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Strangers #2
Ugly Young Thing
Sixteen-year-old Allie has already experienced a lifetime of horror, having lost her mother and serial killer brother to mental illness.
Returning to her childhood home in Louisiana, Allie ends up in foster care and is placed with Miss Bitty, an eccentric but kindly older woman who shows her a new direction and brighter future.
But Allie’s new life takes a devastating turn when young women in the area start turning up dead, and she begins to see shadowy figures outside her bedroom. As Miss Bitty grows inexplicably distant, a nagging voice makes Allie wonder if death has found her yet again…or if it never really left her at all.
Returning to her childhood home in Louisiana, Allie ends up in foster care and is placed with Miss Bitty, an eccentric but kindly older woman who shows her a new direction and brighter future.
But Allie’s new life takes a devastating turn when young women in the area start turning up dead, and she begins to see shadowy figures outside her bedroom. As Miss Bitty grows inexplicably distant, a nagging voice makes Allie wonder if death has found her yet again…or if it never really left her at all.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2015
879 people are currently reading
3208 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Jaynes
10 books1,088 followersJennifer Jaynes was an accomplished author having published 7 books and was both a USA Today Best Seller and Amazon #1 best seller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews
June 6, 2019
I had no idea that this book was the follow on to Jennifer Jaynes first novel in the series Never Smile At Strangers. It read perfectly fine as a stand alone and kicked off in fine intense fashion that hooked me into shore pretty quickly. This one is one of those easy read page turners that also give you loads of reading pleasure. What more could you want really?
Sixteen-year-old Allie has already experienced a lifetime of horror, having lost her mother and serial killer brother to mental illness.
Returning to her childhood home in Louisiana, Allie ends up in foster care and is placed with Miss Bitty, an eccentric but kindly older woman who shows her a new direction and brighter future.
But Allie’s new life takes a devastating turn when young women in the area start turning up dead, and she begins to see shadowy figures outside her bedroom. As Miss Bitty grows inexplicably distant, a nagging voice makes Allie wonder if death has found her yet again…or if it never really left her at all.
Allie is an interesting and challenging character, I enjoyed watching her change and grow as the book went on although at times she was super sweet considering all the damage she needed to undo. This kid was born into the house from hell, I won't go into it, but you are not going to come out of the family she was in without issues. Big, bad issues. Goosebump material.
She's tough on the outside but has huge self-image problems, this leads her to seek solace in the only thing she knows where she feels wanted - selling her body. It's heart breaking. She is fifteen years old.
Through heading home to see her old house, she is picked up by Social Services and placed with Miss Bitty, a kind old dear that opens her door to many who need a place to stay for a short or a long time. It's a bit too perfect for Allie who can't cope with how nice things are, she is expecting the worst around every corner.
Girls are being brutally stalked and killed around town and Miss Bitty is on high alert wanting to protect Allie. You always sense with this book that there is an underlying tension, a secret, a plot twist but then I would think "nah, it's just my imagination" then again I would thing it again. I picked a few wrong plot twists I thought were coming too.
Things really start to pick up towards the end of the book not that it's slow anywhere else, but the ending just really shocked me. I think my mouth hung open for a while. Very clever!
This book is a real mix of genres, has some interesting and weird characters and many edge of your seat moments. Miss Bitty knows what's best for you, just you wait and see. Will they find the killer? What will happen to Allie? Will she find happiness or like many times before go back to her old ways, the ones that are so familiar. Most importantly, will you see the killer coming? Better watch your back.
For more of my reviews, book talk, giveaways and more you can see me at:
https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
Many thanks to the author and publisher via NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Sixteen-year-old Allie has already experienced a lifetime of horror, having lost her mother and serial killer brother to mental illness.
Returning to her childhood home in Louisiana, Allie ends up in foster care and is placed with Miss Bitty, an eccentric but kindly older woman who shows her a new direction and brighter future.
But Allie’s new life takes a devastating turn when young women in the area start turning up dead, and she begins to see shadowy figures outside her bedroom. As Miss Bitty grows inexplicably distant, a nagging voice makes Allie wonder if death has found her yet again…or if it never really left her at all.
Allie is an interesting and challenging character, I enjoyed watching her change and grow as the book went on although at times she was super sweet considering all the damage she needed to undo. This kid was born into the house from hell, I won't go into it, but you are not going to come out of the family she was in without issues. Big, bad issues. Goosebump material.
She's tough on the outside but has huge self-image problems, this leads her to seek solace in the only thing she knows where she feels wanted - selling her body. It's heart breaking. She is fifteen years old.
Through heading home to see her old house, she is picked up by Social Services and placed with Miss Bitty, a kind old dear that opens her door to many who need a place to stay for a short or a long time. It's a bit too perfect for Allie who can't cope with how nice things are, she is expecting the worst around every corner.
Girls are being brutally stalked and killed around town and Miss Bitty is on high alert wanting to protect Allie. You always sense with this book that there is an underlying tension, a secret, a plot twist but then I would think "nah, it's just my imagination" then again I would thing it again. I picked a few wrong plot twists I thought were coming too.
Things really start to pick up towards the end of the book not that it's slow anywhere else, but the ending just really shocked me. I think my mouth hung open for a while. Very clever!
This book is a real mix of genres, has some interesting and weird characters and many edge of your seat moments. Miss Bitty knows what's best for you, just you wait and see. Will they find the killer? What will happen to Allie? Will she find happiness or like many times before go back to her old ways, the ones that are so familiar. Most importantly, will you see the killer coming? Better watch your back.
For more of my reviews, book talk, giveaways and more you can see me at:
https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
Many thanks to the author and publisher via NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
April 28, 2015
“UGLY YOUNG THING”, (Grand Trespass #2) by Jennifer Jaynes, is the second book in the series,a psychological suspense thriller, with the return of Allie we met in “Never Smile at Strangers” (Grand Trespass #1). Having loved reading “Never Smile at Strangers”, I went right ahead and ordered the second book. I was not disappointed. And now I want more!
“ Sixteen-year-old Allie has already experienced a lifetime of horror, having lost her mother and serial killer brother to mental illness.”
Her father had abandoned the family. Her mother had been a prostitute. Her brother had killed their mother, and ended up looking after Allie. But her brother was mentally ill, and hurt people, and nine months ago killed himself. Now Allie was all alone.
She thought she was ugly. That is all she had ever been told. Even her own mother used to tell her that. She was an Ugly Young Thing.
Allie needed love and security. She sometimes heard and saw things. In this story, Allie returns to Louisiana, where she grew up, and ends up in foster care, and is placed with Miss Bitty, a kind older woman who shows her respect and love…something she never knew. My heart went out to little Allie. She's been through so much.
But then everything changes… young women in the area start turning up dead…a serial killer is lingering in the background, and Allie feels she is being watched. Even Miss Bitty grows more distant. Was this new life too good to be true?
“No one knew anyone very well. People only saw what others allowed them to see.”
The author switches the POV between Allie, Bitty, and the killer. The characters in this novel are well-developed and everyone has their own little secret. I found that this novel was not as dark as the previous novel, but the suspense/thriller level was totally engaging. The identity of the killer is not revealed until right at the end, and had me guessing right to the end. I thought I knew who the killer was, but I was wrong. The ending was a real shocker! I didn’t see it coming.
All I can say is read both books and be ready for the next, which I hope will not be too long a wait!
“ Sixteen-year-old Allie has already experienced a lifetime of horror, having lost her mother and serial killer brother to mental illness.”
Her father had abandoned the family. Her mother had been a prostitute. Her brother had killed their mother, and ended up looking after Allie. But her brother was mentally ill, and hurt people, and nine months ago killed himself. Now Allie was all alone.
She thought she was ugly. That is all she had ever been told. Even her own mother used to tell her that. She was an Ugly Young Thing.
Allie needed love and security. She sometimes heard and saw things. In this story, Allie returns to Louisiana, where she grew up, and ends up in foster care, and is placed with Miss Bitty, a kind older woman who shows her respect and love…something she never knew. My heart went out to little Allie. She's been through so much.
But then everything changes… young women in the area start turning up dead…a serial killer is lingering in the background, and Allie feels she is being watched. Even Miss Bitty grows more distant. Was this new life too good to be true?
“No one knew anyone very well. People only saw what others allowed them to see.”
The author switches the POV between Allie, Bitty, and the killer. The characters in this novel are well-developed and everyone has their own little secret. I found that this novel was not as dark as the previous novel, but the suspense/thriller level was totally engaging. The identity of the killer is not revealed until right at the end, and had me guessing right to the end. I thought I knew who the killer was, but I was wrong. The ending was a real shocker! I didn’t see it coming.
All I can say is read both books and be ready for the next, which I hope will not be too long a wait!
February 4, 2016
The shocking death of her brother was the final straw for fifteen year old Allie – she knew she had to run or child services would take her away. Her father had left them when she was a small child, then her horrible mother had died; now her brother. She was all alone, terrified but determined to make it on her own. However, after nine months of trying, she finally knew she needed to return to her childhood home in Louisiana – sick, tired and just over it all, a traumatised Allie eventually made it home just after her sixteenth birthday.
When she was picked up by child services and taken to Miss Bitty’s home, she was resentful and positive she wouldn’t remain there. Miss Bitty was an old lady, but she was kind and seemed to care for Allie. She was a foster carer and it made Allie realise that Miss Bitty might be her final chance. But when young women in the area were suddenly being found brutally murdered, Allie’s fragile security began to shatter. Miss Bitty turned distant and started drinking – she was also paranoid about Allie’s safety. Allie didn’t know what was going on, but she was sure it was her fault. After all she was ugly – she had always been ugly; why wouldn’t it be her fault…
Gritty, gripping and intense, Ugly Young Thing by Jennifer Jaynes is the second in the Grand Trespass series. I was completely blown away by an incredible twist at the end which I absolutely did not see coming! Even though I haven’t (as yet) read #1 I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced thriller and have no hesitation in recommending it highly.
When she was picked up by child services and taken to Miss Bitty’s home, she was resentful and positive she wouldn’t remain there. Miss Bitty was an old lady, but she was kind and seemed to care for Allie. She was a foster carer and it made Allie realise that Miss Bitty might be her final chance. But when young women in the area were suddenly being found brutally murdered, Allie’s fragile security began to shatter. Miss Bitty turned distant and started drinking – she was also paranoid about Allie’s safety. Allie didn’t know what was going on, but she was sure it was her fault. After all she was ugly – she had always been ugly; why wouldn’t it be her fault…
Gritty, gripping and intense, Ugly Young Thing by Jennifer Jaynes is the second in the Grand Trespass series. I was completely blown away by an incredible twist at the end which I absolutely did not see coming! Even though I haven’t (as yet) read #1 I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced thriller and have no hesitation in recommending it highly.
November 9, 2017
Jennifer Jaynes returns with UGLY YOUNG THING, (Grand Trespass #2) a "killer" followup --an intense psychological suspense thriller, a sizzling page-turner, for a continuation of Allie we met in Never Smile at Strangers (Grand Trespass #1).
Allie, sixteen-years-old, is beautiful; however, after being a victim of her abusive mom, telling her she is ugly, she sees a different face, a reflection, when looking into the mirror. She has experienced a traumatic childhood, a lifetime of horror; her mom was a prostitute, a psychotic murderer.
Her older brother tried his best; however, he also suffered from mental illness, and in the end a murderer, ending his life and misery by killing himself before Allie’s eyes. With no family left, she is on the run to Texas, hitchhiking, trying to survive with one trucker after another.
Allie’s home had been one of horror; her father abandoned the family early on, her mother a prostitute, dumping bodies in the pond behind their house, as well as abusing her brother; thereby screwing up his mind. After he finally killed their mother, he ended up taking care of Allie, by paying the bills and putting food on the table; ultimately was sick and began hurting people, as well.
Currently, she is on the run, tired of trying to survive by selling her body, and when her boyfriend Johnny has to leave, she realizes everyone has abandoned her. Now, nine months later without her brother or her boyfriend Johnny, she met along the way, she sees no point in life. The world to Allie is a frightening place, and she never seemed to belong. In a lonely motel, she tried to end her own life with pills unsuccessfully. She feels like such a loser and couldn’t even manage to kill herself.
After being attacked while hitchhiking, she decides to return to Grand Trespass, Louisiana to her childhood home to rest and figure out what to do next. She just wants normal. She wants to be wanted and loved, but all the pain has worn her down, and she wants to escape.
Finally she ends up in foster care and placed with Miss Bitty. Her home is beautiful, and Miss Bitty, even though eccentric, everyone seems to love her. She is an older, kind, and a giving person. Allie wants to be like her and does not want to disappoint her and lose this opportunity. However, can she trust her? After all, her mom said never to trust anyone nice. Can she possibly have a normal life and a fresh start without her past haunting her? Sometimes she wonders if she will become crazy like the rest of her family.
However, not long after moving in with Miss Bitty in Louisiana, near her old home, Allie begins to feel someone is watching her. Miss Bitty is a wellness coach, making sure her home environment is in alignment with health goals from nutritious foods and positive thoughts--from meditation, yoga, and energy work, helping everyone around her. She had been caring for foster children for almost sixteen years and Allie grows to like her. Miss Bitty helps her pick out new clothes and makeup, to give her a classier look and assists with her lower self-esteem issues. Allie just wants to be accepted and have friends.
Miss Bitty is kind to her and supportive in every way. Their household is not the norm. Louis comes and goes, a guy which home schools her in preparation for her GED, and later college courses. Joe is a client of Miss Bitty’s from California, living in their guesthouse, and she meets a new friend, Hannah. Hannah’s stepfather, Ted, and mother, Claire are weird and he also does maintenance and yard work for Miss Bitty. So a variety of men coming and going.
Allie tries working at the supermarket part-time; however, it turns into a disaster when people find out she was the murderer’s daughter and sister. The job is short lived.
Now, if things could not get any worse, there is a killer on the loose in the nearby town and he is targeting young women, stabbing them multiple times – he is on the hunt and nothing satisfies his itch except killing. He has tried to keep in under control however he stalks, watches, and hides in waiting for the kill.
Since the murders have been occurring, Miss Bitty brings home a dog for Allie, and now seems worried and overly protective. Miss Bitty seems distant, Allie sees someone watching her, hears voices, and she wonders if death and pain will continue following her.
UGLY YOUNG THING keeps you on the edge-of-your-seat, switching back and forth between Allie, Bitty, and the sick mind of a killer. As a reader, you have no idea the identity of the killer and are holding your breath to learn the killer’s next move. What a shocker!
Jennifer does an outstanding job of keeping the suspense high, as one minute you think you have the mystery figured out, and then you begin suspecting another. You are never certain how Miss Bitty is connected to the players and the motives behind the killing until towards the very end. With intense twists and turns, as all the pieces come together from the first and second book.
Well-developed characters and vivid settings with heart-pounding scenes awaiting the sick and twisted killer’s next move. So many suspects!
Wow, I really enjoyed this riveting psychological mystery thriller, leaving you anxiously awaiting the next book, to discover what is coming next. Highly recommend this series, and this talented new found author!
A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
Allie, sixteen-years-old, is beautiful; however, after being a victim of her abusive mom, telling her she is ugly, she sees a different face, a reflection, when looking into the mirror. She has experienced a traumatic childhood, a lifetime of horror; her mom was a prostitute, a psychotic murderer.
Her older brother tried his best; however, he also suffered from mental illness, and in the end a murderer, ending his life and misery by killing himself before Allie’s eyes. With no family left, she is on the run to Texas, hitchhiking, trying to survive with one trucker after another.
Allie’s home had been one of horror; her father abandoned the family early on, her mother a prostitute, dumping bodies in the pond behind their house, as well as abusing her brother; thereby screwing up his mind. After he finally killed their mother, he ended up taking care of Allie, by paying the bills and putting food on the table; ultimately was sick and began hurting people, as well.
Currently, she is on the run, tired of trying to survive by selling her body, and when her boyfriend Johnny has to leave, she realizes everyone has abandoned her. Now, nine months later without her brother or her boyfriend Johnny, she met along the way, she sees no point in life. The world to Allie is a frightening place, and she never seemed to belong. In a lonely motel, she tried to end her own life with pills unsuccessfully. She feels like such a loser and couldn’t even manage to kill herself.
After being attacked while hitchhiking, she decides to return to Grand Trespass, Louisiana to her childhood home to rest and figure out what to do next. She just wants normal. She wants to be wanted and loved, but all the pain has worn her down, and she wants to escape.
Finally she ends up in foster care and placed with Miss Bitty. Her home is beautiful, and Miss Bitty, even though eccentric, everyone seems to love her. She is an older, kind, and a giving person. Allie wants to be like her and does not want to disappoint her and lose this opportunity. However, can she trust her? After all, her mom said never to trust anyone nice. Can she possibly have a normal life and a fresh start without her past haunting her? Sometimes she wonders if she will become crazy like the rest of her family.
However, not long after moving in with Miss Bitty in Louisiana, near her old home, Allie begins to feel someone is watching her. Miss Bitty is a wellness coach, making sure her home environment is in alignment with health goals from nutritious foods and positive thoughts--from meditation, yoga, and energy work, helping everyone around her. She had been caring for foster children for almost sixteen years and Allie grows to like her. Miss Bitty helps her pick out new clothes and makeup, to give her a classier look and assists with her lower self-esteem issues. Allie just wants to be accepted and have friends.
Miss Bitty is kind to her and supportive in every way. Their household is not the norm. Louis comes and goes, a guy which home schools her in preparation for her GED, and later college courses. Joe is a client of Miss Bitty’s from California, living in their guesthouse, and she meets a new friend, Hannah. Hannah’s stepfather, Ted, and mother, Claire are weird and he also does maintenance and yard work for Miss Bitty. So a variety of men coming and going.
Allie tries working at the supermarket part-time; however, it turns into a disaster when people find out she was the murderer’s daughter and sister. The job is short lived.
Now, if things could not get any worse, there is a killer on the loose in the nearby town and he is targeting young women, stabbing them multiple times – he is on the hunt and nothing satisfies his itch except killing. He has tried to keep in under control however he stalks, watches, and hides in waiting for the kill.
Since the murders have been occurring, Miss Bitty brings home a dog for Allie, and now seems worried and overly protective. Miss Bitty seems distant, Allie sees someone watching her, hears voices, and she wonders if death and pain will continue following her.
UGLY YOUNG THING keeps you on the edge-of-your-seat, switching back and forth between Allie, Bitty, and the sick mind of a killer. As a reader, you have no idea the identity of the killer and are holding your breath to learn the killer’s next move. What a shocker!
Jennifer does an outstanding job of keeping the suspense high, as one minute you think you have the mystery figured out, and then you begin suspecting another. You are never certain how Miss Bitty is connected to the players and the motives behind the killing until towards the very end. With intense twists and turns, as all the pieces come together from the first and second book.
Well-developed characters and vivid settings with heart-pounding scenes awaiting the sick and twisted killer’s next move. So many suspects!
Wow, I really enjoyed this riveting psychological mystery thriller, leaving you anxiously awaiting the next book, to discover what is coming next. Highly recommend this series, and this talented new found author!
A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
July 28, 2015
If the author was finding her feet with her first book, Never Smile at Strangers she’s off and running with this one, a tighter psychological thriller and a solid 4★ read.
A crazed killer, who picks his prey using a 'smile formula', stalks and hunts young women until he's overcome by the itch to do more. He's desperate to please HER, whoever SHE is.
Good pace, good characters, good story, but poor little Allie! From the frying pan into the fire. The characters are well-drawn, and we care about Allie, the 15-year old survivor of the mad, blood-thirsty family of the first book. It begins:
Urine skidded down her leg, warming her bare skin. She was more terrified than she’d ever been, and in her short fifteen years, there had been plenty of reasons to be afraid.
A heavy downpour pummeled the small house, battering the living room window next to her, but Allie wasn’t aware of the storm outside.
Only the storm inside the house mattered.
Her older brother was facing her, his eyes unfocused. In one hand he held a gun. In the other was the smooth stone he kept on his nightstand while he slept. The gun was pointed at her and he was rolling the stone around in the palm of his hand.
I'm glad I read the books in the right order, although there is plenty of background in the second one to fill in the blanks, and neither book will spoil the other.
Since she lost her family, she's been tramping around, in both senses of the word. Her ‘boyfriend’ has deserted her, so she decides to go home, back to the now abandoned house of nightmares and horrors. There, she's discovered by the authorities and put into foster care with Bitty, an older woman who runs a nearby health retreat.
This is the better of the two, I think. The first had a fair bit of traipsing around the woods - great for atmosphere, but sometimes a bit repetitious. This has a little less of the hot steamy weather and the good ol' boys in trucks (although it starts out that way), but it has more about what's going on in people's heads and why.
There are enough peculiar characters to keep it interesting without being confusing, and we are encouraged to be suspicious of them all at some point or other. Bitty seems like a saviour, but is she? Hannah is friendly, or is she? As for the killer . . .
Thanks so much to the author and publicist for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It was a pleasure.
A crazed killer, who picks his prey using a 'smile formula', stalks and hunts young women until he's overcome by the itch to do more. He's desperate to please HER, whoever SHE is.
Good pace, good characters, good story, but poor little Allie! From the frying pan into the fire. The characters are well-drawn, and we care about Allie, the 15-year old survivor of the mad, blood-thirsty family of the first book. It begins:
Urine skidded down her leg, warming her bare skin. She was more terrified than she’d ever been, and in her short fifteen years, there had been plenty of reasons to be afraid.
A heavy downpour pummeled the small house, battering the living room window next to her, but Allie wasn’t aware of the storm outside.
Only the storm inside the house mattered.
Her older brother was facing her, his eyes unfocused. In one hand he held a gun. In the other was the smooth stone he kept on his nightstand while he slept. The gun was pointed at her and he was rolling the stone around in the palm of his hand.
I'm glad I read the books in the right order, although there is plenty of background in the second one to fill in the blanks, and neither book will spoil the other.
Since she lost her family, she's been tramping around, in both senses of the word. Her ‘boyfriend’ has deserted her, so she decides to go home, back to the now abandoned house of nightmares and horrors. There, she's discovered by the authorities and put into foster care with Bitty, an older woman who runs a nearby health retreat.
This is the better of the two, I think. The first had a fair bit of traipsing around the woods - great for atmosphere, but sometimes a bit repetitious. This has a little less of the hot steamy weather and the good ol' boys in trucks (although it starts out that way), but it has more about what's going on in people's heads and why.
There are enough peculiar characters to keep it interesting without being confusing, and we are encouraged to be suspicious of them all at some point or other. Bitty seems like a saviour, but is she? Hannah is friendly, or is she? As for the killer . . .
Thanks so much to the author and publicist for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It was a pleasure.
February 8, 2017
I read Jennifer Jaynes first book Never Smile At Strangers. I absolutely LOVED it! When I saw she had another book out in a matter of months I was wondering if she could pull off yet another stunner, yet another twist, yet another fantastic plot with her awesome style of writing that holds your attention from beginning to end, and someone else I need to 'tell off' for keeping me AWAKE at night because I can't put the blinking book down!!!
Yes
Yes
OH YES
She has done it again.
The subject matter kept me glued. I wanted to know what would happen to Allie. After being around such HORROR what would happen to her. Was the families madness part of their genetic makeup? Would she too start on that same course of road....eventually?
When she is cared for by Miss Bitty. I NEEDED to know what made her so nice, so understanding, what was her flaming secret!!!!!! What in the hell was it! I NEEDED to know...
My giddy aunt, when I finally got to the ending, I put my Kindle on my lap and said "O>>>>M>>>>>G....what a bloody fantastic read!
If love a good thriller, if you love something to get your teeth into......
YOU need to buy this.
This author cannot write books fast enough for me now....
Jennifer Jaynes if you are reading this, get pen to paper, I need another fantastic read that keeps me awake, keeps me focused and forgets the world around me! YOU did this, so I am stalking you [In a nice way :)]
Sometimes an author can get a fab book out there, and the 2nd is a bit.......??
BUT this was not, definitely NOT a disappointment, in fact, I wants more. I NEED more.
Certainly up with my top 10 for Thrillers/Psychological, this year.
My thanks go to Jennifer Jaynes for telling me when it was up on Net Galley and to Thomas & Mercer Publishers for allowing me freedom to choose this
This can be read as a stand alone book
June 27, 2016
This is the author's second book, and I feel it's better than the first. I had problems keeping the young female characters straight in the first book, but only Allie appears in this one. The story reveals Allie's history and ancestry. The writing is okay; it's a little slow-paced with lots of dialogue and Allie's internal thinking.
I gave the first book two stars, and this one will get three. There is another book in the series, but I doubt I will pick it up. I'm not really interested in finding out what happens to Allie.
I gave the first book two stars, and this one will get three. There is another book in the series, but I doubt I will pick it up. I'm not really interested in finding out what happens to Allie.
December 13, 2015
4 star upgraded to 4 1/2 stars!
Ever since she was a little girl, all Allie had wanted was the chance to live a normal life. To not be afraid all the time. To be wanted and loved.
For she has already experienced a lifetime of horror, having lost both her serial killer mother and brother to mental illness.
So when she is placed with a foster mother, Miss Bitty, who seems too good to be true, she can't believe her luck.
But what is it with Miss Bitty, and the odd little "family" she has gathered around her? Is she fixing other people's lives because she can't fix her own?
And the killer? Well, he has tried his best to please her, but now he just wants to tell her goodbye and that he loves her, although he isn't sure that that is quite true. He knew he needed her, so if needing her was the same as loving her, he did love her. But if needing was the same as love, he loved the hunt much, much more.....
This is a sequel to Jennifer Jayne's first book Never Smile at Strangers, which you do need to read before this the second in the series.
This is an even tenser, more suspenseful read than her first book; and I will be diving into the third in the series (as yet untitled)as soon as it is released. Although i did guess the killer in this one about 2/3rds through, it in no way diminished my enjoyment.
Thank you to Author Jennifer Jaynes, VIP reviews, and Booklover Catlady Publicity for the gift of a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ever since she was a little girl, all Allie had wanted was the chance to live a normal life. To not be afraid all the time. To be wanted and loved.
For she has already experienced a lifetime of horror, having lost both her serial killer mother and brother to mental illness.
So when she is placed with a foster mother, Miss Bitty, who seems too good to be true, she can't believe her luck.
But what is it with Miss Bitty, and the odd little "family" she has gathered around her? Is she fixing other people's lives because she can't fix her own?
And the killer? Well, he has tried his best to please her, but now he just wants to tell her goodbye and that he loves her, although he isn't sure that that is quite true. He knew he needed her, so if needing her was the same as loving her, he did love her. But if needing was the same as love, he loved the hunt much, much more.....
This is a sequel to Jennifer Jayne's first book Never Smile at Strangers, which you do need to read before this the second in the series.
This is an even tenser, more suspenseful read than her first book; and I will be diving into the third in the series (as yet untitled)as soon as it is released. Although i did guess the killer in this one about 2/3rds through, it in no way diminished my enjoyment.
Thank you to Author Jennifer Jaynes, VIP reviews, and Booklover Catlady Publicity for the gift of a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2016
Title: Ugly Young Thing
Series: Strangers Series 2
Author: Jennifer Jaynes
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Release Date: March 3, 2015
BLURB:
Sixteen-year-old Allie has already experienced a lifetime of horror, having lost her mother and serial killer brother to mental illness.
Returning to her childhood home in Louisiana, Allie ends up in foster care and is placed with Miss Bitty, an eccentric but kindly older woman who shows her a new direction and brighter future.
But Allie’s new life takes a devastating turn when young women in the area start turning up dead, and she begins to see shadowy figures outside her bedroom. As Miss Bitty grows inexplicably distant, a nagging voice makes Allie wonder if death has found her yet again…or if it never really left her at all.
GOODREADS LINK:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
PURCHASE LINK:
http://www.amazon.com/Young-Thing-Str...
AUTHOR LINK:
http://jenniferjaynes.net/
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/JenniferJayn...
MY REVIEW:
This book was seriously amazing! Jaynes has done a brilliant job capturing Allie's journey along with all the hardships she endures. This is a girl I feel for and getting in her head was a terrifyingly, twisty road! She was seriously her own worst enemy and I wanted to help her! I knew the teenage years were hard but they have nothing on Allie!! The end...well I could not even imagine that ending! Shocking, to say the least!!
Jaynes does a wonderful job of misleading the readers, letting their minds wonder to characters that may or may not be guilty. You are definitely going to be shocked at the ending. It finally pieces everything together. I really think this book gives you a type of closure on Allie. Everything you want answered is but Jaynes doesn’t leave her book lovers satisfied….she leaves us wanting more…more Allie, more Strangers, just more background on everything!
Mrs. Jaynes...I would LOVE to read about that mom's story! How disturbed she must have been!
Thank you for giving me a very enjoyable weekend reading both your books in 2 days! I’d also be interested in hearing about Miss Bitty’s life.
Well done Jaynes!! Totally another 5 star!!
I received this free book in exchange for an honest review.
Series: Strangers Series 2
Author: Jennifer Jaynes
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Release Date: March 3, 2015
BLURB:
Sixteen-year-old Allie has already experienced a lifetime of horror, having lost her mother and serial killer brother to mental illness.
Returning to her childhood home in Louisiana, Allie ends up in foster care and is placed with Miss Bitty, an eccentric but kindly older woman who shows her a new direction and brighter future.
But Allie’s new life takes a devastating turn when young women in the area start turning up dead, and she begins to see shadowy figures outside her bedroom. As Miss Bitty grows inexplicably distant, a nagging voice makes Allie wonder if death has found her yet again…or if it never really left her at all.
GOODREADS LINK:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
PURCHASE LINK:
http://www.amazon.com/Young-Thing-Str...
AUTHOR LINK:
http://jenniferjaynes.net/
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/JenniferJayn...
MY REVIEW:
This book was seriously amazing! Jaynes has done a brilliant job capturing Allie's journey along with all the hardships she endures. This is a girl I feel for and getting in her head was a terrifyingly, twisty road! She was seriously her own worst enemy and I wanted to help her! I knew the teenage years were hard but they have nothing on Allie!! The end...well I could not even imagine that ending! Shocking, to say the least!!
Jaynes does a wonderful job of misleading the readers, letting their minds wonder to characters that may or may not be guilty. You are definitely going to be shocked at the ending. It finally pieces everything together. I really think this book gives you a type of closure on Allie. Everything you want answered is but Jaynes doesn’t leave her book lovers satisfied….she leaves us wanting more…more Allie, more Strangers, just more background on everything!
Mrs. Jaynes...I would LOVE to read about that mom's story! How disturbed she must have been!
Thank you for giving me a very enjoyable weekend reading both your books in 2 days! I’d also be interested in hearing about Miss Bitty’s life.
Well done Jaynes!! Totally another 5 star!!
I received this free book in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2018
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This one was a direct continuation of the last one with one of the characters POV unseen in the last book. It stuck with the one character pretty much the entire time too.
This was about family in many aspects; mental illness, redemption, healing, letting go, and learning to trust. There were feels! What I really liked was the acceptance and understanding.
There is still a lot buried in this story, so I move briskly to the third!
It really has a lot to do with how you are treated and raised. Yes. Yes.
Oh and think about it the next time you call someone a name. If really does do damage. You have no right to do that.
Oh! And I think THIS ONE should have been titled “Never smile at Strangers” instead of what it is called. Even this title would fit better with the first one. This one needs that one’s title.
And yes. You need to read them pretty much in order and not try as standalones or you won’t get the Mc in this at all. They build on one another.
This was about family in many aspects; mental illness, redemption, healing, letting go, and learning to trust. There were feels! What I really liked was the acceptance and understanding.
There is still a lot buried in this story, so I move briskly to the third!
It really has a lot to do with how you are treated and raised. Yes. Yes.
Oh and think about it the next time you call someone a name. If really does do damage. You have no right to do that.
Oh! And I think THIS ONE should have been titled “Never smile at Strangers” instead of what it is called. Even this title would fit better with the first one. This one needs that one’s title.
And yes. You need to read them pretty much in order and not try as standalones or you won’t get the Mc in this at all. They build on one another.
February 5, 2015
I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Excellent—4.5 out of 5 stars.
"Ugly Young Things" is that type of book I cannot put down. Even though Allie, the main character, makes horrible decisions and hates everyone in her life, I connected with her and cheered for her, hoping she'd come around. The immersive prose put me in Allie's world, and I did "feel the feels." The mystery surrounding the serial killer made the heart-pounding ending superb.
Overall, "Ugly Young Things," is an engrossing story that grabbed me and never let me go.
Excellent—4.5 out of 5 stars.
"Ugly Young Things" is that type of book I cannot put down. Even though Allie, the main character, makes horrible decisions and hates everyone in her life, I connected with her and cheered for her, hoping she'd come around. The immersive prose put me in Allie's world, and I did "feel the feels." The mystery surrounding the serial killer made the heart-pounding ending superb.
Overall, "Ugly Young Things," is an engrossing story that grabbed me and never let me go.
January 10, 2019
Continuing the series...
I liked this better than book#1 and will read the next one as it continues Allie's story. The books are a little slower pace than my preference.
I liked this better than book#1 and will read the next one as it continues Allie's story. The books are a little slower pace than my preference.
September 11, 2017
When Allie was growing up, her mother was crazy and murdered those who she wanted to or who the voices told her too. Later Allie's brother when she was sixteen, decided to kill and then he eventually committed suicide. Allie left home and wandered the streets and became a prostitute to survive, sleeping around with truck drivers. One day, she has enough and wanders back to her real home. One thing leads to another, and she is placed in foster care with Miss Bitty. During this time, Miss Bitty will help to show Allie that she is worth something and is stunning and not the Ugly Young Thing she has been brought up to believe she is. Running parallel to this story, another Serial Killer is on the loose killing women . I have to admit, in one way I thought that this killer might be connected to Allie but when the Killer was revealed that shocked me as I didn't view him as a killer. Ugly Young Thing was a fast-paced book and features murder, mystery, mayhem and mental health. Though this is part of the Strangers series, it could be read as a stand-alone.
May 10, 2015
What a deliciously dark read! Ugly Young Thing is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. Filled with intrigue, darkness and suspense, it takes you inside the mind of a serial killer and disturbed teen and opens your eyes to the horrors of both.
Allie is a young girl, who's self image and self worth are convoluted by years of abuse from her sick mother and by experiencing devastation and horrors that no one should have to endure. Is mental illness genetic? Or, is there any truth behind the ramblings of a crazy person? Ugly Young Thing takes the reader on an uncomfortable journey through mental illness and depravity, all the while spinning a tale cloaked in mystery, terror and deception.
While reading this book, I found myself disgusted, yet completely captivated by the story and characters. My heart broke for Allie and the things that she has endured and the struggles she faced. This is not a light read and there are some scenes and subject matter that might turn the stomach of some readers, so beware. As for me, I loved the fact that Ms. Jaynes toed the line on what is acceptable in societies standards and didn't shy away from making her reader uncomfortable. I was grossed out and engrossed at the same time.
My disappointment in this book came from how the book ended and the questions that I was left with. I feel unsatisfied and I hate feeling that after reading a book. Overall, I would recommend to those that love suspenseful and shocking reads. This ain't for the faint of heart though, so be warned.
Happy Reading, until next time...
I would like to thank Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Allie is a young girl, who's self image and self worth are convoluted by years of abuse from her sick mother and by experiencing devastation and horrors that no one should have to endure. Is mental illness genetic? Or, is there any truth behind the ramblings of a crazy person? Ugly Young Thing takes the reader on an uncomfortable journey through mental illness and depravity, all the while spinning a tale cloaked in mystery, terror and deception.
While reading this book, I found myself disgusted, yet completely captivated by the story and characters. My heart broke for Allie and the things that she has endured and the struggles she faced. This is not a light read and there are some scenes and subject matter that might turn the stomach of some readers, so beware. As for me, I loved the fact that Ms. Jaynes toed the line on what is acceptable in societies standards and didn't shy away from making her reader uncomfortable. I was grossed out and engrossed at the same time.
My disappointment in this book came from how the book ended and the questions that I was left with. I feel unsatisfied and I hate feeling that after reading a book. Overall, I would recommend to those that love suspenseful and shocking reads. This ain't for the faint of heart though, so be warned.
Happy Reading, until next time...
I would like to thank Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2018
I may get a little crap for not rating this higher but, for me it was just "meh". I had no clue this was actually a sequel to a previous book, but I don't think that reading the first would have changed my views.
Allie is a 16 with an edge due to her seriously messed up past. She is taken in by an old lady with a hippie nature about her. Soon after Allie begins to feel at home, murders start taking place and her foster mom Miss Bitty is acting strange.
The premise of the book was one that should have readers guessing and guessing who the killer is to the very end. Except it didn't leave me guessing. I could tell who it was right off the bat and then struggled through the rest of the short book only to find I was completely right.
The characters were pretty stereotypical, broken, messed up and psychologically coming unhinged. I wanted to really like this, but having finished several awesome thrillers that actually had me thinking "wtf" at the end, this just didn't do it for me.
Allie is a 16 with an edge due to her seriously messed up past. She is taken in by an old lady with a hippie nature about her. Soon after Allie begins to feel at home, murders start taking place and her foster mom Miss Bitty is acting strange.
The premise of the book was one that should have readers guessing and guessing who the killer is to the very end. Except it didn't leave me guessing. I could tell who it was right off the bat and then struggled through the rest of the short book only to find I was completely right.
The characters were pretty stereotypical, broken, messed up and psychologically coming unhinged. I wanted to really like this, but having finished several awesome thrillers that actually had me thinking "wtf" at the end, this just didn't do it for me.
March 12, 2015
I received an ARC from NetGalley in return for a fair and unbiased review. I loved this book! Whilst as a standalone book you still can feel the evil do yourself a favour and read the first one "Never Smile At Strangers" before this. The only problem with this one is that there is a third and I don't want to wait too long. I want to know more about Miss Bitty, which I suspect will be revealed and the next book and I want to know more about Allie's mum. Some authors just have that gift of hooking you straight away into a book that you have to sit down and read it, to the detriment of everything else waiting for you.
Allie is taken into foster care with a slightly eccentric woman who appears to be surrounded by men whom she will not let in the house after dark or when Allie is home alone. Sounds fair enough but then Allie starts feeling she is seeing and hearing things and young women start turning up dead and she wonders whether she will ever be truly safe.
Allie is taken into foster care with a slightly eccentric woman who appears to be surrounded by men whom she will not let in the house after dark or when Allie is home alone. Sounds fair enough but then Allie starts feeling she is seeing and hearing things and young women start turning up dead and she wonders whether she will ever be truly safe.
March 14, 2015
A really good mystery/thriller.
I really like that both this and the first book in the series, Never Smile At Strangers, can be read on their own but also really compliment each other.
I found this a really enjoyable read, the book held me captivated from the beginning, i really connected with our main character Allie and was rooting for her to find her way.
I would have loved to have perhaps seen a little tidbit of Haley and Erica from Never Smile At Strangers so we know how they are getting on.
I can not wait for the next book in the series!!!
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy to review.
I really like that both this and the first book in the series, Never Smile At Strangers, can be read on their own but also really compliment each other.
I found this a really enjoyable read, the book held me captivated from the beginning, i really connected with our main character Allie and was rooting for her to find her way.
I would have loved to have perhaps seen a little tidbit of Haley and Erica from Never Smile At Strangers so we know how they are getting on.
I can not wait for the next book in the series!!!
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy to review.
March 18, 2019
The second book in the Strangers series by Jennifer Jaynes. Allie is placed in foster care following the events in the first book. Unfortunately, death seems to follow her when, again, young women are murdered in her small town. Suspenseful, entertaining, and twisty.
September 15, 2019
If it was for the entire book, I'd give it a 4. But for that ending, like the main suspense was AHMAZING. 5 just for that part. You'll know what I'm talking about when you read it😉
February 22, 2015
First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
Allie’s life has been pretty terrible. Her father had left their family when she was just a baby. Her mother was a prostitute and had been constantly abusive toward Allie. Even though she was stunning even at 15, she had been told for years that she was ugly and grotesque. She believed those lies. In her brother’s final moments of madness, she was convinced he was about to kill her – until he turned the gun on himself. Ending his life and the reign of terror his actions had placed over their small home town. Both her mother and brother were mentally ill, both were killers. Now completely alone, Allie ran. Selling herself to truckers became second nature. It got her away from that place but it could never get that place far from her mind. So, she ran until one awful day in a motel room she was left behind by the one man she thought she could count on. Ready to give up, Allie swallowed a bottle full of prescription pills… but she couldn’t even kill herself. Eventually, she went home. Except – nothing was there for her either.
I actually enjoyed Ugly Young Thing even more than Never Smile at Strangers. (my review link) Told from the viewpoint of several characters, especially the killer’s the follow up novel is compelling, tense, and if possible, even creepier.
We are really given a glimpse into Allie’s mind. What is it like to live with a verbally abusive mother who kills? To be told over and over that you are ugly and worthless – and to see what her mother did to her brother as well. This is one sick family. Allie is truly broken at only 16 and she will be tested many times before the ending of this novel.
As a thriller, mystery Ugly Young Thing held on tight to the tension and fear building in a small town, as well in the main characters. I often thought I knew who the killer “had” to be – only to not see the ending coming at all. This one was very good. And if i read the ending right – there just might be another one coming.
I would recommend ugly Young Thing to anyone who enjoys a thriller high on mind games. I would give it 4 outta 5 on my rating scale.
*I received an e-ARC of Ugly Young Thing from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
Allie’s life has been pretty terrible. Her father had left their family when she was just a baby. Her mother was a prostitute and had been constantly abusive toward Allie. Even though she was stunning even at 15, she had been told for years that she was ugly and grotesque. She believed those lies. In her brother’s final moments of madness, she was convinced he was about to kill her – until he turned the gun on himself. Ending his life and the reign of terror his actions had placed over their small home town. Both her mother and brother were mentally ill, both were killers. Now completely alone, Allie ran. Selling herself to truckers became second nature. It got her away from that place but it could never get that place far from her mind. So, she ran until one awful day in a motel room she was left behind by the one man she thought she could count on. Ready to give up, Allie swallowed a bottle full of prescription pills… but she couldn’t even kill herself. Eventually, she went home. Except – nothing was there for her either.
I actually enjoyed Ugly Young Thing even more than Never Smile at Strangers. (my review link) Told from the viewpoint of several characters, especially the killer’s the follow up novel is compelling, tense, and if possible, even creepier.
We are really given a glimpse into Allie’s mind. What is it like to live with a verbally abusive mother who kills? To be told over and over that you are ugly and worthless – and to see what her mother did to her brother as well. This is one sick family. Allie is truly broken at only 16 and she will be tested many times before the ending of this novel.
As a thriller, mystery Ugly Young Thing held on tight to the tension and fear building in a small town, as well in the main characters. I often thought I knew who the killer “had” to be – only to not see the ending coming at all. This one was very good. And if i read the ending right – there just might be another one coming.
I would recommend ugly Young Thing to anyone who enjoys a thriller high on mind games. I would give it 4 outta 5 on my rating scale.
*I received an e-ARC of Ugly Young Thing from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
February 12, 2015
I was fortunate enough to receive this book as an ARC from Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. In fact, I didn't even realize it was Book #2 until after I had already started reading it, but I was still able to pick up most of the back story. I don't usually find myself reading a lot of thriller/mystery but this book caught my attention and hooked me immediately.
Allie comes from a very unfortunate background. Her mother was a prostitute, murderer and mentally ill. Her brother was mentally ill and a murderer as well so it's not a shock that Allie would be worried that she was going to end up just like the two of them. Upon Allie's return to Louisiana she is quickly taken under the wing of Miss Bitty who wants to take care of Allie in every way possible. However with her past Allie has trouble trusting anyone and is always suspicious when someone wants to do something nice for her. But that won't stop Miss Bitty. She even involves some of her old and new friends to help the young girl.
Meanwhile there is a killer on the loose that is stalking women for the purpose of killing them. And its clear early on that he is definitely mentally ill and very methodical. In fact, he has even been watching Allie very closely.
This was a great book! Full of mystery and intrigue. The characters were well developed and Allie was exactly what you would expect from a girl with such a traumatic background. Her dialogue, inner thoughts, and outward actions were so real. Jennifer was able to be blunt about some very real issues in today's society, and some accounts were more descriptive than I was expecting. I actually found myself taking notes trying to connect and compare characters and even jotting down theories and coincidental facts all in hopes of figuring out what was really going on. And I applaud Jennifer for making me second guess every single theory by writing such a great thriller that had me guessing right up until the end. Definitely worth 5 out of 5 stars!
January 24, 2016
This book is the second one in the Strangers Serieso. To really understand it you should read book one, Never Smile at Strangers first.
I flew through both books. The story is intense. Usually when a story is so intense I will read a book in between; something completely different and more innocent. I tried that. I ended up putting that book down and beginning this one right away. Now I am wondering what to do until May when Don't Say A Word comes out.
In my review of Never Smile at Strangers I said the book had many left turns. Ugly Young Thing doesn't have as many but one of them took me over a cliff! (A left turn for me is something I did not expect). I purchased my books after seeing the cover of NSaS advertised on my Kindle. I had never heard of Jennifer Jaynes until then. I have found her to be an amazing author. After reading NSaS I read her bio and was surprised to see that was her first book. To be honest I wasn't expecting Ugly Young Things to be as good as Never Smile at Strangers. I am so happy to say it was just as well written. I spent the day reading until I finished the book, changing plans to do so. I don't like to go over the plot, even in my own words. I'm always afraid I'll give out too much. I prefer you read the summary. The books touch on subjects that can make some people uncomfortable. There is violence and some cursing. Mental illnesses are a part of it. I think the author does a great job with the reality of mental illness in the book. Though we like to think we would know if someone was a killer, we could tell because they are such an awful person, the reality is most serial killers are quite charming and able to appear normal. I thought Ms Jaynes did an amazing job portraying serial killers. I want to go into more but would rather you read the books. If you want to talk about the books let me know. I found them fascinating and would love discussing them.
I flew through both books. The story is intense. Usually when a story is so intense I will read a book in between; something completely different and more innocent. I tried that. I ended up putting that book down and beginning this one right away. Now I am wondering what to do until May when Don't Say A Word comes out.
In my review of Never Smile at Strangers I said the book had many left turns. Ugly Young Thing doesn't have as many but one of them took me over a cliff! (A left turn for me is something I did not expect). I purchased my books after seeing the cover of NSaS advertised on my Kindle. I had never heard of Jennifer Jaynes until then. I have found her to be an amazing author. After reading NSaS I read her bio and was surprised to see that was her first book. To be honest I wasn't expecting Ugly Young Things to be as good as Never Smile at Strangers. I am so happy to say it was just as well written. I spent the day reading until I finished the book, changing plans to do so. I don't like to go over the plot, even in my own words. I'm always afraid I'll give out too much. I prefer you read the summary. The books touch on subjects that can make some people uncomfortable. There is violence and some cursing. Mental illnesses are a part of it. I think the author does a great job with the reality of mental illness in the book. Though we like to think we would know if someone was a killer, we could tell because they are such an awful person, the reality is most serial killers are quite charming and able to appear normal. I thought Ms Jaynes did an amazing job portraying serial killers. I want to go into more but would rather you read the books. If you want to talk about the books let me know. I found them fascinating and would love discussing them.
July 26, 2015
The second book in the Grand Trespass series catches us up with what happened to Allie at the end of the first book. Once she is back at the only home she's really known the authorities catch up with her and she is placed in foster care under the enigmatic Miss Bitty, who as well as being a wellness consultant is known in the appropriate circles as being an exceptional foster parent, however, this selfless woman is hiding much about her past and the reasons for which she undertakes the form of penance she has chosen.
Allie is bright and very troubled and her choices make difficult reading at the beginning of this book. She makes a friend for the first time in her life and is adapting to the possibility of a normal life, but will the ghosts from her past breakthrough into her second chance at life?
Once again the author weaves a web of intrigue that feels very much like a cat and mouse game between killer and victims, you are kept guessing as to the identity of the killer until the end and more about the previous books antagonists is uncovered as we are prepared for more to come in this thrilling series.
Allie is bright and very troubled and her choices make difficult reading at the beginning of this book. She makes a friend for the first time in her life and is adapting to the possibility of a normal life, but will the ghosts from her past breakthrough into her second chance at life?
Once again the author weaves a web of intrigue that feels very much like a cat and mouse game between killer and victims, you are kept guessing as to the identity of the killer until the end and more about the previous books antagonists is uncovered as we are prepared for more to come in this thrilling series.
May 14, 2016
Outstanding novel - I love when the 2nd in a series is even better than the first!
I would describe "Ugly Young Thing" as a psychological suspense that focused on how Allie coped with the aftermath of her brother being a killer & committing suicide, as well as having a mother that was a serial killer. It delved into her past, filling in a lot of her back story so that you could understand why she is the way she is, & her hope that she can be a better person.
The novel's main plot is still trying to work out who the actual killer is (both books in the series were written from the viewpoint of the killer) with the subplot being Allie's rehabilitation under the loving hands of Miss Bitty.
Certainly a roller coaster of a ride full of secrets, twists & turns.
My only complaint would be the author's lack of knowledge & research in lumping a lot of different diagnoses under the one umbrella of "mental illness".
I would describe "Ugly Young Thing" as a psychological suspense that focused on how Allie coped with the aftermath of her brother being a killer & committing suicide, as well as having a mother that was a serial killer. It delved into her past, filling in a lot of her back story so that you could understand why she is the way she is, & her hope that she can be a better person.
The novel's main plot is still trying to work out who the actual killer is (both books in the series were written from the viewpoint of the killer) with the subplot being Allie's rehabilitation under the loving hands of Miss Bitty.
Certainly a roller coaster of a ride full of secrets, twists & turns.
My only complaint would be the author's lack of knowledge & research in lumping a lot of different diagnoses under the one umbrella of "mental illness".
Read
August 29, 2017Disclaimer: I won a copy of this book via Goodreads Giveaways. I have finally been able to start reading it. (Headaches and eye problems have been interfering with my lifelong ability to devour books.) When I'm finished reading, I'll formulate my thoughts and post my honest review. Stay tuned!
February 27, 2015
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2015/02...
Ugly Young Thing is a dark psychological thriller tinged with sadness. Author Jennifer Jaynes has a strong, compelling voice that had me reading late into the night.
Allie’s life has been filled with trauma, abuse, and murder from day one. After the death of her mother and brother (both serial killers), Allie finds herself utterly alone and without resources. When a second chance with a kind foster mother presents itself, Allie’s suspicious. My heart broke for Allie; she’s emotionally scarred, has a distorted sense of herself, and is simply so painfully young to have been through all she has. I wanted to see her get the help she needed to start the healing process. Even as she finds that with Bitty, her foster mother, things take a turn. Another serial killer is on the loose and it seems like Allie will never be able to find peace.
To say much more about the plot of Ugly Young Thing would be spoiling the story, for the fun of a mystery or thriller is watching events unfold. We get several points of view, though Allie and the killer are our primary storytellers. Ms. Jaynes does a fantastic job of fleshing out both of them even as she keeps you guessing as to who the killer is. I love a thriller that keeps me on the edge of my seat, and the suspense is definitely high in Ugly Young Thing . The only real niggle I had about the story was the ending. I was left with questions that continue to bother me, yet at the same time I have to admit that the ending was effectively haunting.
Ugly Young Thing is the sequel to Never Smile at Strangers, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t yet read Never Smile at Strangers, but even knowing major plot points of that story I’ll still be picking it up. Ms. Jaynes knows how to write an edgy, compelling thriller that will have your heart pounding. I can’t wait to come back for more!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Ugly Young Thing is a dark psychological thriller tinged with sadness. Author Jennifer Jaynes has a strong, compelling voice that had me reading late into the night.
Allie’s life has been filled with trauma, abuse, and murder from day one. After the death of her mother and brother (both serial killers), Allie finds herself utterly alone and without resources. When a second chance with a kind foster mother presents itself, Allie’s suspicious. My heart broke for Allie; she’s emotionally scarred, has a distorted sense of herself, and is simply so painfully young to have been through all she has. I wanted to see her get the help she needed to start the healing process. Even as she finds that with Bitty, her foster mother, things take a turn. Another serial killer is on the loose and it seems like Allie will never be able to find peace.
To say much more about the plot of Ugly Young Thing would be spoiling the story, for the fun of a mystery or thriller is watching events unfold. We get several points of view, though Allie and the killer are our primary storytellers. Ms. Jaynes does a fantastic job of fleshing out both of them even as she keeps you guessing as to who the killer is. I love a thriller that keeps me on the edge of my seat, and the suspense is definitely high in Ugly Young Thing . The only real niggle I had about the story was the ending. I was left with questions that continue to bother me, yet at the same time I have to admit that the ending was effectively haunting.
Ugly Young Thing is the sequel to Never Smile at Strangers, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t yet read Never Smile at Strangers, but even knowing major plot points of that story I’ll still be picking it up. Ms. Jaynes knows how to write an edgy, compelling thriller that will have your heart pounding. I can’t wait to come back for more!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
March 3, 2015
Never Smile at Strangers, which is Jennifer Jaynes first Grand Trespass book, was my surprise read so far of 2015! I read it after a recommendation from another reviewer in THE Book Club and loved it. So I was very happy to see that she had written a follow up.
This picks up where Never Smile at Strangers left off. Allie has witnessed things that at 15 no young girl should have to see. Now she is all alone in the world. She starts on a path of self destruction, selling her body as she travels around. Finding herself back at her childhood home, she goes into foster care. Could this be a chance for Allie to start living a normal life or is murder about to follow her again?
I just wanted to take Allie into my own home and give her a big hug! Teenager girls have to go through so much already but poor Allie has had such a rough start in life and that has left her with the most terrible self esteem. This book explains more about the way Allie acted with her brother in the first book and we understand her reasons for doing the things she did with him. I had much more sympathy for her this time as her character was better explored. I just hope that things can only get better for her from here on in.
I see from the back of this book that Jennifer Jaynes is working on her 3rd book which I hope will give us further insights to Allie. I look forward to reading it!!
I received a copy of this book via netgalley in return for an honest review.
This picks up where Never Smile at Strangers left off. Allie has witnessed things that at 15 no young girl should have to see. Now she is all alone in the world. She starts on a path of self destruction, selling her body as she travels around. Finding herself back at her childhood home, she goes into foster care. Could this be a chance for Allie to start living a normal life or is murder about to follow her again?
I just wanted to take Allie into my own home and give her a big hug! Teenager girls have to go through so much already but poor Allie has had such a rough start in life and that has left her with the most terrible self esteem. This book explains more about the way Allie acted with her brother in the first book and we understand her reasons for doing the things she did with him. I had much more sympathy for her this time as her character was better explored. I just hope that things can only get better for her from here on in.
I see from the back of this book that Jennifer Jaynes is working on her 3rd book which I hope will give us further insights to Allie. I look forward to reading it!!
I received a copy of this book via netgalley in return for an honest review.
March 3, 2015
This book follows directly on from "Never Smile at Strangers" but there is enough information contained in this sequel so that you don't need to read the first book. That said, I firmly believe that you will get more out of this if you do read it as you will realise that this book is more about Allie and her struggles than just another serial killer book.
We follow Allie from the death of her brother, through living as a runaway, and then on to where she comes back to her hometown and arrives as the foster child of Miss Bitty who then begins to help her heal.
I can't say any more about the story as anything I try to say comes out as a spoiler but the way Ms Jaynes interweaves the lives of the characters, giving them so much colour and life makes for a brilliant story with an end that I just didn't see coming and was OMG-ing when it did!
The book is brilliantly paced, the pace ramps up throughout the book (with the odd breather here and there) culminating in the last 25% just flying by towards the conclusion. Background, description and plot are well balanced. Even the flashbacks to the first book didn't distract me from the ongoing story.
All the above makes for a brilliant sequel to what I already had marked as a brilliant book! Ms Jaynes, you are now on my watch list!
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We follow Allie from the death of her brother, through living as a runaway, and then on to where she comes back to her hometown and arrives as the foster child of Miss Bitty who then begins to help her heal.
I can't say any more about the story as anything I try to say comes out as a spoiler but the way Ms Jaynes interweaves the lives of the characters, giving them so much colour and life makes for a brilliant story with an end that I just didn't see coming and was OMG-ing when it did!
The book is brilliantly paced, the pace ramps up throughout the book (with the odd breather here and there) culminating in the last 25% just flying by towards the conclusion. Background, description and plot are well balanced. Even the flashbacks to the first book didn't distract me from the ongoing story.
All the above makes for a brilliant sequel to what I already had marked as a brilliant book! Ms Jaynes, you are now on my watch list!
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2015
5 out of 5 stars
Review by Lorraine Helgeson Leatham - Rainey Day Book Reviews
I haven’t read book one, Never Smile at Strangers, that it in no way hindered me from enjoying and understanding Ugly Young Thing. Allie is a disturbed teenager who has been through more tragedy than any one person should have to endure. Allie's mother was a prostitute and her father left them when Allie was very young. Her brother looked after her while their mother’s mind deteriorated but now her brother has left her too. The book grips you right from the first pages. Now it’s up to Allie to do whatever she must to survive. She is finally placed into foster care and is starting to question everything that she was told growing up. Can she trust her new foster mother? Is she beginning to suffer from the same mental illness that claimed both her mother and brother? Death has always followed Allie and now dead bodies are beginning to appear again at an alarming rate.
The pacing of the story was wonderful and I had a difficult time putting the book down. Allie was a flawed individual, as were other characters which made them all the more real and relatable. This book does a wonderful job shining the light on mental disorders and how life can be affected by them.
Review by Lorraine Helgeson Leatham - Rainey Day Book Reviews
I haven’t read book one, Never Smile at Strangers, that it in no way hindered me from enjoying and understanding Ugly Young Thing. Allie is a disturbed teenager who has been through more tragedy than any one person should have to endure. Allie's mother was a prostitute and her father left them when Allie was very young. Her brother looked after her while their mother’s mind deteriorated but now her brother has left her too. The book grips you right from the first pages. Now it’s up to Allie to do whatever she must to survive. She is finally placed into foster care and is starting to question everything that she was told growing up. Can she trust her new foster mother? Is she beginning to suffer from the same mental illness that claimed both her mother and brother? Death has always followed Allie and now dead bodies are beginning to appear again at an alarming rate.
The pacing of the story was wonderful and I had a difficult time putting the book down. Allie was a flawed individual, as were other characters which made them all the more real and relatable. This book does a wonderful job shining the light on mental disorders and how life can be affected by them.
November 16, 2015
3.5 STARS
I read the first book in this series (although you don't have to in order to read this one) just before reading this one. Allie was a minor character in the first book. Her brother was a twisted killer and her mom was a killer as well. Mental illness runs rampant in their family.
I quickly figured out who Bitty was, but the killer kept me guessing until almost the end. The story moved along at a good pace, and although the storyline was a bit gruesome, it wasn't described in a lot of detail.
Allie was a much more sympathetic character than in the first book, but there were a few inconsistencies that bothered me. She kept going on about how she'd never had a friend, but what about Becky? They were BFF's in the first book and that never even got a mention. Also, Allie's very disturbing behavior toward her brother in the first book is kind of glossed over. I think that needed more depth. It might not have seemed so glaring to me if I hadn't read the books back to back. And I was kind of hoping to see some of the characters from the first book again.
The ending leads me to believe there will be another book, and I'm looking forward to it.
I read the first book in this series (although you don't have to in order to read this one) just before reading this one. Allie was a minor character in the first book. Her brother was a twisted killer and her mom was a killer as well. Mental illness runs rampant in their family.
I quickly figured out who Bitty was, but the killer kept me guessing until almost the end. The story moved along at a good pace, and although the storyline was a bit gruesome, it wasn't described in a lot of detail.
Allie was a much more sympathetic character than in the first book, but there were a few inconsistencies that bothered me. She kept going on about how she'd never had a friend, but what about Becky? They were BFF's in the first book and that never even got a mention. Also, Allie's very disturbing behavior toward her brother in the first book is kind of glossed over. I think that needed more depth. It might not have seemed so glaring to me if I hadn't read the books back to back. And I was kind of hoping to see some of the characters from the first book again.
The ending leads me to believe there will be another book, and I'm looking forward to it.
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