The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher

Publication: January 07, 2014

Publisher: Scholastic Inc. / Chicken House

Source: Publisher / Bought

Emily’s dad is accused of murdering a teenage girl. Emily is sure he is innocent, but what happened that night in the woods behind their house where she used to play as a child? Determined to find out, she seeks out Damon Hillary the enigmatic boyfriend of the murdered girl. He also knows these woods. Maybe they could help each other. But he’s got secrets of his own about games that are played in the dark. A new psychological thriller from the award-winning and bestselling author of STOLEN and FLYAWAY.

The Killing Woods revolves around the mystery and murder of a teen girl named Ashlee. After Emily’s dad (suffering from PTSD) comes through the woods holding Ashlee’s dead body, the authorities believe that he is the one who killed her. Emily believes her dad is innocent and attempts to find proof of his innocence and the real killer.

Damon (Ashlee’s boyfriend) is confused when he wakes up and discovers that he is in his room and Ashlee is not there with him. He was the last person to see her, but cannot recall the events of the previous night.

The story alternates between Emily and Damon’s POV. So I was able to see Damon try to piece together what actually happened that night. As well as how Emily looked into what goes on in the woods and the Game that the local teenagers play there.

The story definitely has a dark, creepy, and mysterious atmosphere to it. I love mysteries that are a little unique and entertaining and The Killing Woods was exactly that.

RATING: 3-3 ½ out of 5.

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The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

 

 

 

 

Publication: July 2, 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

 

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop. So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company. She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

 

I fell in love with Kasie West’s writing when I first read Pivot Point earlier this year. I really enjoyed it, so when I heard she was writing another book I said sign me up!

I adored Caymen. She is a strong, caring, and has plenty of sarcasm to spare. Sarcasm is my second language so I appreciated Caymen’s quick wit.  

“A lot of people don’t get my humor. My mom calls it dry humor. I think that means “not funny,” but it also means I’m the only one who ever knows it’s a joke.”
-Kasie West, The Distance Between Us

Caymen is a senior in high school who helps her mom out by working at her doll shop. She has a really close relationship with her mom, which was nice to see.

Xander is charming, sweet, good looking, and of course one smooth operator.

Because  Caymen’s mom has instilled in her a strong dislike for rich people. She already has her mind made up about Xander from the get go. But after Caymen and Xander begin spending time together, they discover that they are more alike and have more in common than they thought.

It’s silent for a long time before he says, “Did you need something?’

You. “I’ve needed my morning hot chocolate, but someone got me addicted to it then took it away.”

“Is that your subtle way of saying you missed me last week?"

"I've missed my hot chocolate. I just think of you as the guy who brings it to me. Sometimes I forget your name and call you hot chocolate guy.”

He laughs a little, and I find myself wishing I could see his face so I could witness how his eyes light up when he smiles.

“And I’ve missed your wit.”

“Understandable.”
-Kasie West, The Distance Between Us

It didn’t feel like the average rich boy/poor girl story. It went beyond that.  The characters were well developed; there were secrets thrown into the story, and of course the cutest romance. Insta-love? Not welcome in this story and I was glad of it.

The Distance Between Us is the perfect lay on the beach, chill in the backyard summertime read. It is sweet, touching, real, and will put a smile on your face.  

 

Rating 4 out of 5.

 

 

 

 

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Book Review: Spies & Prejudice by Talia Vance

 

Publication Date: June 11, 2013

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Synopsis: Fields’ Rule #1: Don’t fall for the enemy. Berry Fields is not looking for a boyfriend. She’s busy trailing cheaters and liars in her job as a private investigator, collecting evidence of the affairs she’s sure all men commit. And thanks to a pepper spray incident during an eighth grade game of spin the bottle, the guys at her school are not exactly lining up to date her, either. So when arrogant—and gorgeous—Tanner Halston rolls into town and calls her “nothing amazing,” it’s no loss for Berry. She’ll forget him in no time. She’s more concerned with the questions surfacing about her mother’s death. But why does Tanner seem to pop up everywhere in her investigation, always getting in her way? Is he trying to stop her from discovering the truth, or protecting her from an unknown threat? And why can’t Berry remember to hate him when he looks into her eyes? With a playful nod to Jane Austen, Spies and Prejudice will captivate readers as love and espionage collide.

Strawberry Fields (Berry) is somewhat jaded when it comes to love and relationships. All thanks to her job as a Private Investigator at her father’s business.  Being a teenager has its advantages, since most people tend to overlook them and her, which make her perfect for the job.  She is tough, sarcastic, smart, and guarded. And I liked her personality a lot.  

She ends up meeting Tanner, the potential love interest while on a stakeout with her best friend Mary Chris. Their feelings for each other seemed to take root pretty quickly, so I wasn’t 100 percent believing in their ‘love’. But aside from that, I was able to enjoy book.

The characters were pretty unique and fun to get to know. I liked the mystery aspect of the story, more than the romance part of the story. The questions revolving around Berry’s mother’s death and the possible connection with Mary Chris’s dad was an interesting twist and I wanted to keep reading to discover all the answers.

As far as retellings go, this is the first Pride and Prejudice retelling I have ever read. I absolutely adore Pride and Prejudice and pretty much all Jane Austen novels btw. The characters in SP had their own original personality with a little from PP thrown in. I wasn’t in love with it, but I still enjoyed it. Spies and Prejudice is a cute, quirky, and entertaining summer read.

 

Rating 3½ out of 5.

**I received this book on behalf of EgmontUSA in exchange for nothing, but my honest opinion. Thank you.**

  

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