Junior Missing

by Khristina Chess

For fans of Sarah Dessen’s Dreamland comes a steamy thriller about a runaway teenager who escapes an abusive relationship.

Love isn’t supposed to take prisoners.

Sixteen-year-old Grace Keegan, darling of the child pageant world, is missing. Police initially believe she ran away—until they locate her abandoned cell phone along the highway. No one knows she met someone online, someone older, a musician named Quentin Brock who has a cool band named Acid Mozart. He seems to be romantic, cute, and funny. He seems to be the perfect guy.

By the time he reveals his true colors, Grace is trapped in another state with no way out.

She doesn’t even have shoes.

Genres: Young Adult, Thriller

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2023

About the author

Khristina Chess is an award-winning author of more than a dozen young adult novels, including The Cutting Edge of Friendship, The Delinquent Hero, and Junior Missing. Her novel about eating disorders, Hollow Beauty, was named a finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She tackles tough teen topics and writes binge-worthy books across multiple genres, including contemporary, thriller, mystery, dystopian, and adventure.

Visit her online at www.khristinachess.com and on Twitter @KhristinaChess.

Reviews

[Cam Rasp]

It was a little repetitive, but given the nature of the topic, that was more than intentional. I flew through it.

[Shan]

Special thanks to Khristina Chess for gifting me this book... thank you for trusting me to write an honest review!

This is a tough story but very well written. I don't want to spoil it for those reading this review. Crux of the story is a high school beauty queen with a crappy home life meets a guy on the internet and runs away to live with him in his trailer park. He is abusive and she is unable to leave. I'll leave the storyline at that to avoid any spoilers.

I liked how the author included all forms of intimate dating abuse (emotional, verbal, physical) so that teens can see how manipulation plays into it. She also was very careful in the victim thought process when it comes to the love-bombing/honeymoon phase of the cycle.

The author also took time at the end of the book to explain violence in dating that really speaks to the YA reader. Wasn't preachy or a data dump, but provided resources if needed.

I will be putting this on my 15 year old's to-read list. Bravo, Khristina for taking on a tough topic with care!

[Nicole]

My heart felt for this poor girl. 😭

Junior Missing was gut-wrenching, but I couldn't put it down.
The story brings to light how blinded one can be in an abusive, manipulative relationship where they are in denial but also feel lucky, love the person, and feel like the abuser will change their behavior because they "love you."

The book follows sixteen-year-old Grace, a pageant girl, who is assaulted by her mom's rich doctor boyfriend and who is about to marry her mom and move into their house. As soon as her mom would leave the room, he'd have his eyes on Grace's chest, squeeze her butt, rub himself against her, and she'd feel unprotected. He'd make moves on her, touch her, and her mom would minimize it and not believe her. Her mom didn't keep her safe.

Grace meets a twenty-two-year-old man online named Quentin from a band called Acid Mozart. She's watched his music videos and swoons over him. She's drawn to him, taken in by him, and attracted to him. He talks to her, she feels comfortable, and he hasn't come off creepy online and doesn't ask for weird photos or to meet. Grace feels desperate and asks to meet him, telling him what had happened at home. He doesn't call her a liar and asks if she's hurt, which makes Grace melt a little and feel cared for. She asks for a safe place to stay, and Quentin says she can crash on his couch, offering her a place to stay. Without her permission and despite her not agreeing, he dumped her phone out the car window while she was sleeping, so she is unsearchable.

At first, she feels lucky to have him, like the luckiest girl in the world, and would do anything for him. He seems to be protecting and keeping her safe. He listens to her and buys her things, and she's very attracted to him. She's shy with him and easily flattered by his compliments and love bombing. He's becoming her first love, and she's falling in love with him and blinded by it. He shows red flags, and Grace doesn't notice that things aren't right.

It was easy to make excuses for him because he was so great most of the time. Being with him felt amazing, and little by little, I became used to the other things, small things at first, the put-downs, temper tantrums, and other stuff that came with his moodiness. It didn't seem like such a big deal in the beginning.

She continues to feel like it was her choice to stay at his place and that he didn't kidnap her, despite knowing she's on the news as a missing/abducted person. He restricts her and takes her shoes so she can't go outside. He convinces her that if she leaves, he won't be able to help her anymore, and she will get raped by her mom's boyfriend, soon future husband. He controls Grace to think that she's not allowed in public because she's sixteen and he'll go to jail for child abduction, no one is going to understand their relationship, that she begged him to help her as a friend, and that she willingly climbed into the car with him. He plays a victim, gaslights, and manipulates her, keeping her his prisoner. Things get worse, and he also becomes physically violent with her, pinching her, spitting in her face, hitting her, and breaking her ribs. She still doesn't think Quentin's dangerous. She feels he goes back to like the "great guy she'd fallen in love with, being gentle and thoughtful." He's apologetic, and she gets lost in his eyes, kisses, cuddles, and tender words. Despite the abuse, she wanted him so much, loved him so much that when he was good, the violence mattered less. She believed he was remorseful and wouldn't let it happen anymore.

In the book, you can tell that Grace feels stuck. She fears and isn't sure what he will or won't do, but sometimes thinks he'll change because he loves her. She goes through the motions of feeling stupid or clinging to the good times.

When Quentin isn't home, Grace starts going outside and spending time with the neighbor girl. She makes friends with the neighbor girl and helps teach her how to dance. This part was sweet. When the girl's mother, Natalie, gets involved, she's gentle about the situation, respecting the delicateness of the circumstances and wanting to make sure Grace doesn't feel forced but safe. She keeps an eye out for Grace and tries to earn her trust. Natalie gets Grace's favorite foods and talks with her in a way that guides Grace to decide to leave on her terms. She helps Grace through the thought process and the courage to call her dad.

The book was heartbreaking, and I felt everything from Grace's viewpoint and could put myself in her shoes. The character of Quentin reminded me of my first serious relationship (except for the child predator age gap and not living together.) Despite it being a difficult read, it captured seeing through the eyes of a young teenage girl who loved a boy but knew something was off and who feels isolated and stuck. Junior Missing is an essential read because it's easy for victims to feel stupid or not understand why or how they could go back to someone or stay with someone who abuses them, but it's a very real situation.

Trigger warning: abuse, sexual assault, animal cruelty/psychopathic behavior involving killing an animal.

[Aisha]

It was ok. Felt very real. Repetitive at times but understandably because of the nature of it.

Quite liked the writer's style, and it was easy to read. She wrote how the manipulation Quentin used really well and it was really believable.

[Traci Tiamo]

This is an amazing depiction of a young girl’s journey navigating her life alone when the adults around her fail miserably. Unfortunately, the young Prince Charming who she asks to rescue her ultimately becomes more of the same.

This is a gripping, honest depiction of a young girl who slips into the world of a damaged young man who just wants to be loved, except his version of love may kill her dreams and her, literally.

I read this book in one sitting completely enthralled and horrified with the story of Grace and the man she wanted desperately to reward and care for.

As she tries to figure out how to make her boyfriend happy, she soon realizes her happiness and his will never coexist leading to a climax that may come too late to save her when she bravely reaches out with even more desperation than before.

An extremely sensitive real life topic handled with dignity and grace by the author. The psychological portrayal of two characters trying to figure each other and an abusive world out deserves to be on your list of books to read.

[Ashley Freeman]

Holy cow! This books was so powerful and real! I really enjoyed reading it (even though it was kind of dark). Quintin was a great manipulator and he really did a number on Grace. And to be honest, how Grace got into that situation wasn’t even her fault. She was trying to get from one bad situation, only to wind up into another one. It’s like her dad said at the end, teenagers can be easy to manipulate and groom. I am glad that she was able to realize that she was in trouble (THANK GOD for the neighbors!) because she really could’ve died there and no one would’ve known… I am so glad that I finally picked this book up (was super surprised at how dark it was for a YA book) and I would recommend this to anyone!

[Joelle Tamraz]

I’ve read four books by Khristina Chess, and I’m consistently impressed by how she brings deep, complex issues to life in a story. In Junior Missing, we follow the path of a teen who falls into a relationship of coercive control. Every moment we wait for her escape, not knowing how she’ll make it. This book is both a cautionary tale and a great thriller. What a talented author!

[Bella Johnson]

I received this book in a GoodReads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I was sold when this book was compared to a Sarah Dessen novel, and that set my expectation extremely high. I was not disappointed. Not in the slightest. I'm planning on collecting the rest of the books by this author as soon as possible.
Grace, having experienced sexual assault at the hand of two of her mother's partners and being called a liar by her mother for speaking out, is seeking an out. And her online friend, Quinton Brock and lead singer of Acid Mozart, provides an easy one. He picks her up after a gig, no hesitation. The problems arise quickly. For one, Quinton is twenty-two and Grace is sixteen. Second, he ditches her phone while she sleeps on the ride away from her house. Third: when Grace wakes up, she has no idea where she is.
Halfway through the book, Grace is faced with the reality of her intense relationship with Quinton - he has a type. Lexie was fourteen when Quinton showed and interest and began dating her. He was nineteen. And the purplish color Quinton made Grace dye her hair was Lexie's signature color.
Quinton's odd behaviors, such as taking Grace's shoes with him to work so she won't go outside and be spotted by the neighbors, quickly evolves into calling her horrible names, spitting on her, and playing mind games that drive Grace to shrink into the shell of the girl she used to be.
Two situations I found interesting to show how Grace's abuse had basically brainwashed her were when Chanise had a cell phone that Grace never even thinks to use to call for help and when Grace describes the dangers an outdoor cat could face with language that can be applied to her own situation with Quinton.
I need every teenage girl I know to pick this book up ASAP. I'll gladly hand them copies myself.

[Mamadukes]

Khristina Chess continues to amaze me in the writings of her Young Adult coming-of-age novels. Her latest, JUNIOR MISSING does not disappoint.
When Grace Keegan, a former pageant princess ‘escapes’ what is sure to be an abusive home what with her mother’s new boyfriend putting the moves on her, she finds solace with her on-line friend Quentin, who picks her up and whisks her away to safety in his home somewhere in Kentucky. Grateful that she had someone to turn to in her hour of need, and needing to stay on the down low, Grace accepts all of the restrictions Quentin places on her. But has she left one bad home situation for another? And can you ever really go home again?
While there are minimal descriptions of abuse which may be triggering to some, the overall story is one of a young woman coming into her own and learning that there are so many more people in her world than she originally thought. Starting with an eleven year old neighbor.
I ALWAYS love the way Ms. Chess can paint such a succinct, detailed picture without overwhelming me with details that I later learn were of no importance. She has a very easy writing style that keeps me turning the pages. And although the subject is dark, it is definitely important in today’s climate. I actually found myself, on my feet and pacing as I reached the conclusion.
Another great job! I can’t wait to see where she goes next. BRAVO, MS. CHESS!

[Courtney Peley]

Junior Missing

Wow! Incredible. The suspense was the second to worst thing. Romeo was the worst! It made me sad and mad and wish those people couldn’t treat others the way they do. I don’t want to throw out any spoilers so I’m being vague. Great writing and definitely a topic that many young women need to read and grow their own confidence to not allow this happen to them.

[Jody Reads Smut]

What a wonderful book. Grace's young adult life has been filled with so much pain and disappointment that I felt a great deal of sympathy for her. Grace wasn't her mother's concern; she was just interested in herself. In this story, a little girl discovers that the choice she thought she had to make to save herself eventually had terrible consequences. Strongly recommended.

[Julie Kleckner]

This was disturbing but compelling story. This could definitely be a real life experience that young women can find themselves in and not know how to get out of. Was rooting for her to make her escape.

[Chris]

This book was difficult to read (because of the situation), but I really enjoyed it.
Definitely a good book for young adults (teens) to read to help keep them safe.
Thanks to Goodreads Giveaway for the free kindle copy.

[Amanda]

Wondering rear

Such a great read! Could not put it down. Main character is someone you can’t help but feel and root for.

[Taryn (❤ω❤)]

A true masterpiece.

[Alice Blanchard]

Award-winning author Khristina Chess has chosen a tough subject but handles it with ease and exceptional skill - the story of Grace, a sensitive sixteen-year-old who is abused by her soon-to-be stepfather and decides to leave, but ends up in a more dangerous situation. Without spoiling the plot, it's a suspenseful, heartfelt novel by an author who should be on more readers' must-read lists. Highly recommended.

[Bethany Rodriguez]

On a list for “If you liked Verity, you’ll love these thrillers”.
It was not much of a thriller. I did enjoy it, but I was hoping for more. It fizzled out and nothing big happened.