What do you think?
Rate this book
Confessions #1
Confessions of a Kleptomaniac
Everyone thinks I’m a good girl who follows the rules. But I’ve got secrets—lots of them. And if anyone ever found out about them, I’d be in deep trouble. It’s a good thing I’m fantastic at keeping secrets. Or, well, I was until Grey Sawyer discovers one of my darkest secrets. Grey is one of the most popular guys in school, and he’s spent the last three years bullying me. So I expect him to tell everyone what he found out about me. But strangely, he doesn’t. And even stranger, he acts as if he likes me. I’m not sure if I’m buying into his nice guy act or not. But honestly, I feel like I don’t have a choice. We’re just friends, though. That’s it. At least, that’s what I try to tell myself. Deep down, I know I’m falling for him. Badly. I just hope I don’t get my heart crushed.A full-length standalone novel.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2015
66 people are currently reading
1404 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Sorensen
417 books20.1k followersJessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author from the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.
http://www.jessicasorensen.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica...
http://www.jessicasorensen.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
October 8, 2015
4 stars
Jessica Sorensen does a fantastic job at writing young heroes/heroines that have some kind of issue and/or are damaged. She does it often and she does it well. This was no exception. Both Luna and Grey have things going on in their lives right now that have them in a rough spot.
Luna Harvey has to be the picture of perfection to make her parents happy. They are much more strict than the average parents of teenagers. The pressure to always be ‘good’ is hard for Luna to take. She has one way she rebels against it, one way she escapes from it. She shoplifts. It’s her dark and dirty secret that not even her best friends know.
Grey Sawyer is in a totally different social circle than Luna. He’s popular, he’s always had it easy. Until something happens in his life that changes him to the core. When he catches Luna in the act, something thats never happened to her before, he feels the need to help her. He feels like he gets her. Grey has a secret of his own. Something he’s trying to move past. Something none of his friends know (they aren’t the type you can talk to easily) but Luna just might be the person he can open up to.
Luna and Grey’s relationship is strained to begin with. They have a past. Grey’s group of friends weren’t always nice. Slowly but surely this couple starts to trust one another. They become friends first, but the attraction is always lingering there, just waiting for one of them to act on it. So are the secrets between them- they’re always there.
My absolute favorite part of this story- I loved the group of friends. I loved how they interacted together, how they always had each others back. When you’re reading books set in high school, it’s sometimes hard to find that kind of friendship, and I’m happy that Luna had it. After the things she’s been through with her family, she needed those kind of friends. I’m also really excited to read more about these said friends. I think it’s great that this is going to be a series even though Grey and Luna’s story concluded. Bring on Beck and Willow!
I gave this story a 4 instead of a 5 mainly because the ending felt a little rushed to me. Even though there were a few of Jessica’s normal things, this book did have a unique feel to it. I liked the twist that came to light towards the end, and as I mentioned before, I really loved this group of friends, so I’m excited to read more in this series!
Jessica Sorensen does a fantastic job at writing young heroes/heroines that have some kind of issue and/or are damaged. She does it often and she does it well. This was no exception. Both Luna and Grey have things going on in their lives right now that have them in a rough spot.
Luna Harvey has to be the picture of perfection to make her parents happy. They are much more strict than the average parents of teenagers. The pressure to always be ‘good’ is hard for Luna to take. She has one way she rebels against it, one way she escapes from it. She shoplifts. It’s her dark and dirty secret that not even her best friends know.
‘Sometimes I do bad things just because it makes me feel better.’
Grey Sawyer is in a totally different social circle than Luna. He’s popular, he’s always had it easy. Until something happens in his life that changes him to the core. When he catches Luna in the act, something thats never happened to her before, he feels the need to help her. He feels like he gets her. Grey has a secret of his own. Something he’s trying to move past. Something none of his friends know (they aren’t the type you can talk to easily) but Luna just might be the person he can open up to.
“Thanks… for helping me,” I manage to get out.
“Don't worry about it,” Grey says. “I get it.”
“Get what?”
He offers me a sympathetic smile that only puzzles me more. “That sometimes people hit rough spots in their life and have to do extreme things to survive."
Luna and Grey’s relationship is strained to begin with. They have a past. Grey’s group of friends weren’t always nice. Slowly but surely this couple starts to trust one another. They become friends first, but the attraction is always lingering there, just waiting for one of them to act on it. So are the secrets between them- they’re always there.
My absolute favorite part of this story- I loved the group of friends. I loved how they interacted together, how they always had each others back. When you’re reading books set in high school, it’s sometimes hard to find that kind of friendship, and I’m happy that Luna had it. After the things she’s been through with her family, she needed those kind of friends. I’m also really excited to read more about these said friends. I think it’s great that this is going to be a series even though Grey and Luna’s story concluded. Bring on Beck and Willow!
I gave this story a 4 instead of a 5 mainly because the ending felt a little rushed to me. Even though there were a few of Jessica’s normal things, this book did have a unique feel to it. I liked the twist that came to light towards the end, and as I mentioned before, I really loved this group of friends, so I’m excited to read more in this series!
“People deserve second chances if they really want them.”
October 18, 2015
4 Stars!!
I must admit was really surprised by this book in a very good way. “Confessions of a Kleptomaniac” was a sweet, at times a little emotional read and like other books by this author has two damaged, relatable main characters I really enjoyed reading about. This first installment in "Rebels & Misfits" series fallows Luna Harvey, a senior in high school whose life is a living hell (at least IMO). Luna’s parents have always been strict with her. They are religious and have hardcore beliefs about how should people behave and dress and she’s expected to live up to those standards. Needless to say their standards are too high for Luna. She doesn’t want to be perfect or to be the church going daughter they want her to be. She just want to be a normal teenager, to have control over her life, to be her own person, to explore who she is, what she likes and what she wants.
In order to have a little control, to escape, Luna shoplifts. No one knows about her little secret, not even her closest friends, until someone caches her in the act. The one that finds out what Luna does from time to time is Grey Sawyer, a boy from Luna’s school who is always perfectly put together. She still have a crush on him even after all these years, even if Grey and his friends humiliated her in front of everyone at school. Grey used to be a cocky jerk until something happened and his life changed irrevocably. He’s not the same boy he used to be. He knows he made mistake and he wants to change and also wants Luna to forgive him for what he did years ago. Luna is not the only one who has secrets. Grey has some of his own.
After he finds out Luna shoplifts, Grey doesn’t judge her. He understands her more than he wants to and he feels she can understands him as well.
Both of them feel a connection with the other, so as the days and weeks passes they start to open to each other, they slowly become friends, until they both start to want something more.
I enjoyed this one! I enjoyed the premise since it was my first time reading about a heroine who shoplifts. The pace of the story was great, perfect and the storyline was interesting and I truly enjoyed the dual POV. Both Luna and Grey were likeable characters and I enjoyed reading about them and also about Luna’s small group of friends. I have to say I really felt for Luna. Even if she’s just a teenager, at times she acted very mature for her age IMO. I loved her courage and determination and her relationship with her friends was so great. Grey’s has his own problems. Maybe not as serious as Luna’s, but they are still problems. I really liked his character. He was so sweet and patient with Luna. I loved their interactions and their few sweet moments together. I have to mention the cast of supportive characters. They were simply fantastic. I loved their bond and how much they meant for each other.
At times the story was too YA for my tastes, but overall I enjoyed it. I would have preferred a little mote sweet/sexy times between Luna and Grey. Also, I felt the ending was a little rushed.
Overall, this was a great read and I’m looking forward to read the next installment/s in the series.
I must admit was really surprised by this book in a very good way. “Confessions of a Kleptomaniac” was a sweet, at times a little emotional read and like other books by this author has two damaged, relatable main characters I really enjoyed reading about. This first installment in "Rebels & Misfits" series fallows Luna Harvey, a senior in high school whose life is a living hell (at least IMO). Luna’s parents have always been strict with her. They are religious and have hardcore beliefs about how should people behave and dress and she’s expected to live up to those standards. Needless to say their standards are too high for Luna. She doesn’t want to be perfect or to be the church going daughter they want her to be. She just want to be a normal teenager, to have control over her life, to be her own person, to explore who she is, what she likes and what she wants.
“Exactly like every other place in the world, the people in Ridgefield have secrets, things kept hidden behind locked doors (…) I have secrets, too.”
In order to have a little control, to escape, Luna shoplifts. No one knows about her little secret, not even her closest friends, until someone caches her in the act. The one that finds out what Luna does from time to time is Grey Sawyer, a boy from Luna’s school who is always perfectly put together. She still have a crush on him even after all these years, even if Grey and his friends humiliated her in front of everyone at school. Grey used to be a cocky jerk until something happened and his life changed irrevocably. He’s not the same boy he used to be. He knows he made mistake and he wants to change and also wants Luna to forgive him for what he did years ago. Luna is not the only one who has secrets. Grey has some of his own.
After he finds out Luna shoplifts, Grey doesn’t judge her. He understands her more than he wants to and he feels she can understands him as well.
“Thanks . . . for helping me,” I manage to get out.
“Don’t worry about it,” Grey says. “I get it.”
“Get what?”
He offers me sympathetic smile that only puzzles me more. “That sometimes people hit rough spots in their life and have to do extreme things to survive.”
Both of them feel a connection with the other, so as the days and weeks passes they start to open to each other, they slowly become friends, until they both start to want something more.
“I’ve never been so comfortable with someone. You make me feel like I can be myself, and that’s enough.”
I enjoyed this one! I enjoyed the premise since it was my first time reading about a heroine who shoplifts. The pace of the story was great, perfect and the storyline was interesting and I truly enjoyed the dual POV. Both Luna and Grey were likeable characters and I enjoyed reading about them and also about Luna’s small group of friends. I have to say I really felt for Luna. Even if she’s just a teenager, at times she acted very mature for her age IMO. I loved her courage and determination and her relationship with her friends was so great. Grey’s has his own problems. Maybe not as serious as Luna’s, but they are still problems. I really liked his character. He was so sweet and patient with Luna. I loved their interactions and their few sweet moments together. I have to mention the cast of supportive characters. They were simply fantastic. I loved their bond and how much they meant for each other.
At times the story was too YA for my tastes, but overall I enjoyed it. I would have preferred a little mote sweet/sexy times between Luna and Grey. Also, I felt the ending was a little rushed.
Overall, this was a great read and I’m looking forward to read the next installment/s in the series.
October 7, 2015
Confessions of a Kleptomaniac is a story about a girl who steals to give herself control. She isn’t poverty stricken or trying to fit in. No, it’s her biggest secret and she is so ashamed of herself, but can barely control her impulses. Luna’s parents are radical in their faith and believe Luna’s bad choices will lead to her demise. The problem is Luna is really a good kid, she makes good grades, is polite and friendly, and strives to be a good person.
Gray Sawyer is your typical popular guy. Gray is the star athlete, dates all the cheerleaders and is a bit of jerk to people “beneath” him. When you first meet Gray you quickly realize that may be his reputation, but he isn’t that guy anymore. He doesn’t judge people and is nice, but he is also very guarded and keeping secrets.
Luna and Gray develop a friendship when she begins tutoring him. Gradually they build trust with each other and begin opening up. Gray and Luna have a lot of friends, but end up relying on each other and not opening up to their other friends. I loved Gray and Luna friendship, then relationship, developed slowly. I felt like it was more realistic and allowed me to believe that their feelings were genuine.
I truly loved the friend dynamic in the group and can’t wait to read more about them. I loved how there was drama, but it wasn’t over the top. I absolutely loved Gray and his character. I love how between Gray, her friends and others Luna was able to have a family. The story had a quick pace and flowed easily from one chapter to the next. I enjoyed seeing both Gray and Luna’s POV. My only complaint is I would have like to have seen more of an ending or time with Gray and Luna together. Overall, this was a great read and I highly recommend it!
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Gray Sawyer is your typical popular guy. Gray is the star athlete, dates all the cheerleaders and is a bit of jerk to people “beneath” him. When you first meet Gray you quickly realize that may be his reputation, but he isn’t that guy anymore. He doesn’t judge people and is nice, but he is also very guarded and keeping secrets.
Luna and Gray develop a friendship when she begins tutoring him. Gradually they build trust with each other and begin opening up. Gray and Luna have a lot of friends, but end up relying on each other and not opening up to their other friends. I loved Gray and Luna friendship, then relationship, developed slowly. I felt like it was more realistic and allowed me to believe that their feelings were genuine.
I truly loved the friend dynamic in the group and can’t wait to read more about them. I loved how there was drama, but it wasn’t over the top. I absolutely loved Gray and his character. I love how between Gray, her friends and others Luna was able to have a family. The story had a quick pace and flowed easily from one chapter to the next. I enjoyed seeing both Gray and Luna’s POV. My only complaint is I would have like to have seen more of an ending or time with Gray and Luna together. Overall, this was a great read and I highly recommend it!
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2019
Hace bastante tiempo que mi etapa adolescente paso, quizas por eso no pude conectar al 100% con este libro, no es que lo que narre sea infantil o inmaduro, puesto que creo que trata problemas muy serios de una forma mas que correcta, a lo que me refiero es que la actitud de los protagonistas denota claramente su edad, la cual como ya digo hace tiempo que cumpli.
Confessions Of A Kleptomaniac es una novela juvenil amena y bonita que me agrado. Me gusto especialmente la importancia que le da la autora a la amistad de este grupo de amigos, es un aspecto muy señalado de la historia, ademas me encanto que su amistad fuera tan sincera y desinteresada.
La parte romantica no me dejo tan satisfecha, senti que la relacion entre Luna y Grey se desarrollo de una forma muy precipitada y encima el final me resulto muy flojo, no se, esperaba un desenlace mas especial y emotivo.
En conclusion, este primer tomo se me paso en un instante, es muy agil y facil de leer pero peca de tratar ciertos temas de una manera muy superficial, aun asi, es recomendable como lectura ligera.
2.75 Estrellas!
October 7, 2015
ARC provided by the author for an honest review
5 / 5 stars
Confessions of a Kleptomaniac was a lot different than what I had imagined it to be.
For some reason, I had assumed the book was going to be a quirky “adventure-type” book, or at least a book that’s more comedic than everything else (I think I was thinking more across the line of Confessions of a Shopaholic. I don’t know why, I just did.). So, to say I was blown away with how this book succeeded my expectation doesn’t even cover it.
Jessica Sorensen writes some of the best, most complex characters that I’ve ever gotten the pleasure of getting to know about. Seriously. Can she do anything wrong?
I love her characters. I love how each and every one of her characters are different from each other. Some authors can’t even write contemporary novels without having characters or themes that are similar to one of their other books. Sorensen on the other hand has written so many different, complex characters with different personas and interests that I appreciate how distinctive each and every characters are from one another.
Luna Harvey and Grey Sawyer (can I just say, I really love his name?) were no different. Complex, dynamic, and intriguing. There’s another thing I love about Sorensen’s characters and it’s the fact that she writes troubled and broken characters with sincerity. I don’t know how else to explain it. I think it’s the fact that she doesn’t give us a half-ass attempt of writing broken characters who’ll heal and automatically get over their problems just for the convenience of the plot.
Out of all the authors who’ve touched the subject of abuse: physical, verbal, mental, etc—Sorensen is my go-to author because I know she’ll never do any injustice with it.
For Luna Harvey, she’s dealing with toxic, abusive parents who are quite controlling and expecting the “perfect” daughter. The resentment and hopelessness she felt was so realistic that I wished she was real, just so I could pull her into a hug and tell her it’ll get better.
For Grey Sawyer (I really, really love his name), he’s been dealing with a sense of loss, finding himself more confused, bitter, and alone as he’s stuck dealing with his emotional turmoil.
I loved watching Grey and Luna’s relationship grow and develop. I loved watching their friendship and understanding of one another. [There’s nothing that gets me screaming 5 stars faster than a well-developed friendship before a romance even occurs].
My heart broke for the both of them. I found them both relatable, and I found myself rooting for the both of them from the get go.
"Grey understands Luna’s situation more than she realizes, though” is an understatement. I SHOULD have seen it coming.
I also loved Luna’s friends. Holy hell—they were such amazing and diverse characters, each one of them different but so internal in each others lives that I can’t wait to see their personalities come to life (when it’s their time to shine).
I loved this book. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel going into this book—because I was a bit scared that Luna’s kleptomaniac was going to be emphasized on to the extremes. (You know how some authors take one troubled trait of a character and abuses it until it’s not even a realistic portrayal anymore? That’s what I was afraid of when I started reading this book). And when I found out that Luna had very controlling parents who evaded her privacy and tried to control her every move, it really hit home. This book really hit home for me on a lot of subjects: Grey’s secret, both their emotional issues, the abuse that Luna suffered, the burdens of people’s expectations, and so forth.
That’s why I loved this book so much. The fact that it managed to be compelling and raw and realistic was everything I could ever ask for from this book.
(Also, Grey Sawyer is super swoon-worthy. That’s no surprise because Sorensen writes the best YA/NA contemporary book boyfriends ever).
I would definitely recommend, but I’d also like to point out that some of the themes in this book might be triggering (when it comes to the abusive parents). Overall, it was a good, well-paced book and left a huge, cheesy grin on my face by the end of the novel. It was a captivating read, one that left me excited for the next installment of Rebels & Misfits.
5 / 5 stars
Confessions of a Kleptomaniac was a lot different than what I had imagined it to be.
For some reason, I had assumed the book was going to be a quirky “adventure-type” book, or at least a book that’s more comedic than everything else (I think I was thinking more across the line of Confessions of a Shopaholic. I don’t know why, I just did.). So, to say I was blown away with how this book succeeded my expectation doesn’t even cover it.
Jessica Sorensen writes some of the best, most complex characters that I’ve ever gotten the pleasure of getting to know about. Seriously. Can she do anything wrong?
I love her characters. I love how each and every one of her characters are different from each other. Some authors can’t even write contemporary novels without having characters or themes that are similar to one of their other books. Sorensen on the other hand has written so many different, complex characters with different personas and interests that I appreciate how distinctive each and every characters are from one another.
Luna Harvey and Grey Sawyer (can I just say, I really love his name?) were no different. Complex, dynamic, and intriguing. There’s another thing I love about Sorensen’s characters and it’s the fact that she writes troubled and broken characters with sincerity. I don’t know how else to explain it. I think it’s the fact that she doesn’t give us a half-ass attempt of writing broken characters who’ll heal and automatically get over their problems just for the convenience of the plot.
Out of all the authors who’ve touched the subject of abuse: physical, verbal, mental, etc—Sorensen is my go-to author because I know she’ll never do any injustice with it.
For Luna Harvey, she’s dealing with toxic, abusive parents who are quite controlling and expecting the “perfect” daughter. The resentment and hopelessness she felt was so realistic that I wished she was real, just so I could pull her into a hug and tell her it’ll get better.
For Grey Sawyer (I really, really love his name), he’s been dealing with a sense of loss, finding himself more confused, bitter, and alone as he’s stuck dealing with his emotional turmoil.
I loved watching Grey and Luna’s relationship grow and develop. I loved watching their friendship and understanding of one another. [There’s nothing that gets me screaming 5 stars faster than a well-developed friendship before a romance even occurs].
My heart broke for the both of them. I found them both relatable, and I found myself rooting for the both of them from the get go.
"Grey understands Luna’s situation more than she realizes, though” is an understatement. I SHOULD have seen it coming.
I also loved Luna’s friends. Holy hell—they were such amazing and diverse characters, each one of them different but so internal in each others lives that I can’t wait to see their personalities come to life (when it’s their time to shine).
I loved this book. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel going into this book—because I was a bit scared that Luna’s kleptomaniac was going to be emphasized on to the extremes. (You know how some authors take one troubled trait of a character and abuses it until it’s not even a realistic portrayal anymore? That’s what I was afraid of when I started reading this book). And when I found out that Luna had very controlling parents who evaded her privacy and tried to control her every move, it really hit home. This book really hit home for me on a lot of subjects: Grey’s secret, both their emotional issues, the abuse that Luna suffered, the burdens of people’s expectations, and so forth.
That’s why I loved this book so much. The fact that it managed to be compelling and raw and realistic was everything I could ever ask for from this book.
(Also, Grey Sawyer is super swoon-worthy. That’s no surprise because Sorensen writes the best YA/NA contemporary book boyfriends ever).
I would definitely recommend, but I’d also like to point out that some of the themes in this book might be triggering (when it comes to the abusive parents). Overall, it was a good, well-paced book and left a huge, cheesy grin on my face by the end of the novel. It was a captivating read, one that left me excited for the next installment of Rebels & Misfits.
October 19, 2015
4.5 stars!
October 20, 2017
One of my favorite authors to read is Jessica Sorensen. Lately, I have been going through Kindle and reading older books as well as newer titles. I was in the mood for a Jessica Sorensen and Confessions of a Kleptomaniac jumped out at me. Luna Harvey has secrets and confessions about her life that she has been keeping hidden. Everyone sees this good girl and Miss. Perfect but her life is far from it. Luna's parents are strict, and her punishments are extreme like her clothes being burned in a bonfire. Luna also talks about her Aunt Ashlynn whom the family disowned fourteen years ago and to top it off Luna is a closet kleptomaniac. Lately, Grey's eyes have wandered over to Luna, and he is trying to become a better person as he hated the way he acted before his father died. Luna and Grey over the course of the novel start to get close, and Luna finds herself confessing about her life to Grey. As this novel was quite a YA novel, we can easily see where the story is going to end. I have to admit though the twist with Ashlynn, I didn't expect that I had thought that she was possibly Luna's actual mother not the way it turned out when we discovered the truth about Ashlynn and why she was disowned. If you are looking for a good YA novel aimed at 14-16+ years then Jessica Sorensen's Rebels and Misfits series are the books for you.
December 29, 2017
3.25
“Consider yourself an official member of the misfits and rebels circle.”
A cute, endeering story. I had a lot of questions about/with the story, all were answered off course.
But the ending kind of felt flat.
“Consider yourself an official member of the misfits and rebels circle.”
A cute, endeering story. I had a lot of questions about/with the story, all were answered off course.
But the ending kind of felt flat.
October 9, 2015
Review coming soon!
September 24, 2017
Un libro que no toca temas muy profundo con leve drama ideal para refrescarse después de leer tantos dramas en otros libros.
Un punto que hace que no le de 4 estrellas y es ese final fue muy flojo.
Un punto que hace que no le de 4 estrellas y es ese final fue muy flojo.
Want to read
April 13, 2019🎁 FREE on iBooks today (4/13/2019)! 🎁
June 28, 2016
"And I probably would’ve missed out on a lot more stuff because every day moments happen all the time. Sometimes, they’re epic. Sometimes, they’re small. But each one means something. Each one has helped me figure out a part of myself, who I am in this world."
"And, good or bad, I’m glad I get to experience each one."
It was good. It had love, friendship, trust, lies, betrayal, bullying, conquering, doubt, mystery, and much more. I loved Luna and Grey. The story was nice, but I also felt that the book was missing something. Idk.... I just feel that the book was okay, but could've been better. Read it for yourself and share with me your opinion.....
"And, good or bad, I’m glad I get to experience each one."
It was good. It had love, friendship, trust, lies, betrayal, bullying, conquering, doubt, mystery, and much more. I loved Luna and Grey. The story was nice, but I also felt that the book was missing something. Idk.... I just feel that the book was okay, but could've been better. Read it for yourself and share with me your opinion.....
October 18, 2015
4 STARS
This book was adorable! I enjoyed it very much. I loved the premise and the characters. It was a little too YA at times for me but I still really enjoyed it. I think that it would be even more perfect for actual young adult readers.
Overall, I really liked it. It was well written.
July 26, 2024
Can't wait for book 2.... this is not finished!!!!
October 9, 2015
Books like this is why the young adult genre has quickly become my favorite, and I owe it all to Jessica Sorensen. She writes stories that involve damaged youths, who for whatever reasons were given a bad hand at life. With Confessions Of A Kleptomaniac, we get a lot more than we bargained for. The story has your typical ups and owns, but the plot just flows in a perfect wave of succession. It keeps you guessing, and wanting to immerse yourself in every page down to the last word.
Luna has a secret and she's just been caught, and by the most popular guy at school. Grey couldn't believe his eyes when he saw her shoplifting. Luna and Grey travel in different circles. Luna is ridiculed by him, and his friends. Grey has secrets of his own, ones that have changed his easy, and carefree life. He finds that Luna may be the one person who could understand him, and her problems may just be similar to his. Striking up a friendship is frowned upon, both groups of friends are mortal enemies. Luckily, that doesn't stop them. Luna's home life is not typical. Her parents aren't the warm and fuzzy kind. Grey witnesses that, and tries to bring her out of her shell. These two quickly develop a connection that was always there, but due to the rules of high school were unable to get to know one another. The story gets even juicier when other's try to destroy their new happiness. Will Luna and Grey be able to trust one another even after years of torment, or will they be just another high school love story?
The cliques in this book are very pivotal to the story. Grey's friends are who they are selfish, egotistical brats. They cruise through high school taking comfort in tearing people down. Grey is the exception, because he sees them for what they are, and he is determined to change. Luna has spent her entire life craving to be someone her parents don't want her to be. She craves independence, and self-expression. She wants to break free from her parent's thumb, but is frightened of them.
Together these two can be who they want to be, themselves. They don't have to put up any walls, and pretend to be someone they aren't. It's a refreshing take on how your peers and high school shape you. Surrounding one's self with good people is more important than you think.
If you are a fan of this genre, and enjoy a deep, and riveting read, then this is surely the book for you. I look forward to reading more from this series.
Luna has a secret and she's just been caught, and by the most popular guy at school. Grey couldn't believe his eyes when he saw her shoplifting. Luna and Grey travel in different circles. Luna is ridiculed by him, and his friends. Grey has secrets of his own, ones that have changed his easy, and carefree life. He finds that Luna may be the one person who could understand him, and her problems may just be similar to his. Striking up a friendship is frowned upon, both groups of friends are mortal enemies. Luckily, that doesn't stop them. Luna's home life is not typical. Her parents aren't the warm and fuzzy kind. Grey witnesses that, and tries to bring her out of her shell. These two quickly develop a connection that was always there, but due to the rules of high school were unable to get to know one another. The story gets even juicier when other's try to destroy their new happiness. Will Luna and Grey be able to trust one another even after years of torment, or will they be just another high school love story?
The cliques in this book are very pivotal to the story. Grey's friends are who they are selfish, egotistical brats. They cruise through high school taking comfort in tearing people down. Grey is the exception, because he sees them for what they are, and he is determined to change. Luna has spent her entire life craving to be someone her parents don't want her to be. She craves independence, and self-expression. She wants to break free from her parent's thumb, but is frightened of them.
Together these two can be who they want to be, themselves. They don't have to put up any walls, and pretend to be someone they aren't. It's a refreshing take on how your peers and high school shape you. Surrounding one's self with good people is more important than you think.
If you are a fan of this genre, and enjoy a deep, and riveting read, then this is surely the book for you. I look forward to reading more from this series.
September 28, 2015
ARC received in exchange for an honest review
This is my 4 star review for Confessions of a Kleptomaniac by Jessica Sorensen. This is a book that older teens or young adults can read and truly enjoy. It's a standalone that's told by a dual POV.
Their are different kinds of abuse. Verbal and emotional abuse is the kind that the outside world doesn't see. But it is present none the less. It happens more frequently than we know.
Luna is an 18 y.o. who suffers from it and from the people who are supposed to be protecting her. She tries to cope by stealing things, it gives her a form of control over the abuse. She wants to please everyone around her. She has good friends to help her but are ignorant to her stealing. Then Grey catches doing it. They form a bond.
Grey is living a lie. But he soon realizes that what used to be important to him it is not anymore. He was a self centred bully. Luna was at the receiving end of some of it. But then tragedy struck and he had to grow up.
Grey and Luna are thrown together by circumstances and they bond. Each will help each other deal with their emotional issues. Luna feels safe with Grey and she can confine in him.
It's a tale of a girl being emotionally damaged. A boy dealing with losses. It's heartbreaking to read about something that is all to real. It's well written, low key with some high school drama. Well paced. I like that the author did not focus and put too much emphasis on the stealing. She concentrated on the emotional aspect of the story. Jessica creates characters that draws me in the story. She can put herself into the role and mind of a troubled teen that she recreates and shapes into great characters. She had some great secondary characters too. If I were a teenager reading this book, I would devour it. I would let my teenagers read it. It's not too much and just the right amount of teen drama. I would recommend this book.
October 13, 2015
Grade: D
Under the stress of her emotionally abusive, fanatical parents, Luna Harvey shoplifts. Worse yet, she's caught in the act by Grey, the popular boy she's crushed on for years. But Grey has secrets too.
Luna and Grey are great, complex characters with personality, quirks and flaws, teenagers you might find in any high school. A teen under the stress of strict, abusive parents might very well turn to shoplifting as a way to relieve the stress of being unable to live up to unrealistic expectations. Grey, a former arrogant, popular mean kid, might very well develop insight, humanity and kindness after watching his father die of cancer and wanting to make his dad proud. Some of their friends were unique minor players, but the mean kids were such one dimensional caricatures of generic bullies they lacked authenticity. Luna's parents were straight out of central casting, without redeeming qualities. The story would have been so much better had Jessica Sorensen given them a modicum of humanity or depth. Additionally, every character had a soap opera name-- Wynter, Willow, Ashlynn etc.
The writing in CONFESSIONS OF A KLEPTOMANIAC is at times passable, but the dialogue didn't resemble anything I've ever heard people use. It sounded like something a middle school writing teacher might find on a C graded short story. The parents' words were particularly unnatural. Additionally, the parents were supposed religious fanatics, but they never referred to god, a bible or anything except a generic church. Sorensen didn't appear to have done research on fanaticism, shoplifting treatment or child abuse. The only reason I gave 2 stars rather than lower was because the main characters and plot were interesting.
THEMES: shoplifting, family, parents, religiosity, verbal a user, psychological abuse, first love
CONFESSIONS OF A KLEPTOMANIAC is a great plot with terrible execution.
Under the stress of her emotionally abusive, fanatical parents, Luna Harvey shoplifts. Worse yet, she's caught in the act by Grey, the popular boy she's crushed on for years. But Grey has secrets too.
Luna and Grey are great, complex characters with personality, quirks and flaws, teenagers you might find in any high school. A teen under the stress of strict, abusive parents might very well turn to shoplifting as a way to relieve the stress of being unable to live up to unrealistic expectations. Grey, a former arrogant, popular mean kid, might very well develop insight, humanity and kindness after watching his father die of cancer and wanting to make his dad proud. Some of their friends were unique minor players, but the mean kids were such one dimensional caricatures of generic bullies they lacked authenticity. Luna's parents were straight out of central casting, without redeeming qualities. The story would have been so much better had Jessica Sorensen given them a modicum of humanity or depth. Additionally, every character had a soap opera name-- Wynter, Willow, Ashlynn etc.
The writing in CONFESSIONS OF A KLEPTOMANIAC is at times passable, but the dialogue didn't resemble anything I've ever heard people use. It sounded like something a middle school writing teacher might find on a C graded short story. The parents' words were particularly unnatural. Additionally, the parents were supposed religious fanatics, but they never referred to god, a bible or anything except a generic church. Sorensen didn't appear to have done research on fanaticism, shoplifting treatment or child abuse. The only reason I gave 2 stars rather than lower was because the main characters and plot were interesting.
THEMES: shoplifting, family, parents, religiosity, verbal a user, psychological abuse, first love
CONFESSIONS OF A KLEPTOMANIAC is a great plot with terrible execution.
October 2, 2015
I absolutely enjoyed this book. I mean I was really hooked. I loved the way the story just flowed and kept me wanting more.
Luna Harvey is an 18 year old Kleptomaniac. She has suffered verbal abuse by her parents all her life. Expected to be the “perfect” daughter. Her parents religious belifs are unreal. Impulse stealing gives Luna a since of control that she cannot get anywhere else. Her parents control everything in her life. From the clothes she wears to the things she actually does. Thank god for her friends. But even the little joy of having friendship doesn’t keep the impulse to steal at bay.
One day when the urge hits her hard, Luna blindly grabs things and stuffs them in her pockets. Well she actually gets caught by the school jock, Grey Sawyer, who she has had a crush on for years! Sadly the one time she had the courage to ask him out he not only turned her down but made fun of her and caused others to ridicule her.
The store owner catches Luna in the isles and asks her to go to the front with him. Nervous and afraid she is caught red-handed by the owner as well she goes but not before Grey snatches her jacket with all the stolen goods. Great timing too because the owner has her empty her pockets.
This starts the beginning of a very good friendship. Luna learns more about Grey and actually gets to confess her life and why she does what she does. She has never been able to tell anyone her secret not even her close friends for fear of them hating her.
Ohhhh I absolutely loved this book. I want more. It ended perfectly but the story was sooo good!!
The friendship was unreal. To have best-friends like that is just amazing!
The courage it takes to stand up for yourself when you are put down all your life, its unbelievable.
Luna Harvey is an 18 year old Kleptomaniac. She has suffered verbal abuse by her parents all her life. Expected to be the “perfect” daughter. Her parents religious belifs are unreal. Impulse stealing gives Luna a since of control that she cannot get anywhere else. Her parents control everything in her life. From the clothes she wears to the things she actually does. Thank god for her friends. But even the little joy of having friendship doesn’t keep the impulse to steal at bay.
One day when the urge hits her hard, Luna blindly grabs things and stuffs them in her pockets. Well she actually gets caught by the school jock, Grey Sawyer, who she has had a crush on for years! Sadly the one time she had the courage to ask him out he not only turned her down but made fun of her and caused others to ridicule her.
The store owner catches Luna in the isles and asks her to go to the front with him. Nervous and afraid she is caught red-handed by the owner as well she goes but not before Grey snatches her jacket with all the stolen goods. Great timing too because the owner has her empty her pockets.
This starts the beginning of a very good friendship. Luna learns more about Grey and actually gets to confess her life and why she does what she does. She has never been able to tell anyone her secret not even her close friends for fear of them hating her.
Ohhhh I absolutely loved this book. I want more. It ended perfectly but the story was sooo good!!
The friendship was unreal. To have best-friends like that is just amazing!
The courage it takes to stand up for yourself when you are put down all your life, its unbelievable.
October 4, 2015
Luna is a good girl with a secret. It all changed when the last guy she would ever have thought would help her out in a tight spot managed to be there. From then on Luna and Grey managed to forge a bit of bond but its a bit complicated since they had a not-so-great past.Trying to overlook the past they slowly open up about secrets and their lives but Grey's ex isn't going to make thing easy. Same goes for Luna the more stressed out she becomes with her parents over protectiveness the most sloppy she gets with her issue and the more people will find out.
Overall I loved the book, very different from any other book I've read. While reading this book and knowing that Luna was a Klepto I couldn't help but think I would see more of that happening rather then her thinking about it but I guess everyone is different. I enjoyed seeing these characters get better as things went on getting the courage to speak out to her friends or at least to Grey about herself. This book touches on different types of abuses physical, verbal, and mental abuse. I mean what her parents were doing was mental and physical abuse I could'nt help but cringe a couple of times the way they treated Luna. I really enjoyed this book that think that it'll be suitable for any reader it's clean. I liked Grey and Luna's relationship and that I got the point of view from both sides. This book was very well written with enough drama to keep things interesting. This is a great book and I enjoyed reading it.
Now what I really want to see more of is Wynter's story and wondering if there even is one for her.
4.5 of 5 stars!
Overall I loved the book, very different from any other book I've read. While reading this book and knowing that Luna was a Klepto I couldn't help but think I would see more of that happening rather then her thinking about it but I guess everyone is different. I enjoyed seeing these characters get better as things went on getting the courage to speak out to her friends or at least to Grey about herself. This book touches on different types of abuses physical, verbal, and mental abuse. I mean what her parents were doing was mental and physical abuse I could'nt help but cringe a couple of times the way they treated Luna. I really enjoyed this book that think that it'll be suitable for any reader it's clean. I liked Grey and Luna's relationship and that I got the point of view from both sides. This book was very well written with enough drama to keep things interesting. This is a great book and I enjoyed reading it.
Now what I really want to see more of is Wynter's story and wondering if there even is one for her.
4.5 of 5 stars!
October 6, 2015
Jessica Sorensen is the reason I love reading YA so much!! And this book just proves why she rocks at it!!
This book made me feel giddy throughout the whole thing. Yes, there were some moments where I wanted to bash some heads but the overall feeling was happy and proud.
Luna has some very odd and off-the-wall parents. How she survived living with them til now, is completely beyond me. But she’s had her awesome group of friends to keep her moving forward and not completely falling into the messed up world her parents think is normal.
Grey – even at his young age, he makes me swoon. LOL He’s a good kid with a great head on his shoulders, but for quite some time, it was clouded by outside forces. After he’s dealt a huge blow, it opens his eyes a bit more.
Luna and Grey really grew throughout this book. And they helped each other along the way. Watching their interactions with each other and Luna’s friends just really makes you smile.
Jessica really knows how to keep things intense yet light. You get drawn into the story and find yourself grinning, laughing and next thing you know, the book is ending. She’s that damn good!!! All of the characters are quite interesting and we are given tidbits of information about each of them – just enough that we are going to want to know more.
I am looking forward to reading more in this series!! Great start!
This book made me feel giddy throughout the whole thing. Yes, there were some moments where I wanted to bash some heads but the overall feeling was happy and proud.
Luna has some very odd and off-the-wall parents. How she survived living with them til now, is completely beyond me. But she’s had her awesome group of friends to keep her moving forward and not completely falling into the messed up world her parents think is normal.
Grey – even at his young age, he makes me swoon. LOL He’s a good kid with a great head on his shoulders, but for quite some time, it was clouded by outside forces. After he’s dealt a huge blow, it opens his eyes a bit more.
Luna and Grey really grew throughout this book. And they helped each other along the way. Watching their interactions with each other and Luna’s friends just really makes you smile.
Jessica really knows how to keep things intense yet light. You get drawn into the story and find yourself grinning, laughing and next thing you know, the book is ending. She’s that damn good!!! All of the characters are quite interesting and we are given tidbits of information about each of them – just enough that we are going to want to know more.
I am looking forward to reading more in this series!! Great start!
October 14, 2015
This Book Will Have You Hooked!
This book was not exactly what I was expecting, but it turns out that it definitely exceeded my expectations. I was hooked right away and couldn't put it down! I absolutely fell in love with Luna. Finding out about her crazy ass parents, i had no difficulty believing why Luna does what she does. Then we add in Grey who has a secret of his own. These two come from totally different circles and you would never find them together in any capacity really. They begin talking because Grey catches Luna in the act, which has never happened before. Though its a struggle the two find a friendship with so much more lurking under the surface. I think that the author did a fantastic job with this story and can not wait to read more from her. There is a terrific twist at the end that I honestly never saw coming. You are definitely going to want to read this book. I was generously given a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
This book was not exactly what I was expecting, but it turns out that it definitely exceeded my expectations. I was hooked right away and couldn't put it down! I absolutely fell in love with Luna. Finding out about her crazy ass parents, i had no difficulty believing why Luna does what she does. Then we add in Grey who has a secret of his own. These two come from totally different circles and you would never find them together in any capacity really. They begin talking because Grey catches Luna in the act, which has never happened before. Though its a struggle the two find a friendship with so much more lurking under the surface. I think that the author did a fantastic job with this story and can not wait to read more from her. There is a terrific twist at the end that I honestly never saw coming. You are definitely going to want to read this book. I was generously given a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
February 4, 2017
I have always liked Sorensen's writing though I took a break for awhile because there seemed to be a lot of cliffhanger endings and endless books in series that were continuations. This book is different. While it is part of a series, the next book will be about someone else from this book. So yes, this book gives you the hero/heroines HEA. For me, it reads great as a young adult book, I wouldn't consider it NA as it is pretty tame. The story line is enjoyable and I feel for the heroine. The hero is easy to like because we never got much of his old jerky ways. The ending came a little too quick for me and I would have liked a bit more detail, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. A bonus perk, the next book is already out so we can see what exactly is going on between Willow and Beck.
December 11, 2015
5+++++ Lunatic Grey stars!
Luna is a sweet girl, who's family is so messed up, but in an unusual way. Normally when we think of a messed up family we just think about sexual, emotional, physical abuse or drugs, etc.... But verbal abuse is a reality that so many people live. I felt so angry every time I read how her parents talked about her! They didn't even know their daughter and didn't even take the time to listen to her! It was so unfair!
Greg was an reformed asshole! He had to lose his dad to see how wrong he was about life. Sometimes things like that happen. He was really mature about the changes of his life.
It's a refreshing, sweet, and fun book! I love their romantic interaction it was so sweet! He was PERFECT for her, and she was PERFECT for him! They complemented each other!
I can't wait for the second part of it!
Luna is a sweet girl, who's family is so messed up, but in an unusual way. Normally when we think of a messed up family we just think about sexual, emotional, physical abuse or drugs, etc.... But verbal abuse is a reality that so many people live. I felt so angry every time I read how her parents talked about her! They didn't even know their daughter and didn't even take the time to listen to her! It was so unfair!
Greg was an reformed asshole! He had to lose his dad to see how wrong he was about life. Sometimes things like that happen. He was really mature about the changes of his life.
It's a refreshing, sweet, and fun book! I love their romantic interaction it was so sweet! He was PERFECT for her, and she was PERFECT for him! They complemented each other!
I can't wait for the second part of it!
February 10, 2016
This is a story about growth and becoming the person you are meant to be. Two very different people are overcoming very different situations and in each other find someone to trust and be their self in. I really like what the story is about and to see these characters overcome their obstacles. I also really love the side characters and can't wait to see what is going on behind the scenes in everyone else's life.
October 13, 2015
This is a dyed in the wool 4.5 star book.
For every child that has been bought up by narcissistic parents, you gotta read this. Something I constantly worry about as a child of this life, passing such horrible parenting on to my kids. It's a tragedy and yet it happens. God forgive me if I ever do as Luna's parents.
Good writing. Writing that made me think and reflect. Jessica Sorensen is a diamond in the rough writer. I had a hard time putting this book down and I was silly busy. Good book.
For every child that has been bought up by narcissistic parents, you gotta read this. Something I constantly worry about as a child of this life, passing such horrible parenting on to my kids. It's a tragedy and yet it happens. God forgive me if I ever do as Luna's parents.
Good writing. Writing that made me think and reflect. Jessica Sorensen is a diamond in the rough writer. I had a hard time putting this book down and I was silly busy. Good book.
January 3, 2016
I felt really sorry for Luna in this at times, her parents were absolutely awful - Especially her mother.
The pacing in this was quite slow, so it dragged in areas for me. It was an okay read overall though.
The pacing in this was quite slow, so it dragged in areas for me. It was an okay read overall though.
January 31, 2017
Loved the story! It's the second book I read from author Jessica Sorensen and I'd really like to read more of her books. I like her writing style and the characters she creates. I've always loved books about rebels, misfits and people who dare to be different.
October 6, 2015
I always look forward to new Jessica Sorensen books & this one was really good! Luna & Gray were fun to read and I hope they get another book!
October 23, 2015
4.5 :)
February 2, 2020
Original review 4 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews