Anabel Unraveled

Anabel Martin #1

by Amanda Romine Lynch

Anabel Martin’s world was destroyed the day her father was murdered. After spending seventeen years of her life trapped on a Top Secret island in the South Pacific, she now finds herself in Washington, DC in the care of her former politician brother and his unwelcoming wife. While she wants nothing more than to be left alone, instead she is thrust into the limelight as a key witness in the Congressional hearings investigating the murder of her father and the very existence of her former home. For Anabel, it’s hard to concentrate on these proceedings when the thing she wants most in the world is for Jared Sorensen to die. What's even worse is that Jared is the only reason she’s still alive.

385 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2012

About the author

Amanda Romine Lynch is a writer, editor, and blogger who grew up in Florida knowing she belonged somewhere else. She now lives in the DC Metro Area with her husband and three amazing little boys. She is the author of the Anabel Martin Series (ANABEL UNRAVELED and ANABEL DIVIDED, with a third to come) and she contributed to the book FIFTY SHADES OF FRAYED. When not writing about Anabel and Jared or chasing around a curly-haired boy, she cheers for the Gators (in all kinds of weather) and occasionally remembers to sleep.

Reviews

[Jasmyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

☺️Thanks to Amanda Romine Lynch for my chance to read this! I essentially inhaled the last 250 pages of this book. Although I wouldn't say I didn't read this all in one sitting, I definitely noticed that once I put it down, I would find my thoughts consistently wandering back to the characters, the plot, what I thought about what was happening, how it could change.... And then I would be reading again.

I enjoyed Anabel very much: she's blunt, honest, hilarious, intelligenty, as well as sassy. I also enjoyed the dynamics between Anabel and Jared (as well as Matt!!) - they were always in a state of confusion, like, spite, caring, awkwardness, anger. Their constant clashing always kept me guessing as to where they were going. Very tenuous at just about all times (eeee!!). I also very much loved the characters of Meghan and Matt.

***(SPOILERS AHEAD!!!)***

I do feel that Alexis always seemed a bit off and I did think I there was something between her and Jared although I didn't realize to what extent. The whole Charlie=murderer of it all was a bit expected after his peaked interest during his conversation with Jared, but before that point I was at a loss as to who it could be. I would say that I'd have liked a bit more detail as to his thought process that led to motive. With the cast ensemble, there was never a dull moment.

Overall, I liked the story and its various layers. I intensely enjoyed how with just about everyone you couldn't take them at face value... A grading scale of grey as it were. Except Sam lol. I would make a judgement about a character and then find that I would need to go back over with an eraser in my mind about them. I thoroughly enjoyed it though I will say I was sad to miss a page of dialogue between Anabel and Matt before they made their trip to Matt's parents though I could mostly discern what they said (but I still don't know EXACTLY what was said...). Once I got to the end, I was satisfied with where it ended up but still found I wanted there to be more story! I guess the solution to that is for the author to write another story....

No, really. Another!

[S.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a unique story, with a somewhat unique character in Anabel Martin. The whole book is basically about figuring what makes Anabel tick, and this goes hand in hand with the unraveling of the mystery of the murder of her father, of which Anabel is also tightly involved in.

“Anabel Unraveled” is at heart a simple story, with a fairly straightforward plot. It is the storytelling technique, with occasional well-narrated flashbacks, that builds up the suspense and makes the reader push on to find out more. If the story had been told in chronological order, the conclusion would have been predictable, and of course, very much less entertaining.

This is a teen novel that’s surprisingly good, and it earns an extra star because it doesn’t subscribe to the usual themes, the usual storytelling styles and the usual character types. Suitable for older teens. Exact rating : 4.5

[Lindsey Lynn (thepagemistress) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off really fast paced and heavy. You have two different character points of view from a girl and a guy. I won't say more than that because of spoilers. But its a crime/romance kind of. I liked the plot well enough but the reason I took off a star is because I simply could not stand both of the characters. They frustrated me and irked me to no end. The girl made me want to pull my hair out. The writing was done well :)

[Samantha Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. It went in a direction that I did not see coming and I love when books do that. I fell in love with the characters.

[Parker Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book may be titled Anabel Unraveled but by the time the reader finishes this book, they'll be the ones unraveled.

The entire story is told in first person from Anabel and the bane/balm/bile of her existence Jared. The beginning of story starts off with the murder of her father.By chapter four of this book, there are so many twist and turns that you can't believe you've lived an entire book in just those few chapters.

The main character, Anabel, is an unique young adult who grew up on a top secret island (the reason behind this is a doozy) with an overbearing, manipulative, loving father. Due to this relationship, which borders on the creepy at times from the actions of the father, the girl is literally a product of desolation, puberty, and the innate need of a child to strike out on their own.

The other main character, Jared, is an interesting one. You should hate him, and you do, but then you love him. You'd wish he'd get thrown in a vat of acid, but then you'd probably reach down and pull him out before its too late. You'd like to lock him up in a prison and throw away the key, but then you'd probably come back with a saw baked into a loaf of bread. I didn't know what to do with him. He repulsed and fascinated me. Kudos to Ms. Lynch for developing this character that we have no idea how to feel about him.

The thing about this book is that it is written like the mind of a young girl who's had too much, too soon happen to her and the only way to solve it is to live with it. The book is fast paced, mysterious, and as twisted as corkscrew. In fact, I could not put it down. When I had to, I ended up dreaming about them. By the time the end came, I was completely unraveled but thankfully, Anabel seemed to have it all together...I hope so anyway.

I enjoyed this wonderful read and look forward to the sequel.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anabel Unraveled is the story of a girl who has spent her whole life stuck on a secret government island along with her harsh father. When a man comes along on a mission to take get her out of there, her world turns upside down. One drastic situation after another leads Anabel’s life to change forever. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars because of how much I was drawn into the story from the beginning. It was a read where I could feel and connect with the character’s emotions. The author allows the reader to be interconnected and follow the development of the characters in an intriguing way. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a mix of suspense, murder, mystery, and romance. It was a fun read for me. I will be looking forward to continuing the story with Anabel Divided.

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[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anabel Unraveled is an emotional, character driven novel with a bit of mystery and action. Once you start reading Anabel's story, you won't want to stop until you reach the end.

How the characters remember the events is nearly as important as the events themselves. In retelling their stories, Anabel and Jared must relive the events that brought them together and face the emotional consequences. The book moves effortlessly between characters, times, and places giving the reader a larger picture than the individual characters are able to see.

Read my full review at Library Girl Reads & Reviews

[Raelee Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anabel Unraveled is a thoroughly modern story with a surreal black & white movie sort of feel. I loved the colorful descriptions, and Anabel drew me in right away.

The prose has occasional redundancies and a slight overuse of passive language, but Lynch has a unique and intriguing style. She spins the tale like a magician, twisting and turning mirrors of perspective to give you an ever-changing revelation of the plot.

As a survivor of sex abuse, it was both difficult and inspiring to watch Anabel's growth throughout the story. By the end, I truly came to admire her grace.

[Christy Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anabel Unraveled is a book you won't want to put down. As soon as you begin to get acquainted to the main character, Anabel, you'll just want to dig deeper and understand her more as she has a very unordinary upbringing and life. You'll also follow along as she develops a relationship with Jared, a man you'll hate that you love. The characters are so rich and Amanda's writing is something to be praised. You won't regret adding Anabel Unraveled to your bookshelf!

[Cortney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hope no young women read this book. For a girl to be raped and believe she "almost asked for it" and struggles with whether she loves or not is just horrible. I only finished the book to know the ending.

[Beth Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and Sour, Twisty Read: This book made me want to both throw it across the room, and then run to pick it back up: much the way the book Outlander did to me. The writing is sarcastically funny in all the right places.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! I really felt connected to the characters and like I wanted to be friends with Anabel. It was a definite page turner that I could not put down.

[Hollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. A little confusing at first and wasn't completely sure where it was going at times but definitely a book to check out. Nothing like I expected in a good way.

[Lilac · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't a bad book. I just don't know what I was supposed to get out of it. I think the author is a good writer because for not having an entirely gripping tale, I was still interested.