What do you think?
Rate this book
Charlie, Presumed Dead
In Paris, family and friends gather to mourn the tragic passing of Charlie Price—young, handsome, charming, a world-traveler—who is presumed dead after an explosion. Authorities find only a bloodied jacket, ID’d as Charlie’s. At the funeral, two teens who are perfect strangers, Lena Whitney and Aubrey Boroughs, make another shocking discovery: they have both been dating Charlie, both think Charlie loved them and them alone, and there is a lot they didn’t know about their boyfriend. Over the next week, a mind-bending trip unfolds: first in London—then in Mumbai, Kerala, and Bangkok, the girls go in search of Charlie. Is he still alive? What did their love for him even mean? The truth is out there, but soon it becomes clear that the girls are harboring secrets of their own.
No one knows whom to trust in this thrilling tale of suspense and deception.
No one knows whom to trust in this thrilling tale of suspense and deception.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published May 27, 2015
57 people are currently reading
2926 people want to read
About the author
Anne Heltzel
4 books373 followersAnne Heltzel is an author, ghostwriter, and editor. She spends her time in Brooklyn and the Hudson Valley, and likes dogs, food, wallpaper, and books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 383 reviews
June 4, 2015
Where to begin with this book. Those of you who have been watching my status updates have probably concluded that I didn't like this book.
I didn't like this book.
Prepare yourself, it's going to get ugly here. If you have any interest in this book at all, stop reading. First, I will mock it. Then I will spoil it. Then I will trample on whatever might be left of it.
Let me begin by saying that this is the last book by this author I will read. I had previously read another book, under a different pen name (The Ruining by Anna Collomore) and though it had problems (huge problems) there was enough going on that I was interested in reading her again.
Yeah, that emotion is gone. We are never, ever, ever getting back together.
Also, there are plenty of people who liked this book, so if it interests you, don't take my word for it. Go read one of the 4 & 5 star reviews on amazon.
Now, the rest of this review is one big spoiler alert.
The book is told in three different voices: Lena (GF#1) and Aubrey (GF#2) which are first person present, and Charlie, which is first person, where he sometimes talks about himself in the second person. Which sounds stupid as fuck and is every bit as irritating as you are thinking it might be.
Basic story: Rich kid Charlie has apparently died in a plane crash. Lena and Aubrey both go to his funeral and find out that they both believe that they were his girlfriend. Heavy handed suspense building occurs - is Charlie even dead? They must find out the truth!
They embark on a poorly-conceived road trip across the globe to find the truth. Also, as a total aside, but with more heavy-handed attempts at suspense building, Charlie has stolen Aubrey's diary. Aubrey's diary, which contains a TERRIBLE SEKRET! And Aubrey is worried that someone will find out her TERRIBLE SEKRET!
Oh, God, someone shoot me now.
First they go to Mumbai, which Lena insists on calling Bombay 'cause, you know, that's what rich kids do. Everyone who is anyone still calls it Bombay. Fuck the actual people of India. And, in a strange coincidence - this book is filled with strange coincidences, which is apparently what passes for plotting - the boy that Aubrey cheated on Charlie with lives in Mumbai, I mean, Bombay. Also, there's a drug dealer, and an incident where they are sort of kidnapped and rolled, although they do, at least, wake up with all their organs.
By this time, this is my expression as I'm reading:
By now, I'm like:
OMG, this book is so bad. So, so, so bad.
The characterizations are wafer-fucking-thin. Aubrey is the Indiana girl, from a normal family, who eats tuna casserole. Hello, 1955 called. It wants it's cliched middle America family dinner back. And Lena is the globe-trotting trust fund brat who likes vinyl records. Isn't she just so hip?
Cue Snidely Whiplash in the corner, gleefully rubbing his hands together and cackling.
Honestly, I've met cartoon characters with more depth. Fucking Foghorn Leghorn is more believable than these people.
Marissa Meyer's series involving mythical fairy tale princesses in outer space has characters with more depth and resemblance to reality than anything in this piece of so-called contemporary realistic fiction.
And, adding insult to injury, it is a cliff-hanger ending. There will be a sequel. Because there was just sooooo much in this book that it requires two - or maybe even three - books to tell the whole story.
Fuck that.
I didn't like this book.
Prepare yourself, it's going to get ugly here. If you have any interest in this book at all, stop reading. First, I will mock it. Then I will spoil it. Then I will trample on whatever might be left of it.
Let me begin by saying that this is the last book by this author I will read. I had previously read another book, under a different pen name (The Ruining by Anna Collomore) and though it had problems (huge problems) there was enough going on that I was interested in reading her again.
Yeah, that emotion is gone. We are never, ever, ever getting back together.
Also, there are plenty of people who liked this book, so if it interests you, don't take my word for it. Go read one of the 4 & 5 star reviews on amazon.
Now, the rest of this review is one big spoiler alert.
The book is told in three different voices: Lena (GF#1) and Aubrey (GF#2) which are first person present, and Charlie, which is first person, where he sometimes talks about himself in the second person. Which sounds stupid as fuck and is every bit as irritating as you are thinking it might be.
Basic story: Rich kid Charlie has apparently died in a plane crash. Lena and Aubrey both go to his funeral and find out that they both believe that they were his girlfriend. Heavy handed suspense building occurs - is Charlie even dead? They must find out the truth!
They embark on a poorly-conceived road trip across the globe to find the truth. Also, as a total aside, but with more heavy-handed attempts at suspense building, Charlie has stolen Aubrey's diary. Aubrey's diary, which contains a TERRIBLE SEKRET! And Aubrey is worried that someone will find out her TERRIBLE SEKRET!
Oh, God, someone shoot me now.
First they go to Mumbai, which Lena insists on calling Bombay 'cause, you know, that's what rich kids do. Everyone who is anyone still calls it Bombay. Fuck the actual people of India. And, in a strange coincidence - this book is filled with strange coincidences, which is apparently what passes for plotting - the boy that Aubrey cheated on Charlie with lives in Mumbai, I mean, Bombay. Also, there's a drug dealer, and an incident where they are sort of kidnapped and rolled, although they do, at least, wake up with all their organs.
By this time, this is my expression as I'm reading:
By now, I'm like:
OMG, this book is so bad. So, so, so bad.
The characterizations are wafer-fucking-thin. Aubrey is the Indiana girl, from a normal family, who eats tuna casserole. Hello, 1955 called. It wants it's cliched middle America family dinner back. And Lena is the globe-trotting trust fund brat who likes vinyl records. Isn't she just so hip?
Cue Snidely Whiplash in the corner, gleefully rubbing his hands together and cackling.
Honestly, I've met cartoon characters with more depth. Fucking Foghorn Leghorn is more believable than these people.
Marissa Meyer's series involving mythical fairy tale princesses in outer space has characters with more depth and resemblance to reality than anything in this piece of so-called contemporary realistic fiction.
And, adding insult to injury, it is a cliff-hanger ending. There will be a sequel. Because there was just sooooo much in this book that it requires two - or maybe even three - books to tell the whole story.
Fuck that.
May 5, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group, and NetGalley.)
“Charlie was lying to us,” Aubrey explains. “About more than the fact that there is an us.”
This was an interesting mystery story, and I really liked the ending (even if it was a massive cliff-hanger).
Aubrey and Lena were quite different characters, but both had loved Charlie, and both had secrets. I was pretty shocked when I found out what Charlie was holding over Aubrey, but I didn’t really understand why Lena was so sure that Charlie had faked his own death.
“What if he faked his death? What if he’s alive?”
Charlie on the other hand – oh dear me – he was just an ass. Starting a relationship with a another girl when you have a long-term girlfriend? Making lists to keep your two girlfriends straight in your head? Crazy! And as the story went along, he just became an even bigger ass, and his sanity seemed to be a little missing too.
“You look at her and all you see are her huge blue angel eyes. But you already have an angel.”
The storyline in this followed Lena and Aubrey as they travelled all over the world looking for Charlie. The things these girls did were pretty crazy, and they made some seriously dodgy decisions! In fact even the story of how Aubrey met Charlie was one huge bad decision. Who on earth gets invited into a strangers flat and just goes along with it? Is she stupid? He could be a rapist!
“You have nowhere to go?”
“I have nowhere to go. Nowhere to be either.”
The romance in this was one crazy mess of relationships and cheating, I’m not even going to try to explain it.
“Charlie hates olives more than anything,” I correct her.
“No, no, no,” Lena says, sitting bolt upright in bed. “You’re wrong. You’re thinking of someone else. He adores them.”
The ending to this was a massive cliff-hanger, but I have to say that I actually liked it. Everything built up, we got some huge revelations, some more crazy situations, and one heck of a lot of poop for these two girls to deal will! Totally nuts, but seriously good.
7 out of 10
“Charlie was lying to us,” Aubrey explains. “About more than the fact that there is an us.”
This was an interesting mystery story, and I really liked the ending (even if it was a massive cliff-hanger).
Aubrey and Lena were quite different characters, but both had loved Charlie, and both had secrets. I was pretty shocked when I found out what Charlie was holding over Aubrey, but I didn’t really understand why Lena was so sure that Charlie had faked his own death.
“What if he faked his death? What if he’s alive?”
Charlie on the other hand – oh dear me – he was just an ass. Starting a relationship with a another girl when you have a long-term girlfriend? Making lists to keep your two girlfriends straight in your head? Crazy! And as the story went along, he just became an even bigger ass, and his sanity seemed to be a little missing too.
“You look at her and all you see are her huge blue angel eyes. But you already have an angel.”
The storyline in this followed Lena and Aubrey as they travelled all over the world looking for Charlie. The things these girls did were pretty crazy, and they made some seriously dodgy decisions! In fact even the story of how Aubrey met Charlie was one huge bad decision. Who on earth gets invited into a strangers flat and just goes along with it? Is she stupid? He could be a rapist!
“You have nowhere to go?”
“I have nowhere to go. Nowhere to be either.”
The romance in this was one crazy mess of relationships and cheating, I’m not even going to try to explain it.
“Charlie hates olives more than anything,” I correct her.
“No, no, no,” Lena says, sitting bolt upright in bed. “You’re wrong. You’re thinking of someone else. He adores them.”
The ending to this was a massive cliff-hanger, but I have to say that I actually liked it. Everything built up, we got some huge revelations, some more crazy situations, and one heck of a lot of poop for these two girls to deal will! Totally nuts, but seriously good.
7 out of 10
March 19, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
3.5 Stars
“I’m starting to get the terrible feeling that none of this has been coincidental.”
Lena and Aubrey never met until Charlie’s funeral. It was there the two figured out they were both dating the recently deceased. In an attempt to piece the puzzle of Charlie’s relationships together, Lena and Aubrey find themselves questioning whether this happened . . .
or if he simply . . .
You know how to hook a big ol’ fish like me? Good title and good cover. This one had both and I was allllllll over it. Imagine my surprise when I found myself enjoying what was inside as much as I enjoyed what was outside. I’m giving this one 3.5 Stars (rounded up because it deserves it) for being just a wee bit repetitive with reminders of all the “secrets” that were going to be divulged and scenes that were a bit far-fetched at times. That being said, this is a YA and I am most definitely an OA so these might be “it’s not you, it’s me” issues.
Since the story of Charlie was a mystery, I’m hesitant to give anything away. I will say that I’m seriously digging how YA has been coming into its own this Spring. No more simply puking out the same ol' tired tropes of Mary Sues and instalove. Charlie was a bit Gone Girl, a bit Talented Mr. Ripley and a bit Brokedown Palace all mixed into a rather delightful little twisted adventure that had me on the chase for the truth until the very end . . .
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
3.5 Stars
“I’m starting to get the terrible feeling that none of this has been coincidental.”
Lena and Aubrey never met until Charlie’s funeral. It was there the two figured out they were both dating the recently deceased. In an attempt to piece the puzzle of Charlie’s relationships together, Lena and Aubrey find themselves questioning whether this happened . . .
or if he simply . . .
You know how to hook a big ol’ fish like me? Good title and good cover. This one had both and I was allllllll over it. Imagine my surprise when I found myself enjoying what was inside as much as I enjoyed what was outside. I’m giving this one 3.5 Stars (rounded up because it deserves it) for being just a wee bit repetitive with reminders of all the “secrets” that were going to be divulged and scenes that were a bit far-fetched at times. That being said, this is a YA and I am most definitely an OA so these might be “it’s not you, it’s me” issues.
Since the story of Charlie was a mystery, I’m hesitant to give anything away. I will say that I’m seriously digging how YA has been coming into its own this Spring. No more simply puking out the same ol' tired tropes of Mary Sues and instalove. Charlie was a bit Gone Girl, a bit Talented Mr. Ripley and a bit Brokedown Palace all mixed into a rather delightful little twisted adventure that had me on the chase for the truth until the very end . . .
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
Read
June 21, 2015Sooo.. I finished this. It wasn't really for me, but if you were a big fan of Dangerous Girls you might want to try it. It has the same sort of "unlikeable characters behaving badly with a big twist at the end" kind of vibe.
I didn't like either of the two girls in love with Charlie. One was blond and one was brunette and .. I couldn't keep their names straight or remember which was which. But the part of the book that really irked me was this: I didn't like any of these characters. Maybe I'm not supposed to like them? But then what's the point of it all?
Edited to add: Either this ends in a weirdly unresolved way or there will be another book to read. Just so you know.
I didn't like either of the two girls in love with Charlie. One was blond and one was brunette and .. I couldn't keep their names straight or remember which was which. But the part of the book that really irked me was this: I didn't like any of these characters. Maybe I'm not supposed to like them? But then what's the point of it all?
Edited to add: Either this ends in a weirdly unresolved way or there will be another book to read. Just so you know.
June 10, 2015
I went in to Charlie, Presumed Dead expecting to be wowed and amazed. In this post Gone Girl era of mystery books it feels like each plot is getting more and more fantastical. Charlie, Presumed Dead fits perfectly in to this genre of psychological mystery with a heavy dose of crazy.
Charlie, Presumed Dead begins at Charlie’s funeral where Aubrey and Lena realize that they weren’t the only girl in Charlie’s life. The two set off on an improbable around the world journey to discover who Charlie truly was and what secrets he was keeping.
I had a hard time getting to know Lena & Aubrey, Charlie’s girlfriends. I kept getting them confused and forgetting details about their lives. Honestly, I understood how Charlie got the two girls confused. Despite repeatedly saying how different they are, the two girls were very similar. I also didn’t understand the girl’s motivation. Charlie cheated on them, why would they want to find him? Why did he matter so much to each of them? I wish this had been better explained.
Spoiler alert: Charlie isn’t dead. This isn’t really a spoiler though because Charlie has his own perspective written in 2nd person. Usually, I hate second person but this was truly second person done right. I really enjoyed the chapters written from Charlie’s perspective.
My favorite thing about this novel was also my least favorite thing about this book. It ends on a massive cliffhanger! I’m talking the biggest cliff I’ve seen in a long time. On top of that as part of the Charlie, Presumed Dead Blog Tour Anne Heltzel said that she originally hadn’t planned for there to be a sequel. Hopefully, she can be persuaded to write a sequel because I seriously need to know what happens next.
Overall, Charlie, Presumed Dead took me on a wild ride and at times I wasn’t sure I was enjoying it. At other times I couldn’t put the novel down. It definitely was full or twists and turns that I’m not entirely sure fit together. Still, that ending surprised me and I definitely want to read whatever Anne Heltzel writes next.
Charlie, Presumed Dead begins at Charlie’s funeral where Aubrey and Lena realize that they weren’t the only girl in Charlie’s life. The two set off on an improbable around the world journey to discover who Charlie truly was and what secrets he was keeping.
I had a hard time getting to know Lena & Aubrey, Charlie’s girlfriends. I kept getting them confused and forgetting details about their lives. Honestly, I understood how Charlie got the two girls confused. Despite repeatedly saying how different they are, the two girls were very similar. I also didn’t understand the girl’s motivation. Charlie cheated on them, why would they want to find him? Why did he matter so much to each of them? I wish this had been better explained.
Spoiler alert: Charlie isn’t dead. This isn’t really a spoiler though because Charlie has his own perspective written in 2nd person. Usually, I hate second person but this was truly second person done right. I really enjoyed the chapters written from Charlie’s perspective.
My favorite thing about this novel was also my least favorite thing about this book. It ends on a massive cliffhanger! I’m talking the biggest cliff I’ve seen in a long time. On top of that as part of the Charlie, Presumed Dead Blog Tour Anne Heltzel said that she originally hadn’t planned for there to be a sequel. Hopefully, she can be persuaded to write a sequel because I seriously need to know what happens next.
Overall, Charlie, Presumed Dead took me on a wild ride and at times I wasn’t sure I was enjoying it. At other times I couldn’t put the novel down. It definitely was full or twists and turns that I’m not entirely sure fit together. Still, that ending surprised me and I definitely want to read whatever Anne Heltzel writes next.
May 22, 2015
I received an ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review
Overview (Non-Spoliery Section)
This book made me confused. It had a lot of potential that I wouldn’t have seen if I went with my gut and decided not to finish it. I will say, sticking with this novel was a push. I found myself desperately skimming for redeemable qualities. You may be saying, “Jaime, if you didn’t want to finish it, then why did you give it a 2.5 star review?” Well, there will be more info on that in the Spoliery section below, but to sum it up, the end (though there were still major problems with the end) was so much better than the beginning that it redeemed it a little. Being really general with this book is hard but overall, this book is lacking.
***Spoliers***
Well the beginning was incredibly slow and boring. The tensions between Aubrey and Lena never seemed to reach their climax and I couldn’t really buy that Lena would take Aubrey, a girl her boyfriend cheated on her with and who she doesn’t particularly know or like, on a journey to find out what happened. Audrey's big secret with the journal was dragged on for so long and was rather anti-climactic that I didn’t really see much point in it being included. It certainly wasn’t enough motivation for her to go with Lena.
Charlie is a prick the whole time. At first it seems like he might be dead, but that doesn’t last for long. Being the smart reader that you are, you figure out that Charlie isn’t dead pretty close to the beginning. He seemed to me, the whole time, like he made terrible, douchey life choices and then couldn’t deal with them. So then he decides that the only way to escape his life and start over is to kill the people in his “past life.” Ethically, he just blames all of his shortcomings on his girlfriends and then is like “Well, they are smart enough to figure out my terrible attempt to fake my death so they need to die so I can move on (and probably screw some more people over.)” So nothing happens, nothing happens and then BAMB!
About 130 pages into the work, things start to pick up. This made me sad, because if Anne Heltzel would have written the second half of the novel as the whole thing, I would have probably really enjoyed it, considering I really wasn’t bothered by her writing style itself.
-The Ending-
So I sent Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group’s a note and asked if this book had a sequel or more books that were going to be added into this world. The answer, at the moment, is no. Which is sad. Because the book does not end. It drowns you in potential that wasn’t used in the first 260 pages, makes a bunch of crazy crap happen that doesn’t particularly make sense and breaks down all of the logical storyline Heltzel developed.
In the end, the book had so much potential, some of which was attempted to be recognized at the end, and didn’t flourish. Charlie, Presumed Dead succeeds in confusing the reader and leaves them desiring the story that could have been written, rather than the one that was.
Overall
2.5 out of 5
74%
-Jaime
(Charlie, Presumed Dead was confirmed a stand alone as of May 15th, 2015 by Elora Sullivan of HMH Young Readers)
Overview (Non-Spoliery Section)
This book made me confused. It had a lot of potential that I wouldn’t have seen if I went with my gut and decided not to finish it. I will say, sticking with this novel was a push. I found myself desperately skimming for redeemable qualities. You may be saying, “Jaime, if you didn’t want to finish it, then why did you give it a 2.5 star review?” Well, there will be more info on that in the Spoliery section below, but to sum it up, the end (though there were still major problems with the end) was so much better than the beginning that it redeemed it a little. Being really general with this book is hard but overall, this book is lacking.
***Spoliers***
Well the beginning was incredibly slow and boring. The tensions between Aubrey and Lena never seemed to reach their climax and I couldn’t really buy that Lena would take Aubrey, a girl her boyfriend cheated on her with and who she doesn’t particularly know or like, on a journey to find out what happened. Audrey's big secret with the journal was dragged on for so long and was rather anti-climactic that I didn’t really see much point in it being included. It certainly wasn’t enough motivation for her to go with Lena.
Charlie is a prick the whole time. At first it seems like he might be dead, but that doesn’t last for long. Being the smart reader that you are, you figure out that Charlie isn’t dead pretty close to the beginning. He seemed to me, the whole time, like he made terrible, douchey life choices and then couldn’t deal with them. So then he decides that the only way to escape his life and start over is to kill the people in his “past life.” Ethically, he just blames all of his shortcomings on his girlfriends and then is like “Well, they are smart enough to figure out my terrible attempt to fake my death so they need to die so I can move on (and probably screw some more people over.)” So nothing happens, nothing happens and then BAMB!
About 130 pages into the work, things start to pick up. This made me sad, because if Anne Heltzel would have written the second half of the novel as the whole thing, I would have probably really enjoyed it, considering I really wasn’t bothered by her writing style itself.
-The Ending-
So I sent Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group’s a note and asked if this book had a sequel or more books that were going to be added into this world. The answer, at the moment, is no. Which is sad. Because the book does not end. It drowns you in potential that wasn’t used in the first 260 pages, makes a bunch of crazy crap happen that doesn’t particularly make sense and breaks down all of the logical storyline Heltzel developed.
In the end, the book had so much potential, some of which was attempted to be recognized at the end, and didn’t flourish. Charlie, Presumed Dead succeeds in confusing the reader and leaves them desiring the story that could have been written, rather than the one that was.
Overall
2.5 out of 5
74%
-Jaime
(Charlie, Presumed Dead was confirmed a stand alone as of May 15th, 2015 by Elora Sullivan of HMH Young Readers)
April 8, 2015
That was such a heart pounding, intriguing and mysterious thriller. The suspense was masterfully developed and once I reached the last 30% twist were coming that made my head spin and my heart race!!!
I give it 5* but only if there is a sequel! There MUST be a sequel!
I give it 5* but only if there is a sequel! There MUST be a sequel!
March 13, 2015
Charlie Presumed Dead
It’s a shame to think that I only really saw this book when I was browsing through arcs on Netgalley because this book should be getting a lot more hype. Perhaps hype isn’t the right word- recognition, appreciation would be better options. It’s kind of a masterpiece, a wildcard if you may. Charlie,Presumed Dead surprised me. I didn’t think it was going to be this dark and twisted. I thought it would be more coming of age, perhaps I should have paid more attention to the blurb which announces that this is a “thrilling tale of suspense and deception”.
Boy oh boy, were they right.
Saying what I enjoyed from the book would be difficult to say without too many spoilers but the incorporation of travel and the narrative which creates an immersive reading experience are but small parts of what made this book brilliant- the plot carried most of the genius. I was terrified but intrigued, maybe I haven’t read that many thriller books but I know thriller stories from other mediums and this one was the right kind of devastating. Learning about Charlie you see both sides of him- the enigmatic, charismatic captivating young man but also the mysteriously cryptic guy who has a carousel of secrets. Seeing the cracks in his persona was like looking into a abyss- dark emptiness that is surely not a good idea to look into, let alone walk into. And that’s from only the first three chapters. I liked that my guesses of what was going on in the book were wrong most of the time. I liked that Heltzel gave us answers and then changed what it meant. She was in control in the novel and it shows by the way that she has now constructed so many devastating impossible situations.
It’s not even heartbreaking really, it’s heart shattering, mind blowing, thought provoking and plain bone chilling. It’s horror and disbelief but it’s the fuel of the story. Careful though, I believe that in books to come we may just get burned by the fire that Heltzel is building with this storyline. Alas we are a sadistic bunch, us readers, so you can bet I’m getting my hands on a sequel in due course, my hands charred but my mind ignited.
It’s a shame to think that I only really saw this book when I was browsing through arcs on Netgalley because this book should be getting a lot more hype. Perhaps hype isn’t the right word- recognition, appreciation would be better options. It’s kind of a masterpiece, a wildcard if you may. Charlie,Presumed Dead surprised me. I didn’t think it was going to be this dark and twisted. I thought it would be more coming of age, perhaps I should have paid more attention to the blurb which announces that this is a “thrilling tale of suspense and deception”.
Boy oh boy, were they right.
Saying what I enjoyed from the book would be difficult to say without too many spoilers but the incorporation of travel and the narrative which creates an immersive reading experience are but small parts of what made this book brilliant- the plot carried most of the genius. I was terrified but intrigued, maybe I haven’t read that many thriller books but I know thriller stories from other mediums and this one was the right kind of devastating. Learning about Charlie you see both sides of him- the enigmatic, charismatic captivating young man but also the mysteriously cryptic guy who has a carousel of secrets. Seeing the cracks in his persona was like looking into a abyss- dark emptiness that is surely not a good idea to look into, let alone walk into. And that’s from only the first three chapters. I liked that my guesses of what was going on in the book were wrong most of the time. I liked that Heltzel gave us answers and then changed what it meant. She was in control in the novel and it shows by the way that she has now constructed so many devastating impossible situations.
It’s not even heartbreaking really, it’s heart shattering, mind blowing, thought provoking and plain bone chilling. It’s horror and disbelief but it’s the fuel of the story. Careful though, I believe that in books to come we may just get burned by the fire that Heltzel is building with this storyline. Alas we are a sadistic bunch, us readers, so you can bet I’m getting my hands on a sequel in due course, my hands charred but my mind ignited.
May 6, 2015
Umm please tell me this book is going to have a sequel, because it had the craziest cliffhanger ever. UGGGHHH. I hate when this happens!
But anyway, this is an entertaining book. Not the most well-written thing ever, but it's exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Full review coming eventually!
But anyway, this is an entertaining book. Not the most well-written thing ever, but it's exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Full review coming eventually!
July 27, 2015
Review to follow
April 22, 2015
ARC was provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
Before I write my thoughts let me ask you a question: What will you do if a stranger invites you to come to his/her apartment or gives you drink or asks you to having fun with him/her?
When I read the blurb it screams mystery-thriller kind of story. That’s my sole reason why I requested this book in the first place. And after first few chapters, I was hoping I’ll get a psychological thriller, maybe not as thrilling as Gone Girl or Delicate Monsters but enough to mess my mind. I got none of it, except that I’m irritated with the characters. I think they are reckless, careless, and naïve, if not stupid. Actually I don’t want to call them stupid because it sounds too harsh. But I don’t find any suitable word at the moment.
I didn’t have problem with the way it’s written, sort of. I think it’s nice and provide enough description I needed, though in a way there is also unnecessary info that felt random. It’s told from the main characters, Aubrey and Lena and a few from Charlie’s.
At first I got to tell easily who Lena is and which one is Aubrey but along the way it felt like they change their personalities constantly. One chapter Lena is a tough-fearless girl and next chapter she’s the opposite and vice versa. It happens so many times I got lost of who is who and have to always reminded myself who’s chapter I read at the time. It’s unpleasant. I know it’s understandable if they aren’t like themselves in their situation but I don’t think they can change their true personalities that easily.
As much as it’s an unpleasant feeling, I can still ignore it and reasoning that they are under different situations so it’s understandable. It didn’t mean that I began to enjoy the book, though. What I hoped a psychological thriller, I got mostly boring slow-pace story. I have to really force myself to keep reading it because I don’t like to not finish a book that I’ve started, especially an ARC.
However those weren’t the main things that I didn’t quite like. It’s the characters, Lena and Aubrey, whom I have problem with.
Before Charlie’s funeral in Paris, Lena and Aubrey don’t know each other. They don’t know that Charlie date both of them at the same time. They are stranger to each other. But they don’t have problem to fly across the country, even continent to search Charlie because Lena has a feeling that he’s still alive. Now I honestly don’t know what I should call them, are they just naïve young adult? Or do they that easily to trust each other? Or can they be just reckless, if not stupid? The more they travel, from Paris to London, to Mumbai, India and then Bangkok, Thailand they seem so easy to trust more strangers. Aubrey, being the first time traveler to different continent doesn’t have any idea that it’s dangerous business out there, traveling and spending time with someone whom she barely know and meet someone that completely stranger to her. While Lena, being a girl who has travel to many places in the world doesn’t seem have any idea either.
It’s just so frustrating reading their stupidity moments. How without any second thoughts they take a cup of tea from stranger . How easy they give their passport . How eager they follow a random girl in the street of a strange country to join her clubbing, and many other unbelievable moments for me.
I know that those things are needed for the story, because if they aren’t that reckless-silly girls they won’t travel to India and Bangkok and how can they get the answer of Charlie’s whereabouts? The thing is I don’t mind reading a story with reckless characters, if they are needed for the story. But if they made me feel stupid because of their stupidity, when I know what they do don’t make any sense or they can do better than that, while they try hard to convince me that their story is believable, then the answer is I don’t like at all.
If I have to choose, I prefer to read more Charlie’s POV because he’s more entertaining to read and I want to know more about him. And he is the smart one here.
So what is your answer to my question above? I love traveling but I know that I won’t take a drink from someone I don’t know, doesn’t care whether they are from my own country or from foreign country. You can call me paranoid or prudence or even uptight. I don’t care. I’m just being precaution.
Before I write my thoughts let me ask you a question: What will you do if a stranger invites you to come to his/her apartment or gives you drink or asks you to having fun with him/her?
When I read the blurb it screams mystery-thriller kind of story. That’s my sole reason why I requested this book in the first place. And after first few chapters, I was hoping I’ll get a psychological thriller, maybe not as thrilling as Gone Girl or Delicate Monsters but enough to mess my mind. I got none of it, except that I’m irritated with the characters. I think they are reckless, careless, and naïve, if not stupid. Actually I don’t want to call them stupid because it sounds too harsh. But I don’t find any suitable word at the moment.
I didn’t have problem with the way it’s written, sort of. I think it’s nice and provide enough description I needed, though in a way there is also unnecessary info that felt random. It’s told from the main characters, Aubrey and Lena and a few from Charlie’s.
At first I got to tell easily who Lena is and which one is Aubrey but along the way it felt like they change their personalities constantly. One chapter Lena is a tough-fearless girl and next chapter she’s the opposite and vice versa. It happens so many times I got lost of who is who and have to always reminded myself who’s chapter I read at the time. It’s unpleasant. I know it’s understandable if they aren’t like themselves in their situation but I don’t think they can change their true personalities that easily.
As much as it’s an unpleasant feeling, I can still ignore it and reasoning that they are under different situations so it’s understandable. It didn’t mean that I began to enjoy the book, though. What I hoped a psychological thriller, I got mostly boring slow-pace story. I have to really force myself to keep reading it because I don’t like to not finish a book that I’ve started, especially an ARC.
However those weren’t the main things that I didn’t quite like. It’s the characters, Lena and Aubrey, whom I have problem with.
Before Charlie’s funeral in Paris, Lena and Aubrey don’t know each other. They don’t know that Charlie date both of them at the same time. They are stranger to each other. But they don’t have problem to fly across the country, even continent to search Charlie because Lena has a feeling that he’s still alive. Now I honestly don’t know what I should call them, are they just naïve young adult? Or do they that easily to trust each other? Or can they be just reckless, if not stupid? The more they travel, from Paris to London, to Mumbai, India and then Bangkok, Thailand they seem so easy to trust more strangers. Aubrey, being the first time traveler to different continent doesn’t have any idea that it’s dangerous business out there, traveling and spending time with someone whom she barely know and meet someone that completely stranger to her. While Lena, being a girl who has travel to many places in the world doesn’t seem have any idea either.
It’s just so frustrating reading their stupidity moments. How without any second thoughts they take a cup of tea from stranger . How easy they give their passport . How eager they follow a random girl in the street of a strange country to join her clubbing, and many other unbelievable moments for me.
I know that those things are needed for the story, because if they aren’t that reckless-silly girls they won’t travel to India and Bangkok and how can they get the answer of Charlie’s whereabouts? The thing is I don’t mind reading a story with reckless characters, if they are needed for the story. But if they made me feel stupid because of their stupidity, when I know what they do don’t make any sense or they can do better than that, while they try hard to convince me that their story is believable, then the answer is I don’t like at all.
If I have to choose, I prefer to read more Charlie’s POV because he’s more entertaining to read and I want to know more about him. And he is the smart one here.
So what is your answer to my question above? I love traveling but I know that I won’t take a drink from someone I don’t know, doesn’t care whether they are from my own country or from foreign country. You can call me paranoid or prudence or even uptight. I don’t care. I’m just being precaution.
May 18, 2015
I don't even know what I just read.
First off, I LOVED the idea of this book. The premise sounded so amazing and I was quite eager for some mystery and twisty mindfuckery. Sadly, none of that happened.
Lena and Aubrey are decent enough characters, but they seemed really similar to me. I didn't get the feeling that they were as opposite as implied. To me, the secrets that each had didn't fit with the story and came across as added like an afterthought to tie up loose ends. In fact, none of the puzzle pieces fit. Everything was jumbled and forced.
The big reveal and ending? I don't have words -- and not in a good way. I was expecting all of this build up to end in an epic confrontation. What we got was two separate endings and a 5 sentence final chapter that made absolutely no sense in the context of the ending.
I can definitely see how some people will love this. For me, it lacked the suspense and trickery this sort of story requires.
**Huge thanks to HMH and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
First off, I LOVED the idea of this book. The premise sounded so amazing and I was quite eager for some mystery and twisty mindfuckery. Sadly, none of that happened.
Lena and Aubrey are decent enough characters, but they seemed really similar to me. I didn't get the feeling that they were as opposite as implied. To me, the secrets that each had didn't fit with the story and came across as added like an afterthought to tie up loose ends. In fact, none of the puzzle pieces fit. Everything was jumbled and forced.
The big reveal and ending? I don't have words -- and not in a good way. I was expecting all of this build up to end in an epic confrontation. What we got was two separate endings and a 5 sentence final chapter that made absolutely no sense in the context of the ending.
I can definitely see how some people will love this. For me, it lacked the suspense and trickery this sort of story requires.
**Huge thanks to HMH and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
January 24, 2016
DNF @ 40%
There is not one likable character in this book. I almost started to like Aubrey and then she ruined it.
Both Aubrey and Lena were dating Charlie, which they find out at his funeral. But Lena doesn't think he's actually dead so they team up to try to find him. Charlie is awful. I could not understand why either girl liked him. Lena admits that she always thought he was cheating on her. Even beyond the cheating, Charlie is just weird. He's constantly reinventing himself. For example, the Charlie that's with one girl doesn't like olives, but the one that's with the other love them. What is this? Is this supposed to be quirky and cute? Because it's not. It's just fucking weird.
Lena's annoying - she's the stereotypical rich girl. No depth whatsoever. And just when I think Aubrey might be tolerable, no - she spent most of her relationship with Charlie cheating with his friend. WTF?
So I guess I'll never know if Charlie is actually alive or not since I abandoned this book. But I am totally okay with that. Some things are not worth knowing.
There is not one likable character in this book. I almost started to like Aubrey and then she ruined it.
Both Aubrey and Lena were dating Charlie, which they find out at his funeral. But Lena doesn't think he's actually dead so they team up to try to find him. Charlie is awful. I could not understand why either girl liked him. Lena admits that she always thought he was cheating on her. Even beyond the cheating, Charlie is just weird. He's constantly reinventing himself. For example, the Charlie that's with one girl doesn't like olives, but the one that's with the other love them. What is this? Is this supposed to be quirky and cute? Because it's not. It's just fucking weird.
Lena's annoying - she's the stereotypical rich girl. No depth whatsoever. And just when I think Aubrey might be tolerable, no - she spent most of her relationship with Charlie cheating with his friend. WTF?
So I guess I'll never know if Charlie is actually alive or not since I abandoned this book. But I am totally okay with that. Some things are not worth knowing.
April 1, 2015
There are some books you just don't click with, some that annoy you, and then others that make you wish brain bleach was a real thing. For me, this book was the latter. This went beyond regretting the time I spent reading it, to really wishing I never let these characters/thoughts/images into my head.
The writing was good, and the story takes off at breakneck speed from the very beginning. It's easy to get caught up in the drama and intrigue. However, the further the plot progresses the more we're relying on our protagonists (and pretty much every other character) to make stupid choices or do ridiculous, insane things to keep the story going the way it is. The choices Lena and Aubrey make in the beginning are questionable at best, and by the end they're just beyond absurd. Under no circumstances can I picture any thinking person doing what they did. It was bad horror movie-esque. None of the characters' actions or motives made any sense beyond this was the story the author wanted to tell so the characters had to do those things.
Although the plot ended up being much flimsier than I'd hoped, that wasn't what made me really wish I'd never read the book. It was more the tone. I mean granted there were a lot of things I wish I hadn't read about. But the overall mood and tone of the book is so gritty, depressing, and hopeless that it just wasn't an enjoyable reading experience for me. The random moments of bonding between the girls that were probably supposed to lighten things up and make us care more about the characters didn't do it for me. By the end I felt like they were all insane, terrible people and I didn't care what happened to any of them.
*I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
www.wanderingthepages.tumblr.com
The writing was good, and the story takes off at breakneck speed from the very beginning. It's easy to get caught up in the drama and intrigue. However, the further the plot progresses the more we're relying on our protagonists (and pretty much every other character) to make stupid choices or do ridiculous, insane things to keep the story going the way it is. The choices Lena and Aubrey make in the beginning are questionable at best, and by the end they're just beyond absurd. Under no circumstances can I picture any thinking person doing what they did. It was bad horror movie-esque. None of the characters' actions or motives made any sense beyond this was the story the author wanted to tell so the characters had to do those things.
Although the plot ended up being much flimsier than I'd hoped, that wasn't what made me really wish I'd never read the book. It was more the tone. I mean granted there were a lot of things I wish I hadn't read about. But the overall mood and tone of the book is so gritty, depressing, and hopeless that it just wasn't an enjoyable reading experience for me. The random moments of bonding between the girls that were probably supposed to lighten things up and make us care more about the characters didn't do it for me. By the end I felt like they were all insane, terrible people and I didn't care what happened to any of them.
*I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
www.wanderingthepages.tumblr.com
June 23, 2015
My View:
What an intriguing read! The premise is fantastic and the narrative is full of surprises, nothing is as it seems and just when you reach the final chapters and think that all will be neatly concluded you find that you have assumed the wrong thing again. Nothing at all is how it appears. Everyone has secrets they are holding close to their chest; secrets that will impact on the fate of others. This narrative asks the question – how well do you really know anybody?
Immersed in this book, and yes you will be, the story races along at full pelt, dragging you, guessing, assuming and second guessing – incorrectly, to the very end. But once you reach the end and have time to digest the unravelling of this plot you will start to notice a few places where a stitch or two has been dropped – but that really won’t overly concern you – you have bought your ticket, enjoyed the ride and now the trip is over…or is it?
PS Loved the cover art.
What an intriguing read! The premise is fantastic and the narrative is full of surprises, nothing is as it seems and just when you reach the final chapters and think that all will be neatly concluded you find that you have assumed the wrong thing again. Nothing at all is how it appears. Everyone has secrets they are holding close to their chest; secrets that will impact on the fate of others. This narrative asks the question – how well do you really know anybody?
Immersed in this book, and yes you will be, the story races along at full pelt, dragging you, guessing, assuming and second guessing – incorrectly, to the very end. But once you reach the end and have time to digest the unravelling of this plot you will start to notice a few places where a stitch or two has been dropped – but that really won’t overly concern you – you have bought your ticket, enjoyed the ride and now the trip is over…or is it?
PS Loved the cover art.
June 9, 2015
...I had such high hopes for this! What happened?
It was boring, uneventful, and the characters were annoying and whiny. I wish this had been better!
See my full review at https://herestohappyendings.wordpress...
It was boring, uneventful, and the characters were annoying and whiny. I wish this had been better!
See my full review at https://herestohappyendings.wordpress...
Read
March 22, 2017I don't even know. This book makes me wish I was in a book club so I could discuss the crap out of it.
March 27, 2016
(updated review below my initial emotional spill)
What. Even.
I legit just finished the book and am so filled with aggravation that the urge to bash it on the internet is overwhelming.
This book was a 98% waste of time due to a complete lack of actual plot (apparently masterminding global coincidences from afar makes up for no story), stupid present-tense first-person voices that sound the same (broken up by an even worse present-tense SECOND-person voice, ugh), protagonists who make absolutely nonsensical decisions, the idea that two teenagers who are also strangers to each other could just start continent-hopping with no hesitations or issues, an evil villain who is also a teenager who also magically knows how to hack personal email accounts and skydive and fly a plane and hire an assassin and set up an elaborate treasure hunt to lure two unsuspecting females to their demise, random attempts to have serious conversations between two protagonists despite the fact that the conversations add nothing to the story and make no real sense, a long scene set in a gay prostitute/bar neighborhood because you have to have at least one gay and/or transgender character in every book now even if that means that you have to make them into a prostitute (because obviously it's better to have a homosexual prostitute in your story than no homosexual at all), did I mention the coincidences? That the entire book was literally built on coincidences? Not just one - EVERY STEP OF THE WAY WAS BASED ON ANOTHER COINCIDENCE - and, finally, the absolutely worst ending to a book that I have EVER read - a complete and total, unapologetic cop-out that was unfulfilling, open-ended, vague, stupid, and just plain obnoxious.
The 2% that wasn't a complete waste of time was made up of an intriguing premise and brief moments in which one protagonist or the other was likable. (Although even when they were likable, they didn't stop being stupid.)
This was definitely the worst book I've read so far this year, and I wouldn't touch another book by this author even if you paid me to.
More detailed review coming soon. This isn't as much a review as a gag reflex. 0/5 stars.
Updated review as posted on my book blog...
So yes. Basically, our story starts with Charlie's funeral. Although Charlie's body wasn't found, the plane he was flying (solo) wrecked and they found his blood-stained jacket, so they've just decided that obviously he's dead. Our first narrator, Aubrey, has flown to France (from the US) for the funeral. Even though she had been dating Charlie for over a year, she had never met any of his family, and she feels awkward and out of place, especially when Lena (our second narrator) stands up to give a bit of a eulogy... because she's been dating Charlie for three years.
Aubrey and Lena get to chatting and conclude that Charlie was apparently not the guy either of them thought he was, especially since he acted like a completely different person with both of them. Lena doesn't believe that Charlie is actually dead. Aubrey is desperate to get back a journal that Charlie stole (?), and so they decide to travel together to try and piece together what may or may not have been the last couple of weeks of Charlie's life.
The actual premise of this story is really intriguing and pretty creepy. The back story of how Charlie works his way into the lives of both girls is definitely a good weird-out. I didn't dislike either of the girls, although my respect for their intelligence was somewhere around the nil level.
The first thing that began to bother me is that these girls are like eighteen or nineteen, so I was weirded out by the fact that they were both in this super-serious relationship with a guy in a really unhealthy way. Like, does no one's parents pay attention to their kids any more...??? Also, both girls just sort of scamper all over Europe and beyond without a whole lot of trouble. Aubrey's worried about what her parents would say and she's kind of lying to them about the whole thing, but Lena pretty much acts like this is normal life, just travel around, get trashed at clubs, chat it up with creepy strangers, get on a boat with a creeper and drink his tea even though earlier he acted like he wanted to kill you.
The writing was really fast-paced, and I will say that despite the fact that Aubrey and Lena were really dumb, I could hardly put this book down. It was honestly the ending that killed this book for me. If it had actually had a reasonable, solid, logical ending, I would have comfortably given this book three stars despite its overall ridiculousness, because it was super engaging and a wild ride. But the ending was a complete and total cop-out that left me feeling so aggravated that my husband finally told me that it was just a book and I needed to let it go. ;-)
The rest of this review will contain spoilers, so if you want to read the book (and there are plenty of positive reviews, so don't let me harsh your vibe!), you will not want to read further, as the best part of this book is having no idea what is really happening with Charlie.
What. Even.
I legit just finished the book and am so filled with aggravation that the urge to bash it on the internet is overwhelming.
This book was a 98% waste of time due to a complete lack of actual plot (apparently masterminding global coincidences from afar makes up for no story), stupid present-tense first-person voices that sound the same (broken up by an even worse present-tense SECOND-person voice, ugh), protagonists who make absolutely nonsensical decisions, the idea that two teenagers who are also strangers to each other could just start continent-hopping with no hesitations or issues, an evil villain who is also a teenager who also magically knows how to hack personal email accounts and skydive and fly a plane and hire an assassin and set up an elaborate treasure hunt to lure two unsuspecting females to their demise, random attempts to have serious conversations between two protagonists despite the fact that the conversations add nothing to the story and make no real sense, a long scene set in a gay prostitute/bar neighborhood because you have to have at least one gay and/or transgender character in every book now even if that means that you have to make them into a prostitute (because obviously it's better to have a homosexual prostitute in your story than no homosexual at all), did I mention the coincidences? That the entire book was literally built on coincidences? Not just one - EVERY STEP OF THE WAY WAS BASED ON ANOTHER COINCIDENCE - and, finally, the absolutely worst ending to a book that I have EVER read - a complete and total, unapologetic cop-out that was unfulfilling, open-ended, vague, stupid, and just plain obnoxious.
The 2% that wasn't a complete waste of time was made up of an intriguing premise and brief moments in which one protagonist or the other was likable. (Although even when they were likable, they didn't stop being stupid.)
This was definitely the worst book I've read so far this year, and I wouldn't touch another book by this author even if you paid me to.
More detailed review coming soon. This isn't as much a review as a gag reflex. 0/5 stars.
Updated review as posted on my book blog...
So yes. Basically, our story starts with Charlie's funeral. Although Charlie's body wasn't found, the plane he was flying (solo) wrecked and they found his blood-stained jacket, so they've just decided that obviously he's dead. Our first narrator, Aubrey, has flown to France (from the US) for the funeral. Even though she had been dating Charlie for over a year, she had never met any of his family, and she feels awkward and out of place, especially when Lena (our second narrator) stands up to give a bit of a eulogy... because she's been dating Charlie for three years.
Aubrey and Lena get to chatting and conclude that Charlie was apparently not the guy either of them thought he was, especially since he acted like a completely different person with both of them. Lena doesn't believe that Charlie is actually dead. Aubrey is desperate to get back a journal that Charlie stole (?), and so they decide to travel together to try and piece together what may or may not have been the last couple of weeks of Charlie's life.
The actual premise of this story is really intriguing and pretty creepy. The back story of how Charlie works his way into the lives of both girls is definitely a good weird-out. I didn't dislike either of the girls, although my respect for their intelligence was somewhere around the nil level.
The first thing that began to bother me is that these girls are like eighteen or nineteen, so I was weirded out by the fact that they were both in this super-serious relationship with a guy in a really unhealthy way. Like, does no one's parents pay attention to their kids any more...??? Also, both girls just sort of scamper all over Europe and beyond without a whole lot of trouble. Aubrey's worried about what her parents would say and she's kind of lying to them about the whole thing, but Lena pretty much acts like this is normal life, just travel around, get trashed at clubs, chat it up with creepy strangers, get on a boat with a creeper and drink his tea even though earlier he acted like he wanted to kill you.
The writing was really fast-paced, and I will say that despite the fact that Aubrey and Lena were really dumb, I could hardly put this book down. It was honestly the ending that killed this book for me. If it had actually had a reasonable, solid, logical ending, I would have comfortably given this book three stars despite its overall ridiculousness, because it was super engaging and a wild ride. But the ending was a complete and total cop-out that left me feeling so aggravated that my husband finally told me that it was just a book and I needed to let it go. ;-)
The rest of this review will contain spoilers, so if you want to read the book (and there are plenty of positive reviews, so don't let me harsh your vibe!), you will not want to read further, as the best part of this book is having no idea what is really happening with Charlie.
February 23, 2016
Let me start by saying, I'm pulling for Charlie's plan. I know that I'm supposed to be rooting for Aubrey and Lena but after listening to them so much in this story, I'm just not. I'll be that misanthrope. Holy wow that back 25% of the book! Charlie, Presumed Dead could also be aptly named How Not To Let Your First World Problems, Privilege, Pique and Arrogance Get You Into Real Third World Trouble. Charlie's life and social dissonance is a Foreign Service cautionary tale.
So here's to youthful cynicism & elaborate revenge schemes, things that never get old & now I'm going to pull out my The Rules of Attraction dvd & reminisce. Charlie, wherever you are/if you are & until we meet again (hopefully in the soon too come sequel) here's to you:
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
So here's to youthful cynicism & elaborate revenge schemes, things that never get old & now I'm going to pull out my The Rules of Attraction dvd & reminisce. Charlie, wherever you are/if you are & until we meet again (hopefully in the soon too come sequel) here's to you:
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 22, 2015
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my review.
Have you ever read one of those books where the ending made you say OUT LOUD: What. The. Hell? Yeah, that’s what this book did. This book had an awesome premise. Yes, there was a crazy love triangle. But since the boyfriend was presumed dead and the two girls were joining forces for revenge, I could get behind that. The book told the point of view of the two girls, Lena and Aubrey. There were also a few chapters from Charlie’s POV thrown in. It took me a while to get into Lena and Aubrey’s story. First of all, they had way too many arguments about trust. Lena and Aubrey meet and the VERY NEXT DAY, decide to band together for answers about Charlie’s life. Both girls had secrets, about themselves and about their relationship with Charlie. Whenever one girl found out about a secret the other was keeping, the girl would cry and pout and talk about betrayal. Ugh. That happened way too many times. And let me repeat this again: they had only known each other ONE DAY before embarking on this adventure. Why on earth would you confess all of your secrets to a perfect stranger, especially when that stranger had been secretly dating your boyfriend?
Despite all of this, I still became very engaged in their story and their developing friendship. They started getting to know each other and I felt like they really cared for each other. I loved that they placed their anger where it belonged: with Charlie. This could have gone in a horrible direction where the girls were pissed off and bitchy with each other, even though neither girl knew about the other. The few chapters that had Charlie’s POV were just weird. His chapters went a little back in time to the point where he started cheating on Lena with Aubrey. I will try not to give away any spoilers, but this guy seemed mentally deranged. And because the chapters never went to far in depth with his character and because I only knew about him from Lena and Aubrey, I just didn’t get him. His actions were so far out there and I never understood what made him do all the things he did. He was a spoiled rich kid who was sent all over the world to different private schools. There was no reason for him to go as far as he did unless he was mentally ill. But let’s talk about the ending. I can’t even deal with how messed up that was. I kept reading this story expecting some kind of closure or some kind of confrontation. WE GOT NOTHING!! Not only that, but there was a MASSIVE CLIFFHANGER with both Lena and Aubrey. Now I have never been opposed to open ended books, per se. But this wasn’t just open ended. I mean, this was straight up “where the hell is the rest of this book because surely this can’t be the end”. This book does not indicate whether this is a series or not. Honestly, I am not sure which answer would make me angrier. There is no reason to turn this book into a series, but then again, if this is the end, I just can’t deal. I swear, if this book weren’t on my Kindle, I would have thrown it across the room. My rating for the book went way down because of it.
Have you ever read one of those books where the ending made you say OUT LOUD: What. The. Hell? Yeah, that’s what this book did. This book had an awesome premise. Yes, there was a crazy love triangle. But since the boyfriend was presumed dead and the two girls were joining forces for revenge, I could get behind that. The book told the point of view of the two girls, Lena and Aubrey. There were also a few chapters from Charlie’s POV thrown in. It took me a while to get into Lena and Aubrey’s story. First of all, they had way too many arguments about trust. Lena and Aubrey meet and the VERY NEXT DAY, decide to band together for answers about Charlie’s life. Both girls had secrets, about themselves and about their relationship with Charlie. Whenever one girl found out about a secret the other was keeping, the girl would cry and pout and talk about betrayal. Ugh. That happened way too many times. And let me repeat this again: they had only known each other ONE DAY before embarking on this adventure. Why on earth would you confess all of your secrets to a perfect stranger, especially when that stranger had been secretly dating your boyfriend?
Despite all of this, I still became very engaged in their story and their developing friendship. They started getting to know each other and I felt like they really cared for each other. I loved that they placed their anger where it belonged: with Charlie. This could have gone in a horrible direction where the girls were pissed off and bitchy with each other, even though neither girl knew about the other. The few chapters that had Charlie’s POV were just weird. His chapters went a little back in time to the point where he started cheating on Lena with Aubrey. I will try not to give away any spoilers, but this guy seemed mentally deranged. And because the chapters never went to far in depth with his character and because I only knew about him from Lena and Aubrey, I just didn’t get him. His actions were so far out there and I never understood what made him do all the things he did. He was a spoiled rich kid who was sent all over the world to different private schools. There was no reason for him to go as far as he did unless he was mentally ill. But let’s talk about the ending. I can’t even deal with how messed up that was. I kept reading this story expecting some kind of closure or some kind of confrontation. WE GOT NOTHING!! Not only that, but there was a MASSIVE CLIFFHANGER with both Lena and Aubrey. Now I have never been opposed to open ended books, per se. But this wasn’t just open ended. I mean, this was straight up “where the hell is the rest of this book because surely this can’t be the end”. This book does not indicate whether this is a series or not. Honestly, I am not sure which answer would make me angrier. There is no reason to turn this book into a series, but then again, if this is the end, I just can’t deal. I swear, if this book weren’t on my Kindle, I would have thrown it across the room. My rating for the book went way down because of it.
January 3, 2016
I received this free from the publishers via NetGalley
Actual Rating: 4.5
Two girls, Aubrey and Lena, are attending Charlie's funeral after his supposed plane accident which left behind a bloodied jacket and is now presumed dead. Little do these ladies know is that they were both Charlie's girlfriends, but both dated different versions of Charlie. The girls travel around the world together to discover the truth and form an unlikely friendship.
I don't know what I expected from Charlie, Presumed Dead, but that ending was not it, but it thrilled me none the less. I guess I never expected it to be as dark as it was. Even the first half of the book wasn't that dark, and gave no indication as to what was to come. I don't really want to spoil anything so I'll keep things simple - also, I leave it too long to write my reviews and I've forgotten all my good points I was going to put in here haha!
I liked the aspect of travel as it kept it feeling fast paced and more captivating because we had change of scenes fairly often, which I think is important with a thriller.
For me the relationship between Aubrey and Lena was one of the best aspects of Charlie, Presumed Dead. At the start I felt like it was hard to distinguish between the two girls as their narratives and voices were fairly similar, but it wasn't long before they became more distinct and different. I loved their relationship. It was sort of a love/hate relationship, where they distrusted each other but wished to protect each other and they bonded over the same experience of being betrayed. I just really loved the dynamic between the two.
Charlie was a very interesting character. That's all I shall say for fear of spoiling anything.
Overall, a thrilling read which gives an unexpected ending. I would probably recommend to fans of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas. I kind of really want a sequel to know what happens next, or at least a novella because the ending is sort of one that could just end and it be a standalone, but there is also potential for it to continue to another book. So I hope there will be a sequel of some sort so I can actually get some closure.
Actual Rating: 4.5
Two girls, Aubrey and Lena, are attending Charlie's funeral after his supposed plane accident which left behind a bloodied jacket and is now presumed dead. Little do these ladies know is that they were both Charlie's girlfriends, but both dated different versions of Charlie. The girls travel around the world together to discover the truth and form an unlikely friendship.
I don't know what I expected from Charlie, Presumed Dead, but that ending was not it, but it thrilled me none the less. I guess I never expected it to be as dark as it was. Even the first half of the book wasn't that dark, and gave no indication as to what was to come. I don't really want to spoil anything so I'll keep things simple - also, I leave it too long to write my reviews and I've forgotten all my good points I was going to put in here haha!
I liked the aspect of travel as it kept it feeling fast paced and more captivating because we had change of scenes fairly often, which I think is important with a thriller.
For me the relationship between Aubrey and Lena was one of the best aspects of Charlie, Presumed Dead. At the start I felt like it was hard to distinguish between the two girls as their narratives and voices were fairly similar, but it wasn't long before they became more distinct and different. I loved their relationship. It was sort of a love/hate relationship, where they distrusted each other but wished to protect each other and they bonded over the same experience of being betrayed. I just really loved the dynamic between the two.
Charlie was a very interesting character. That's all I shall say for fear of spoiling anything.
Overall, a thrilling read which gives an unexpected ending. I would probably recommend to fans of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas. I kind of really want a sequel to know what happens next, or at least a novella because the ending is sort of one that could just end and it be a standalone, but there is also potential for it to continue to another book. So I hope there will be a sequel of some sort so I can actually get some closure.
June 21, 2015
2.5/5
This was a little "meh" for me. It needed to have a bit more of a tighter to plot to be more engaging.
Review to come.
This was a little "meh" for me. It needed to have a bit more of a tighter to plot to be more engaging.
Review to come.
August 15, 2020
The book opens with Aubrey in Paris about to attend the funeral of her boyfriend, Charlie, who is missing, presumed dead, after a plane crash. She is upset...but more so when a young woman called Lena stands at the funeral to talk about Charlie, her boyfriend.
People in this situation may well run a mile. But Aubrey and Lena are curious, and they start talking. They discover that each of them was dating Charlie, and yet they are suspicious that things are not quite as they seem.
What follows is quite absurd. The girls embark on a quite preposterous trip around places of significance. They try to meet people who knew Charlie as they work out what happened. Travelling around the world and putting themselves in increasingly dangerous situations was entertaining to read about, though only if you completely suspend your disbelief.
Where the book became less successful was in the third narrator���s voice, that of Charlie. This is a young man who seemed to be in the grips of some mental breakdown, and definitely not in full control of his faculties. Not quite the victim we think, Charlie knows details about a number of people he knows and is quite happy to torment them as part of a bigger plan. Unfortunately we never quite get to work out the point of it as the focus at the end shifts rather abruptly and we’re left in a dilemma. It seems this should have more to come, but there’s no sign that this is the case, which is more than a little dissatisfying.
People in this situation may well run a mile. But Aubrey and Lena are curious, and they start talking. They discover that each of them was dating Charlie, and yet they are suspicious that things are not quite as they seem.
What follows is quite absurd. The girls embark on a quite preposterous trip around places of significance. They try to meet people who knew Charlie as they work out what happened. Travelling around the world and putting themselves in increasingly dangerous situations was entertaining to read about, though only if you completely suspend your disbelief.
Where the book became less successful was in the third narrator���s voice, that of Charlie. This is a young man who seemed to be in the grips of some mental breakdown, and definitely not in full control of his faculties. Not quite the victim we think, Charlie knows details about a number of people he knows and is quite happy to torment them as part of a bigger plan. Unfortunately we never quite get to work out the point of it as the focus at the end shifts rather abruptly and we’re left in a dilemma. It seems this should have more to come, but there’s no sign that this is the case, which is more than a little dissatisfying.
May 12, 2022
Okay, so I shelved this as fantasy because it is absolutely ridiculous. The story is a love-triangle with a twist (the two girls meet at his funeral only to discover that he had been dating both of them for a while--2 years for one and 1 year for the other). The girls suspect that he is not dead and so go on a global trot to find him; the ridiculous part is that he was 20, one of the girls is 19 and the other is 17. the 19 and 20 year old have super rich parents that finance their extravagant lifestyles, the 17 year old is "everygirl" from IL.
As if the plot was not absurd enough (it is not clear if Charlie is a supreme narcissist or if he is supposed to have dissassociative disorder...either way, he is unstable and yet constructs this elaborate fake death only to lead both girls to a trap that involves many layers of international travel), the expectation is that children would do this. I'm not trying to minimize the capabilities of all 17-20 year olds, but if these were 30-somethings it would sit a bit better with me (and yet would still be ridiculous given the other stuff).
The moral is that you can never know anyone, we all have secrets, and we all need to open up and make friends. All of which I can agree with, but the delivery of the story was so nonsensical, over the top, and soap-opera-esque that I found it absurd. Absolutely not recommended.
As if the plot was not absurd enough (it is not clear if Charlie is a supreme narcissist or if he is supposed to have dissassociative disorder...either way, he is unstable and yet constructs this elaborate fake death only to lead both girls to a trap that involves many layers of international travel), the expectation is that children would do this. I'm not trying to minimize the capabilities of all 17-20 year olds, but if these were 30-somethings it would sit a bit better with me (and yet would still be ridiculous given the other stuff).
The moral is that you can never know anyone, we all have secrets, and we all need to open up and make friends. All of which I can agree with, but the delivery of the story was so nonsensical, over the top, and soap-opera-esque that I found it absurd. Absolutely not recommended.
October 2, 2015
American student Aubrey is in Paris to attend the funeral of her boyfriend Charlie Price, believed dead after a horrible accident. Before the service, Aubrey notices another woman, the same age as her, watching. When the woman gets up to speak, Aubrey is stunned to discover that this woman, Lena, is Charlie’s girlfriend and has been for three years. Aubrey has been with Charlie a year and although she didn’t suspect him of this, suddenly several weird things begin to make sense.
Charlie was leading a double life and it seemed that he was almost entirely two different people with differing personalities, likes and dislikes, depending on who he was with. Lena begins to suspect that Charlie isn’t dead at all and this is all just part of his game. She convinces Aubrey to come with her to London, to investigate Charlie’s hangouts when in that city and although Aubrey, a conservative girl with worried parents back in America, feels she should be heading home, she allows Lena to convince her to hop around the world following a few vague clues, hoping to find Charlie at the other end.
But both girls are keeping secrets of their own and neither can really trust the other. Jealousy and suspicion at their roles in Charlie’s life as well as the strangeness of the situation makes for a potent mix. And if it turns out that Charlie is still alive, as Lena suspects, what is his motivation for doing all of this?
Charlie, Presumed Dead has all the makings of a good thriller from reading the blurb. Ignoring the fact that everyone in it is still a teenager and able to flit around the world at will, thanks to a few healthy trust funds, that is. But somehow the execution falls flat mostly because I think that for a thriller, an awful lot doesn’t happen in this book. It’s not an overly long book but the build up is incredibly slow and one paced and even the travelling to different countries doesn’t serve to build the suspense as the girls close in on the answers.
The book starts off promisingly enough, when Aubrey is in Paris for Charlie’s funeral. She’s not met his parents and only a few friends so she’s alone. When Lena gets up to speak and Aubrey realises that this is a girlfriend of Charlie’s that pre-dates her, one that his parents know, one that has the right to get up and speak at his funeral, she’s stunned. She can’t get out of there quick enough and Lena is savvy enough to guess why, following Aubrey to demand the truth from her. The girls are quick to snipe, torn between grief, anger and in Aubrey’s case, something else. But this story becomes so much bogged down in minor details that the big picture seems like it’s almost forgotten at times.
Firstly, it’s ridiculously easy for Lena to convince Aubrey to go to London with her, instead of Aubrey going straight back home to America as she’s supposed to. Aubrey isn’t wealthy, I think she was in Paris for the funeral alone because her parents couldn’t afford to go with her. She doesn’t have much money so luckily it’s an easy trip on the train to England but from there it’s off to India and then Thailand as they chase clues and leads. Lena is wealthy with money to get them both around the world and into hotels but even she starts to wear thin the patience of her wealthy parents far later than is probable. It’s easy to forget whilst reading that both of them are still very young and to be honest I’m a little surprised that neither of them thought if they are correct and Charlie is alive and has staged this dramatic fake death, shouldn’t they be a little concerned as to the why and if it may pose a danger to them? You don’t fake your own death for fun, he was never going to jump out from behind a pot plant and go “Surprise! I thought you two would hit it off if you ignored the fact that I was playing both of you”. It seems they give little thought to what Charlie’s motivations could be, and if they might actually be sinister. I’m a chicken, so even if I’d been convinced to go to London, the way in which things played out in India would’ve meant that I was on the first flight back home. But nope, Aubrey continues being dragged around the world by Lena, to far flung places without really stopping to think about why Charlie might be in that particular place or why he is doing this. Given the secret Aubrey is hiding, I know why she wants to know the truth but I’m not sure what they thought the endgame was. Busting him in some bar somewhere or on some beach, they get their answers, Aubrey gets the journal she wants so badly and then everyone has a good laugh and goes home?
This one had a promising start but unfortunately it grew to feel like I was bogged down with too much detail about Lena and Aubrey’s travelling – what they were eating and drinking, their hotel room, etc. The trust between them was a weird thing, established far too quickly and then continued to see-saw back and forth in a way that became annoying as they became irrationally angry at each other for both keeping secrets. It was a pity than I feel like when the story really started to get good, like it could go somewhere and give the author a chance to explore some really interesting themes (mental illness, manipulation, incarceration in a foreign country etc) the book was over. I didn’t find the ending satisfying, in fact it was frustrating bordering on annoying. It felt like the ending was supposed to provoke a shocking reaction and perhaps extreme sympathy but I found that I was unable to muster either unfortunately.
Charlie was leading a double life and it seemed that he was almost entirely two different people with differing personalities, likes and dislikes, depending on who he was with. Lena begins to suspect that Charlie isn’t dead at all and this is all just part of his game. She convinces Aubrey to come with her to London, to investigate Charlie’s hangouts when in that city and although Aubrey, a conservative girl with worried parents back in America, feels she should be heading home, she allows Lena to convince her to hop around the world following a few vague clues, hoping to find Charlie at the other end.
But both girls are keeping secrets of their own and neither can really trust the other. Jealousy and suspicion at their roles in Charlie’s life as well as the strangeness of the situation makes for a potent mix. And if it turns out that Charlie is still alive, as Lena suspects, what is his motivation for doing all of this?
Charlie, Presumed Dead has all the makings of a good thriller from reading the blurb. Ignoring the fact that everyone in it is still a teenager and able to flit around the world at will, thanks to a few healthy trust funds, that is. But somehow the execution falls flat mostly because I think that for a thriller, an awful lot doesn’t happen in this book. It’s not an overly long book but the build up is incredibly slow and one paced and even the travelling to different countries doesn’t serve to build the suspense as the girls close in on the answers.
The book starts off promisingly enough, when Aubrey is in Paris for Charlie’s funeral. She’s not met his parents and only a few friends so she’s alone. When Lena gets up to speak and Aubrey realises that this is a girlfriend of Charlie’s that pre-dates her, one that his parents know, one that has the right to get up and speak at his funeral, she’s stunned. She can’t get out of there quick enough and Lena is savvy enough to guess why, following Aubrey to demand the truth from her. The girls are quick to snipe, torn between grief, anger and in Aubrey’s case, something else. But this story becomes so much bogged down in minor details that the big picture seems like it’s almost forgotten at times.
Firstly, it’s ridiculously easy for Lena to convince Aubrey to go to London with her, instead of Aubrey going straight back home to America as she’s supposed to. Aubrey isn’t wealthy, I think she was in Paris for the funeral alone because her parents couldn’t afford to go with her. She doesn’t have much money so luckily it’s an easy trip on the train to England but from there it’s off to India and then Thailand as they chase clues and leads. Lena is wealthy with money to get them both around the world and into hotels but even she starts to wear thin the patience of her wealthy parents far later than is probable. It’s easy to forget whilst reading that both of them are still very young and to be honest I’m a little surprised that neither of them thought if they are correct and Charlie is alive and has staged this dramatic fake death, shouldn’t they be a little concerned as to the why and if it may pose a danger to them? You don’t fake your own death for fun, he was never going to jump out from behind a pot plant and go “Surprise! I thought you two would hit it off if you ignored the fact that I was playing both of you”. It seems they give little thought to what Charlie’s motivations could be, and if they might actually be sinister. I’m a chicken, so even if I’d been convinced to go to London, the way in which things played out in India would’ve meant that I was on the first flight back home. But nope, Aubrey continues being dragged around the world by Lena, to far flung places without really stopping to think about why Charlie might be in that particular place or why he is doing this. Given the secret Aubrey is hiding, I know why she wants to know the truth but I’m not sure what they thought the endgame was. Busting him in some bar somewhere or on some beach, they get their answers, Aubrey gets the journal she wants so badly and then everyone has a good laugh and goes home?
This one had a promising start but unfortunately it grew to feel like I was bogged down with too much detail about Lena and Aubrey’s travelling – what they were eating and drinking, their hotel room, etc. The trust between them was a weird thing, established far too quickly and then continued to see-saw back and forth in a way that became annoying as they became irrationally angry at each other for both keeping secrets. It was a pity than I feel like when the story really started to get good, like it could go somewhere and give the author a chance to explore some really interesting themes (mental illness, manipulation, incarceration in a foreign country etc) the book was over. I didn’t find the ending satisfying, in fact it was frustrating bordering on annoying. It felt like the ending was supposed to provoke a shocking reaction and perhaps extreme sympathy but I found that I was unable to muster either unfortunately.
June 8, 2015
Charlie Price was one mysterious man. He seemed to have it all. Girlfriends, included. On the day of his funeral, we met two ladies, Lena and Aubrey, both claiming to be his girlfriend. The first one was known to his family, the other was the questionable invisible other woman.
The two girls got together, discovered the truth about their roles in Charlie's life, one vowed to do her best to dig for more information, the other was trusting and decided to go wherever their feet took them. From London, to India, to Bangkok, Lena and Aubrey found out eerie and strange truths about Charlie. They relied on each other, they formed a bond, they became friends and plotted revenge against Charlie. But their plans turned to ashes when the truth about Charlie was revealed.
I got a little crazy and creeped out after reading this book. Told in different points of view, this isn't your typical love-triangle thriller read. You will find yourself hurting, whining, crying and scheming, just like what the major characters did. Charlie, Presumed Dead, is a menagerie of surprises, twists, manipulation, betrayals, devious plans and death. The ever-unfolding puzzles kept me glued to my seat, and the sinister ending got me palpitating. Although I think this book is as a stand alone thriller, I am left wanting for more. Anne Heltzel is an imaginative and evocative writer who have hit the jackpot with Charlie!
The two girls got together, discovered the truth about their roles in Charlie's life, one vowed to do her best to dig for more information, the other was trusting and decided to go wherever their feet took them. From London, to India, to Bangkok, Lena and Aubrey found out eerie and strange truths about Charlie. They relied on each other, they formed a bond, they became friends and plotted revenge against Charlie. But their plans turned to ashes when the truth about Charlie was revealed.
I got a little crazy and creeped out after reading this book. Told in different points of view, this isn't your typical love-triangle thriller read. You will find yourself hurting, whining, crying and scheming, just like what the major characters did. Charlie, Presumed Dead, is a menagerie of surprises, twists, manipulation, betrayals, devious plans and death. The ever-unfolding puzzles kept me glued to my seat, and the sinister ending got me palpitating. Although I think this book is as a stand alone thriller, I am left wanting for more. Anne Heltzel is an imaginative and evocative writer who have hit the jackpot with Charlie!
November 2, 2015
1.5/5 Stars
Disorientated. That's how I feel after reading this book and I'm pretty sure that's how Heltzel wanted me to feel. The start of this book was so interesting. I was hooked into the plot in the first couple of pages. I mean, two girls who find out that their boyfriend was cheating on them with each other after he's presumed dead? And now they are piecing together their memories of their relationship to figure out who Charlie really was? That's already interesting. I didn't need anything else. If this was a book just centered around Aubrey and Lena comparing their relationship with Charlie to each other, I would have been happy. Instead the plot takes a really weird turn and the girls go on this implausible trip around the world looking for clues about Charlie's death. As soon as the girls embark on this trip, Heltzel lost me. The mysterious force that is pulling Lena and Aubrey along on this journey isn't mysterious at all and doesn't seem to have an actual purpose. The book ends on a cliffhanger but it didn't make me want to know what happens next. To say that I'm disappointed is an understatement.
To read my full review, visit my blog HERE. Beware of spoilers.
Disorientated. That's how I feel after reading this book and I'm pretty sure that's how Heltzel wanted me to feel. The start of this book was so interesting. I was hooked into the plot in the first couple of pages. I mean, two girls who find out that their boyfriend was cheating on them with each other after he's presumed dead? And now they are piecing together their memories of their relationship to figure out who Charlie really was? That's already interesting. I didn't need anything else. If this was a book just centered around Aubrey and Lena comparing their relationship with Charlie to each other, I would have been happy. Instead the plot takes a really weird turn and the girls go on this implausible trip around the world looking for clues about Charlie's death. As soon as the girls embark on this trip, Heltzel lost me. The mysterious force that is pulling Lena and Aubrey along on this journey isn't mysterious at all and doesn't seem to have an actual purpose. The book ends on a cliffhanger but it didn't make me want to know what happens next. To say that I'm disappointed is an understatement.
To read my full review, visit my blog HERE. Beware of spoilers.
April 19, 2015
I have mixed thoughts about this book. On one hand I did finish this book as there was something intriguing about it but on the other hand now that I have finished this book I realize that the characters Aubrey and Lena were neither that great and the story line was something that I have read before. It was like it wanted to be sinister but could not quite get all the way there. Plus the more I got to know about Charlie, the more I hated him and wondered why either girl liked him or wanted to find out the truth about him. There were times that as the truth was coming out that I thought if I was in their position I would have stopped my journey right than and went home. "Screw Charlie".
When the whole truth regarding Charlie and his death was revealed I was a little upset. I was like I read all of this book for this ending! Which I was upset about the ending because I did not like who got the upper hand in the end. Not going to say anything else about it as I don't want to give anything away.
When the whole truth regarding Charlie and his death was revealed I was a little upset. I was like I read all of this book for this ending! Which I was upset about the ending because I did not like who got the upper hand in the end. Not going to say anything else about it as I don't want to give anything away.
June 11, 2015
(I received a copy from Edelweiss, In exchange for an honest review.)
Lena and Aubrey were completely different to each other, but I felt sorry for them both. The way Charlie betrayed them both, and made them find out the way they did was awful.
Charlie was a horrible character, and whenever I thought he couldn't get any worse, he did!
The pacing in this one was a little bit too slow at times, but it was still an interesting read. I really wanted to know how the Charlie situation was going to play out.
The ending to this was one massive cliffhanger, but it was really really good. It was definately the most interesting part of the book.
Overall, A decent read, with a massive cliffhanger that will leave you wanting more.
Lena and Aubrey were completely different to each other, but I felt sorry for them both. The way Charlie betrayed them both, and made them find out the way they did was awful.
Charlie was a horrible character, and whenever I thought he couldn't get any worse, he did!
The pacing in this one was a little bit too slow at times, but it was still an interesting read. I really wanted to know how the Charlie situation was going to play out.
The ending to this was one massive cliffhanger, but it was really really good. It was definately the most interesting part of the book.
Overall, A decent read, with a massive cliffhanger that will leave you wanting more.
October 26, 2016
Charlie, presumed dead is the kind of book you throw across the room once you reach the final chapter.
In Paris, family and friends gather to mourn the tragic passing of Charlie Price, who is presumed dead after an explosion. The police find a single jacket covered in blood, which is assumed to be Charlie's. At Charlie's funeral, two girls, Lena Whitney and Aubrey Boroughs, make an astounding discovery: they have both been dating Charlie. Both of the girls believe that he loved them, and they discover that there is a lot they didn't know about Charlie. Lena and Aubrey go on a wild trip across the world in search of Charlie. Is he really dead? Soon secrets come out that the girls were hiding from one another. If they can't trust each other, who can they trust?
In Paris, family and friends gather to mourn the tragic passing of Charlie Price, who is presumed dead after an explosion. The police find a single jacket covered in blood, which is assumed to be Charlie's. At Charlie's funeral, two girls, Lena Whitney and Aubrey Boroughs, make an astounding discovery: they have both been dating Charlie. Both of the girls believe that he loved them, and they discover that there is a lot they didn't know about Charlie. Lena and Aubrey go on a wild trip across the world in search of Charlie. Is he really dead? Soon secrets come out that the girls were hiding from one another. If they can't trust each other, who can they trust?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 383 reviews