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Snapped
Ari Wren has a great life: Two best friends and a family she loves.
Cade Waters is by far the most popular guy at Sierra High School. Why then has he suddenly noticed Ari, a freshman nobody? Her friends are surprised by his attention and more than a little jealous. As Ari finds herself falling for Cade, his requests become more intimate and personal. Ari feels confused and unsure about what to do.
Follow Ari as she navigates budding romance, tough decisions, betrayal, and a trip to an island in this young adult story of growing up the hard way.
Cade Waters is by far the most popular guy at Sierra High School. Why then has he suddenly noticed Ari, a freshman nobody? Her friends are surprised by his attention and more than a little jealous. As Ari finds herself falling for Cade, his requests become more intimate and personal. Ari feels confused and unsure about what to do.
Follow Ari as she navigates budding romance, tough decisions, betrayal, and a trip to an island in this young adult story of growing up the hard way.
Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2018
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451 people want to read
About the author
Jacci Turner
21 books133 followersTumbled People: Deconstructing and Reconstructing your faith is selling well. If you're going through a time of faith discouragement, for instance leaving the evangelical world because of their alignment with power and privilege, instead of the poor and marginalized. You might find solace and hope in this book.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 16, 2019
**Actual Rating 4.5 Stars**
Characters
Ari was blah at first. By the end of the book she blossoms and I almost missed her. I rallied behind her as she proved herself to be stronger then she thought. Shyla, her best friend, was a delightful addition. I also liked the relationship with her 'German exchange sister' as it developed throughout the book. Thea is thankfully a mostly two dimensional character that helped Ari find who she is in her own way. Clayton is such a gentleman and a catalyst for her but I'm happy to say Ari is eventually able to make her decisions for herself. Cade is exactly what you thought he'd be...or is he?
Plot
I'll admit, when I started this book I thought "here we go again, another high school story about the 'shy normal girl' and the super popular guy." I mentally rolled my eyes but dug in, sometimes they are still fun. Boy was I way off. The author does a good job lulling you into a state of calm and then throws a curve ball. Then a few more for good show and I was sucked in. This book is NOT at all what you think it is. All I'll say is it was a delusional teenager in love with the idea of the person or what I like to call 'The Prince Charming Trap.' I'm afraid to say more but give this book a chance, it might just surprise you in a good way, too!
Overall
The writing was enjoyable and straight forward—I read it very quickly. After the initial plot pointed me in one direction I significantly lowered my expectations.The plot could have gone really two ways and this one was very lighthearted and hopeful. Then it hit on themes that young girls are dealing with today and gives them a voice through a fourteen-year-old girl who doesn't think she's anyone special. It isn't perfect but it has the right tone and lots of right messages that I could stand behind. I'd highly recommend picking this up for a teenage girl you know. My only compliant was everything seemed to come together quickly and in a nice neat bow. Not really realistic but it was a positive message!
Rating
4.5 Stars (rounded up)
Sometimes you want the edgy tragedy, sometimes you want the high school romance, and sometimes you want the Hallmark story with an actual point. This is the teenage equivalent of a Hallmark read with life lessons to be learned.
This is a voluntary review. More reviews at creatingworldswithwords.wordpress.com.
Characters
Ari was blah at first. By the end of the book she blossoms and I almost missed her. I rallied behind her as she proved herself to be stronger then she thought. Shyla, her best friend, was a delightful addition. I also liked the relationship with her 'German exchange sister' as it developed throughout the book. Thea is thankfully a mostly two dimensional character that helped Ari find who she is in her own way. Clayton is such a gentleman and a catalyst for her but I'm happy to say Ari is eventually able to make her decisions for herself. Cade is exactly what you thought he'd be...or is he?
Plot
I'll admit, when I started this book I thought "here we go again, another high school story about the 'shy normal girl' and the super popular guy." I mentally rolled my eyes but dug in, sometimes they are still fun. Boy was I way off. The author does a good job lulling you into a state of calm and then throws a curve ball. Then a few more for good show and I was sucked in. This book is NOT at all what you think it is. All I'll say is it was a delusional teenager in love with the idea of the person or what I like to call 'The Prince Charming Trap.' I'm afraid to say more but give this book a chance, it might just surprise you in a good way, too!
Overall
The writing was enjoyable and straight forward—I read it very quickly. After the initial plot pointed me in one direction I significantly lowered my expectations.The plot could have gone really two ways and this one was very lighthearted and hopeful. Then it hit on themes that young girls are dealing with today and gives them a voice through a fourteen-year-old girl who doesn't think she's anyone special. It isn't perfect but it has the right tone and lots of right messages that I could stand behind. I'd highly recommend picking this up for a teenage girl you know. My only compliant was everything seemed to come together quickly and in a nice neat bow. Not really realistic but it was a positive message!
Rating
4.5 Stars (rounded up)
Sometimes you want the edgy tragedy, sometimes you want the high school romance, and sometimes you want the Hallmark story with an actual point. This is the teenage equivalent of a Hallmark read with life lessons to be learned.
This is a voluntary review. More reviews at creatingworldswithwords.wordpress.com.
May 28, 2018
I love this latest book of mine! If you love #romance, #yafiction and #female #empowerment, you'll love it too! Out on eBook and soon to come in print. If you've ever had to find your voice to stand up against a bully, you'll relate to Ari, the main character. If you've ever felt used by a someone, you'll get her. If you've ever met someone who is worth falling in love with, or wanted to, you will also enjoy Ari's experience. Join her.
November 22, 2018
(Won through a Goodreads giveaway! Thank you to author Jacci Turner for providing me a free e-copy.)
This reads more like a caricature of high school life than the kind of immersive proxy experience I like in my books. Rather than any kind of world-building — even contemporary high school novels have their own quirks and culture, or at the very least unique characters — it’s frequent (though short) infodumps that could be inferred or are irrelevant, built of cliches and archetypes: the “normal” protagonist who’s average-looking (except for her bust, which she hides with baggy sweatshirts) and is uninterested in girly-girl things, the pretty but bitchy and entitled best “friend,” the “edgy, artsy” alternative best friend who wants to be a reporter, the hot senior jock, the clueless exchange student doubling as the female athlete “who could be pretty if she just tried,” cute ambitious Asian boy she meets at the beach (who even has a cousin who does martial arts — also, Asians playing guitar is really not a thing, it’s piano and violin). How quickly technology changes — the information about Snapchat is already outdated (Snaps sent to other people can now be set on an infinite timer instead of maxing out at ten seconds) and that information could have been excluded altogether, on the probably-safe assumption that the reader already knows or could figure out how it works.
Ari is exasperatingly naive, and I’m not sure if the word I’m actually looking for is “sheltered” or “misinformed” but both apply. Choosing sunscreen with a “low number of protection so she could still tan,” being completely unable to understand why her friend might struggle in English (“Did she just not do the reading? Was she bad at writing papers?” There’s more to doing well in class), writing off “a blackness in her very soul” as the depression she’d experienced “off and on for two years in middle school,” boys suck so “maybe she should become a lesbian” followed by a laugh because she’s “not built that way,” simultaneously bothered by her friend’s racist question and confused by the addressee’s reaction, etc, etc. Actually, a lot of the characters say dumb things — like a boy who thinks it’ll be “super easy to fit in” at a university abroad with 10% international students. And I’m not sure how much research was done; I don’t know any Asian families that would cook sweet & sour pork or gong bao/kungpao chicken (points for spelling it phonetically in Mandarin, I guess?) for guests.
The writing itself seems stilted, even a bit juvenile, with primarily short simple sentences, all-caps and exclamation points for emphasis, LOTS of adverbs and synonyms for “said,” some grammar mistakes (especially with commas), and incredible misspellings. Not sure if “ou la oui” some French phrase I don’t know or a misspelling or just made up, or if teenagers anywhere in the country actually refer to their parents as their “folks.” Also, despite clear attempts at diversity (multiple non-white and gay minor characters, Asian love interest), the way it’s approached isn’t great: it’s just mentioned that the character is black or gay, and then they don’t show up again; Ari also propogates stereotypes by wondering whether the two gay guys at her school (one of whom seems to be officially closeted even if “everyone knows”) have dated, and in some of the things she thinks about Clayton and his family.
I applaud the intention behind the premise, but it’s baseball-bat-to-the-head blunt and Hallmark-movie neat. The dean believes them immediately, the police start an anti-cyberbullying initiative and invite her to be spokesperson, the boys involved with the lewd site face significant consequences, Ari literally gets standing ovations for the cafeteria showdown and her speeches at middle schools. It’s just not at all realistic, and I think that greatly undermines the message.
This reads more like a caricature of high school life than the kind of immersive proxy experience I like in my books. Rather than any kind of world-building — even contemporary high school novels have their own quirks and culture, or at the very least unique characters — it’s frequent (though short) infodumps that could be inferred or are irrelevant, built of cliches and archetypes: the “normal” protagonist who’s average-looking (except for her bust, which she hides with baggy sweatshirts) and is uninterested in girly-girl things, the pretty but bitchy and entitled best “friend,” the “edgy, artsy” alternative best friend who wants to be a reporter, the hot senior jock, the clueless exchange student doubling as the female athlete “who could be pretty if she just tried,” cute ambitious Asian boy she meets at the beach (who even has a cousin who does martial arts — also, Asians playing guitar is really not a thing, it’s piano and violin). How quickly technology changes — the information about Snapchat is already outdated (Snaps sent to other people can now be set on an infinite timer instead of maxing out at ten seconds) and that information could have been excluded altogether, on the probably-safe assumption that the reader already knows or could figure out how it works.
Ari is exasperatingly naive, and I’m not sure if the word I’m actually looking for is “sheltered” or “misinformed” but both apply. Choosing sunscreen with a “low number of protection so she could still tan,” being completely unable to understand why her friend might struggle in English (“Did she just not do the reading? Was she bad at writing papers?” There’s more to doing well in class), writing off “a blackness in her very soul” as the depression she’d experienced “off and on for two years in middle school,” boys suck so “maybe she should become a lesbian” followed by a laugh because she’s “not built that way,” simultaneously bothered by her friend’s racist question and confused by the addressee’s reaction, etc, etc. Actually, a lot of the characters say dumb things — like a boy who thinks it’ll be “super easy to fit in” at a university abroad with 10% international students. And I’m not sure how much research was done; I don’t know any Asian families that would cook sweet & sour pork or gong bao/kungpao chicken (points for spelling it phonetically in Mandarin, I guess?) for guests.
The writing itself seems stilted, even a bit juvenile, with primarily short simple sentences, all-caps and exclamation points for emphasis, LOTS of adverbs and synonyms for “said,” some grammar mistakes (especially with commas), and incredible misspellings. Not sure if “ou la oui” some French phrase I don’t know or a misspelling or just made up, or if teenagers anywhere in the country actually refer to their parents as their “folks.” Also, despite clear attempts at diversity (multiple non-white and gay minor characters, Asian love interest), the way it’s approached isn’t great: it’s just mentioned that the character is black or gay, and then they don’t show up again; Ari also propogates stereotypes by wondering whether the two gay guys at her school (one of whom seems to be officially closeted even if “everyone knows”) have dated, and in some of the things she thinks about Clayton and his family.
I applaud the intention behind the premise, but it’s baseball-bat-to-the-head blunt and Hallmark-movie neat. The dean believes them immediately, the police start an anti-cyberbullying initiative and invite her to be spokesperson, the boys involved with the lewd site face significant consequences, Ari literally gets standing ovations for the cafeteria showdown and her speeches at middle schools. It’s just not at all realistic, and I think that greatly undermines the message.
August 18, 2019
Snapped is about an unassuming freshman girl named Ari with a close, loving family and circle of good friends. Ari begins to receive attention from Cade, one of the most popular senior boys in her school, and she is excited by it, but it quickly turns into something she was not expecting, and Ari must learn to be strong and stand up for herself and others. As she does, Ari learns who her real friends are and meets some new ones as well.
I enjoyed this book more and more as I went on—Ari seemed a little judgmental and vapid to me in the very beginning, and I thought a lot of the details about her life and day were unnecessary, but by the end, she was able to develop so much as a character that I can understand why the beginning of the book was the way that it was. I think this is an important and excellent read for middle-grade and high school teens. It's not very often that media intended for young people effectively portrays their world of social media, but I think that Snapped did an good job doing just that.
In books for this demographic, there is a fine line between 'teaching' and 'storytelling' and Snapped did a really good job of not tripping over it. There were moments which I sensed as being more 'teacherly' than others, such as when Ari thinks about all the things she could do to help herself when she is feeling depressed, literally going over her counselor father's advice in her head. Yet none of them were so egregious as to take me out of the story, and all of them were things that I thought were important to know, so I don't think this is really a negative. Generally it stayed entertaining—the hook that the blurb promises was what I thought would take up the majority of the book, but there is a lot of other action, such as Ari's friendship and relationship development, which I was not expecting but enjoyed. It also served to make this more of a novel than a PSA. Snapped is a much more real look at the psyche of a teen girl, and the other elements of the book aside from the 'cautionary tale' aspect are interesting and not as 'safe' as a reader might expect from a story that wants to communicate a moral. It communicates a moral, yes, but it also tells a story.
But the cautionary tale aspect is also compelling. I did think that all of the things Ari did were not exactly unrealistic, but were slightly optimistic for the situation—but I don't think that's a negative, and I thought it made much better storytelling sense, as well as a practical sense, helping the ultimate message of the novel along. I don't think a Murphy's Law type realism is necessary for a story to be 'good'. I was very satisfied with the ending and how everything was resolved, and when I had finished reading Snapped I was happy that there is a book like this in the world right now! I hope it gets a lot of readers.
My only qualm was that there were some punctuation and grammar mistakes, especially the leaving off of the second set of quotation marks when it wasn't grammatically correct to do so. I really do not care about this and it did not impact my enjoyment of the book, however, an editor was credited, and I think with an editor on board these were things which could have been caught.
I enjoyed this book more and more as I went on—Ari seemed a little judgmental and vapid to me in the very beginning, and I thought a lot of the details about her life and day were unnecessary, but by the end, she was able to develop so much as a character that I can understand why the beginning of the book was the way that it was. I think this is an important and excellent read for middle-grade and high school teens. It's not very often that media intended for young people effectively portrays their world of social media, but I think that Snapped did an good job doing just that.
In books for this demographic, there is a fine line between 'teaching' and 'storytelling' and Snapped did a really good job of not tripping over it. There were moments which I sensed as being more 'teacherly' than others, such as when Ari thinks about all the things she could do to help herself when she is feeling depressed, literally going over her counselor father's advice in her head. Yet none of them were so egregious as to take me out of the story, and all of them were things that I thought were important to know, so I don't think this is really a negative. Generally it stayed entertaining—the hook that the blurb promises was what I thought would take up the majority of the book, but there is a lot of other action, such as Ari's friendship and relationship development, which I was not expecting but enjoyed. It also served to make this more of a novel than a PSA. Snapped is a much more real look at the psyche of a teen girl, and the other elements of the book aside from the 'cautionary tale' aspect are interesting and not as 'safe' as a reader might expect from a story that wants to communicate a moral. It communicates a moral, yes, but it also tells a story.
But the cautionary tale aspect is also compelling. I did think that all of the things Ari did were not exactly unrealistic, but were slightly optimistic for the situation—but I don't think that's a negative, and I thought it made much better storytelling sense, as well as a practical sense, helping the ultimate message of the novel along. I don't think a Murphy's Law type realism is necessary for a story to be 'good'. I was very satisfied with the ending and how everything was resolved, and when I had finished reading Snapped I was happy that there is a book like this in the world right now! I hope it gets a lot of readers.
My only qualm was that there were some punctuation and grammar mistakes, especially the leaving off of the second set of quotation marks when it wasn't grammatically correct to do so. I really do not care about this and it did not impact my enjoyment of the book, however, an editor was credited, and I think with an editor on board these were things which could have been caught.
June 23, 2018
In Snapped, high school freshman Ari struggles with the challenges and changes that come with getting older. When popular senior Cade sends her photos and messages to show his interest in her, Ari is unsure how to handle the attention. As his comments get more personal and indecent, she needs to make several decisions on whether the approval of a boy and others are worth the risks that arise if she allows it to happen. Her year-long journey teaches her how to stand up for what she feels is right, as well as how to refuse the dangers of peer pressure.
This story displays a major theme of rising against setbacks, as well as owning up to your actions and words. For example, Ari is displayed as a naive and hopeful teenager in the beginning. When she is asked to send risky pictures of herself to a boy, she seriously considers doing so. Although at this point I found her thought-process disturbing, unfortunately many teenage girls find themselves at the center of these types of problems in real life. Regardless of her uncertainty in this situation, Ari's character development was astounding and leaves a positive message to many girls, whether they are vulnerable or just trying to figure out themselves. This is especially true when she used honesty to confront those who victimized her using peer pressure and other forms of bullying.
The benefits and significance of having a support group is also displayed in this story. Ari's family and friends helped and encouraged her to defend herself against bullies and unhealthy friendships, as well as gave her advice for the future. The grudges that Ari held against Meike were freed as she realized how sometimes the people you didn't connect with in the past could eventually become an ally in the present and future. I appreciate that this was added in the story because it can remind readers that people change and that the circumstance is not always negative.
The presence of female character development, an important support group, and strong messages that look toward empowering both women and girls makes this book a must-read for many types of readers. The realities of growing up are shown in Snapped, which also makes it a great story for pre-teens and teens who are also discovering themselves and the world around them.
a sixteen year old student wrote this review of Snapped
This story displays a major theme of rising against setbacks, as well as owning up to your actions and words. For example, Ari is displayed as a naive and hopeful teenager in the beginning. When she is asked to send risky pictures of herself to a boy, she seriously considers doing so. Although at this point I found her thought-process disturbing, unfortunately many teenage girls find themselves at the center of these types of problems in real life. Regardless of her uncertainty in this situation, Ari's character development was astounding and leaves a positive message to many girls, whether they are vulnerable or just trying to figure out themselves. This is especially true when she used honesty to confront those who victimized her using peer pressure and other forms of bullying.
The benefits and significance of having a support group is also displayed in this story. Ari's family and friends helped and encouraged her to defend herself against bullies and unhealthy friendships, as well as gave her advice for the future. The grudges that Ari held against Meike were freed as she realized how sometimes the people you didn't connect with in the past could eventually become an ally in the present and future. I appreciate that this was added in the story because it can remind readers that people change and that the circumstance is not always negative.
The presence of female character development, an important support group, and strong messages that look toward empowering both women and girls makes this book a must-read for many types of readers. The realities of growing up are shown in Snapped, which also makes it a great story for pre-teens and teens who are also discovering themselves and the world around them.
a sixteen year old student wrote this review of Snapped
June 9, 2018
Ari Wren is your stereotypical freshman girl. She hangs out with a small group of friends, is addicted to Snapchat, and crushes on the senior star football player. Then something strange happens. Cade Waters, quarterback for Ari’s high school football team and hottest guy on campus, decides to start snapchatting Ari. Joy bursts out of the freshman as a popular senior guy is finally showing her special attention. Within an instant, Ari starts up a texting romance with Cade. But good looks don’t make a person. As their relationship blooms, Cade asks Ari to send him more and more personal photos of herself. Confused and giddy with the prospect of a true relationship, Ari does what he asks. Until he asks for one picture that makes Ari stop and think. With the help of her friends and family, Ari realizes that beneath all that charm and good looks, Cade is a snake doing everything in his power to corrupt her too. Now, however, Ari is forced to make a life changing choice: stay silent, letting Cade continue to victimize her and other girls, or speak up, sharing her story, no matter what the consequences may be.
Opinion:
Quite honestly, Snapped was a book that changed my life. Before reading it, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Whatever my expectations were, they were blown away. The character of Ari was perfect for playing an imperfect, loveable protagonist. She was a funny, endearing girl you can’t help but root for, no matter what happens. Jacci Turner, the author of this novel, did a phenomenal job portraying Ari as a naive freshman learning about the world for the first time. I also loved the character of Clayton. Characters like him and Trent proved that though more girls are sexually assaulted by guys, there are so many guys out there who are as charming, encouraging, and kind as they seem. Clayton was a perfect example of that. I also liked that Turner gave the statistic showing that all people, no matter the gender, can be victimized too. It is important to realize that this is not okay. These things are not normal, and this novel is a creative, beautiful way of raising awareness about online sexual assault, a very prevalent problem in our society today. This book helped me realize that with more technology, comes greater responsibility.
As I mentioned earlier, this book has changed my life. It opened my eyes to issues that aren’t brought up as much as they should be. Sexting and pornography are more of a problem than we like to admit, and this book showed just how much these kinds of things affect people. I became more aware of the fact that what happened to Ari can happen to anyone. Ari was a good girl. She was innocent and naive, thinking that the guy of her dreams finally paid special attention to her because of who she was. I’m sad to say that not everyone is as good as they may seem. Anyone can be assaulted on the internet because the predator finds it is so much easier to prey on the innocent through a screen than face to face. This can happen to anyone. It could happen to me.
On a lighter note, the highlight of this book, in my opinion, was Ari’s reaction to this abuse. She didn’t shrink away and try to ignore the looks and whispers. She stood up and fought. It takes one brave voice to change thousands of lives. Ari was that voice. Because of her influence, many other brave teenagers were able to step up and share their stories. That is courage. This book showed me that anyone can be a victim, and everyone can rise up and become a champion.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age 14
Opinion:
Quite honestly, Snapped was a book that changed my life. Before reading it, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Whatever my expectations were, they were blown away. The character of Ari was perfect for playing an imperfect, loveable protagonist. She was a funny, endearing girl you can’t help but root for, no matter what happens. Jacci Turner, the author of this novel, did a phenomenal job portraying Ari as a naive freshman learning about the world for the first time. I also loved the character of Clayton. Characters like him and Trent proved that though more girls are sexually assaulted by guys, there are so many guys out there who are as charming, encouraging, and kind as they seem. Clayton was a perfect example of that. I also liked that Turner gave the statistic showing that all people, no matter the gender, can be victimized too. It is important to realize that this is not okay. These things are not normal, and this novel is a creative, beautiful way of raising awareness about online sexual assault, a very prevalent problem in our society today. This book helped me realize that with more technology, comes greater responsibility.
As I mentioned earlier, this book has changed my life. It opened my eyes to issues that aren’t brought up as much as they should be. Sexting and pornography are more of a problem than we like to admit, and this book showed just how much these kinds of things affect people. I became more aware of the fact that what happened to Ari can happen to anyone. Ari was a good girl. She was innocent and naive, thinking that the guy of her dreams finally paid special attention to her because of who she was. I’m sad to say that not everyone is as good as they may seem. Anyone can be assaulted on the internet because the predator finds it is so much easier to prey on the innocent through a screen than face to face. This can happen to anyone. It could happen to me.
On a lighter note, the highlight of this book, in my opinion, was Ari’s reaction to this abuse. She didn’t shrink away and try to ignore the looks and whispers. She stood up and fought. It takes one brave voice to change thousands of lives. Ari was that voice. Because of her influence, many other brave teenagers were able to step up and share their stories. That is courage. This book showed me that anyone can be a victim, and everyone can rise up and become a champion.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age 14
October 30, 2018
I've been following Jacci Turner's books from the beginning and am continually impressed with how each new book brings increased character depth while covering real-life topics. Snapped is a book about being a high school kid in a world where the people who are flirting with you aren't necessarily doing it in person, and the ups and downs of that kind of relationship. It also covers sexting and cyber-bullying, but in a way that's clean and subdued enough for most tweens to read it without concerning their parents.
All of the characters are relatable. While reading it I would think, "Oh I've met that guy." There are stereotypical male characters and redeeming male characters. The girls make good choices and bad. The family component is strong and positive. Also, one of the romantic leads is Chinese American, which is a refreshing dose of representation.
I think this book is a great conversation starter. Parents should read it at the same times as their early teens (and almost teens, and late-blooming teens) and use it to talk about the ways we treat one another with social media, and where our boundaries are. It's an easy read, it's enjoyable, and it's very empowering.
I will definitely read it with my younger daughters when they get old enough, and my older daughter felt that the book was very reflective of her high school experience. I feel pretty lucky that SnapChat wasn't around when I was in high school, so I'm glad to have some insight into what my kids could be experiencing.
All of the characters are relatable. While reading it I would think, "Oh I've met that guy." There are stereotypical male characters and redeeming male characters. The girls make good choices and bad. The family component is strong and positive. Also, one of the romantic leads is Chinese American, which is a refreshing dose of representation.
I think this book is a great conversation starter. Parents should read it at the same times as their early teens (and almost teens, and late-blooming teens) and use it to talk about the ways we treat one another with social media, and where our boundaries are. It's an easy read, it's enjoyable, and it's very empowering.
I will definitely read it with my younger daughters when they get old enough, and my older daughter felt that the book was very reflective of her high school experience. I feel pretty lucky that SnapChat wasn't around when I was in high school, so I'm glad to have some insight into what my kids could be experiencing.
August 13, 2018
*Book provided in exchange for honest review from Voracious Readers Only*
This book is something I feel all teens, especially young teens should read. As a step-Mom to a 13 year old girl I highly discouraged her Snapchat and she thought I was crazy, but this book paints the perfect picture as to why I asked her to get rid of it. Social media is a scary place for young kids and they tend to think they’re invincible. This is a story of something that could happen to anyone, any where with any social media platform and it’s something that needs to be talked about more.
That being said, I found this book to be increasingly easy read and I flew through it in maybe an hour or hour and a half. I like how Ari realized her worth and who her friends really were and was able to find her voice at the end to tell people they were not welcome. The only part I was a little leery of, is that her boyfriend ended up being a senior and she’s a freshman. Which I’m aware happens a lot, it happened when I was in school too, but as a parent it just makes squint a little bit and reallllly look at the person you know. The author did a good job of making this boy a likeable person though who had Ari’s best intentions at heart
This book is something I feel all teens, especially young teens should read. As a step-Mom to a 13 year old girl I highly discouraged her Snapchat and she thought I was crazy, but this book paints the perfect picture as to why I asked her to get rid of it. Social media is a scary place for young kids and they tend to think they’re invincible. This is a story of something that could happen to anyone, any where with any social media platform and it’s something that needs to be talked about more.
That being said, I found this book to be increasingly easy read and I flew through it in maybe an hour or hour and a half. I like how Ari realized her worth and who her friends really were and was able to find her voice at the end to tell people they were not welcome. The only part I was a little leery of, is that her boyfriend ended up being a senior and she’s a freshman. Which I’m aware happens a lot, it happened when I was in school too, but as a parent it just makes squint a little bit and reallllly look at the person you know. The author did a good job of making this boy a likeable person though who had Ari’s best intentions at heart
May 14, 2025
3.5, rounded to 4
This one is difficult to write a review on because I have so many conflicting thoughts about it.
I'll start with the characters. This book was only 4 hours long so there isn't a deep dive on any of the characters but there was enough to get through this story. Some of the characters relied heavily on stereotypical assumptions (football jock, nerdy newspaper kid, etc.). I still enjoyed a lot of the characters. However, I think in the author's attempt to be inclusive and diverse, there were a lot of parts that felt wrong or cringy. This book could have really benefitted from a sensitivity reader.
This story is very much coming-of-age. The FMC starts as a pretty innocent 14/15 year old and has to come to the realization pretty quickly that she can't blindly trust everyone. It almost feels like this is the first time she has had to face major deception from people that she considered her friend or a love interest. She also learns that all attention isn't good attention and is able to experience what the right kind of attention is before she makes a mistake that she would regret. Then she is forced to face the challenge that most women know all too well. This is where my conflicting thoughts start.
I can't decide if the conclusion of the story feels unrealistic or if the book was just too short. The ending did feel a little rushed, only touching on the highlights of what would traditionally be more central to a story of this kind. My biggest test for this story is if I would let my middle school aged daughter read it, and I suppose that I would but it would absolutely be followed up with a discussion. I say this because, unfortunately, the ending of this book is definitely "best case scenario" and not at all what a lot of girls/women get. However, I do think that the FMC sets a good example of what I would want my child to do if she were ever in this situation (other than the first people that she opens up to about her problem). The story does also encourages trusting the right people, having a good support system, finding courage, and dealing with hard issues.
This one is difficult to write a review on because I have so many conflicting thoughts about it.
I'll start with the characters. This book was only 4 hours long so there isn't a deep dive on any of the characters but there was enough to get through this story. Some of the characters relied heavily on stereotypical assumptions (football jock, nerdy newspaper kid, etc.). I still enjoyed a lot of the characters. However, I think in the author's attempt to be inclusive and diverse, there were a lot of parts that felt wrong or cringy. This book could have really benefitted from a sensitivity reader.
This story is very much coming-of-age. The FMC starts as a pretty innocent 14/15 year old and has to come to the realization pretty quickly that she can't blindly trust everyone. It almost feels like this is the first time she has had to face major deception from people that she considered her friend or a love interest. She also learns that all attention isn't good attention and is able to experience what the right kind of attention is before she makes a mistake that she would regret. Then she is forced to face the challenge that most women know all too well. This is where my conflicting thoughts start.
I can't decide if the conclusion of the story feels unrealistic or if the book was just too short. The ending did feel a little rushed, only touching on the highlights of what would traditionally be more central to a story of this kind. My biggest test for this story is if I would let my middle school aged daughter read it, and I suppose that I would but it would absolutely be followed up with a discussion. I say this because, unfortunately, the ending of this book is definitely "best case scenario" and not at all what a lot of girls/women get. However, I do think that the FMC sets a good example of what I would want my child to do if she were ever in this situation (other than the first people that she opens up to about her problem). The story does also encourages trusting the right people, having a good support system, finding courage, and dealing with hard issues.
August 28, 2018
This story is an interesting and pertinent topic that is explored to a deeper level.
At times, I felt the characters and situation were a little too perfect. But, I appreciated how the writer used sensitivity and a practical situation in the story. I will admit, I did find the grammar and spelling at times not so strong. This dropped my experience of the read. Also, the tension fell, which, I found to be disengaging and a slow read.
But, the topic and angles of the story were interesting and thought-provoking. I am glad I read it and I am glad that there is a book out there to represent the topic. I think the writer is very brave to have tackled it.
At times, I felt the characters and situation were a little too perfect. But, I appreciated how the writer used sensitivity and a practical situation in the story. I will admit, I did find the grammar and spelling at times not so strong. This dropped my experience of the read. Also, the tension fell, which, I found to be disengaging and a slow read.
But, the topic and angles of the story were interesting and thought-provoking. I am glad I read it and I am glad that there is a book out there to represent the topic. I think the writer is very brave to have tackled it.
September 25, 2018
Great storytelling with a point
Cyber bullying is for real and Jacci Turner makes its wrongness plain in this very readable story about a courageous freshman at Sierra High. #sextingisdangerous #selfrespect #eyesoffmybody
Cyber bullying is for real and Jacci Turner makes its wrongness plain in this very readable story about a courageous freshman at Sierra High. #sextingisdangerous #selfrespect #eyesoffmybody
June 18, 2019
A Map for the Trapped
Outstanding, personal take on a very tough subject. If this story saves one young, naive teen from becoming a victim, every syllable is pure silver. As a teacher, I chose this YA read to brush up on my high school lexicon. Turner proceeded to knock my socks off with a riveting tale that stays true to the hormonal highs and lows of a high school hallway near you. Well done!
Outstanding, personal take on a very tough subject. If this story saves one young, naive teen from becoming a victim, every syllable is pure silver. As a teacher, I chose this YA read to brush up on my high school lexicon. Turner proceeded to knock my socks off with a riveting tale that stays true to the hormonal highs and lows of a high school hallway near you. Well done!
December 1, 2025
a raw and honest insight into cyber bullying and sexual harassment. A truly open look into the way lives of all parties can be affected and different ways they can be affected.
A very good read although difficult to swallow with the nature of the content, it is an important message portrayed in the pages.
A very good read although difficult to swallow with the nature of the content, it is an important message portrayed in the pages.
May 8, 2019
Well Crafted
After reading the title Snapped, I thought the story was a horror/thriller, but I was wrong -- the title refers to a popular social media site. The story itself is well-written and realistic; the prose captures the essence of today's youth. I can’t reveal anything about the theme without spoiling the story, but I can mention it is appropriate. Despite a few errors that a spell check wouldn’t catch, the quality of the writing is good. My only issue is the length of the story – I felt it was too short. All in all, Snapped is a worthwhile read.
After reading the title Snapped, I thought the story was a horror/thriller, but I was wrong -- the title refers to a popular social media site. The story itself is well-written and realistic; the prose captures the essence of today's youth. I can’t reveal anything about the theme without spoiling the story, but I can mention it is appropriate. Despite a few errors that a spell check wouldn’t catch, the quality of the writing is good. My only issue is the length of the story – I felt it was too short. All in all, Snapped is a worthwhile read.
November 25, 2018
GREAT read! My only complaint? It wasn't NEAR long enough!! I wanted to keep living in Ari's world! Read in one sitting. LOVED it!
January 16, 2019
I won this story in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review. The premise sounded interesting. The story touched on a heavy subject of social media, cyber bulling and sexual harassment. It executed itself okay. From the way the story started out, I thought it would go further than Aria refusing to take pictures of herself and Cade slut shaming her on the website. I thought he would pressure her into doing his demands, but I wasn't disappointed when it didn't. Instead, I was surprised how quickly the story wrapped up after the slut shaming. Unlike the hundreds of other girls who were too scared to say anything or even too embarrassed, Aria wanted to expose Cade and the other boys who took pictures of girls and posted it on the website. Aria wanted to stand up for herself. I understand what the lesson was. The story is relatable, but I just don't believe things could be resolved that quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2019
Good book for easy reading with a story that is relevant to today!
February 20, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This coming-of-age story offers a refreshing and authentic portrayal of what it's like to be a young adult in today’s world of social media. Ari, the protagonist, is beautifully written as she navigates the ups and downs of friendship, self-esteem, first romance, and the constant pressure to fit in. What I appreciated most was how the teens acted their age, dealing with challenges in ways that felt real and relatable, rather than sounding like adults in disguise. The portrayal of peer pressure, the struggle to find one’s voice, and the journey toward self-discovery felt genuine and grounded in reality.
The author does an excellent job of capturing the emotional complexity of adolescence, making the highs feel exhilarating and the lows achingly relatable. Ari’s growth throughout the story is both inspiring and heartfelt.
This coming-of-age story offers a refreshing and authentic portrayal of what it's like to be a young adult in today’s world of social media. Ari, the protagonist, is beautifully written as she navigates the ups and downs of friendship, self-esteem, first romance, and the constant pressure to fit in. What I appreciated most was how the teens acted their age, dealing with challenges in ways that felt real and relatable, rather than sounding like adults in disguise. The portrayal of peer pressure, the struggle to find one’s voice, and the journey toward self-discovery felt genuine and grounded in reality.
The author does an excellent job of capturing the emotional complexity of adolescence, making the highs feel exhilarating and the lows achingly relatable. Ari’s growth throughout the story is both inspiring and heartfelt.
August 11, 2018
Just finished reading this inspiring book about the realities of sexual exploitation and cyber bullying that I received complimentary from the author via ‘Voracious Readers’
This book made me want to buy up copies and send it to kids of all ages and make them read it so that they are aware that certain behaviours are not acceptable or justifiable and that they have a choice to willingly participate or not
I hope that this book teaches all those that think it’s ok that actually it’s not and to those that have been affected gives them the courage to stand up and fight back
This is definitely worth a read
This book made me want to buy up copies and send it to kids of all ages and make them read it so that they are aware that certain behaviours are not acceptable or justifiable and that they have a choice to willingly participate or not
I hope that this book teaches all those that think it’s ok that actually it’s not and to those that have been affected gives them the courage to stand up and fight back
This is definitely worth a read
February 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this story it took me back to my teen years, and I absolutely loved the lessons learned.
September 9, 2025
Timely read for your pre-teen in the era of social media and constant access to technology. Resurfacing again with the AI convo. Talks about friendships, boundaries, and trusting your gut!
May 24, 2019
Snapped follows a young girl from infatuation to the world of intimidation and cyberbullying. The plot moves steadily toward an uncomfortable, tension-filled conclusion, with twists along the way. A must-read for anyone suffering cyberbullying in our connected "snapped" culture.
October 3, 2019
The main message of this story (sexual harassment and the fallout thereof) is a good one that fits well with the current state of affairs. There's just a few problems with the execution, unfortunately. I liked that Ari had a strong support system and even enjoyed the idea of the German exchange student “sister”.
Most of the problems came in the form of characterization. There was a lot of focus on skin tone or hair color, but very little in personality. So many times I wanted to love characters, like Shyla and Meike, but they fell flat and were difficult to connect with. I prefer character-driven stories and this one felt a bit like it was meant to be sparse so that anyone could fit themselves into the shoes of whichever character they felt they associated with the most. I would've loved to see the relationships flesh out in real time, especially with the boys, would've made the book so much more. The insta-love plot device is done to death and this particular instance felt wrong. Ari has just realized the position she's inadvertently found herself in, all because of one boy, but here she is blurting out her vulnerabilities to another two seconds after meeting him? It's unrealistic. Top that off with a glossed over introduction to his Chinese-American parents that lacks any kind of cultural identity aside from food, it just made the diversity in cast seem forced rather than inclusive. And before that, I would've loved to have felt the real fear and shame Ari felt when confronted with the reality of what all those snaps actually culminated into. Then there's Thea, the one friend that apparently every girl in every teen book has whose a huge b***h but they still keep her around for some unknown reason. And Meike, the biggest missed opportunity of them all. I had the pleasure of getting to know a German exchange student in high school and never once heard her say Americans were stupid. She did point out various things she thought were silly or strange, but had no trouble fitting in (the same can be said about the Polish exchange student a year later). There was no real cultural exchange in the book, is what I'm getting at, and that's a real shame when the point of the differences was made so blatant.
(And what is with the whole thing about America being the only country with these kinds of problems? It's said repeatedly, as though rape culture isn't the global horror that it is, which serves to make this book feel less inclusive than the author was going for.)
That said, this story does feel like a long call to action for youth who might otherwise remain silent. It inspired me to look into the statistics myself and they are abysmal. I do hope that the message is received by the right people. While I feel like the author put the cart before the horse in this instance and could've fine-tuned various aspects, I liked the premise and writing style. Ending on a positive, sweet note was a nice way to go out and, though he was barely in the book, I loved Wilson. Probably because he was an actions-speak-louder-than-words type.
Most of the problems came in the form of characterization. There was a lot of focus on skin tone or hair color, but very little in personality. So many times I wanted to love characters, like Shyla and Meike, but they fell flat and were difficult to connect with. I prefer character-driven stories and this one felt a bit like it was meant to be sparse so that anyone could fit themselves into the shoes of whichever character they felt they associated with the most. I would've loved to see the relationships flesh out in real time, especially with the boys, would've made the book so much more. The insta-love plot device is done to death and this particular instance felt wrong. Ari has just realized the position she's inadvertently found herself in, all because of one boy, but here she is blurting out her vulnerabilities to another two seconds after meeting him? It's unrealistic. Top that off with a glossed over introduction to his Chinese-American parents that lacks any kind of cultural identity aside from food, it just made the diversity in cast seem forced rather than inclusive. And before that, I would've loved to have felt the real fear and shame Ari felt when confronted with the reality of what all those snaps actually culminated into. Then there's Thea, the one friend that apparently every girl in every teen book has whose a huge b***h but they still keep her around for some unknown reason. And Meike, the biggest missed opportunity of them all. I had the pleasure of getting to know a German exchange student in high school and never once heard her say Americans were stupid. She did point out various things she thought were silly or strange, but had no trouble fitting in (the same can be said about the Polish exchange student a year later). There was no real cultural exchange in the book, is what I'm getting at, and that's a real shame when the point of the differences was made so blatant.
(And what is with the whole thing about America being the only country with these kinds of problems? It's said repeatedly, as though rape culture isn't the global horror that it is, which serves to make this book feel less inclusive than the author was going for.)
That said, this story does feel like a long call to action for youth who might otherwise remain silent. It inspired me to look into the statistics myself and they are abysmal. I do hope that the message is received by the right people. While I feel like the author put the cart before the horse in this instance and could've fine-tuned various aspects, I liked the premise and writing style. Ending on a positive, sweet note was a nice way to go out and, though he was barely in the book, I loved Wilson. Probably because he was an actions-speak-louder-than-words type.
July 9, 2019
SNAPPED is a story that reminds me of its protagonist: short, sweet, sometimes juvenile, and brimming with potential. It’s a coming-of-age story, though from the title and back cover blurb I was initially expecting – and hoping for – something a bit darker and more nuanced. Personal biases aside, for a target audience looking for a light read that still manages to delve into some serious and modern issues, SNAPPED will likely make for enjoyable summer reading, entertaining while also highlighting an important moral lesson.
The characters make up pleasantly diverse cast but are borderline caricatures; I feel they could have each been fleshed out a bit more to materialize beyond the role of the token mean girl bestie, the artsy sidekick, the brainless jock, and so on. There are also terms like depression and lesbianism around without a sufficient backstory to let me understand (and therefore believe) the why or how of some of Ari’s behaviors and moods.
That said, the scenarios and characters are certainly believable – and some, Ari and Mieke and Clayton especially, are endearing – within the restrictions of their roles. There’s lots of potential for more backstory, more humor, and deeper interactions. The exchanges between Ari and Clay on the beach, for example, are adorable and hilarious – partially perhaps because the dialogue also feels so natural. I felt that Ari’s “finding her voice” came naturally, with doubt and delight alike. The writer, too, seems to find her voice about halfway through the story – interestingly, upon finding Clayton.
Generally well written (a few grammatical issues did trip me up), the language has the power to be evocative and compelling. Relationship dynamics and physical settings are often showcased simply and effectively in just a few lines. Despite the youthfulness of the writing and the story, the writer inserts some valid realities and truths that speak of how technology changes our lifestyles while our intrinsic needs to be liked and to seek self-identity remain timeless.
3.5 stars, rounded to 4 -- for the author’s effort, for the sense of closure, and for the enjoyment that I believe the book’s target audience will get from this sweet read.
The characters make up pleasantly diverse cast but are borderline caricatures; I feel they could have each been fleshed out a bit more to materialize beyond the role of the token mean girl bestie, the artsy sidekick, the brainless jock, and so on. There are also terms like depression and lesbianism around without a sufficient backstory to let me understand (and therefore believe) the why or how of some of Ari’s behaviors and moods.
That said, the scenarios and characters are certainly believable – and some, Ari and Mieke and Clayton especially, are endearing – within the restrictions of their roles. There’s lots of potential for more backstory, more humor, and deeper interactions. The exchanges between Ari and Clay on the beach, for example, are adorable and hilarious – partially perhaps because the dialogue also feels so natural. I felt that Ari’s “finding her voice” came naturally, with doubt and delight alike. The writer, too, seems to find her voice about halfway through the story – interestingly, upon finding Clayton.
Generally well written (a few grammatical issues did trip me up), the language has the power to be evocative and compelling. Relationship dynamics and physical settings are often showcased simply and effectively in just a few lines. Despite the youthfulness of the writing and the story, the writer inserts some valid realities and truths that speak of how technology changes our lifestyles while our intrinsic needs to be liked and to seek self-identity remain timeless.
3.5 stars, rounded to 4 -- for the author’s effort, for the sense of closure, and for the enjoyment that I believe the book’s target audience will get from this sweet read.
December 2, 2024
SNAPPED by prolific author Jacci Turner is a total hit. It’s a super relatable YA novel that dives into the pressure of growing up with social media constantly in the mix. Jacci Turner, as always, nails it with her writing. She really understands what it’s like to be a teenager these days, and this story hits hard.
Ari, a shy freshman, suddenly catches the attention of Cade Waters, the most popular guy at school. But what starts as a thrilling crush quickly becomes more complicated as Cade asks her to do something she is uncomfortable with on Snapchat. Watching Ari figure out what to do next—between feeling flattered, confused, and definitely freaked out—is gripping and very relatable. The story reveals the complicated role social media plays in our lives (particularly in young people’s lives) and the ever-present power that peer pressure has over them.
I listened to this story on audio, and Samantha Norbury’s narration is fantastic. She does an amazing job bringing Ari to life, making you feel like you’re right there with her, experiencing all the awkward, intense moments.
If you’re into stories about growing up, relationships, and the tough choices that come with it, SNAPPED is definitely worth a read (or listen). The novel features a diverse cast of characters, and Jacci Turner really knows how to draw you in. Add in Samantha Norbury’s awesome performance, and this one’s a winner. Highly recommend.
Ari, a shy freshman, suddenly catches the attention of Cade Waters, the most popular guy at school. But what starts as a thrilling crush quickly becomes more complicated as Cade asks her to do something she is uncomfortable with on Snapchat. Watching Ari figure out what to do next—between feeling flattered, confused, and definitely freaked out—is gripping and very relatable. The story reveals the complicated role social media plays in our lives (particularly in young people’s lives) and the ever-present power that peer pressure has over them.
I listened to this story on audio, and Samantha Norbury’s narration is fantastic. She does an amazing job bringing Ari to life, making you feel like you’re right there with her, experiencing all the awkward, intense moments.
If you’re into stories about growing up, relationships, and the tough choices that come with it, SNAPPED is definitely worth a read (or listen). The novel features a diverse cast of characters, and Jacci Turner really knows how to draw you in. Add in Samantha Norbury’s awesome performance, and this one’s a winner. Highly recommend.
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