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Turning Point
Convinced a fresh start is all she needs to escape the problems at home, seventeen-year-old Jenna Lyons runs away in the middle of the night. But when her car breaks down on the outskirts of La Grange, Missouri, population less than a thousand, she gets sucked into the small town, and one family in particular. Jenna discovers there’s a liar in La Grange, and he’s deceived everyone. Now she must decide whether to run away from the truth, or blow his secret wide open.
- GenresYoung Adult
370 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2011
4 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Luznicky Garrett
9 books94 followersMelissa Luznicky Garrett is an author of adult and young adult novels. She lives in upstate New York with her husband, three children, and numerous animals. Melissa is currently hard at work on her next project.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 8, 2012
Wow seriously over rated reviews in my humble opinion. Seriously this book plays out like a low budget afternoon special. The characters are so surface and the plot is so unbelievable at times. It was OK for what I call 'brain candy' meaning you can skip a bunch of pages and not miss anything. Finished it in about 4 hours. So glad I only paid 3$
March 18, 2020
This book was a wild ride. I never really knew what direction it was going. Then, when I got an idea, my expectations were thrown to the ground. An exciting, interesting novel about a subject that isn't often spoken of.
November 16, 2011
Be forewarned, the story grabs you and won’t let go. You’ll turn each page with both trepidation for what might happen and a strong desire to know. The author’s dedication becomes ominous, “for all of you hidden in plain sight, waiting to be found.”
Jenna’s had a tough life. Thanks to an alcoholic mom, she’s grown up too fast. Strong and determined, she's had enough when her best friend’s father crosses the line. She takes off for parts unknown and fate intervenes. Her car breaks down and a passerby comes to her aid. He takes her home to hang out with his family while her car is being fixed. Next thing she knows, she’s stuck in a situation most of us can’t even fathom.
Phil, Myra, and Dominic seem a bit odd at first. Odd doesn’t begin to cover it. Jenna is drawn to Dominic, but keeps getting mixed signals. Noticing some bruising when she bumps into him coming out of the shower one evening, she asks for explanations. As each piece of the puzzle unravels, neither she nor the reader senses just how bad it’s about to get.
If you are intrigued by dark characters and the unexpected, you will appreciate every turn of the page. Melissa’s ability to slowly reveal layer after layer of this family’s dark secret is impressive. Never once did I guess the series of events about to occur.
Your heart goes out to each character this cruel secret touches. When it’s done, you’ll want to wrap your arms around everyone and hold on tight. Protect them from anything else. I’ll admit I cried like a baby when Dominic finally confessed his situation to Jenna and punctuated it with, “For years, Jenna.” Three words… all it took to drive home the devastating news.
Note: Although the book is young adult, it has some very strong and disturbing themes, so please be considerate of that for younger children.
I received this book free of charge, but in no way did the author ask for a positive review nor did I agree to give one. My opinion is just that, mine.
Jenna’s had a tough life. Thanks to an alcoholic mom, she’s grown up too fast. Strong and determined, she's had enough when her best friend’s father crosses the line. She takes off for parts unknown and fate intervenes. Her car breaks down and a passerby comes to her aid. He takes her home to hang out with his family while her car is being fixed. Next thing she knows, she’s stuck in a situation most of us can’t even fathom.
Phil, Myra, and Dominic seem a bit odd at first. Odd doesn’t begin to cover it. Jenna is drawn to Dominic, but keeps getting mixed signals. Noticing some bruising when she bumps into him coming out of the shower one evening, she asks for explanations. As each piece of the puzzle unravels, neither she nor the reader senses just how bad it’s about to get.
If you are intrigued by dark characters and the unexpected, you will appreciate every turn of the page. Melissa’s ability to slowly reveal layer after layer of this family’s dark secret is impressive. Never once did I guess the series of events about to occur.
Your heart goes out to each character this cruel secret touches. When it’s done, you’ll want to wrap your arms around everyone and hold on tight. Protect them from anything else. I’ll admit I cried like a baby when Dominic finally confessed his situation to Jenna and punctuated it with, “For years, Jenna.” Three words… all it took to drive home the devastating news.
Note: Although the book is young adult, it has some very strong and disturbing themes, so please be considerate of that for younger children.
I received this book free of charge, but in no way did the author ask for a positive review nor did I agree to give one. My opinion is just that, mine.
March 23, 2012
I zipped right through Turning Point. Hands down one of the best reads I have gotten my hands on this year. I couldn't wait to start reading. I was also intrigued because the town of LaGrange, where Jenna breaks down at is not far from me.
Now that high school is over, Jenna wants an adventure. Her childhood has not been an easy one, what with an alcoholic mother and her BFF's father showing a little too much affection to her. When her car breaks down outside a small town in Missouri Phil, a good Samaritan who is also the church janitor, comes to her rescue, offering to go to the local garage and get a tow truck and also give her a lift. When she goes back to his house to wait for her car to be fixed, the rest of the family seem a little off. Especially when Phil keeps calling her by the wrong name, and has a complete freak out over a Scrabble game. The family members seem to be on a tight leash and no matter how many times Jenna is told to stay out of it and leave ASAP, she just can't let it go. Dark secrets are being kept but Jenna's persistence turns out to be the shining light at the end of the tunnel.
Melissa does a great job of drawing you in, holding you there until the very last page. A gripping tale of teenage freedom, anger, hurt, and hope. Pick this one up and jump right in. You will not be disappointed. Recommended for older teens and adults due to some more adult scenes. I look forward to reading more from this new author!
Now that high school is over, Jenna wants an adventure. Her childhood has not been an easy one, what with an alcoholic mother and her BFF's father showing a little too much affection to her. When her car breaks down outside a small town in Missouri Phil, a good Samaritan who is also the church janitor, comes to her rescue, offering to go to the local garage and get a tow truck and also give her a lift. When she goes back to his house to wait for her car to be fixed, the rest of the family seem a little off. Especially when Phil keeps calling her by the wrong name, and has a complete freak out over a Scrabble game. The family members seem to be on a tight leash and no matter how many times Jenna is told to stay out of it and leave ASAP, she just can't let it go. Dark secrets are being kept but Jenna's persistence turns out to be the shining light at the end of the tunnel.
Melissa does a great job of drawing you in, holding you there until the very last page. A gripping tale of teenage freedom, anger, hurt, and hope. Pick this one up and jump right in. You will not be disappointed. Recommended for older teens and adults due to some more adult scenes. I look forward to reading more from this new author!
October 1, 2011
I was so gripped by this story that I read the book practically in one sitting (I peeked at the first two chapters the day the book arrived, and then when I sat down to read a bit more a few days later, I ended up finishing the whole thing.)
I don’t want to give away the plot, but I will say that I was intrigued to find out what was going on with Phil, the guy that Jenna meets when her car breaks down, and that I was surprised and fascinated by the twists and turns that appeared as the truth about who he is and what he is doing becomes clear.
The writing is excellent, with great characters and realistic dialogue (I am always impressed when someone does that well). Although this is aimed at an (older) young adult crowd, it definitely pulled me in and held me there for the duration. Highly recommended!
I don’t want to give away the plot, but I will say that I was intrigued to find out what was going on with Phil, the guy that Jenna meets when her car breaks down, and that I was surprised and fascinated by the twists and turns that appeared as the truth about who he is and what he is doing becomes clear.
The writing is excellent, with great characters and realistic dialogue (I am always impressed when someone does that well). Although this is aimed at an (older) young adult crowd, it definitely pulled me in and held me there for the duration. Highly recommended!
February 7, 2012
An incredibly gripping tale of – well, I won’t tell what that is so as not to spoil this page-turner. Think: “Okay, what’s going to happen next?”
A respite is anything but what just-graduated-17-year-old Jenna gets when she sets out for a much-needed break from nursing her mother’s constant hangovers. After her car breaks down on a Missouri road and with no cell phone reception, things look bad until a man offers to go for help. Upon his return, things look worse when she finds out it will take at least a few days for her vehicle to be repaired.
She meets this man’s family and witnesses a weird dynamic between mother and son and father. When she witnesses something a bit later, something to make her question what all is going on, she slowly uncovers the truth and now her internal radar has moved into ‘holy crap’ status.
Ya, the book is that good!
A respite is anything but what just-graduated-17-year-old Jenna gets when she sets out for a much-needed break from nursing her mother’s constant hangovers. After her car breaks down on a Missouri road and with no cell phone reception, things look bad until a man offers to go for help. Upon his return, things look worse when she finds out it will take at least a few days for her vehicle to be repaired.
She meets this man’s family and witnesses a weird dynamic between mother and son and father. When she witnesses something a bit later, something to make her question what all is going on, she slowly uncovers the truth and now her internal radar has moved into ‘holy crap’ status.
Ya, the book is that good!
February 6, 2012
Jenna has finally graduated from High School! Her plan is to take a carefree road trip before starting college in the fall, but that just doesn't seem to be in the cards for her. After being stranded on the side of the highway when her car breaks down, she ends up staying at the Buckley's house. As the family secrets begin to be revealed, Jenna is put in a position that no girl her age should ever have to deal with. I don't usually read mystery/suspense books, but decided to give this a try. I have to admit, it was really good. The set-up was well done, and the story just flowed. I was sucked in and could not put the book down until I knew how it ended. There were times in the book when I wanted to slap Jenna, but her actions were right in line with what a girl her age would do.
May 31, 2014
I was hook on Ms. Garrett style of writing from the start with The Spirit Keeper. Turning Point kept me on the edge of my seat all through the book. Good intrigues, build up suspense, add a bit of romance and you end-up with a very good novel. This one has some few editing glitches but very few and minor ones too, compared to some e-books I read in the past.
All the characters in this book carried a load of emotions, hatred, deep scares which is very well described by the author.
I have now read every book Ms. Garrett has published and I enjoyed every one of them. I know, I am repeating myself by saying once more, congratulation Madame for a job well done. Once again I was very well entertained by your story.
All the characters in this book carried a load of emotions, hatred, deep scares which is very well described by the author.
I have now read every book Ms. Garrett has published and I enjoyed every one of them. I know, I am repeating myself by saying once more, congratulation Madame for a job well done. Once again I was very well entertained by your story.
August 14, 2011
Turning Point is an exciting YA novel by an exciting new author. Turning Point will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next to the main character, Jenna Lyons. She has a complex relationship with the family she is leaving behind, only to find herself suddenly immersed with a new family that is even more screwed up than her own. Turning Point has many twists and turns, with well thought out characters, that will keep the reader wanting to know what happens next. Highly recommended for YA readers, and even older readers will relate to this exciting adventure as well.
November 1, 2011
I started reading Turning Point on my Kindle phone app a few days ago. I had only a few minutes, and I thought it would be a good time to start a book I had been meaning to read. Big mistake! Not because the book was bad – just the opposite, actually – when my few minutes were up, I did not want to put Turning Point down! I found myself lost in the lives of Jenna, Dominic, Myra, and Phil; needing to know more and more about them as the story progressed. Melissa Luznicky Garrett tells a compelling tale from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more of her work.
March 8, 2012
4.5 It was a good book but I just didn't LOVE it enough to give it 5 stars. It had a good story line that keep the reader continuously turning the page to find out what would happen next. I'm not used to books being from 3rd person but I see why the author thought this was best considering how many characters were in the book. I'm just not a big fan of 3rd person books. (personal opinion) The content dealt with heavy issues that not many people really deal with or talk about. Which makes this book more unique and special.
October 22, 2011
From the very first page I knew two things. Jenna might not know exactly what she wants, but she won't let anyone hold her back from going after it, whatever it is. On top of that, you're going to cheer for her while she goes after it.
Then the story was compelling and every page held attention and kept me wondering what was coming next.
To top it off, the story pulled me through some difficult emotions and hard ethical choices that transcend age. I was left wondering how I would act in the same circumstances.
In summary it was a compelling and intelligent read.
Then the story was compelling and every page held attention and kept me wondering what was coming next.
To top it off, the story pulled me through some difficult emotions and hard ethical choices that transcend age. I was left wondering how I would act in the same circumstances.
In summary it was a compelling and intelligent read.
January 6, 2012
2.5 Stars on this one...
This situation that these characters found themselves in was awful and I felt for them... but I did not feel a connection to them. I did not know enough about them. The biggest thing for me was that I didn't feel a connection between them either.
The author sheds light on a sensitive subject and for that I applaud her. Everyone needs to be more aware of the things going on around them... good and bad.
This situation that these characters found themselves in was awful and I felt for them... but I did not feel a connection to them. I did not know enough about them. The biggest thing for me was that I didn't feel a connection between them either.
The author sheds light on a sensitive subject and for that I applaud her. Everyone needs to be more aware of the things going on around them... good and bad.
September 21, 2011
A captivating page turner. The suspense was gripping from the beginning to the very last page. I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed this book so much I read it in one day. I really enjoy Melissa Luznicky Garrett's characters and feel invested in them and a bit sad when the story is over and I am done spending time with them. A must read!!
September 25, 2011
A great first YA by Melissa Luznicky Garrett. It was exciting and suspenseful and had just a hint of romance. I stayed up half the night finishing it in one day. There were definitely some unexpected twists and turns that really kept me interested and dying to find out how things end.
I'm excited to see what she puts out next!
I'm excited to see what she puts out next!
February 19, 2012
This is a tense, well-written book with rich characters. There are some violent passages. Some of it was tough to read even as an adult, but the violence was never gratuitous. I'll look into other books by this author.
January 20, 2012
I absolutely love this book! You can feel with the characters as you read it, and really understand all the horrors they experience. Written as though it were a true life story, this amazing book is a must read!
Want to read
March 30, 2012I'd like to read this one but it is not available on the nook and I don't buy from Amazon as I don't like there business practices. Too bad it got a great write up in RT.
November 20, 2012
Amazing.
January 17, 2013
It was a interesting book at first I did not think I would get into it but I did.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews