you're asking about.  Because for the Adam scenes...ahem.  Well.  Let's go with the beginning scenes, shall we?  :-)

You know, I want to be a cool zombie-apocalypse-prepared kind of chick and say I'd determine my bearings, assess my phone records, get all Jason Bourne about it, right?  But I totally wouldn't.  I would lose my ever-living mind.  No joke.  Pacing, hyperventilating, possible banshee-worthy wailing.  It would be epic. Panic would not be a big enough word for the kind of humiliating depths I'd sink to if I woke up with dirt under my fingernails and several months of my life gone.

FF: What prompted you to write a thriller? (That knocked my socks off by the way!)

NT: AW!  You're so lovely -- thank you!  I can't tell you how much your comments and kindness have made me grin.

I've always been a fan of a good thriller.  I wanted to see if I could write one that somehow tangled a romance into the creepy and scary stuff. So, the idea of it was always there, and when I started playing with the concept of falling asleep and losing time, the characters started sliding into place.  Chloe, Adam, and Maggie sealed the deal for me.  I was hopelessly lost in this book after they came along.  No way could I have stopped writing it. 

 

FF: What six months would you love to forget?

NT: Wow.  Amazing question.  I thought a lot about this, I admit it.  Initially, I was tempted to mention some of the tougher things I've been through in my life, but the more I thought about it, I realized I wouldn't want to lose those memories.  I think the hard things in life have a lot to do with who we are.  I tend to think we need those memories, even though they hurt. 

That said, I did spend six months of my life waiting tables on third shift at an all-night pancake house.  I wore a maroon polyester skirt and a really tragic hair bonnet.  I'll give you a moment to consider the kind of customers that might be in search of eggs and bacon at three o'clock in the morning.  Yes, it was every bit as bad as it sounds.  So, if I have to chuck some memories, let's take those. 

FF: If there was anyone you suspected was brainwashed, it would be...

NT: Ah, geez.  Now you're really going to get me in trouble!  LOL! 

I did know a girl when I was fifteen who went a little crazy.  She was a year or two older than me, but a good friend.  Pretty, smart, liked to goof around.  She took a three-week trip across the country.  When she returned she informed me--no joke--that she was planning to move there to marry a boy she'd met.  This wasn't something she was thinking about or dreaming, she was seriously researching ways to pack her stuff and head west.  It was...certifiable the weirdest thing I've ever experienced.  She thought she'd fallen in love.  I was pretty sure she'd fallen alright--and she clearly hit her head very hard when she landed.  Fortunately, she came to her senses, but for a couple of weeks that girl was a Stepford Wife.  Way creepy.

FF: In your life, who would be the evil mastermind behind everything?

NT: Well, in reality, I'm definitely the evil genius.  Minus the genius.  And mostly only a little evil, because I have a huge guilt complex that makes me apologize profusely and feel wretched for any actual evil deeds. 

But I'm boring, so can I pick who I'd want as an evil mastermind?  I'm kind of thinking Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory.  Okay, maybe he's not exactly evil, but he could go there.  He's also a super-genius, with extensive comic book and science fiction knowledge, so I'm thinking he would be a great schemer.   Also, he's really fastidious, so he might clean my house.  Bonus!

Nikki, thank you so much for hosting!  You have been amazing -- welcoming me into the blogging community and embracing Six Months Later with so much enthusiasm.  Thanks so much for your support and for having me.  It's been beyond lovely to be here!

But of course! J AND IT’S LOVELY TO HAVE ALL YOUR AWESOMENESS.

Author Bio

Natalie D. Richards won her first writing competition in the second grade with her short story about Barbara Frances Bizzlefishes (who wouldn't dare do the dishes.)  She later misplaced her writing dreams in a maze of cubicles and general office drudgery. Natalie never forgot about Barbara or those dishes, and eventually she found her way back to storytelling, following the genre of her heart, teen fiction.  When she's not writing or shopping her manuscripts, you can probably find her wading through the towers of dog-eared paperbacks that have taken over her bedroom. Natalie lives in Ohio with her amazing husband and their three children, who inspire her every day to stick with her dreams. 

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Asylum by Madeleine Roux

Goodreads Blurb

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.
As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity.

So I was a bit wary starting in because of the mixed reviews I've been seeing and while Asylum wasn't exactly picture perfect, it was still a...decent read, I guess.

The beginning is absolutely creepy and chilling (It is not a good idea to read this at night alone in your house. I don't recommend it any time soon.) and I was enthralled, if not completely terrified, by the eerie descriptions and the ghostly writing. The pictures just doubled the creep factor and I absolutely loved it! But then, things sort of went downhill.

While the entire book did retain it's eerie atmosphere, the plot became dull about a quarter in. Almost nothing happened in the next two hundred pages(?) besides a few murders and...relationship problems. For a horror mystery, Asylum focused a lot on the awkward relationships formed throughout the story and the reveal was predictable. The last twenty pages were exciting, but they didn't really wrap up that many questions for me and I was still pretty confused on the worldbuilding and science of the story.

Our main character, Dan, was a flat character and he didn't have much of a personality. What character traits he did have were inconsistent and they changed to whatever the story line needed to progress (although by story line, I mean their relationship.) Jordan and Abby were pretty much the same and I honestly couldn't even begin to understand their actions.

The relationships were just as bad. For someone who was supposed to be antisocial, Dan made two best friends almost immediately and the romance between Abby and Dan seemed rushed and forced. Not to mention the relationships between all three of the characters were strained throughout the entire book and I had no idea how they could retain a relationship at all. What irritated me the most was that they'd just met each other and that they were so close, so quickly, and were nicknamed "The Hydra" in about a week.

While completely haunting and creepy, the rest of the book was pretty disappointing and confusing. It was sort of hard to understand everything that happened in the book and the characters were just flat and were pretty bland, besides the mysterious things that happened. I'm not quite sure if this is a series, but if it is, I don't think I'll be continuing it anytime.

Pages: 320

Genre: Horror/Thriller

Series: Asylum #1 (?)

Publisher: Harper Children's

Release Date: Aug 20, 2013

Rating: 2 stars

Blog Tour: Truly, Madly, Deadly by Hannah Jayne

Goodreads Blurb

Sawyer Dodd has it all. She's a star track athlete, choir soloist, and A-student. And her boyfriend is the handsome all-star Kevin Anderson. But behind the medals, prom pictures, and perfect smiles, Sawyer finds herself trapped in a controlling, abusive relationship with Kevin. When he dies in a drunk-driving accident, Sawyer is secretly relieved. She's free. Until she opens her locker and finds a mysterious letter signed by "an admirer" and printed with two simple words: "You're welcome."

I loved this so much more than I thought I would! It was so absolutely creepy. And you guys. I read this in one sitting at midnight. Oh the SHUDDERS.

But I did have a few problems: While it got to a great start, so many "convenient" things just happened to make things fall into place and that sort of annoyed me. And Sawyer made some really...not-so-smart decisions sometimes which made me want to shake her.
I also sort of wanted to delve more into Kevin and Sawyer's abusive relationship and there were also a few plot holes, now that I think about it, but it didn't in any way affect the reading enjoyment!

But the atmosphere was absolutely chilling and haunting. Oh ugh. The note was absolutely creepy and wonderful. The atmosphere felt a bit psychological thriller and I loved the way I doubted the character at several moments. There were also so many suspects, but as they each went six feet under...well it got a bit obvious after a little after the halfway mark, but it still shocked me. Completely and absolutely. Like, HOLY CRAP.

There is a ridiculous amount of suspense and it had a great pacing, though a (very) few parts were slightly rushed. There were just so many creepy things that just accumulated until I was completely and utterly spooked. I even considered the fact that our Sawyer WAS the killer. This book just messed with my brain sometimes (and I was literally looking over my shoulder. Having a dark hallway at your back while reading a thriller, by the way, is not a good idea.)

Truly, Madly, Deadly, was absolutely suspenseful, absolutely creepy, and had so many twists. Recommended for thriller fans and people who are in love with these kind of stories!

One word description: INTENSE

Pages: 272
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Mystery
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: July 16, 2013
Rating: 4.5-->4 stars

Author Bio

Hannah is the author of the UNDERWORLD DETECTION AGENCY CHRONICLES from Kensington books and the upcoming young adult thrillers TRULY, MADLY, DEADLY and SEE JANE RUN available from Sourcebooks, Inc. When she's not battling the demons of the

Underworld or tackling a murderer at Hawthorne High, Jayne kicks her feet up in her San Francisco bay area home and attempts to share

couch space with two enormous cats.

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Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Goodreads Blurb

Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others.

Hysteria was an absolutely amazing read! Before I started this, I was a bit hesitant to read it--it had an excellent premise and all (and I did like Fracture!), but the reviews I saw were...let's just say, less than positive.But after reading it...I just don't understand. But we're all entitled to our opinions, right?

But for me, Hysteria was spectacular! It really did have me at the edge of my seat and I was definitely frantic throughout almost the entire book! A thriller this definitely is. I swear. Whenever the words "Boom. Boom.Boom" appeared on the screen (by the way, I accidentally typed scream there at first. See how creeped out this book made me? I'm such a puss) I swear that was my own heart beating. I couldn't believe some of the developments and if you were there when I was reading...I would apologize for putting  you through my continuous gasps and shouts of "NO!"

Mallory was without a doubt an unreliable character and we all love those. Sometimes I had no idea whether I could trust her since all this evidence was just pointing at her. I was almost a hundred percent sure that she was guilty of these crimes, but I could never be certain. Not to mention it seemed as if she'd been hallucinating quite a bit. Oh the creepiness.
There were a lot of flashbacks that really added to the story, and I almost started liking the flashbacks more than the actual plot! Only for ten pages though, I swear!

So there were a few things I didn't really like, but I didn't hate either.

I couldn't really connect with Mallory as a character, but I definitely didn't find her as annoying as some. She was honestly a bit flat but I did love watching her interactions with other characters and how she reacted to things. She didn't really let anyone under her skin, but I think that as a result, we didn't really get to know her as well as I would've liked either.

The romance was also, in my opinion, rather underdeveloped. Reid just kept believing that Mallory was innocent of the, let's say, disturbing events. I'm not saying she wasn't or was, but I sure as hell wouldn't think her innocent. And he believed her all because of one meeting at a funeral? But that scene was really touching I guess.

Hysteria is a compelling read that I'd recommend to all thriller and possibly a few paranormal fans as well, if you're looking for something new! Hysteria is an eye catching book that has an interesting premise and definitely lives up to the hype! Fans of Megan Miranda's debut, Fracture, will definitely adore this one!

Pages: 336
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Series: Stand alone
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Release Date: Feb 5, 2013
Rating: 5 stars

Mini Freak Out: The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Mini Freak Out

Goodreads Blurb

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.
She can’t.
She used to think her problems were all in her head.
They aren’t.
She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.
She’s wrong.
In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

Beforehand, I'd just like to say that I don't have many annotations in the beginning of the book because I was more than a few pages into the book and the end? I was too caught up in the book to notice that I needed to annotate! So sorry bout that! But it is a thick book so you'll see enough of my craziness anyways!

Page 43: (This after I read the whole thing) Man...that should've tipped me off...

Page 45: PSH. Do you really want to be left alone? Now?

Page 52: NO DOUBT.

Page 57: Psh. Punch him in the face? You also want to suck his face. Right, right, AM I RIGHT MARA.

Page 67: Oooohhh Shizzler Twizzlers.

Page 71: WTF. WTF. WTF. I AM BEING CREEPED OUT.

Page 73: WHAT IS THIS.

Page 84: Ermmm...ok. Totally normal.

Page 90: Holy F...what is this. This is a creepy book. Like, really.

Page 92: I have. No. Words. For you. Michelle Hodkin.

Page 98: O_O Really now.

Page 108: (Same as the first) WOW. That really should've tipped me off.

Page 114: ADFNSLCKNASDFKJNLEKFNC. YOU ARE NOT SERIOUS. YOU CAN'T BE.

Page 118: I am so scared. I am so scared. I am so not freaked out. 

Page 121: Oh. My. God. *mind blank*

Page 124-125: OMG MICHELLE HODKIN. I WILL KILL YOU FOR THIS. DO YOU KNOW HOW FREAKED OUT I AM ABOUT DOLLS? EVEN WHEN I WAS LITTLE, I STUFFED THEM IN DRAWERS. THIS IS NOT ALLOWED.

Page 126: And thus I shall punch him for being so mean to ME. 

Page 127: Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod. Iamscarediamscarediamscared HIDE ME.

Page 133: MARA, I thought we figured this out already!

Page 151: Heheheheheh.

Page 153: Hmmm...please don't delve into THIS kind of paranormal! I love Mara Dyer's brand of it by itself!

Page 159: MEEP.

Page 160: OMG HEY. THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED BEFORE IN 2011! A murder of crows fell from the sky at once with no explanation? WOAH.

Page 164: It feels wrong to be writing a reaction here...

Page 177: JUST A NIGHTMARE? I DON'T THINK SO.

Page 178: Blood? Blood isn't good. Also, WTF, this is SERIOUSLY CREEPY.

Page 181: What. The. Freaking. Hell.

Page 190: What. The. Freaking. Hell. WHAT.

Page 203: HURRY. NO. WHAT IS IT. TELL ME.

Page 241: This is going to a whole new level on creepy.

Page 248: Mara, connect the freaking dots. please. PLEASE.

Page 256: I like Stef. :)

Page 267: Ummm, yeah Mara. My reaction too. Holy Shit.

Page 273: LOLOL

Page 286: Do you know how perfect this setting is for a stalker, a creeper, and a murderer?

Page 292: What. What. What.

Page 207: Mara, you dirty minded girl! ;D

Page 315: *keels over and dies*

Page 321: O_______O

Page 369: WHAT IS THIS. OMG. SDHCNASKNAIERJWPENF. NO WORDS.

Page 382: What. The. Hell.

And the rest? Oh my GOD I was so intrigued! 

I absolutely love psychological thrillers, but especially The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, so getting this in the mail? There was much squeeing. The action never stops from page 1 to the last page (Wow. Just realized this was over 500 pages!) and that is saying something! I was engaged throughout the entire book and I could barely put it down! Double the greatness of Unbecoming, The Evolution of Mara Dyer raises the stakes higher and it makes you realize how creepy and cruel both Mara's world and ours are. Anything we can't explain, we write it off as craziness? That's seriously not right. And I loved how Noah and Mara's personalities just clashed so wonderfully! Honestly, they were rarely on the same page at the same level and when they were, I just missed it when they were completely different! The way that Michelle Hodkin brings them together, not only with their powers, but with their own feelings? It made me throw up my hands and as "How does she do that?" Did I also say how creepy this book was? I'm already scared of dolls! Increase that fear by a ton now!

The only think I didn't enjoy about Evolution was the characters. Honestly, Mara was way too dependent on Noah for my liking. She was always leaning on him, waiting for him, and I sometimes found it pitiful, no matter how sweet I found their romance. Noah was sometimes too cynical and we honestly didn't get to see much development for his character, though what we did see? *Whistles* Wow. Two other characters I seriously wanted to strangle? Mara's mom and Phoebe. When you read The Evolution, you'll see why.

Pages: 544

Series: Mara Dyer #2

Genre: Psychological Thriller/Romance

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Release Date: October 23, 2012

Rating: 4 stars