What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Be Found
A young adult novel about inner-city teens who understand that chosen family is just as important as blood.
Michie and Trissa grew up like sisters in a ramshackle duplex owned by their single moms. But now that they’re sixteen, the differences in identity and experience have caused a rift. Michie’s an introvert obsessed with a book called A Girl’s Guide to Murder. Shiny, extroverted Trissa, on the other hand, dances at the hottest nightclub in town.
One night, Michie wakes up one night to find Trissa missing, having left only a cryptic note. The cops write her off as a party girl who’s probably already met a foul end, and the mothers fall apart from fear and grief, but Michie refuses to believe it.
Enlisting help from the boy she’s been in love with forever, Anwar, Michie sets off to look for Trissa, knowing she’s the only one who will. The search takes them into the back rooms of Trissa’s luxury nightclub, alleyways, the online sex industry, and rural cottage country.
Against a backdrop of cold authority figures and a serial killer targeting local girls, Michie plunges headlong into danger, determined to find her chosen sister and to bring her home safely.
Reviews:
“Emily Pohl-Weary’s wonderfully entertaining novel teems with the exuberant vitality of two teen girls who—despite obstacles that are sometimes serious and at other times hilarious—insist on defining themselves on their own terms and living freely and with self-confidence.”
—Lawrence Hill, author of BEATRICE AND CROC HARRY and THE BOOK OF NEGROES
“An endearing portrait of the power of friendship and found family, Emily Pohl-Weary’s YA novel, HOW TO BE FOUND, is an engaging mix of mystery and coming-of-age, set in a gritty Toronto neighbourhood. Not to be missed!”
—Uzma Jalaluddin, author of MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA and HANA KHAN CARRIES ON
Michie and Trissa grew up like sisters in a ramshackle duplex owned by their single moms. But now that they’re sixteen, the differences in identity and experience have caused a rift. Michie’s an introvert obsessed with a book called A Girl’s Guide to Murder. Shiny, extroverted Trissa, on the other hand, dances at the hottest nightclub in town.
One night, Michie wakes up one night to find Trissa missing, having left only a cryptic note. The cops write her off as a party girl who’s probably already met a foul end, and the mothers fall apart from fear and grief, but Michie refuses to believe it.
Enlisting help from the boy she’s been in love with forever, Anwar, Michie sets off to look for Trissa, knowing she’s the only one who will. The search takes them into the back rooms of Trissa’s luxury nightclub, alleyways, the online sex industry, and rural cottage country.
Against a backdrop of cold authority figures and a serial killer targeting local girls, Michie plunges headlong into danger, determined to find her chosen sister and to bring her home safely.
Reviews:
“Emily Pohl-Weary’s wonderfully entertaining novel teems with the exuberant vitality of two teen girls who—despite obstacles that are sometimes serious and at other times hilarious—insist on defining themselves on their own terms and living freely and with self-confidence.”
—Lawrence Hill, author of BEATRICE AND CROC HARRY and THE BOOK OF NEGROES
“An endearing portrait of the power of friendship and found family, Emily Pohl-Weary’s YA novel, HOW TO BE FOUND, is an engaging mix of mystery and coming-of-age, set in a gritty Toronto neighbourhood. Not to be missed!”
—Uzma Jalaluddin, author of MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA and HANA KHAN CARRIES ON
272 pages, Paperback
Published November 14, 2023
6 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Emily Pohl-Weary
16 books73 followersAward-winning author Emily Pohl-Weary's latest novel is How to Be Found (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2023).
She has published seven previous books. Her poetry collection, Ghost Sick: A Poetry of Witness, won the Fred Cogswell Award for Excellence in Poetry. And her biography, Better to Have Loved: The Life of Judith Merril, won a Hugo Award and was shortlisted for the Toronto Book Award.
Her 2022 audio play The Witch’s Circle, a retelling of a Baba Yaga folktale, can be streamed at theotherpath.ca/listen
Emily holds a PhD in Adult Education and Community Development from the University of Toronto (OISE) and teaches at the UBC School of Creative Writing in Vancouver, Canada.
She has published seven previous books. Her poetry collection, Ghost Sick: A Poetry of Witness, won the Fred Cogswell Award for Excellence in Poetry. And her biography, Better to Have Loved: The Life of Judith Merril, won a Hugo Award and was shortlisted for the Toronto Book Award.
Her 2022 audio play The Witch’s Circle, a retelling of a Baba Yaga folktale, can be streamed at theotherpath.ca/listen
Emily holds a PhD in Adult Education and Community Development from the University of Toronto (OISE) and teaches at the UBC School of Creative Writing in Vancouver, Canada.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 20, 2023
3.5⭐
a good book that touches on some important topics. I liked the mystery element to it. I really liked how the book wrapped up.
Canadian author and Canadian setting with a few Canadian references in there as well which I liked a lot.
I really liked the narrator for this book, Megan MacPherson, did a great job bringing the book to life.
thank you Netgalley, Emily Pohl-Weary as well as ECW Press Audio for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
a good book that touches on some important topics. I liked the mystery element to it. I really liked how the book wrapped up.
Canadian author and Canadian setting with a few Canadian references in there as well which I liked a lot.
I really liked the narrator for this book, Megan MacPherson, did a great job bringing the book to life.
thank you Netgalley, Emily Pohl-Weary as well as ECW Press Audio for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2024
This is a gorgeous book that I could not put down. The story telling is so lyrical and I kept cheering for the protagonist who is real and true! I have recommended it to all my friends and although it could be seen as a YA novel I think adults too would really appreciate it. 10/10!
December 4, 2023
3.5 stars
Thank you so much to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for giving me the opportunity to read How to be Found. This no way influences my own opinions and thoughts on the book itself.
Also I read this as an audiobook so I may get the spelling of characters’ names wrong.
This book starts off with the main character Michelle (Michie?) playing truth or dare with her friends when her best friend Trissa dares her to make out with the boy she’s been crushing on in front of his girlfriend. Trying to deal with the aftermath of her actions, she soon finds out that Trisha is missing, which is really alarming because of the serial killer that’s been killing a lot of girls their age.
While I understand the circumstances of the whole childhood friends that love each other, I think it was shitty of the love interest to actually make out with the girl that he keeps trying to convince is “just a friend” to his girlfriend. Like. Hello? You’re trying to “move on” but don’t dismiss the dare to actually kiss Michie ? Idk shitty guy if you ask me. The author kept trying to villainize Kelly D., but I can see why she got upset. Your boyfriend kisses the girl that’s “just a friend” “because of a dare” basically in front of his girlfriend. I’m not saying Kelly D is a saint though. She has her own problems and issues that can be dealt with, but don’t matter because she’s not really relevant in the book.
The whole issue with Trissa going missing is how the police choose to handle it with Michie, and their mothers. For some reason they try to find some reason to pin whatever is going on to the mothers or something ? I don’t know. It’s a little confusing with their reasoning, but I guess the author is trying to say that police don’t always handle cases properly.
It’s not a bad story, and I enjoyed it! The fact that the setting is in Canada is nice (from a Canadian). And the narrator wasn’t too cringey if you ask me. It was a little weird at first the way she chose to act out the characters’ words, but I got used to it.
***SPOILER START***
I thought it was kinda weird the irrelevancy of the serial killer. We get a few horrifying details of what he does to his victims, but for the most part, they aren’t really mentioned except for the possibility of them taking Trissa and idk if they wanted the possibility of the serial killer taking her to be more plausible, it would’ve been nice to see the serial killer more fleshed out. I guess though I don’t hate how irrelevant the serial killer is. There are way too many books out there that focus on the serial killer and idk I guess it was kinda nice that the mystery wasn’t as gory as it could’ve been.
***SPOILER END***
All in all, I did enjoy the book, Anwar is kinda shitty for doing what he did to Kelly, and Michie is low key another angsty “pick me girl” that I actually didn’t hate. Just kind of annoying. Thought it was stupid that she thought taking a random pill will let her know what pill it was like ????? Bro you’re 16 with basically no hard drug experience. That was so stupid.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for giving me the opportunity to read How to be Found. This no way influences my own opinions and thoughts on the book itself.
Also I read this as an audiobook so I may get the spelling of characters’ names wrong.
This book starts off with the main character Michelle (Michie?) playing truth or dare with her friends when her best friend Trissa dares her to make out with the boy she’s been crushing on in front of his girlfriend. Trying to deal with the aftermath of her actions, she soon finds out that Trisha is missing, which is really alarming because of the serial killer that’s been killing a lot of girls their age.
While I understand the circumstances of the whole childhood friends that love each other, I think it was shitty of the love interest to actually make out with the girl that he keeps trying to convince is “just a friend” to his girlfriend. Like. Hello? You’re trying to “move on” but don’t dismiss the dare to actually kiss Michie ? Idk shitty guy if you ask me. The author kept trying to villainize Kelly D., but I can see why she got upset. Your boyfriend kisses the girl that’s “just a friend” “because of a dare” basically in front of his girlfriend. I’m not saying Kelly D is a saint though. She has her own problems and issues that can be dealt with, but don’t matter because she’s not really relevant in the book.
The whole issue with Trissa going missing is how the police choose to handle it with Michie, and their mothers. For some reason they try to find some reason to pin whatever is going on to the mothers or something ? I don’t know. It’s a little confusing with their reasoning, but I guess the author is trying to say that police don’t always handle cases properly.
It’s not a bad story, and I enjoyed it! The fact that the setting is in Canada is nice (from a Canadian). And the narrator wasn’t too cringey if you ask me. It was a little weird at first the way she chose to act out the characters’ words, but I got used to it.
***SPOILER START***
I thought it was kinda weird the irrelevancy of the serial killer. We get a few horrifying details of what he does to his victims, but for the most part, they aren’t really mentioned except for the possibility of them taking Trissa and idk if they wanted the possibility of the serial killer taking her to be more plausible, it would’ve been nice to see the serial killer more fleshed out. I guess though I don’t hate how irrelevant the serial killer is. There are way too many books out there that focus on the serial killer and idk I guess it was kinda nice that the mystery wasn’t as gory as it could’ve been.
***SPOILER END***
All in all, I did enjoy the book, Anwar is kinda shitty for doing what he did to Kelly, and Michie is low key another angsty “pick me girl” that I actually didn’t hate. Just kind of annoying. Thought it was stupid that she thought taking a random pill will let her know what pill it was like ????? Bro you’re 16 with basically no hard drug experience. That was so stupid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2024
Libby: The police did not try to find this girl. And honestly, neither did anyone else except her best friend (if I have to hear "she's like my sister" one more time, I might lose my mind). No one was watching this 16yo girl as she was a known dancer for a skeezy club, stopped going to school, and became a cam girl. Even her supposed best friend that lived in the same house. (Spoilers, they find her alive, thank god, since there's also a casual serial killer picking up girls just like her, but that isn't actually any plot, and the MC is the only one who thinks it might even be an option).
Read by Megan MacPherson. #booksin24
Read by Megan MacPherson. #booksin24
November 20, 2023
As a mom with kids not quite this age, this was a bit of a tough read. All I wanted to do was reach through the pages ans hug these girls so bad ans make it all right somehow.
So thanks to the author for making me feel that way.
I feel like even with all I've gone through, I was still leading a privileged teen life because I was never subjected to anything like what these girls are put through.
It ends well enough and I do like that. I hope this book finds its way to the right readers. I think it can be quite easy to be caught up like this and they may find this relatable
So thanks to the author for making me feel that way.
I feel like even with all I've gone through, I was still leading a privileged teen life because I was never subjected to anything like what these girls are put through.
It ends well enough and I do like that. I hope this book finds its way to the right readers. I think it can be quite easy to be caught up like this and they may find this relatable
February 12, 2024
I loved this story of chosen family set in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood. Wonderfully drawn characters and great sense of place.
January 11, 2024
How to be Found by Emily Pohl-Weary
Thank you to @netgalley and @ecwpress for the opportunity to read this #advancedlistenercopy in exchange for my honest review!
This book completely captured what it is to be a teenager, especially one that has to do a lot of adulting to help one’s parents. It’s chaotic, it’s messy, and sometimes it’s desperately clawing out of a situation. This book had great found family vibes. It was slightly chaotic between the blossoming love storyline and the search for the friend but I think that’s truly what hormones do to one in those years. A great mystery read that I highly recommend.
TWs: ab*se, manip*lation, bl*ckmail, spicy scenes, drug and alcohol use, more
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5
Thank you to @netgalley and @ecwpress for the opportunity to read this #advancedlistenercopy in exchange for my honest review!
This book completely captured what it is to be a teenager, especially one that has to do a lot of adulting to help one’s parents. It’s chaotic, it’s messy, and sometimes it’s desperately clawing out of a situation. This book had great found family vibes. It was slightly chaotic between the blossoming love storyline and the search for the friend but I think that’s truly what hormones do to one in those years. A great mystery read that I highly recommend.
TWs: ab*se, manip*lation, bl*ckmail, spicy scenes, drug and alcohol use, more
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5
January 15, 2024
I really enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator brought so much brightness to the story. The novel was nicely paced and I was able to get through it in one sitting. My main issue with this novel was it is a very simple & basic plot line with a variety of complications happening, which takes away from the true plot. This also made the end feel somewhat rushed and resolved easily. None of this is necessarily a bad thing, but there was a lot of fluff that didn’t need to be there. Special thanks to NetGalley & ECW Press Audio for providing me with an advanced listeners copy.
December 30, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, ECW Press Audio, Arsenal Pulp Press, Emily Pohl-Weary, and Megan MacPherson (audio narrator) for the opportunity to read and listen to the audiobook of How to be Found in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. Shoutout to the narrator, Megan MacPherson, for being such an engaging voice actress!
How to be Found follows chosen sisters Michie and Trissa, friends since childhood as they live in the same duplex, both with single moms. They are just as close as any blood family.
As they get older, Michie realizes they are starting to grow into different interests. Michie loves detective novels while Trissa likes to dance at clubs. One night, Michie and Trissa have an argument. The next day, Trissa goes missing. At first, Michie thinks maybe her friend just ran away, but with a local serial killer on the loose and Trissa's bag found near one of his frequent capture spots, Michie isn't so sure.
It doesn't help when the police (a very rude set) come to Michie's door looking for answers, as if Michie would ever do anything to her friend. With the police seeming lackadaisical and finding Trissa to just be a runaway, Michie requests aid from her crush, Anwar, in solving Trissa's disappearance.
A really fun who-done-it for a young adult audience, I enjoyed following Michie throughout as she sought and followed clues. The characters are enjoyable and relatively relatable, and the side characters all have their own little quirks that make them interesting, fun, and memorable. While the ending is rather predictable, I still wasn't expecting it and this book is everything it needs to be in a young adult mystery/triller.
I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. Shoutout to the narrator, Megan MacPherson, for being such an engaging voice actress!
How to be Found follows chosen sisters Michie and Trissa, friends since childhood as they live in the same duplex, both with single moms. They are just as close as any blood family.
As they get older, Michie realizes they are starting to grow into different interests. Michie loves detective novels while Trissa likes to dance at clubs. One night, Michie and Trissa have an argument. The next day, Trissa goes missing. At first, Michie thinks maybe her friend just ran away, but with a local serial killer on the loose and Trissa's bag found near one of his frequent capture spots, Michie isn't so sure.
It doesn't help when the police (a very rude set) come to Michie's door looking for answers, as if Michie would ever do anything to her friend. With the police seeming lackadaisical and finding Trissa to just be a runaway, Michie requests aid from her crush, Anwar, in solving Trissa's disappearance.
A really fun who-done-it for a young adult audience, I enjoyed following Michie throughout as she sought and followed clues. The characters are enjoyable and relatively relatable, and the side characters all have their own little quirks that make them interesting, fun, and memorable. While the ending is rather predictable, I still wasn't expecting it and this book is everything it needs to be in a young adult mystery/triller.
December 2, 2023
I received this from NetGalley.
I don’t read YA very often, but I really did enjoy this book! Sometimes I could predict what was about to happen, but most times I did not. It definitely touched on a lot of problems we have going on in our world and made me feel like I was right there with them.
I don’t read YA very often, but I really did enjoy this book! Sometimes I could predict what was about to happen, but most times I did not. It definitely touched on a lot of problems we have going on in our world and made me feel like I was right there with them.
November 20, 2023
Wow. This story is INTENSE. The language, the sex, the "freedom", the people... it seems like a LOT, even for kids that may not be growing up in ideal circumstances. However, it is still a solid story.
As inner-city kids, best friends Michie & Trissa really have the run of the town--so much so that 16 year old Trissa spends her weekends dancing with only her essential bits covered at a local club. That is...until Trissa goes missing.
As Michie teams up with crush Anward her and Trissa's lovable, but less than stable moms to find out what happened Trissa, they all need to traverse unreliable law enforcement, local drug rings, and a myriad of health/mental/personal problems. The story is quick paced and nuanced, so even the predictable ending wasn't that bothersome.
The narrator does a GREAT job and really added a lot of depth to the story. One of the best readings I've heard all year!
Overall: 4.5 stars
I'll tell my students about: language, sex/sex cams, alcohol, drugs, physical harm, LGBTQIA+, homophobia
**Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for the free ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.**
As inner-city kids, best friends Michie & Trissa really have the run of the town--so much so that 16 year old Trissa spends her weekends dancing with only her essential bits covered at a local club. That is...until Trissa goes missing.
As Michie teams up with crush Anward her and Trissa's lovable, but less than stable moms to find out what happened Trissa, they all need to traverse unreliable law enforcement, local drug rings, and a myriad of health/mental/personal problems. The story is quick paced and nuanced, so even the predictable ending wasn't that bothersome.
The narrator does a GREAT job and really added a lot of depth to the story. One of the best readings I've heard all year!
Overall: 4.5 stars
I'll tell my students about: language, sex/sex cams, alcohol, drugs, physical harm, LGBTQIA+, homophobia
**Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for the free ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.**
November 19, 2023
Emily Pohl-Weary’s “How To Be Found” reckons with the question of how do marginalized communities who are ignored by the police create supportive structures to care for each other, seek justice, and find joy. Part mystery/thriller, part coming of age, part romance. Pohl-Weary deftly handles intense themes with nuance and grace, but at times I found some elements of the story could have benefited from further fleshing out. A key example is a casual mention of the protagonist’s dissociative disorder that, with more time/attention, could have provided more dimensionality to the story. Also, from the doctor perspective, I was frustrated that this key plot line of a mysterious heart condition would resolve immediately with intermittent “heart pills” that it kind of took me out of the story—but that’s more of a me problem.
I enjoyed the narration by Megan MacPherson; I found her to be dynamic!
I’m a huge fan of Arsenal Pulp Press/ECW Press Audio, and they continue to not disappoint!
Disclaimer: I received an audiobook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the narration by Megan MacPherson; I found her to be dynamic!
I’m a huge fan of Arsenal Pulp Press/ECW Press Audio, and they continue to not disappoint!
Disclaimer: I received an audiobook ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2023
I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this book when I first started listening to it because the beginning was a bit jarring for me for some reason. I don't think I expected the novel to open with a party scene. After listening to it longer though and hearing the mysterious circumstances of Trissa's disaperance, then I was more interested in the plot. I liked Michie's stubborn determination to find her best friend, her chosen sister. Her search for her sister was concise and she followed the clues people gave her without getting sidetracked (which is how I feel some detective novels are). Although the final clue, where Michie talks to Trissa's mom about the cabin was a bit on the nose, I was glad that Michie was able to find her alive and well. The romance in the book was pretty cute too. I'm always a sucker for pining/friends to lovers tropes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2023
I recently finished the audiobook.
thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook by ECW Press Audio.
… RTC
thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook by ECW Press Audio.
… RTC
December 23, 2023
*Deep sigh*
This was not a good read for me.
How To Be Found follows Michie trying to find her best friend and chosen sister Trissa. Michie uncovers secrets her best friend has been keeping from her. Trissa is gone, with a small trace left in her shadows. Michie is convinced Trissa is still alive, but has a hard time proving such.
Thank you to #NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book before it was published.
This book had a lot happening in it. I felt like the story of Trissa’s disappearance was clouded over by trying to tell the story of too many side characters.
Michie, a fierce and loyal friend, is caught off guard one morning by two shady police detectives that reveal to her Trissa, Michie’s best friend, is missing. What this story should feel like is Michie uncovering a secret life Trissa has kept from her. But there’s so many other things happening in this book, I feel like the main plot points weren’t explored to their depth.
There’s a random murderer on the loose (this was only mentioned a few times, but wasn’t ever truly worked into Michie and Trissa’s story)
The entire police force is corrupt and shady
The community’s lives and stories were explained but also not truly worked into Trissa’s disappearance
I feel like these side plots would’ve been better done if Trissa was actually dead and Michie had to find out who murdered her. But Trissa wasn’t dead. She ran away to go tryout for a reality dance show in LA…..
That’s probably the most underwhelming ending to a book I’ve seen in a long time.
These characters were in high school and Trissa was 16. But she was alleged to sleep with people for money. Her job was a stripper. A 16 year old stripper.
There were also open door sex scenes for Michie who is 16 or 17. I understand teenagers are sexually active, but it seems inappropriate to speak about teenagers having sex or performing sexual acts in a graphic way.
Overall, this How To Be Found did not do it for me. There were things I wasn’t comfortable with reading and plot points I felt were left out to dry.
This was not a good read for me.
How To Be Found follows Michie trying to find her best friend and chosen sister Trissa. Michie uncovers secrets her best friend has been keeping from her. Trissa is gone, with a small trace left in her shadows. Michie is convinced Trissa is still alive, but has a hard time proving such.
Thank you to #NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book before it was published.
This book had a lot happening in it. I felt like the story of Trissa’s disappearance was clouded over by trying to tell the story of too many side characters.
Michie, a fierce and loyal friend, is caught off guard one morning by two shady police detectives that reveal to her Trissa, Michie’s best friend, is missing. What this story should feel like is Michie uncovering a secret life Trissa has kept from her. But there’s so many other things happening in this book, I feel like the main plot points weren’t explored to their depth.
There’s a random murderer on the loose (this was only mentioned a few times, but wasn’t ever truly worked into Michie and Trissa’s story)
The entire police force is corrupt and shady
The community’s lives and stories were explained but also not truly worked into Trissa’s disappearance
I feel like these side plots would’ve been better done if Trissa was actually dead and Michie had to find out who murdered her. But Trissa wasn’t dead. She ran away to go tryout for a reality dance show in LA…..
That’s probably the most underwhelming ending to a book I’ve seen in a long time.
These characters were in high school and Trissa was 16. But she was alleged to sleep with people for money. Her job was a stripper. A 16 year old stripper.
There were also open door sex scenes for Michie who is 16 or 17. I understand teenagers are sexually active, but it seems inappropriate to speak about teenagers having sex or performing sexual acts in a graphic way.
Overall, this How To Be Found did not do it for me. There were things I wasn’t comfortable with reading and plot points I felt were left out to dry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2023
Book Title: How to Be Found
Author: Emily Pohl-Weary
Audiobook Narrator: Megan MacPherson
Publisher: ECW Press Audio
Genre: Teen/YA Mystery
Audiobook Release Date: January 3, 2024
My Rating: 3 Stars
Pages: 272
Michie and Trissa grew up like sisters in the inner city in a rundown duplex owned by their single moms. The girls are now sixteen they have different interests and are drifting apart.
Michie is an introvert and keeps to herself; Trissa an extravert and often off dancing at the hottest night spots.
When Trissa goes missing the authorities believe she is just another party-girl who ended up with the wrong group and is more than likely dead. Both their mother are full of grief as they are sure the Police are correct.
Michie is sure Trissa is alive and there is a mystery behind her disappearance.
Story is a coming-of-age with a bit of mystery.
I know I am not the target audience for this story but as a High School Guidance Counselor I love to read YA books as I not only enjoy a good YA story but it pleases me when I can recommend a book to my students. When I started this I was fearful it wasn’t going to work for me as I am not a fan of the nasty language. Trust me I know the way teens talk but I do my students always showed respect and didn’t use profanity about me.
I know many teens are going through tough situation and I do ‘Get’ that they talk this way.
Story turned out better than expected.
I really liked narrator Megan MacPherson!
Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 6, 2024.
Author: Emily Pohl-Weary
Audiobook Narrator: Megan MacPherson
Publisher: ECW Press Audio
Genre: Teen/YA Mystery
Audiobook Release Date: January 3, 2024
My Rating: 3 Stars
Pages: 272
Michie and Trissa grew up like sisters in the inner city in a rundown duplex owned by their single moms. The girls are now sixteen they have different interests and are drifting apart.
Michie is an introvert and keeps to herself; Trissa an extravert and often off dancing at the hottest night spots.
When Trissa goes missing the authorities believe she is just another party-girl who ended up with the wrong group and is more than likely dead. Both their mother are full of grief as they are sure the Police are correct.
Michie is sure Trissa is alive and there is a mystery behind her disappearance.
Story is a coming-of-age with a bit of mystery.
I know I am not the target audience for this story but as a High School Guidance Counselor I love to read YA books as I not only enjoy a good YA story but it pleases me when I can recommend a book to my students. When I started this I was fearful it wasn’t going to work for me as I am not a fan of the nasty language. Trust me I know the way teens talk but I do my students always showed respect and didn’t use profanity about me.
I know many teens are going through tough situation and I do ‘Get’ that they talk this way.
Story turned out better than expected.
I really liked narrator Megan MacPherson!
Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 6, 2024.
December 10, 2023
I listened to the audiobook which will be available January 03, 2024. Before reading or listening to this book I suggest checking trigger warnings.
This book was extremely raw. It gave insight into what minorities and sex workers have to go through daily which I loved. It didn’t hide that theirs bad things that happen in this world and that the people who are meant to protect us usually don’t and get away with not doing their jobs properly.
I did not connect with the characters in this book, I didn’t feel a real connection with any of them and I think their could have been a lot added to their character development, but I loved the plot of this book and even though the mystery part of the plot wasn’t the best I did enjoy it and it had me on the edge of my seat. I do think there was a lot that could have been added to make the mystery more intriguing.
As for the little romance sub-plot that was added in, I wasn’t really a fan of it. I didn’t see the connection between the two characters and there was a small spicy seen that I didn’t approve of because the main characters in this book are sixteen. It’s marked as a young adult book and that may just be due to the content in the book, but I believe that if the author wanted to add in her characters having sex she should have made them over the age of 18.
I do recommend giving this book a chance, just remember to check content and trigger warnings before reading or listening to it!
This book was extremely raw. It gave insight into what minorities and sex workers have to go through daily which I loved. It didn’t hide that theirs bad things that happen in this world and that the people who are meant to protect us usually don’t and get away with not doing their jobs properly.
I did not connect with the characters in this book, I didn’t feel a real connection with any of them and I think their could have been a lot added to their character development, but I loved the plot of this book and even though the mystery part of the plot wasn’t the best I did enjoy it and it had me on the edge of my seat. I do think there was a lot that could have been added to make the mystery more intriguing.
As for the little romance sub-plot that was added in, I wasn’t really a fan of it. I didn’t see the connection between the two characters and there was a small spicy seen that I didn’t approve of because the main characters in this book are sixteen. It’s marked as a young adult book and that may just be due to the content in the book, but I believe that if the author wanted to add in her characters having sex she should have made them over the age of 18.
I do recommend giving this book a chance, just remember to check content and trigger warnings before reading or listening to it!
November 29, 2023
I tried, really hard, to get in the young adult mindset for this book, but even with that perspective I could not stand this book. It was both boring but had too much going on, all at once. The constant reminiscing, crazy lust, obsession with the murder book, the serial killer, the dancing, the drugs, the beatings... It was a lot, but I wasn't super invested in any of it. All of the parents in this book were terrible, and the repetition of "chosen family" and "she's my chosen sister but she's not actually my sister" like okay we get it. Things don't need to be repeated, the actions taken by the characters can show the reader how important the relationships are without saying it 100 times. I would recommend this book for younger young adults based on how it was written except for the drugs, sex, and... okay yeah, not sure who the intended audience for this book really should be, but it was not for me. I didn't hate the ending but it was highly unrealistic and kind of ... anticlimactic.
March 30, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review:
This book was clearly written by someone who hasn't been this age in quite a long time. The representation of 16-year-olds was frankly insulting as someone who was that age not too many years ago. And at the same time, it was also uncomfortable hearing a middle-aged person talk about horny 16-year-olds and cam girls. There was also a large amount of representation in race, gender identity, and sexuality, but it all felt very forced. There was not a single white person in this book who wasn't at least some kind of gender or sexual minority except for the "bastard" cops.
Outside of the characters and awkward amount of representation, the plot was also really basic and the climax was practically non-existent. If you're looking for a thriller mystery, this definitely isn't it. In fact, don't even look that hard for who the antagonist is because it will be thrown in your face pretty quickly.
This book was clearly written by someone who hasn't been this age in quite a long time. The representation of 16-year-olds was frankly insulting as someone who was that age not too many years ago. And at the same time, it was also uncomfortable hearing a middle-aged person talk about horny 16-year-olds and cam girls. There was also a large amount of representation in race, gender identity, and sexuality, but it all felt very forced. There was not a single white person in this book who wasn't at least some kind of gender or sexual minority except for the "bastard" cops.
Outside of the characters and awkward amount of representation, the plot was also really basic and the climax was practically non-existent. If you're looking for a thriller mystery, this definitely isn't it. In fact, don't even look that hard for who the antagonist is because it will be thrown in your face pretty quickly.
March 2, 2024
“We might not be biologically related, but we are family.”
First of all, Canadian points!
I was skeptical on this book because of the 3.36 star rating, but I really enjoyed this mystery. I was invested in Trissa’s disappearance, especially with the town’s lore and the issues with the police. The story’s commentary on police treatment towards the lower class communities was eye-opening.
I would’ve loved more on Michie and Trissa’s friendship/sisterhood and less on Michie and Anwar’s romance.
This is just me being nitpicky and doesn’t affect my personal rating of the book, but I wouldn’t consider this book as YA due to some of the content. For instance, why does this YA book have smut in it? I’m not oblivious to teens doing it, but why is it described as if this book was targeted for adults?
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!
First of all, Canadian points!
I was skeptical on this book because of the 3.36 star rating, but I really enjoyed this mystery. I was invested in Trissa’s disappearance, especially with the town’s lore and the issues with the police. The story’s commentary on police treatment towards the lower class communities was eye-opening.
I would’ve loved more on Michie and Trissa’s friendship/sisterhood and less on Michie and Anwar’s romance.
This is just me being nitpicky and doesn’t affect my personal rating of the book, but I wouldn’t consider this book as YA due to some of the content. For instance, why does this YA book have smut in it? I’m not oblivious to teens doing it, but why is it described as if this book was targeted for adults?
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!
March 27, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review!
Overall this was a solid read, and audiobook in general. The story was easy enough to follow and kept me coming back to find out what happened. The story itself was more on the serious side and dealt with many serious topics, e.g. drug abuse, police brutality, racism, etc. Michie was an interesting character to follow, and it was clear to see how much she cared for Trissa, and how important it was for her to find her friend. The story itself is one that I think needed to be told. It's easy to say that all missing people are looked for but sadly that's not the case. This book sheds light on the opposite, where the person isn't looked for. Overall, the search for Trissa was an interesting story to read, and I loved the cast of characters that joined Michie on the way. I would recommend reading this but check trigger warnings before doing so.
Overall this was a solid read, and audiobook in general. The story was easy enough to follow and kept me coming back to find out what happened. The story itself was more on the serious side and dealt with many serious topics, e.g. drug abuse, police brutality, racism, etc. Michie was an interesting character to follow, and it was clear to see how much she cared for Trissa, and how important it was for her to find her friend. The story itself is one that I think needed to be told. It's easy to say that all missing people are looked for but sadly that's not the case. This book sheds light on the opposite, where the person isn't looked for. Overall, the search for Trissa was an interesting story to read, and I loved the cast of characters that joined Michie on the way. I would recommend reading this but check trigger warnings before doing so.
December 5, 2023
There were a lot of great issues and topics at play in this novel, however, it became overwhleming and detracted from the beauty of the novel. There is also a very wide chasm between American and Candian culture in terms of much of what happened in this novel would be unfamilar and confusing for American students. However ideas of social justice, police brutality, drugs, sex, sexuality, etc. would be. Ultimately, this is not a read I would consider able to transcend the YA title as I can't see adults really enjoying this novel.
January 6, 2024
Solid 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. Spoilers are in this review, so be warned.
This book was too dragged out for the super disappointing ending of this book. Also, it was just super unrealistic - underage girls being strippers and cam girls? I just couldn't get past that and felt like the author included these just to shock the reader, but it did not add anything to the story and just really distracted from the plot.
Also, there was a strangler that kept being mentioned but had nothing to do with the plot - I would have just removed that plot.
This book was too dragged out for the super disappointing ending of this book. Also, it was just super unrealistic - underage girls being strippers and cam girls? I just couldn't get past that and felt like the author included these just to shock the reader, but it did not add anything to the story and just really distracted from the plot.
Also, there was a strangler that kept being mentioned but had nothing to do with the plot - I would have just removed that plot.
February 21, 2024
A quick, easy and very compelling read, though the ending was a little lacklustre for me after all that buildup. It was almost too short - I actually could have used a bit more fleshing out of some of Michie's relationships with the secondary characters. Maybe strip out some of the Clique-level detail in the descriptions of everyone's clothes and devote it to that instead?
I read it in less than 24 hours so I can't knock it too hard - obviously it's got something going for it to keep my attention that well. But now that it's settled for a few days, I wanted a little more from this.
I read it in less than 24 hours so I can't knock it too hard - obviously it's got something going for it to keep my attention that well. But now that it's settled for a few days, I wanted a little more from this.
November 29, 2023
I think this is a good book that touches on some very important topics, I liked the mystery element to it. I also didn’t dislike how the book wrapped up. However the book did just feel slightly lacking in something. It was a bit slow at times and i found myself getting distracted halfway through and the ending wasn’t anything groundbreaking.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook by ECW Press Audio.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook by ECW Press Audio.
December 21, 2023
I listened to an audiobook of this, however if I read it as a book (not audiobook) I might've liked it more. The main character made some silly decisions which annoyed me, and I didn't really like the characters. The mystery element was good, but there were a few irrelevant plot lines which I didn't get, and it dragged out a bit at times. Overall it was okay-ish (only because of the ending, which hooked me in the last 3 chapters) 3 Stars.
(NetGalley ACR)
(NetGalley ACR)
December 5, 2023
3.5 rounded up to a 4. For sure tugged at my heart strings. It was not what I was expecting, but that is okay. I fell in love with almost all of the characters and wanted to give the neighborhood kids a big hug for everything they had been through. I did like the ending. Thank you Netgalley and ECW Press Audio for a chance to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting mystery novel. I didn’t anticipate it ending happily, but it did which is a nice change from most mysteries I have read recently that do not end happily. I loved the Nancy Drew feel this book had overall.
This was an interesting mystery novel. I didn’t anticipate it ending happily, but it did which is a nice change from most mysteries I have read recently that do not end happily. I loved the Nancy Drew feel this book had overall.
December 26, 2023
This book was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Between the fanfiction level descriptions and the pace, as well as the irrational motives behind the characters, I couldn't handle this. Extremely close to a DNF for me, I'm frankly a little disappointed because if the writing and concept had been better there's some great representation here.
Between the fanfiction level descriptions and the pace, as well as the irrational motives behind the characters, I couldn't handle this. Extremely close to a DNF for me, I'm frankly a little disappointed because if the writing and concept had been better there's some great representation here.
January 30, 2024
The social/racial injustices in this book were rage-inducing but so true to life! The police can be such a bag of dicks to people. I love that Michie was not taking anything for granted and went and found Trissa, regardless of the costs. This was my 1st book by Emily Pohl-Weary, but will not be my last!
#HowtoBeFound
#NetGalley
#HowtoBeFound
#NetGalley
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews