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Being Illegitimate
Lev has been running a successful blackmailing operation out of his boarding school since he was a kid and it’s gone on without a hitch for years. Now that he’s about to graduate, it seems a very inconvenient time to fall in love. Natalie is small, quiet, and all around unimpressive, so why can’t Lev pull himself together? Besides that, the school principal is suddenly playing dangerous games, tripping Lev up and staying one step ahead. Who’s been helping him and who unleashed all of these hitmen onto Lev at once? Lev isn’t one to stay down. There’s no reason he can’t break the principal and get the girl too… eventually. Mary came to the boarding school after her homeless mother killed herself. Desperate people seem to follow her everywhere she goes but, somehow, no one ever seems to get better. Are these diseases really untreatable, or is there someone taking advantage of their vulnerable states? Things get worse when Mary has to run away from school and save her arrogant, blackmailing brother from being killed.
ebook
Published November 1, 2020
5 people want to read
About the author
Emily Searle
6 books9 followersEmily Searle is the author of several young adult thrillers, including the popular cult thriller, To Keep Us In and the dark, comical, romance thriller series, Illegitimate. She was born in Casper, Wyoming, but spent most of her life in New Mexico.
Emily met her husband in high school and married young. After her second child was born, she went back to college, getting a degree in English.
Emily met her husband in high school and married young. After her second child was born, she went back to college, getting a degree in English.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 17, 2020
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via Reedsy Discover, with thanks to the author and Reedsy. This fact has not impacted upon my review however.
When reading the synopsis of this book, I was immediately attracted to it's young adult thriller-esque description. Thrillers, especially psychological thrillers, are positioned amongst my favourite genres so I'm particularly judgemental if one doesn't meet my standard. This book however, requires no ill judgement. In the opening chapter, we are immediately introduced to Lev in the way he wishes to be percieved, as an unforgiving mob boss who can ruin lives with a click of a button. Throughout the book, we continue to meet Lev in this unforgiving state, noting several times his unwillingness to flatter and charm people into giving him the information he needs, but rather wishing to incite violence or at least hint at it. Mary, Lev's younger and illegitmate sister, who he helped get into his exclusive boarding school, simply doesn't wish to be involved in her older brother's schemes. She just wants answers for the things she can't explain, why did her mother keep her to simply raise her on the streets? Why didn't their father want anything to do with her? Why did her mother kill herself? But she can't stay disconnected for long when everyone knows who you are and your brother is blackmailing them.
I love a bad boy character, as many of us do, and I think Searle presents an amazing example of one with Lev. He's a hard case, that's undeniable, and despite what Mary thinks; he isn't all that unemotional. Displaying a heart multiple times often in private when it stings the readers emotions the most. Lev in this book seemed indestructable and showed continual resilience despite literally being hunted and almost murdered at every turn. At 17, if someone had even shouted at me I probably would've cried nevermind deal with blackmail and a plot to kill.
This story had me gasping at every turn, what simply seemed like a revenge plot against Lev for his blackmailing ways turned deeper and darker than I ever thought it would go. This is more than Lev's actions catching up with him, it is a story of family, chosen family, love and yet, loss. A lot of loss for all characters, especially Mary. My one critique of this book is the almost insta-love connection between Mary and Oliver, which while it didn't distract from the story and the suspense, it definitely seemed a little odd at points. But overall, this book is incredibly enjoyable and it is definitely catered to a YA audience.
Reedsy Link: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/bei...
When reading the synopsis of this book, I was immediately attracted to it's young adult thriller-esque description. Thrillers, especially psychological thrillers, are positioned amongst my favourite genres so I'm particularly judgemental if one doesn't meet my standard. This book however, requires no ill judgement. In the opening chapter, we are immediately introduced to Lev in the way he wishes to be percieved, as an unforgiving mob boss who can ruin lives with a click of a button. Throughout the book, we continue to meet Lev in this unforgiving state, noting several times his unwillingness to flatter and charm people into giving him the information he needs, but rather wishing to incite violence or at least hint at it. Mary, Lev's younger and illegitmate sister, who he helped get into his exclusive boarding school, simply doesn't wish to be involved in her older brother's schemes. She just wants answers for the things she can't explain, why did her mother keep her to simply raise her on the streets? Why didn't their father want anything to do with her? Why did her mother kill herself? But she can't stay disconnected for long when everyone knows who you are and your brother is blackmailing them.
I love a bad boy character, as many of us do, and I think Searle presents an amazing example of one with Lev. He's a hard case, that's undeniable, and despite what Mary thinks; he isn't all that unemotional. Displaying a heart multiple times often in private when it stings the readers emotions the most. Lev in this book seemed indestructable and showed continual resilience despite literally being hunted and almost murdered at every turn. At 17, if someone had even shouted at me I probably would've cried nevermind deal with blackmail and a plot to kill.
This story had me gasping at every turn, what simply seemed like a revenge plot against Lev for his blackmailing ways turned deeper and darker than I ever thought it would go. This is more than Lev's actions catching up with him, it is a story of family, chosen family, love and yet, loss. A lot of loss for all characters, especially Mary. My one critique of this book is the almost insta-love connection between Mary and Oliver, which while it didn't distract from the story and the suspense, it definitely seemed a little odd at points. But overall, this book is incredibly enjoyable and it is definitely catered to a YA audience.
Reedsy Link: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/bei...
October 13, 2020
Takes One to Know One
I met the author years ago at a wedding. She was, and still is, very young. Her family is delightful, loving, Intelligent and talented. So when I began reading this, it was not at all what I would have expected. It is a brilliant, psychological, fast-paced story that pulls you into a world of sad hopelessness for a generation of unloved forgotten children of the evil and greedy vile people of our world. Maybe more so than reality, but who is to say? Friendship, love, loyalty, heroism all combine woven throughout to permeate the mind with continuing questions about the characters. And even when you believe you have come to the end, the surprises continue making you wonder what comes next! Such a young author will likely go far with continued books to come. Very well constructed story!! Can't wait to read her next one and hopefully more to come.
I met the author years ago at a wedding. She was, and still is, very young. Her family is delightful, loving, Intelligent and talented. So when I began reading this, it was not at all what I would have expected. It is a brilliant, psychological, fast-paced story that pulls you into a world of sad hopelessness for a generation of unloved forgotten children of the evil and greedy vile people of our world. Maybe more so than reality, but who is to say? Friendship, love, loyalty, heroism all combine woven throughout to permeate the mind with continuing questions about the characters. And even when you believe you have come to the end, the surprises continue making you wonder what comes next! Such a young author will likely go far with continued books to come. Very well constructed story!! Can't wait to read her next one and hopefully more to come.
October 15, 2020
I can't remember the last time I was this engaged in a story. I started it not knowing what to expect from a teenage mob boss boarding school student, but the characters are so well written I was completely won over and invested. By the time I reached the last few chapters I couldn't read fast enough to find out what happened next. At a time when I have been so bored and disappointed with current literature, it reminded me why I love to read.
March 12, 2021
I don't normally leave ratings for books but let me just tell you that this book deserved one! I couldn't put it down it was so addicting, I would highly recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews