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Crimson Cove #1
If at First
If at First
Sun, Sand, and Sexy Boys.
These are the three things needed to make a stellar summer.
Unless of course you live in Crimson Cove, where you also have to account for dead bodies and missing persons.
When a summer party turns into a crime scene five unlikely girls band together to discover the truth behind what happened august 4th.
A date no one is likely to forget for a long time.
Along the way they discover love, strength, and friendships that last a lifetime.
Where were you when the lights went out?
Sun, Sand, and Sexy Boys.
These are the three things needed to make a stellar summer.
Unless of course you live in Crimson Cove, where you also have to account for dead bodies and missing persons.
When a summer party turns into a crime scene five unlikely girls band together to discover the truth behind what happened august 4th.
A date no one is likely to forget for a long time.
Along the way they discover love, strength, and friendships that last a lifetime.
Where were you when the lights went out?
230 pages, Paperback
First published June 12, 2018
271 people are currently reading
867 people want to read
About the author
Tara Brown
110 books2,379 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Pen names for Tara Brown
- Tara Brown for science fiction and fantasy (primary author name)
- Sophie Starr for darker books
- Amy March for romantic comedies
- A.E. Watson
- T.L. Brown
- Erin Leigh
- Meg Browne
Caution: Author uses multiple pen names on the same book (different releases/editions). GR policy dictates that the name on the first release remain primary on all subsequent releases. The secondary name would be whatever name is on the cover, if different.
Pen names for Tara Brown
- Tara Brown for science fiction and fantasy (primary author name)
- Sophie Starr for darker books
- Amy March for romantic comedies
- A.E. Watson
- T.L. Brown
- Erin Leigh
- Meg Browne
Caution: Author uses multiple pen names on the same book (different releases/editions). GR policy dictates that the name on the first release remain primary on all subsequent releases. The secondary name would be whatever name is on the cover, if different.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 31, 2022
If you likes the Pretty Little Liars series, you might like this one. It's pretty much the same plot. Group of girls, one gets murdered, all start getting weird messages, everyone thinks they did it... You see where this is going.
The story follows Lindsey, a rich girl who complains the entire book about having to work for her father because heaven forbid she have to do anything but lay by the pool. Oh, she also complains about her friends and how rude they are but it's okay because they're all rich so they have to hang out. I kid you not. This is the book. Yeah, there's a murder thrown in but still nothing happens but their dad's bailing them out of everything. It's rich people talking about how fabulous and better than everyone else they are. There was not one likeable character in this book.
Another issue in the book I had was how the author handled assault. One of the main guys, Vincent, just kisses and gropes the MC without her consent. She spends the entire book saying how horrible he is and everything and how the thought of him disgusts her, but then suddenly she's in love with him and they are the perfect couple. MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!
But I think the most annoying thing about this book was that after reading the entire thing, nothing was solved. It literally ended like a fanfiction chapter. It was just missing the "To Be Continued...". I will never get that time back now...
The story follows Lindsey, a rich girl who complains the entire book about having to work for her father because heaven forbid she have to do anything but lay by the pool. Oh, she also complains about her friends and how rude they are but it's okay because they're all rich so they have to hang out. I kid you not. This is the book. Yeah, there's a murder thrown in but still nothing happens but their dad's bailing them out of everything. It's rich people talking about how fabulous and better than everyone else they are. There was not one likeable character in this book.
Another issue in the book I had was how the author handled assault. One of the main guys, Vincent, just kisses and gropes the MC without her consent. She spends the entire book saying how horrible he is and everything and how the thought of him disgusts her, but then suddenly she's in love with him and they are the perfect couple. MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!
But I think the most annoying thing about this book was that after reading the entire thing, nothing was solved. It literally ended like a fanfiction chapter. It was just missing the "To Be Continued...". I will never get that time back now...
April 22, 2018
I binged all 5 books in this series in one afternoon. Each book was over 200 pages long, but I just couldn't stop reading.
6 rich girls live in Crimson Cove, and they all want to have a perfect summer together. The girls' names are Lindsey, Lainey, Sierra, Sage, Rachel, and Rita. When they go to a party, they look forward to a fun night away from the drama. Sage's boyfriend cheats on her with Lindsey, and Rachel gets into a big fight with her boyfriend. Then, Lindsey stumbles upon a distressed Sierra, who leads her to the bodies of Rachel and Sage. At first, it looks as if Sage murdered Rachel in a struggle. However, the girls know that this isn't the case when Sage wakes up, confused as to what has happened since she was in the party. The girls have to clean themselves and get rid of any evidence that might incriminate them, and they have to find out who actually murdered Rachel.
I haven't read a mystery book for a long time, but when I started this one, I was immediately drawn in. Crimson Cove is a land of rich families. The families put on a proud facade, but there are many dark secrets amongst the parents and children. The teens themselves have secrets that start to come out with the help of drugs and alcohol. They may seem happy from the outside, but none of them have lived without some sort of family issue or tragedy.
In order to find out who is trying to murder them, they must band together. Some of the girls even have bad blood towards each other, but they must put their differences aside to solve the mystery. The girls also have to talk to the boys in their neighborhood and spend time with people who were at the party in order to find out what happened as they were drugged that night.
The pacing of this book is excellent as it draws you in from the first page and doesn't let you go until you are done. It ends on a cliffhanger, so you just HAVE to read the next book to find out what happens to the girls and their friends. It's great that all the books out now so that readers can easily move from one book to the next.
This book also has some elements of a thriller and some elements of horror. If you are interested in either genre, this story would also be able to draw you in. Even if this book doesn't have as much action, it definitely intensifies as the series goes on.
I would recommend this series to anyone who loves mysteries, thrillers, and stories with slight horror aspects.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
6 rich girls live in Crimson Cove, and they all want to have a perfect summer together. The girls' names are Lindsey, Lainey, Sierra, Sage, Rachel, and Rita. When they go to a party, they look forward to a fun night away from the drama. Sage's boyfriend cheats on her with Lindsey, and Rachel gets into a big fight with her boyfriend. Then, Lindsey stumbles upon a distressed Sierra, who leads her to the bodies of Rachel and Sage. At first, it looks as if Sage murdered Rachel in a struggle. However, the girls know that this isn't the case when Sage wakes up, confused as to what has happened since she was in the party. The girls have to clean themselves and get rid of any evidence that might incriminate them, and they have to find out who actually murdered Rachel.
I haven't read a mystery book for a long time, but when I started this one, I was immediately drawn in. Crimson Cove is a land of rich families. The families put on a proud facade, but there are many dark secrets amongst the parents and children. The teens themselves have secrets that start to come out with the help of drugs and alcohol. They may seem happy from the outside, but none of them have lived without some sort of family issue or tragedy.
In order to find out who is trying to murder them, they must band together. Some of the girls even have bad blood towards each other, but they must put their differences aside to solve the mystery. The girls also have to talk to the boys in their neighborhood and spend time with people who were at the party in order to find out what happened as they were drugged that night.
The pacing of this book is excellent as it draws you in from the first page and doesn't let you go until you are done. It ends on a cliffhanger, so you just HAVE to read the next book to find out what happens to the girls and their friends. It's great that all the books out now so that readers can easily move from one book to the next.
This book also has some elements of a thriller and some elements of horror. If you are interested in either genre, this story would also be able to draw you in. Even if this book doesn't have as much action, it definitely intensifies as the series goes on.
I would recommend this series to anyone who loves mysteries, thrillers, and stories with slight horror aspects.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
June 26, 2023
It's definitely giving pretty little liars vibes..not many answers are given in this book but it was pretty good
December 25, 2015
This book was a thrilling mystery from beginning to end. Whether it was snooping in people’s houses with Lindsay, discovering a dead body at a party, or hiding out from a killer. If At First, Book 1 in the Crimson Cove Msyteries, is a thrill ride. This “who done it” will leave you in suspense. I had to remind myself to breath with the turning of each page. I cannot wait to see what happens in Book 2.
If you are looking for a suspenseful page turner, look no further than the Crimson Cove Mysteries. Tara Brown is one of the most versatile authors I have ever read. I swear I don’t how she keeps it all straight.
If you are looking for a suspenseful page turner, look no further than the Crimson Cove Mysteries. Tara Brown is one of the most versatile authors I have ever read. I swear I don’t how she keeps it all straight.
April 2, 2024
It was a great book. The characters were great, the mystery was great, it was easy to follow. It’s a three because :
1. There was a bunch of real estate stuff that I did not understand WHATSOEVER. And It was a kinda big part of it. It was confusing writing, and a bunch of big blurbs of it, that were really hard to follow. This was the only part of the book that really lost me, and made me uninterested.
2. IT IS AN INSANE CLIFF HANGER. I did not know it was a series, I’ll admit it. But OMG. It literally ends right after a murder happens, right when there’s a close call with the killer, and then it’s over. The last line is literally something like “this is just the beginning.” Ughhhhhhh
1. There was a bunch of real estate stuff that I did not understand WHATSOEVER. And It was a kinda big part of it. It was confusing writing, and a bunch of big blurbs of it, that were really hard to follow. This was the only part of the book that really lost me, and made me uninterested.
2. IT IS AN INSANE CLIFF HANGER. I did not know it was a series, I’ll admit it. But OMG. It literally ends right after a murder happens, right when there’s a close call with the killer, and then it’s over. The last line is literally something like “this is just the beginning.” Ughhhhhhh
March 29, 2022
sorry but lindsey is stupid to get with vincent and i struggled to read because of it. this book seems like an off-brand pll and i’m not sure how to feel about it
September 29, 2020
Death Of A Mean Girl
•••NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded or faint of heart!•••
This series must be read in order.This is the first book. I can't wait to read "The Little Crimson Lies"!
Lindsey is a snoop so she has ferreted out a lot of secrets in her time... Some of them pretty big. Being one of the elite of Crimson Cove no one thinks it weird finding her inside their house even if she is just working as a landscaper at the moment. She wants to be an investigative journalist when she grows up so she sees it as training. Little does she know that soon she will have more secrets than she knows what to do with. What happened to Rachel? Who killed her? Was it one of her friends? Or worse... Someone else? Is there some psycho after her and her friends? Or has one of her friends lost it?
***This series is suitable for mature young adult through adult readers who enjoy small town murder mysteries where you never know who to trust or what is really going on :)
•••NOT for the homophobic, transphobic, closedminded or faint of heart!•••
This series must be read in order.This is the first book. I can't wait to read "The Little Crimson Lies"!
Lindsey is a snoop so she has ferreted out a lot of secrets in her time... Some of them pretty big. Being one of the elite of Crimson Cove no one thinks it weird finding her inside their house even if she is just working as a landscaper at the moment. She wants to be an investigative journalist when she grows up so she sees it as training. Little does she know that soon she will have more secrets than she knows what to do with. What happened to Rachel? Who killed her? Was it one of her friends? Or worse... Someone else? Is there some psycho after her and her friends? Or has one of her friends lost it?
***This series is suitable for mature young adult through adult readers who enjoy small town murder mysteries where you never know who to trust or what is really going on :)
April 26, 2018
This was a very exciting book, with a lot of detail and great characters to really make it interesting. It was a brilliant story of mystery and murder hitting the unlikely area, where a groups of rich girls decide it is up to them to get to the bottom of what really happened.
As we start the journey, getting to know what the mystery entails, and meet the girls, it was very interesting. I like the variety of characters and the way the girls band together.
The mystery of the cove is kept interesting throughout and really makes it both fun and exciting the read long, as they try to find out exactly what happened.
Overall, this was a very goo start to the series and definitely made me want to read the next book!
As we start the journey, getting to know what the mystery entails, and meet the girls, it was very interesting. I like the variety of characters and the way the girls band together.
The mystery of the cove is kept interesting throughout and really makes it both fun and exciting the read long, as they try to find out exactly what happened.
Overall, this was a very goo start to the series and definitely made me want to read the next book!
September 18, 2017
First off, I want to say how much I love this author's work. She can write anything and make you like it. If an author can make you love snot-nosed, rich brats, then you know their books are good.
This story grabs you from page one. Lindsey is a rich kid that has it all and somehow finds herself and her friends the worst predicament of a lifetime. You can't help but feel sorry for them.
I had a hard time putting this book down to do my normal everyday things and I'm off to read book 2! I recommend this series to everyone....
This story grabs you from page one. Lindsey is a rich kid that has it all and somehow finds herself and her friends the worst predicament of a lifetime. You can't help but feel sorry for them.
I had a hard time putting this book down to do my normal everyday things and I'm off to read book 2! I recommend this series to everyone....
April 22, 2018
Great Read!
If At First is the first book in the Crimson Cove Mysteries. If At First is told from Lindsey’s point of view. She is one of six spoiled, rich girls who live in Crimson Cove. The story starts off with summertime fun and partying in super rich Crimson Cove but Rachel ends up murdered and the killer is framing the other girls. This book is just the beginning of a killer mystery. I can not wait to start the next in the series!!
If At First is the first book in the Crimson Cove Mysteries. If At First is told from Lindsey’s point of view. She is one of six spoiled, rich girls who live in Crimson Cove. The story starts off with summertime fun and partying in super rich Crimson Cove but Rachel ends up murdered and the killer is framing the other girls. This book is just the beginning of a killer mystery. I can not wait to start the next in the series!!
October 8, 2022
I missed Pretty Little Liars so its good to have this series, though this first book was very clumsily written, cluttered and nonsensical at times. Hoping it will be fine tuned at the series goes on.
But seriously, it is exactly Pretty Little Liars. Anonymous notes, rich teenagers, villains in dark hoodies, Jigsaw-esque death traps, creepy use of dolls, incompetent law enforcement - it checks all the boxes.
But seriously, it is exactly Pretty Little Liars. Anonymous notes, rich teenagers, villains in dark hoodies, Jigsaw-esque death traps, creepy use of dolls, incompetent law enforcement - it checks all the boxes.
September 25, 2023
The writing was all over this place for 75% of the book. It was incredibly frustrating how she hates the MMC but then the next page is like “ I love you” and just so wish washy. Things didn’t progress either slow enough or fast enough. I felt like I was missing a couple sentences all through the book.
Im only reading the next one because I really am curious as to who the killer is. Hopefully the next books aren’t as bad as this one.
3 stars for plot alone. Should be a 2 star book tho.
Im only reading the next one because I really am curious as to who the killer is. Hopefully the next books aren’t as bad as this one.
3 stars for plot alone. Should be a 2 star book tho.
September 19, 2018
Not sure, PLL, look alike?
The story is okay, a lot like "Pretty Little Liers. The characters names are confusing,
Rachel is like "A". And "Bitches, way to PLL! I will continue to next book, have to find out who did it. I'm thinking the coffee girl?
The story is okay, a lot like "Pretty Little Liers. The characters names are confusing,
Rachel is like "A". And "Bitches, way to PLL! I will continue to next book, have to find out who did it. I'm thinking the coffee girl?
April 5, 2020
a really fast paced and intriguing mystery.
this reminded me of a cross between gossip girl and pretty little liars and I loved it.
- amazing character development
- a well thought out plot
- enough answers to keep you going
I will 100% pick up book two!!
this reminded me of a cross between gossip girl and pretty little liars and I loved it.
- amazing character development
- a well thought out plot
- enough answers to keep you going
I will 100% pick up book two!!
July 3, 2017
Interesting story.
A mystery with no ending....and not compelling enough to read the next book in the series. I'm sure others will be absorbed by it.
A mystery with no ending....and not compelling enough to read the next book in the series. I'm sure others will be absorbed by it.
February 8, 2018
Wow
This started out slow, at least to me, but it sure picked up. So much mystery and suspense. I am just happy that I don't have to wait for book 2. There are so many loose ends.
This started out slow, at least to me, but it sure picked up. So much mystery and suspense. I am just happy that I don't have to wait for book 2. There are so many loose ends.
March 17, 2018
This was a really fun read. I actually have no clue who the killer is and I'm intrigued enough to go on to the second book.
July 8, 2020
The story warms up a little slow but is quite intriguing.
January 27, 2022
SOOOOO GOOD OMG. I’m highkey obsessed. I love the characters and the mystery is amazing!! I can’t wait to start the 2nd one tonight
July 11, 2022
Like I’m sure others have said.. this book was like combining 2 of my FAVORITE shows ever! Pretty little liars + gossip girl. LOVED. IT. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
September 6, 2023
1.5/5 stars
now who let me read this book.
now who let me read this book.
January 25, 2023
I picked it up for the comparison of Pretty Little Liars, which I adore that tv show. And while the elements of that series doesn't come in towards the end? It was pretty good. The characters are what drew me into the story. Their relationships with one another, they were rather interesting to read about. The only real issue to this book I have is the pacing. The pacing was a little slow for me that I almost put it down but I'm glad I kept going. I do hope that the pacing is much better going forward.
April 13, 2025
One of the reviewers compared this series to pretty little liars and I actually like it so I have it a try. And it did not disappoint. Book 1 is in Lindsey’s POV. Rachel dies at s Party she is throwing and she ends up dead. The girls immediately pick up on the fact that this is a set up, it they don’t know by who or why. Lindsey is the nosey one of the bunch and knows everyone’s secrets so she helps them compile a list of suspects. They work through the list to cross people off but even more secrets get revealed.
This book was very suspenseful, especially since we follow Lindsey as she is snooping through peoples stuff. All I was stressing about was her getting caught lmao.
This book was very suspenseful, especially since we follow Lindsey as she is snooping through peoples stuff. All I was stressing about was her getting caught lmao.
May 12, 2025
Pretty little liars/ gossip girl ish! Romance aspect is a little immature and could have been developed better, and it was a little slow to start but the thriller had me sucked in finally and I couldn’t put it down
July 2, 2021
This was just okay to me. Towards the end of the book I see where the Pretty Little Liars comparisons come into play. There is no conclusion, but I did like it enough to keep going with the series.
June 5, 2015
I will start by saying I love Tara Brown's writing style, ideas and imagination! she is truly one of my favorite writers! I've read almost every thing she's written and I'm so looking forward to this new series!!! For anyone who loves Pretty Little Liars you will love this new series!! I'm highly addicted to PPL with all the drama and secrets and this book has filled that same spot for me!! my heart is singing!! I would have been finished with the book sooner but well I have a life including kids husband house and can't just leave them to fend for themselves haha we all wish that but no.. though I do have to say my husband by now knows to leave me alone when I say "I'm reading Tara Browns new book shh!!!" haha I love my husband! ok back to the book. I really like where this series is going, it jumps straight in with love, secrets, danger, murders, mean girls and drama galore. and the characters where very well developed. I did find being a PPL fantic that this book was a little up front and giving on all the secrets and who knew what in just the first book..and it's not just the girls but their parents who are involved too which I do find interesting but wonder how with so.many secrets reviled already what else can be fished from them and where it's going to go next.. I really wish I didn't have to wait so long for the next one to be out I'm literally biting at the tidbits to find out more with the whole who, what, where and why!!! ugh the agonizing wait is going to kill you, I promise you that!! if I would have not been so eager to get lost in "the new Tara Brown book", I would have waited til they were all released and read them back to back like a smart person..but when you get addicted to a person's writing style and omg great imagination skills you sometimes just jump at the chance to ready anything and everything they've written...my only downside and it might not even be a downside because Tara is so brilliant in writing that it might be the way she meant it but some of the girls and boys stories don't match up or they say something to contradict themselves later on in a passage. but like I said it's probably not an oversight on Tara Browns part but more twists she's added to the fire :) I hope you decide to read this this book, If At First, it truly is a great and easy read, the words just flow together and you don't have to stop and reread a passage because it lost you somewhere along the way.. Welp back to reality. ...happy readings and may the book be ever in your favor! ;)
November 6, 2015
If at first.
Crimson cove mysteries, first book.
…
3 stars (though the beginning was a 2 and at some points 3.5)
I've never watched pretty little liars before (because most T.V shows now days are boring) and I was told this book would gain the love of those who liked the show and I told myself "hey, if I liked this book, I'll watch that damn show specially since it ended recently."
What to say, I loved this book to the point of taking it with me to college (I even lost it yesterday and freaked out. All my chat/groups were filled with the news till I got it back today and decided to finish the whole thing.)
The beginning was kind of "Yeah, okay." The author introduced many characters' names at fist that I even forgot the main girl's name and remembered it up to chapter 3 or 4. But as I went on with the book I became familiar with each ones' "first" name but to the end of the book I couldn't remember the father's names.
The book was written nicely, but I don't see it at the level of an international best selling author (just an opinion) because at many scenes one thing was being told while another happened and the acts just popped out. The writing wasn't that good and TOO MUCH description of characters.
What I disliked about the book was how YOUNG the characters were and the author described them with VERY huge asses and boobs, and extremely curved bodies. I felt as if I was watching a T.V show where old people -say 22 to 25- were playing the role of 16 years old! (Aka, pretty little liars, and vampire diaries) not that I mind it but I would have loved it if the author kept it real. OR made it about college life.
The characters' profiles were not too convenient, and most the times they spent it swimming in the pool house, drinking instead of making plans against their stalker (which they only started at the last few chapters.)
The Romance WAS WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY off topic/real_life "read it to understand"
But I liked some things in the book:
1- the sexually confused Linds.
2- Linds personality.
3- The events flow (though it could have been better)
4- The element of mystery...but there has been so many mysteries out in the open that I doubt if there's more to come.
In the end, will I continue with the series? Yes, I'd like to see where this is going. Do I recommend the book? Yea, it's even short and cheap. ;)
Have a nice read.
Crimson cove mysteries, first book.
…
3 stars (though the beginning was a 2 and at some points 3.5)
I've never watched pretty little liars before (because most T.V shows now days are boring) and I was told this book would gain the love of those who liked the show and I told myself "hey, if I liked this book, I'll watch that damn show specially since it ended recently."
What to say, I loved this book to the point of taking it with me to college (I even lost it yesterday and freaked out. All my chat/groups were filled with the news till I got it back today and decided to finish the whole thing.)
The beginning was kind of "Yeah, okay." The author introduced many characters' names at fist that I even forgot the main girl's name and remembered it up to chapter 3 or 4. But as I went on with the book I became familiar with each ones' "first" name but to the end of the book I couldn't remember the father's names.
The book was written nicely, but I don't see it at the level of an international best selling author (just an opinion) because at many scenes one thing was being told while another happened and the acts just popped out. The writing wasn't that good and TOO MUCH description of characters.
What I disliked about the book was how YOUNG the characters were and the author described them with VERY huge asses and boobs, and extremely curved bodies. I felt as if I was watching a T.V show where old people -say 22 to 25- were playing the role of 16 years old! (Aka, pretty little liars, and vampire diaries) not that I mind it but I would have loved it if the author kept it real. OR made it about college life.
The characters' profiles were not too convenient, and most the times they spent it swimming in the pool house, drinking instead of making plans against their stalker (which they only started at the last few chapters.)
The Romance WAS WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY off topic/real_life "read it to understand"
But I liked some things in the book:
1- the sexually confused Linds.
2- Linds personality.
3- The events flow (though it could have been better)
4- The element of mystery...but there has been so many mysteries out in the open that I doubt if there's more to come.
In the end, will I continue with the series? Yes, I'd like to see where this is going. Do I recommend the book? Yea, it's even short and cheap. ;)
Have a nice read.
October 19, 2015
This is a perplexing book, mainly because the story is not completed. I think the author attempts at writing five books of the same story from the perspective of five girls who are involved. While I find the idea cool, I believe the author has not executed it well. Here's why:
1) Poor balance between romance and mystery. To begin, I think the mystery elements are overwhelmed by the romantic aspect which is NOT GOOD. I think 40-60 split either way is good and 50-50 would be perfect but this book is like 20% plot and 80% story.
It would have helped if the romance or the characters are good, and this brings me to the second point:
2) The main character Lindsey is horrible, so is her love interest. In fact, with the exception of Lainey, the whole cast can be summed up in three worlds: rich, selfish a$$holes. (excuse my language but that's really what they are). I don't have a problem with characters who are rolling in money or being blue bloods. I just have problems with crazy teenagers who don't seem to have a grip in life and who are just wasting their time and money on stupid teenage dramas. Erk.
3) The romance is just so unbelievable I don't give a shit about it. And I am about to venture in spoilers territory: .
The setup of the story is okay and the plot (the little bit that's there) is not absolutely horrible (thus the generous 2 stars). Unfortunately, there are so many problems with this book I seriously am struggling as to whether or not to read the next book. Lainey is the only girl I can relate to and it will be interesting to read her story, but I'm not so much into the other girls.
1) Poor balance between romance and mystery. To begin, I think the mystery elements are overwhelmed by the romantic aspect which is NOT GOOD. I think 40-60 split either way is good and 50-50 would be perfect but this book is like 20% plot and 80% story.
It would have helped if the romance or the characters are good, and this brings me to the second point:
2) The main character Lindsey is horrible, so is her love interest. In fact, with the exception of Lainey, the whole cast can be summed up in three worlds: rich, selfish a$$holes. (excuse my language but that's really what they are). I don't have a problem with characters who are rolling in money or being blue bloods. I just have problems with crazy teenagers who don't seem to have a grip in life and who are just wasting their time and money on stupid teenage dramas. Erk.
3) The romance is just so unbelievable I don't give a shit about it. And I am about to venture in spoilers territory: .
The setup of the story is okay and the plot (the little bit that's there) is not absolutely horrible (thus the generous 2 stars). Unfortunately, there are so many problems with this book I seriously am struggling as to whether or not to read the next book. Lainey is the only girl I can relate to and it will be interesting to read her story, but I'm not so much into the other girls.
April 27, 2020
Yes, it’s a total rip-off of Pretty Little Liars. But if you just want some trashy teenage drama without thinking too hard, it’s not that bad. The writing has something refreshing about it – maybe because the main character is really openly judgy and unafraid to be that way. It had potential and I think really could have benefited from a mainstream publisher. It needed a tight edit, pacing fixed and some descriptive passages. You can tell it’s an indie novel. You get a lot of clothes descriptions without scenery. Give me some context! Also, I did not like the cliffhanger ending (you don’t find out who the killer is). But I did like that the character was the anti- nice girl. She was like a really catty Harriet The Spy – she snooped on people’s stuff and her thoughts are what a lot of people think but are too afraid to write in a book. Many authors just want you to like the character whereas this girl was more realistic. The book had lots of flaws and then things I liked so I couldn’t really decide because my expectations were low anyway. So here’s a list…
Pros:
• Protagonist is refreshingly honest, doesn’t try to be the “nice girl”.
• Subplot over sexuality/identity confusion is really interestingly written and relatable.
Cons:
• Bad grammar
• Cheesy dialogue
• Rushed pacing and brief/to none descriptions of setting
• The ending does not give you closure (you don’t find out who the killer is).
• It nicks ideas - definitely not original.
• Romance with the clichéd but good-looking douchey guy – who conveniently will become Mr. Perfect just for her.
• The word slut/whore etc. was used so many times as was casual slut-shaming. Why? When will YA books stop this.....!?
• Unnecessary expletives
Pros:
• Protagonist is refreshingly honest, doesn’t try to be the “nice girl”.
• Subplot over sexuality/identity confusion is really interestingly written and relatable.
Cons:
• Bad grammar
• Cheesy dialogue
• Rushed pacing and brief/to none descriptions of setting
• The ending does not give you closure (you don’t find out who the killer is).
• It nicks ideas - definitely not original.
• Romance with the clichéd but good-looking douchey guy – who conveniently will become Mr. Perfect just for her.
• The word slut/whore etc. was used so many times as was casual slut-shaming. Why? When will YA books stop this.....!?
• Unnecessary expletives
June 4, 2015
Just wow....I am an obsessed Tara Brown fan ;) and read anything she puts out into the world for me to read, but let me be honest, I was not looking forward to this book. I think I was the only person in the TB universe. But this is sooo not my genre (I thought) and I can't stand PLL, although the new previews scare the hell out of me....but true to TB form, I freaking loved this book and was sucked in and mind blown. I lay in bed at night thinking about it, and even dreamed about it the night I stayed up until 2:30 finishing it. Trying to screen play where it could possibly go from here, which I can't possibly anticipate this authors mind. And now I am stuck waiting an entire season, waiting for fall to get my hands on book 2. I don't really know how to leave a breakdown review for this book and what happens, to many twisty turns and I don't want to give anything away. But I can say, Tara Brown has a dirty, evil, twisted, sexy mind that I just can't help but love! I am in awe of this woman's talent. Read this book, it will make you love to hate rich kids and there 1st world problems, and even feel sorry for them when evil decides to play games with their lives!
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