Toxic

The Decision #2

by Lucy V. Hay

It was supposed to be a summer of fun. What came next was anything but …

Jasmine is 17, a fitness freak and neurotic. Her best friend Olivia is Jasmine’s polar opposite: overweight and unfit, Olivia is happy in her own skin, despite trouble at home. Best friends since nursery school, Jasmine and Olivia have each other’s backs until the glamorous Ellie arrives in town. Rich and popular, Ellie is everything Jasmine is not … but has always wanted to be.
Jasmine is soon caught in the middle between her childhood friend and the new Queen Bee. Hurt by her oldest friend’s lack of loyalty, Olivia starts keeping her secrets of her own. As the rivalry between Ellie and Olivia heats up, Jasmine will make a single, devastating choice that changes everything.

Book #2 in the 'Intersection Series', Toxic explores the lethal nature of fake friendship and is perfect for fans of Lauren Oliver’s 'Before I Fall' or Laurie Halse Anderson’s 'Wintergirls'.

Paperback

First published June 30, 2014

About the author

Lucy V. Hay script editor and blogger who helps writers via her Bang2write consultancy. She is the associate producer of Brit Thrillers DEVIATION (2012) and ASSASSIN (2015), both starring Danny Dyer. Lucy is also head reader for The London Screenwriters' Festival. Lucy is also an author, writing both screenwriting books and crime fiction. Check out her website.

Reviews

[Tracey Cornell · Rating 5 out of 5]

L V Hay has done it again. an absolutely outstanding young adult book covering the importance of friendship and how easy it is to throw it all away. I love the way the story tells the different aspects of the situation. the characters are very relatable and have many sides. the story is told with such intensity and reality that you almost forget it's just a story. this is a book that stays with you long after you put it down. a realisation of growing up!

[Heidi Ramsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

toxic
@lucyvhayauthor

oh my goodness, i absolutely devoured this book! i found myself gripped from the first chapter 😧

jasmine & olivia have been best friends ever since nursery, but all that changes when popular, glamorous, new girl ellie arrives in town for the summer.
jasmine finds herself having to choose between olivia and ellie all summer, risking her 17 years of friendship with olivia, but soon enough olivia’s secrets begin to come to light.

i’ve never read anything quite like this book, different storylines had me shocked every time and i love a cleverly written book!

full of mystery, deceit and secrets, this was a real page turner for me and i ended up reading it in 24 hours.

a story that focuses on how important friendships are, being truthful with each other and always having each other’s backs. loyalty and honest can play such a huge part in ones life, and you should never take anyone or a single day for granted.

4⭐️

thank you to @lucyvhayauthor, @randomthingstours & @littwitzpress for having me on the #toxic book tour! i can’t wait to explore more of lucy’s work.

you can shop for this book via the link in my bio - it’s also available on kindle unlimited!

#ad #gifted #randomthingstours #intersectionseries

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the ending was somewhat predictable it was amazing. I loved the book’s message on how important friendship and honesty is. I would definitely recommend it.
Read the rest of my review here.
https://featzreviews.com/toxic-book-r...

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a mother of teenage daughters this really struck a chord with me. I loved the first book in the Intersection series, Proof Positive and there is a similar theme in Toxic. Jasmine and Olivia have been best friends for years until shiny city girl Ellie appears in their dull as ditch water town. Caught in the middle, Jasmine is soon left with an important decision to make; party with Ellie and lie to Olivia or snub Ellie and stick with her original BFF. We see the outcome of her decisions multiple times, each one having varying consequences on everyone involved. Again I was reminded of Sliding Doors and a little of those Choose Your Own Adventure books I loved as a kid. How many times have you felt you'd like to go back and do-over your last choice?

Highly recommend!

[Aimee Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if your best friend was in trouble … And only you could save her?

"Jasmine’s Story follows the intertwining fates of two best friends, Jasmine and Olivia. Jasmine is 17, the studious type, a fitness freak and runner. Her best friend Olivia is Jasmine’s polar opposite: Olivia is overweight and unfit, all well-developed curves and ever-decreasing hemlines.

Best friends since kindergarten, Jasmine and Olivia have each other’s backs until glamorous Ellie arrives. When Ellie invites Jasmine to an end of summer “blow out” at her parents’ palatial seafront home, Jasmine’s loyalties are torn when Ellie tells her Olivia is not welcome.

Should Jasmine go to the party, or not? The answer is complicated not only by Jasmine’s burgeoning relationship with Ellie’s older brother Niall, but her own secret desire to be accepted, even “popular” like Ellie. What’s more, Olivia hides a secret of her own – one only another girl, the enigmatic and arty Jenny Keller – can corroborate"

This book was cleverly written, it tells the tale of a friendship that is on the brink of failure. It shows that making different decisions can lead to different consequences - some are completely drastic. It shows that there is always consequences to our actions. The author takes us on a journey of lies, deceit, honesty, death and loyalty to show this important message.

The only reason i have given this 4 stars is that i worked out the twist in the plot very early on. I believed in all the characters, rooting for Jasmine to make the right choice, hating Ellie pretty much from early on and feeling nothing but empathy for Olivia.

Very worthy 4 star read!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Intersection Series and even though I haven’t read the first book, this novel can be read as a standalone.
The story is based around three main characters, Jasmine, Olivia and Ellie. Jasmine and Olivia are best friends and have been since nursery school. Complete opposites of each other, they have a very unique friendship and they are happily living life in the way that 17-year-olds do. The third character, Ellie is the spanner in this great friendship. Her family move into the seaside town where the story is set, and Ellie is determined to make her mark ‘in this dead-end town’. Slowly but surely, Ellie drives a wedge between the best friends and she doesn’t care who she hurts in the process.
The main focus of the story is about a party that is being held at Ellie’s house, which is the place to be seen, and if you’re not there, you’re obviously not worthy. During this event, the author adds a very different twist to the story, I admit I did have to look back into the book to check the dates, as I was slightly confused. The author has very cleverly written several different scenarios as to how things would turn out if different decisions had been made.
The writing style is perfect for the target audience, 13-18 years, as the author also explores the toxic area of friendships, relationships and everything else that goes on in the minds of most teenage girls, especially those approaching adulthood. Which I think is perfect for them to empathise with, or even take advice from.
After enjoying this book, I will be reading Book#1 in the Intersection Series, ‘Proof Positive’.
I was gifted a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Elinor Perry-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about the Intersections series is the clever way that the central device (a sort of Sliding Doors scenario) means that the topic at hand is thoroughly explored in new and thoughtful ways. Just as in the last book Proof Positive where the choices facing a pregnant teenager are explored, Toxic wades into the volatile world of teenage friendships. County athlete Jasmine is besties with Olivia in the seaside town of Winby. One summer, Ellie and her glamorous London family move in, grockles from the big bad city. Jasmine finds her loyalties tested to breaking point as she is invited to Ellie's party but Olivia is excluded. As the iterations build up so do the secrets that everybody seems to be hiding, as does Jasmine's understanding of the true nature of friendship and her growing maturity.

Refreshingly free of the usual clichés concerning teenagers, the novel vividly captures the crippling insecurities that girls suffer over their friends, their appearances and crucially, their behaviour, or their perceived behaviour. The author draws on her own Devon-based upbringing evoking what it is to be stuck in a seasonal seaside town that seems dreary compared to the exciting lives of out-of-town city folk who descend on such places every summer. I'm looking forward to the next story in this series.

[Pam Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toxic is the second book in the series, I've not read the first and this read well as a stand alone.
This book was about friendship between teen girls and all the conflict and jealousies that exist, but mainly this book was to hopefully show to the reader that everything we do has consequences.
Jasmine and Olivia have been best friends since they were toddlers until Jasmine goes to college and starts to drift away. Summer comes around and a new family move in to their small town and Jasmine starts spending time with Ellie, leaving Olivia out of things.
The story is about a party on the 25th of August and is a bit like Groundhog day, Jasmine needs to make a decision about the party and it's these decisions which show the reader that everything we do has a consequence.
I enjoyed each of the stories, which were heart breaking in their own way, I felt so sorry for Jasmine who could get nothing right no matter what she did.
The characters in this were like most pupils in schools and colleges the world over and thus very relevant. Definitely a good read for teenagers and young adults.
As I said it reads well as a stand alone as the series 'The Decisions' is actually stories about different people and how the decisions they make influence their lives.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much more than just a teen dilemma!

~~~

Another fantastic YA novel from Lucy Hay. I must admit, that as an adult reader I didn't find the premise as appealing as Lucy's other novel, Lizzie's Story; the premise of which involved an unplanned pregnancy which felt more intriguing in an 'it could still happen to me as an adult' way. However, I totally got the emotions conveyed in Jasmine's story because I can still remember how devastated I was as a teen when friendships broke down.

Jasmine's story has much more depth than you'd expect, with twists that will genuinely surprise you. The different outcomes that stem from Jasmine's decision to be honest - or not - with her best friend about going to another friend's party without her result in some shocking, and some heart-warming, conclusions. Whether her decisions are seemingly right or wrong, the events set in motion are unpredictable but all teach us valuable lessons about friendship, honesty and compassion.

I loved how each of the chapters, or 'scenarios', led into each other seamlessly and how Jasmine kept having déja vu, bringing a whole new level to our curiosity over this phenomenon and also grounding the story. Furthermore, there are links between chapters that strengthen the core of the story and bring it all together well, such as clues and hints that ultimately piece together to paint illuminating pictures of some of the key characters and the reasons for their behaviours.

Little snippets of 'wiseness' come across throughout the novel, too; subtly and gradually getting the novel's messages across. The '[path is] written for us' philosophy on how things turn out really made me think. This, and the examination of issues such as depression, bullying and abuse amongst others, really challenge the reader - young or old[er] - to reconsider their perceptions of others and to think more carefully about how your actions could affect others.

Highly recommended for teens, and adults - don't be fooled into thinking this novel has nothing to offer by the seemingly simple dilemma of the 'do I or don't I go to the party' premise. This novel is much more than that; much deeper, much more complex, incredibly illuminating as to the issues faced by teens today, and we can certainly all relate to the difficulties caused by discord amongst family and friends.

Fun challenge: see if you can spot Lizzie's guest appearance in this novel! :)

[Robin Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like “Lizzie’s Story”, this book is about how painful adolescence can be. Lucy Hay’s particular area of expertise is the obstacle course that is female adolescence. The consequences of decisions made during their teens - when they haven’t yet had the experience to know what to do for the best - can be catastrophic. Life throws up dilemmas they haven’t had the experience to handle with any confidence, and for any given situation there are several likely or unlikely outcomes possible, depending on the decisions they (and by inference we) make.

As the player king in Hamlet pointed out: "Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own”. Lucy reflects this in the structure of her “Decision” books: letting the consequences of each scenario unfold before starting on the next. You may think at first that Jasmine’s decision is not as important as Lizzie’s - after all, deciding whether or not you tell your best friend she’s not invited to a party you’ve decided to go to is hardly as important as deciding whether or not to have an abortion. Another life is not at stake. Well think again… Consequence after consequence unfolds as a result of the different ways in which Jasmine chooses to handle her dilemmas, and at least two of them are life-threatening.

In “The Decision: Lizzie’s Story”, Lucy Hay proved that she can write very well: she has a very sharp eye for detail, a ruthless honesty when dissecting motivations and analysing emotions, and she brings a realism to her writing which continually convinces the reader that scene after scene must in some measure be autobiographical. Those qualities are present in abundance in “Jasmine’s Story”, which I very much enjoyed. I think my own adolescence had its fair share of dramas, and I was reminded quite vividly that I wouldn’t want to go through all that again.

This is a highly recommended read.

[Othniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in Lucy Hay's series of novels aimed at the "Young Adult" market, tackling common dilemmas. Their unique selling-point is the clever "parallel universe" gimmick, via which the central protagonist gets to live out various permutations of existence, dependent on a crucial decision she has made.

This one, set in a small seaside town in the South West of England, focuses on the toxic area of friendships and rivalries between girls who are on the cusp of adulthood. It is the story of Jasmine, her childhood friend Olivia, and glamorous in-comer Ellie (from that London), along with various other friends, enemies, boyfriends, would-be boyfriends, and family members. The action hinges around a vital party at Ellie's house...

The story-telling is vivid, and the characters are well-drawn. Jasmine's predicament may initially seem trivial to the adult reader, but the author manages to convince us that, in the fervid mind of the hormonal teen, it has life-and-death implications.

There are minor quibbles - e.g. the word "disinterested" seems to crop up a lot, where "uninterested" might be more appropriate. And since I certainly don't belong to the target audience, I found most of the characters to be rather irritating. That is the point, however - adolescents will doubtless identify with those whom the rest of us would perceive as being tiresomely self-dramatising.

The moral of the tale is clear, but subtly handled. I'm in no position to judge whether or not the story delivers for the teen girls at whom "Jasmine's Story" is aimed, but I found it believable and compelling. And it certainly suggests that those of us who spent our A-level years being homework-obsessed nerds made the right decision after all.

[Lisa Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality writing, well formulated and perceptive.

The author really gets into the heads of teenage girls and as I read this I felt myself back in my teens grappling with the issues and conflicts. I think many of us face that situation where we find ourselves torn between two mutally exclusive groups of friends where we are made to feel as if we have to chose and cannot be friends with both. As adults it's so easy to look back and see what we should have done, but back in our teens Mum's advice was the last thing we wanted to follow - we wanted to follow the whims of the cool kids especially when the guy we had fallen for was somehow connected with the cool gang - aren't they always.

This is Jasmine's dillema: the cool, rich kid new in town or standing by her childhood mate and confidant, Olivia. There is far more to Olivia's character than I initially thought and the author has done well in weaving a complex yet believable persona for Jasmine too.

What will Jasmine's choice mean? Could it have tragic consquences? Is there something even Jasmine as Olivia best friend does not know? The author explores Jasmines options and the consequences in an engaging and emotive read,about human relationships, trust, dealing with rejection and the big question; to be loyal or not to be loyal.

[Rosie Claverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jasmine's Story takes a group of girls in a small seaside town and plays out many possible ways one event could go down. Like Lizzie's Story, the story focusses on one particular girl - Jasmine - and her decision about whether or not to go to a party. Compared to the decision faced by Lizzie - over the outcome of a pregnancy - this one at first seems more trivial, but wow, nothing could be further from the truth.

What I like about Lucy's writing is that she never pulls her punches. These characters are MAULED by their circumstances, confronted with the harsh consequences of their mistakes. The first scenario is particularly harrowing, especially if you have personal experience of mental health problems, and each and every choice leads to a different punch in the gut.

The characters are very well-realised - I was particularly fascinated by Olivia and Jenny, but the extended cast are memorable and flesh out the little town of Winby. Growing up in a small, seaside town, in the shadow of a modest city, I can attest to the accuracy of that claustrophobic atmosphere!

The issues surrounding teenage life are sometimes on-the-nose, but that doesn't detract from a well-written, captivating story about this one fateful party invitation.

Trigger Warnings: suicide, mentions of rape and attempted rape

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tale of 2 teenage best friends and how their relationship is impacted by a glitzy newcomer and a secret one of them has.

The interesting twist in this tale is that it is presented with differing scenarios and outcomes but the basis of each versions are the same but just with a different slant.

An interesting read that reflects the angst of being a teenager who wants to be popular, have a boyfriend and pressures of new and old friendship. It also explores the issues of tolling, teenage drinking, misconceptions and parent/child relationships.

Although this is as a young adult novel I found it an interesting read and would recommend it yo teenagers and their parents.

Thank you to TBC Reviewer group for my copy of this novel

[Stevie Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while to realise what was going on, but when I did I thought how cleverly-written this Young Adult novel is. This story would particularly appeal to your average 15 year old girl, and is based on one event, a party, that Jasmine is invited to. However, Jasmine's best friend Olivia is not invited, and Jasmine wrestles with her conscience as to whether she should attend the party or not; a situation that most teens have been in at one stage or another in their lives I expect.

The eventual decision that Jasmine makes is based on much thought and introspection. I must admit I agreed with the outcome!

[Helena Glynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sure we have all related to the thought 'What if I made a different decision?' and Lucy allows the reader to see how one choice made in a matter of moments can affect the rest of your life. We follow Jasmine as she struggles to make multiple decisions which could cost her friendship. I was hopelessly sucked into the writing and how realistic each character was that it made each scene in the book produced multiple different emotion from me each time which is so rare to find in a book. Couldn't recommend Toxic or the Intersection Series more, it's such an entertaining and important read which kept me hooked until the last page!

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not describe how much I viscerally felt for Jasmine as she lived through each of the scenarios triggered by her decision. Maybe it's because I teach students who are just a year or two older than these girls, and definitely it's because Lucy V. Hay has created a story world and characters so real that it's not just like I know them -- I do know them. I don't know how fast you read, but if you're like me, you'll want to carve out enough time to read this in one sitting. It's that good.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this but did find the speed at which the story threads changed a bit confusing - maybe reading a paperback version with the back cover easily available would have been better rather than Kindle where I couldn't remember the synopsis.

Would definitely read others in the series as I thought the premise was good and the themes explored rang true to life.

[Susan Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very intriguing read. The author portrayed so many believable characters in this book that it certainly captured my attention. The antics and behaviour of the characters are so true to life and from the interactions you just knew something was amiss and that something was going to be revealed. A really enjoyable read.

[Beccy Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the coming of age/friendship drama that Lucy has depicted in this novel. It's often hard to review books like this as the review gives the novels ending away so I'm avoiding that!
Lucy has managed to recreate the teen angst and drama that we all remember from our own school days.