REVIEWS
Liar's Beach
Katie Cotugno
Linden attends a prestigious boarding school where his athletic scholarship sets him apart. Without the scholarship, his family would never be able to afford such a wealthy school, and he’s desperate to uphold the illusion of wealth and privilege to his friends. When his roommate invites him to spend the summer with his family at their beach house, Linden jumps at the opportunity to mingle with the wealthy and elite. The summer starts out perfectly – gorgeous beaches, beautiful girls, and epic parties every night of the week, but things quickly take a turn when a fight erupts at a party, and the next morning there’s a body in the pool. While the authorities dismiss the incident as accidental, Linden can’t understand why no one seems upset by the tragedy. It becomes apparent that beneath the façade of wealth lies a tangled web of secrets. With the help of his long-time friend Holiday, Linden takes it upon himself to look into the “accident,” unearthing buried truths and hidden secrets along the way. If you’re a fan of mysteries, I definitely recommend checking this one out. Linden is a flawed but relatable character, and his interactions with those around him is reminiscent of The Great Gatsby.
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4/5
My Flawless Life
Yvonne Woon
Three years ago, Hanna’s life completely derailed when her senator father was convicted of a hit and run incident that nearly cost a woman her life. Since then, Hanna has become a social pariah, but regardless, she has gained quite the reputation as a problem-solver, or “fixer.” For the right price she can handle any situation, so when a mysterious figure dubbed as “Three” reaches out wanting Hanna’s help, she takes him up on the offer. Three claims Hanna’s former best friend is entangled in something dangerous, prompting Hanna to delve into the mystery before it escalates. Hanna quickly realizes that underhanded deals are taking place behind closed doors at her prestigious prep school. When her investigation leads right to her own darkest secret, one that she’s desperate to keep hidden, Hanna has to decide what to do and what she’s willing to risk. I actually really enjoyed this book. The author does a great job of blurring the lines between reality and perception, and it keeps you guessing until the end.
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4/5
I'll Tell You No Lies
Amanda McCrina
Shelby Blaine's world is upended after her mother dies in a car accident, prompting her father's immediate relocation from their German Air Force base to one in New York. As a senior officer with extensive knowledge of enemy fighter jets, her dad has been tasked with interrogating an escaped Russian pilot, Maksym Kotyshyn. Initially, everyone is excited about the valuable information Maksym might provide, but suspicions arise as gaps in his story emerge, and whispers of his association with the KGB begin circulating. Maksym is placed under arrest but manages to escape, reinforcing the idea that he has special military training. Imagine Shelby’s astonishment when he shows up on her doorstep claiming his innocence. Now she doesn’t know what to believe or who to trust and no one is beyond suspicion.
I was really excited about this book. I love that it takes a look at such an intense time in history, but while I enjoyed the story overall, I felt like it was somewhat lacking. I knew there would be a romantic element, but in all honesty, it felt like too much time was devoted to their relationship and consequently, the action suffered. I would still recommend this book, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
3/5
The Agathas
Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson
Last year Alice Ogilvie disappeared, and the entire community rallied together to try and find her. Thousands of dollars and hours were expended in the search, so imagine everyone’s surprise when Alice turns up several days later claiming she just needed a break. Outraged, the community turns against Alice, and she basically becomes an outcast. Now months later, one of Alice’s ex-best friends, Brooke, has disappeared, and everyone assumes she is pulling an “Ogilvie” – disappearing only to be the center of attention. Alice, familiar with her longtime friend, is confident that she wouldn’t simply vanish, and it seems as though Alice is the only one worried about the missing girl. Employing her best Agatha Christie detective skills, she joins forces with another student to unravel the mystery of Brooke’s disappearance. As a whole, I definitely enjoyed this book. Alice and Iris, the central characters, were authentic, and the challenges they grapple with will resonate. If you’re a huge Agatha Christie fan, you’re likely to appreciate the numerous nods to her books and characters, but even if you’re not, the references didn’t distract from the overall enjoyment of the story.
4/5
Spice Road
Maiya Ibrahim
Imani is an elite warrior, charged with protecting the secrets of her country and the mystical spice that enables them to have extraordinary abilities. She is able to wield her dagger and transform it into any weapon, and her mastery over it earned her the formidable title of the Djenni Slayer. When it comes to light that her brother has been selling their nation’s classified knowledge and has now disappeared, the community is in an uproar. Her mission is now clear. She must locate him and ensure he faces the consequences of his betrayal. Alongside a team of fellow warriors, among them the skilled yet haughty Taha, they embark on a perilous journey through the forbidden wastelands in pursuit of her brother. Their path teems with perilous creatures, compelling them to rely on one another for their mutual survival. I thought this novel was well done, and I could hardly put it down. The characters come across as remarkably authentic, and the relationship between Imani and Taha is the same. I highly recommend.
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5/5
Better Than the Movies
By Lynn Painter
Sometimes, you have to work with your enemy in order to get what you want. Liz Buxbaum can’t believe her luck when Michael, her childhood crush, moves back into town. She’s always known that he was the perfect boy for her – he just doesn’t know it yet. Determined to win him over, she enlists the help of her neighbor and archnemesis, Wes Bennett, who agrees only if she will give him “the parking spot” for the rest of time. As the two work together to snag Michael’s attention, Liz begins to realize that maybe Wes isn’t as terrible as she always imagined. I read this book over the break, and it was a perfect summer read. It was funny and sweet and the characters are likable and realistic. If you are a fan of relationship novels, I would definitely recommend.
5/5
Golden Arm
By Carl Deuker
High school pitcher, Laz Weathers, just might be headed for the majors if he can figure out how to get a scout to take a look at him. He’s got the talent, but when the baseball program is cut from his school, he’s afraid his dreams are finished. To his relief and utter amazement, a neighboring team wants Laz to come play for them, hoping he will pitch them to a state championship. Though this is the break for which he’s been waiting, he is hesitant to leave his family. His trailer park is being torn down to make way for a new development, his family has to be out of their home in the next couple of months, and his brother has started hanging out with the local drug dealer. How can Laz even think about leaving his mom and brother when their lives seem to be unraveling? But how can he pass up an opportunity to play in front of scouts that could change his life forever? I really enjoyed this book. The characters and situations were realistic and relatable, and the chapters are short, making it a quick read. Lupika does a nice job of balancing the play-by-play of baseball games and Laz’s personal struggles, making the reader feel invested in Laz’s journey both on and off the field. I would definitely recommend.
4/5
Five Survive
By Holly Jackson
Red Kenney and her friends head out on a road trip for spring break, driving an RV en route to the Gulf Shores. When they accidentally miss their turn, they wind up stranded in the middle of nowhere, with no cell service, and a flat tire. They quickly realize that this is no accident and that these circumstances were orchestrated by someone who wants one of them dead. Now they are trapped inside the RV, with no way to contact anyone for help, hoping to survive the night. The killer wants answers but refuses to tell them which one is the target, declaring they should already know. Friendships are tested, secrets come to light, and not everyone will make it out alive. Overall, I enjoyed this mystery. In places the story is a bit slow, but once it gets going, it moves quickly and is difficult to put down until the very end.
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4/5
Sugaring Off
by Gillian French
When Owl was a child, she suffered abuse from the hands of her father that left her partially deaf. Since then, she has grown up with her aunt and uncle on their maple sugar farm, helping cultivate the sugar. This is her safe haven where she spends her days traipsing through the woods observing and drawing pictures of wildlife. Everything changes the day Cody shows up on their land. Unbeknownst to Owl, Cody, who is a mysterious, troubled teen, has been hired to help with the sugaring, and Owl finds herself both irritated by and drawn to him. As they learn more about one another, Owl begins to find that Cody is on the run, and the hunters may be closer than they realized. I was really looking forward to this book, but it did not meet my expectations. The story was slow, with little by way of excitement, and I had to force myself to finish. While the relationship between Owl and Cody is compelling, the story is lacking overall.
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3/5
I Must Betray You
by Ruta Sepetys
They are always listening. Always watching. Informers just waiting for one little slip. It's illegal to have ideas, illegal to disagree with the government, even illegal to drink a can of coke. This is the reality for Cristian Florescu, a teenager living in Romania in 1989. He is tired of the bondage, the tyranny, of always watching what is said. When the secret police blackmail him into becoming an informant, he knows he must accept or there will be dire consequences for his family. He will do what they ask, but he will be playing his own game, by his own rules, and he is going to take them down. This book was fantastic. It opened my eyes to a culture and period in time to which I didn't have much exposure. Sepetys does an amazing job of creating the tense atmosphere that pervaded Romanian life. The chapters are short and quick, which makes this book fast paced and difficult to put down. I highly recommend.
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5/5
Furia
by Yamile Saied Mendez
All Camila Hassan wants to do is play soccer. It’s in her blood and when she’s on the field, she transforms into the unstoppable force known as La Furia. She dreams of one day getting a scholarship to play in the United States where girls have the opportunity to play professionally. Even though she is a remarkable athlete, her traditional Argentinian family doesn’t even know she plays soccer, let alone her dreams to pursue it, and she can’t continue to the next level without their approval. On top of all of that, her ex-boyfriend who plays professionally for Juventus is back in town and wants to get together, but she doesn’t want anything to distract her from her dreams. I loved this book. The characters were well developed and realistic, and you’ll find yourself rooting for Camila both on and off the field.
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5/5
The Final Gambit
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
If you’ve been waiting expectantly for the latest book of The Inheritance Games, we now have it in the library! I have loved the entire series, and this latest installment is no different. Avery Grambs has almost made it through an entire year of living at Hawthorne House and will soon inherit everything. Of course, life is never that easy for Avery Kylie Grambs. When Toby is kidnapped, Avery and the Hawthorne boys must solve a series of puzzles to save him, but when each solution only leads to more riddles, they might be running out of time. Will they be able to win the dangerous game, against an unknown opponent, before it’s too late? This book follows the same pattern as the first two in the series. At times the over abundance of riddles become a bit tedious, but overall, such a fun read!
4/5
Hotel Magnifique
by Emily J Taylor
Hotel Magnifique is a magical, enchanted hotel that mysteriously appears at different locations every day, drawing crowds caught up in the wonder of it all. Only the super-rich or the super lucky get an invitation to stay, but even then, their memories are wiped clean upon their return. When Jani sees an advertisement that the hotel is hiring, she jumps at the chance to apply. All too soon, Jani begins to notice that things are not what they first seemed, secrets abound within the Hotel Magnifique, and there is a sinister force working behind the scenes. It’s up to Jani and the handsome doorman, Bel, to save her sister, break their unbreakable contracts, and make their way back home. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was creative and engaging, and I didn’t want to stop reading. I would highly recommend if you’re looking for something new.
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4.5/5
Truly Devious
Maureen Johnson
Everyone at Ellingham Academy excels at something. There are artists, writers, actors, welders - they have it all. But Stevie’s gift is a little different, and most people don’t quite know what to make of her. Stevie solves crimes - at least she hopes to solve crimes - and that’s one of the things that draws her to Ellingham Academy. In 1936, Albert Ellingham’s wife and daughter were kidnapped and never seen again. The only clue was a mocking riddle cut from magazines and signed “Truly Devious.” Even though no one has been able to solve it, Stevie believes she will be the one. When a classmate turns up dead and another riddle appears on Stevie’s wall, this seemingly cold case comes to life. I definitely recommend Truly Devious. It kept me turning pages until the end, but be warned that it does stop rather abruptly. You’ll have to keep reading the next book in the series to fill in the missing answers.
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4/5