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Good as Gold
Fans of Netflix's Outer Banks will devour this contemporary YA novel with a propulsive mystery about one girl's search for her town's legendary sunken treasure in order to clear her family's name and save her future.
Some treasures are meant to stay buried . . .
Casey’s life in Langston has been charmed. She’s the queen bee of her prep school, a shoe-in for prom queen, and on her way to the Ivy League come fall. She can't wait to leave the whole town of Langston behind her. That is until her father loses his job and she finds herself on the brink of losing her ticket out of town.
The town of Langston is known for its picturesque lake and robust summer tourism. Everyone who lives in town has heard the rumors at some point-- there is a treasure buried deep below the surface that no one has ever been able to find. Few people actually believe in the treasure, and even fewer have searched for it. But some have tried . . .
Suddenly an outcast from her popular squad, Casey falls in with a new group of friends who are exactly the opposite of her usual crowd, but are more accepting. Together they devise a plan to find the elusive treasure, in a quest to get the money and save Casey's family and her future. But what they find is much more complicated than just a pile of gold. With thrilling twists and turns and high stakes adventure, fans of Outer Banks will devour this summer adventure.
Some treasures are meant to stay buried . . .
Casey’s life in Langston has been charmed. She’s the queen bee of her prep school, a shoe-in for prom queen, and on her way to the Ivy League come fall. She can't wait to leave the whole town of Langston behind her. That is until her father loses his job and she finds herself on the brink of losing her ticket out of town.
The town of Langston is known for its picturesque lake and robust summer tourism. Everyone who lives in town has heard the rumors at some point-- there is a treasure buried deep below the surface that no one has ever been able to find. Few people actually believe in the treasure, and even fewer have searched for it. But some have tried . . .
Suddenly an outcast from her popular squad, Casey falls in with a new group of friends who are exactly the opposite of her usual crowd, but are more accepting. Together they devise a plan to find the elusive treasure, in a quest to get the money and save Casey's family and her future. But what they find is much more complicated than just a pile of gold. With thrilling twists and turns and high stakes adventure, fans of Outer Banks will devour this summer adventure.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 6, 2023
21 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 21, 2023
Good As Gold was a very enjoyable young adult mystery! I really loved following the characters on their quest for treasure and diving into this suspenseful story. This was an intriguing, medium paced read that lovers of ya mysteries will have a hard time putting down.
August 17, 2023
3.5 rounded up.
A suspenseful YA summer thriller featuring a Black teen girl who thought she had it all only to learn her father has lost his job and their money and they're about to be evicted. In an attempt to save her future college plans to escape her small town she embarks on a mad scavenger hunt for legendary treasure at the bottom of the lake only to stumble upon the town's secret dark history. Perfect for fans of Netflix's Outer Banks series and good on audio too!
A suspenseful YA summer thriller featuring a Black teen girl who thought she had it all only to learn her father has lost his job and their money and they're about to be evicted. In an attempt to save her future college plans to escape her small town she embarks on a mad scavenger hunt for legendary treasure at the bottom of the lake only to stumble upon the town's secret dark history. Perfect for fans of Netflix's Outer Banks series and good on audio too!
June 28, 2025
It was ok. Not my thing. There was far more language than I expected, and talk of some sexual content. Basically, lesson learned, if I'm going to pick up random books at the library I should do at least a LITTLE research to see what I'm getting myself into. It dd have some Outer Banks vibes though, which I did like. Overall, 2/5 stars.
November 14, 2023
**2.75 stars**
I appreciate what this was trying to do, but there was soooo much telling instead of showing and it just made the story feel disjointed and made me feel quite unattached to the characters
I appreciate what this was trying to do, but there was soooo much telling instead of showing and it just made the story feel disjointed and made me feel quite unattached to the characters
December 14, 2023
I love a fast paced book! I really loved all the supporting characters but appreciated that there wasn’t too much detail about their lives aside from what related to the plot. There’s a sprinkle of history, some facts about law and a whole lotta action.
August 2, 2023
2.5 stars
A great premise, but unanswered questions and a rushed plot made Good as Gold feel unfinished, confusing, and overall left me incredibly frustrated and disappointed.
The book was so inconsistent. Some chapters we would get lovely full scenes, tension, and great plot. But the for the vast majority of the book it would lead us right into scenes perfect for suspense...and then just cut away to the next day and give us a measly recap of what happened! How am I supposed to be invested in the plot and characters if so much is happening off page?
It had a strong beginning but the further into the book I got, the character development just stopped and the pacing kept speeding up. There are so many characters that seem so vital to the story that we just never see again.
A lot of the action happens in the beginning of the book, but it just makes it more confusing if anything else. There's a car chase and shots fired, and the characters know who is after them. And then they just keep walking around town and living their lives as if they aren't in any danger! They even go to school and regularly encounter the bad guys yet it doesn't even seem to matter.
In an odd way Good as Gold felt half finished and rushed. So many scenes that I thought were going to lead to action, or more suspense, were just cut aways to "the next day". I really thought things were going to go down at Prom, the stakes were incredibly high and they had to be sneaky. Instead we didn't get any of that and it was just a cut away and a recap.
I did like how Fatima stood up for herself, even though her character just completely disappears after Prom. I liked the inclusion of talking about the lack of education around the Civil War, and how history is whitewashed. Overall just the premise of a mystery and town that has been covered up by white people so they can maintain power is such a great one, though lacking in execution.
I thought there was going to be more discovery around Toulouse and the showdown that happened. Maybe a journal, or a history book. Even just a simple conversation talking about what took place, and what happened. I guess the author would just assume we would have enough to go on by the bullet holes, the cannon balls, and the hidden deeds. BUT THAT TOLD ME NOTHING! I was so incredibly frustrated because the writing could be so engaging at times, and I feel like the book was such a let down. The end came out of nowhere. We didn't get to see any of the showdown, and it just was all resolved in one page. Then it was the epilogue which jumped a year without even saying above the chapter "one year later" and at that point I had no investment in any of the characters. I really thought that Casey was going to have a showdown with her ex friend, or just some kind of character growth in regards to how her family views money. Casey stands up and makes her speech and then..that's it. We don't get any answers about the town or the history. It's not even that the story was bad it just felt like half of it was missing. I just truly don't understand how this book even got to the point of being published with it being like this.
I do not recommend this book, nor would I ever read anything from this author again. (Unless maybe Buford moves moves publishers)
A great premise, but unanswered questions and a rushed plot made Good as Gold feel unfinished, confusing, and overall left me incredibly frustrated and disappointed.
The book was so inconsistent. Some chapters we would get lovely full scenes, tension, and great plot. But the for the vast majority of the book it would lead us right into scenes perfect for suspense...and then just cut away to the next day and give us a measly recap of what happened! How am I supposed to be invested in the plot and characters if so much is happening off page?
It had a strong beginning but the further into the book I got, the character development just stopped and the pacing kept speeding up. There are so many characters that seem so vital to the story that we just never see again.
A lot of the action happens in the beginning of the book, but it just makes it more confusing if anything else. There's a car chase and shots fired, and the characters know who is after them. And then they just keep walking around town and living their lives as if they aren't in any danger! They even go to school and regularly encounter the bad guys yet it doesn't even seem to matter.
In an odd way Good as Gold felt half finished and rushed. So many scenes that I thought were going to lead to action, or more suspense, were just cut aways to "the next day". I really thought things were going to go down at Prom, the stakes were incredibly high and they had to be sneaky. Instead we didn't get any of that and it was just a cut away and a recap.
I did like how Fatima stood up for herself, even though her character just completely disappears after Prom. I liked the inclusion of talking about the lack of education around the Civil War, and how history is whitewashed. Overall just the premise of a mystery and town that has been covered up by white people so they can maintain power is such a great one, though lacking in execution.
I thought there was going to be more discovery around Toulouse and the showdown that happened. Maybe a journal, or a history book. Even just a simple conversation talking about what took place, and what happened. I guess the author would just assume we would have enough to go on by the bullet holes, the cannon balls, and the hidden deeds. BUT THAT TOLD ME NOTHING! I was so incredibly frustrated because the writing could be so engaging at times, and I feel like the book was such a let down. The end came out of nowhere. We didn't get to see any of the showdown, and it just was all resolved in one page. Then it was the epilogue which jumped a year without even saying above the chapter "one year later" and at that point I had no investment in any of the characters. I really thought that Casey was going to have a showdown with her ex friend, or just some kind of character growth in regards to how her family views money. Casey stands up and makes her speech and then..that's it. We don't get any answers about the town or the history. It's not even that the story was bad it just felt like half of it was missing. I just truly don't understand how this book even got to the point of being published with it being like this.
I do not recommend this book, nor would I ever read anything from this author again. (Unless maybe Buford moves moves publishers)
June 7, 2023
Idk what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. This was a wild ride! Now I need some more treasure hunt books lol Real review to come to my Blog
August 13, 2023
It definitely had “Outer Banks” vibes and I enjoyed it
March 4, 2024
2.5 rounded up
Great idea, poor execution.
Great idea, poor execution.
May 31, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up
Good as Gold started slowly and gained momentum as the lost history of Toulouse, a Black town that was flooded and destroyed, is revealed. Legend says there is a treasure under the water in the ruins of Toulouse. Casey’s family history is tied up in Toulouse. Her family has fallen on hard times. Her father lost his business to bankruptcy. They now live on the other side of Langston where Casey has to come to terms with her lost privileges. As she becomes more curious about the supposed lost treasure, she comes to learn about the buried history of Toulouse that her deceased grandmother was trying to uncover. Casey sees the treasure as a way to restore her family’s fortune. She gets to know other teens who she has formerly brushed off. Casey comes of age and gains wisdom.
I would have liked more about the lost history. The advancements described in the epilogue would likely have taken years after a lengthy court battle, but this is fiction. Overall, this is an enjoyable read that will likely become part of our high school library.
Grace Capeless’ narration of the audiobook was good. Her pacing and intonation fit Casey quite well. As this was told in the first person, the lack of distinct voices of the other characters was acceptable.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen to this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Good as Gold started slowly and gained momentum as the lost history of Toulouse, a Black town that was flooded and destroyed, is revealed. Legend says there is a treasure under the water in the ruins of Toulouse. Casey’s family history is tied up in Toulouse. Her family has fallen on hard times. Her father lost his business to bankruptcy. They now live on the other side of Langston where Casey has to come to terms with her lost privileges. As she becomes more curious about the supposed lost treasure, she comes to learn about the buried history of Toulouse that her deceased grandmother was trying to uncover. Casey sees the treasure as a way to restore her family’s fortune. She gets to know other teens who she has formerly brushed off. Casey comes of age and gains wisdom.
I would have liked more about the lost history. The advancements described in the epilogue would likely have taken years after a lengthy court battle, but this is fiction. Overall, this is an enjoyable read that will likely become part of our high school library.
Grace Capeless’ narration of the audiobook was good. Her pacing and intonation fit Casey quite well. As this was told in the first person, the lack of distinct voices of the other characters was acceptable.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen to this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2023
Casey’s life was perfect, up until it wasn’t. The Queen Bee of her high school, she had expected to sail through life with the constant reassurance that she had money to fall back on. Then, her dad loses her job and everything comes apart. They lose their house and have to move into her Grandma’s old house, they’re saddled with debts that they must pay back and Casey’s ticket to freedom is revoked. And then Casey, along with a small group of friends who’d reluctantly adopted her into their fold, discover that they are sitting on the edge of a secret so large it could blow the whole town apart, as well as provide them with enough money that they’ll never be worrying again.
GOOD AS GOLD, pitched as a Black reimagining of Outer Banks, really sells the whole small town, big secrets trope, with Langston’s history constantly at the forefront, making the reader question just how it was all going to wrap up. This was such a fun, fast read that once I really started to get into the story, I flew through most of it in only a few hours. The only reason it took me so long to finish was because of life and other books that were higher on my priority list. I loved being in Casey’s head and seeing all of her thoughts and feelings. I felt like I could really empathise with her situation at home, and I truly understood why her only option was to find the tressure.
I did feel like this could have been longer. It could have been a bit more developed. I expected more action, more danger, especially from that prologue, and instead I didn’t really feel the sense of urgency. I was told certain characters weren’t happy that they were after the tressure, and that they would do anything to stop them, but it didn’t actually feel like they did anything to stop them. It felt like Casey and the group were merely being challenged rather than threatened and so for that, I wish we could have had a bit more danger.
Regardless, this was a book I really quite enjoyed, one that was extremely easy to read and made me want to continue watching Outer Banks. (I only recently started watching it, I’m on like episode four.) I think people really should pick this on up, because the positives definitely do outweigh the negatives and I don’t think I’ll be forgetting this book anytime soon.
GOOD AS GOLD, pitched as a Black reimagining of Outer Banks, really sells the whole small town, big secrets trope, with Langston’s history constantly at the forefront, making the reader question just how it was all going to wrap up. This was such a fun, fast read that once I really started to get into the story, I flew through most of it in only a few hours. The only reason it took me so long to finish was because of life and other books that were higher on my priority list. I loved being in Casey’s head and seeing all of her thoughts and feelings. I felt like I could really empathise with her situation at home, and I truly understood why her only option was to find the tressure.
I did feel like this could have been longer. It could have been a bit more developed. I expected more action, more danger, especially from that prologue, and instead I didn’t really feel the sense of urgency. I was told certain characters weren’t happy that they were after the tressure, and that they would do anything to stop them, but it didn’t actually feel like they did anything to stop them. It felt like Casey and the group were merely being challenged rather than threatened and so for that, I wish we could have had a bit more danger.
Regardless, this was a book I really quite enjoyed, one that was extremely easy to read and made me want to continue watching Outer Banks. (I only recently started watching it, I’m on like episode four.) I think people really should pick this on up, because the positives definitely do outweigh the negatives and I don’t think I’ll be forgetting this book anytime soon.
September 29, 2024
A little slow to start -- which may be the reason for the in media res prologue, but really all it does is spoil the first truly suspenseful moment so I suggest you skip it -- and definitely keen to deliver lessons about racism, in case you thought we could have some diversity in the treasure-hunting genre just for its own sake. Nevertheless, when the action gets going, it gets going.
My jaw dropped at some of the reveals (). Situations get intense. Actual shots are fired. And yes, there is also some diving for actual treasure; the premise does not lie. #MisfitSquadGoals (especially Tanner, awww. gimme more!)
As for the initial premise -- Casey's family in financial crisis, having gone through bankruptcy, lost their house, and now sixty days away from losing their last remaining place to live(grandmother's inherited house) due to tens of thousands in unpaid back taxes, not to mention her scrambling to figure out how to pay for the college she's supposed to start 3 months from now, since as of 3 months ago her family's income was "sky high" and she wasn't eligible for financial aid -- I got pretty invested in that, too, and was biting my nails hoping everything would work out. Not least because I just truly could not bear what a sad sack her dad was, moping in sweatpants and putting all his energy into doing puzzles. Actual 500-to-a-thousand-piece puzzles. (It IS all his own fault, but still.)
The ending does feel a little rushed; I would like to have seen that drawn out more, and maybe spent a little less time suffering through her Fake Friendship with Dylan and the silly prom prep earlier in the book. But overall? Impressed. I'm not drawn to a lot of newer YA these days, but this one is worth it.
My jaw dropped at some of the reveals (). Situations get intense. Actual shots are fired. And yes, there is also some diving for actual treasure; the premise does not lie. #MisfitSquadGoals (especially Tanner, awww. gimme more!)
As for the initial premise -- Casey's family in financial crisis, having gone through bankruptcy, lost their house, and now sixty days away from losing their last remaining place to live(grandmother's inherited house) due to tens of thousands in unpaid back taxes, not to mention her scrambling to figure out how to pay for the college she's supposed to start 3 months from now, since as of 3 months ago her family's income was "sky high" and she wasn't eligible for financial aid -- I got pretty invested in that, too, and was biting my nails hoping everything would work out. Not least because I just truly could not bear what a sad sack her dad was, moping in sweatpants and putting all his energy into doing puzzles. Actual 500-to-a-thousand-piece puzzles. (It IS all his own fault, but still.)
The ending does feel a little rushed; I would like to have seen that drawn out more, and maybe spent a little less time suffering through her Fake Friendship with Dylan and the silly prom prep earlier in the book. But overall? Impressed. I'm not drawn to a lot of newer YA these days, but this one is worth it.
December 21, 2024
I did like the vibes of this book. I enjoyed following Casey and learning about her life, and I thought the mystery was cool, though a little predictable Overall this book had a really cool premise, but I think the execution was not really there. I feel like this book needed another 50-100 pages to really develop that story, get us more invested in the characters, and make the mystery suspenseful. Sure, at the beginning the story was suspenseful but the 2nd half of the book really fell flat for me. I felt like the reveal was just really random with no real buildup and afterwards everyone was kind of just like, okay, cool, nice bro. It was a fun read and I enjoyed the twist on the basic, white, ya concept, where bipoc readers can't see themselves in high-stakes escapism situations. We definitely need more of these. I feel like the beginning of this book definitely does that. But as it got further and further on, I don't think it was a very well-executed premise because of how it was set up, and the ending infuriated me, because it completely undermined the statement of the whole book. I understand that the author probably wanted to have a good ending for the gang, but it just completely ruined the suspense altogether. Personally, I enjoyed the vibes of the book, I enjoyed the storytelling, but it felt very unfinished and rushed at the ending and needed more time to pace things out and set up for an actually realistic conclusion. I've read better books that try to accomplish this goal, but it wasn't bad. I liked reading it, had a good time, there are just elements that are undercooked that made me upset. I feel like with the extra development, the story could really shine.
December 27, 2023
This book starts off as a fish out of water, rich girl forced into the poor side of town type of story. Casey balances her rich private school life - prom committee, out of touch mean girl friends, etc - with her distant mother, disillusioned father, and their ever-failing finances. She has to work at the country club she once frequented, where she is referred to by customers as 'the other Black' one, in the bustling town of Langston - named after the man that founded their town, incorporated nearby town Toulouse, and lost a treasure in the lake that still drives the tourist economy in the modern day. When Casey learns that her family may lose their house, she decides to swallow her pride and pawn off some family treasures - including an old coin she found in the lake that turns out to be a piece of Langston's long-missing treasure. Against a backdrop of racial injustice, a diving community, class divide, and purely evil people in power, this riches-to-rags story turns into a treasure hunt with Goonies vibes and Scooby-Doo undertones. The action was exciting, and the
characters all had their own personalities and problems. So, when the final dive to find the treasure was almost conflict free, without any face time from the protagonists I was highly disappointed. The last 20% of the book in total seemed cobbled together, without any real conflict OR resolution, and I was really looking for more from it.
characters all had their own personalities and problems. So, when the final dive to find the treasure was almost conflict free, without any face time from the protagonists I was highly disappointed. The last 20% of the book in total seemed cobbled together, without any real conflict OR resolution, and I was really looking for more from it.
June 18, 2024
Casey Whitefort’s world is turned upside down when her father loses his job and his business goes belly up. Her father won’t leave the house, her sistrer staying away, and her mom is alway angry. Soon, her dream of going to a Ivy League university is looking grim. Unable to qualify for money through FAFSA, she resorts to working and selling her things at a pawn shop. While selling stuff at the pawn shop, she pulls out the old coin she found by the local lake. An old mining town, the two of Buford has a legend that there is a centuries-old treasure is buried somewhere in town. Working with her coworker, Tanner, the two try to find the treasure. If they find, it could change both their lives. Will they succeed?
The plot is action packed, adventurous, and draws readers into the mystery. The challenges in the book are realistic and easy to sympathize with. The characters are engaging, well-developed, and realistic. Readers who like mystery, adventure, and treasure hunting will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.
The plot is action packed, adventurous, and draws readers into the mystery. The challenges in the book are realistic and easy to sympathize with. The characters are engaging, well-developed, and realistic. Readers who like mystery, adventure, and treasure hunting will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.
June 13, 2023
3.5 stars
I haven't watch Outer Banks on Netflix, but from what I know about it, this does have similar vibes. A summer treasure hunt mystery, unveiling a darker past in their town. It really does have great summer vibes, and the treasure hunting aspect of it was fun. I haven't seen that very often in YA books.
For the most part, the characters were pretty well developed. Casey in particular had a great character arc, learning the mistakes of her past and working towards coming to terms with what happened to her family. The new group of friends she made while treasure hunting were probably some of the best characters overall in the book.
There is a treasure hunt and some tense moments, but overall, the plot did feel a little slow. The stakes also didn't feel super high, even though they were? There was just a weird tension there. But other than that, this was still an enjoyable book.
I haven't watch Outer Banks on Netflix, but from what I know about it, this does have similar vibes. A summer treasure hunt mystery, unveiling a darker past in their town. It really does have great summer vibes, and the treasure hunting aspect of it was fun. I haven't seen that very often in YA books.
For the most part, the characters were pretty well developed. Casey in particular had a great character arc, learning the mistakes of her past and working towards coming to terms with what happened to her family. The new group of friends she made while treasure hunting were probably some of the best characters overall in the book.
There is a treasure hunt and some tense moments, but overall, the plot did feel a little slow. The stakes also didn't feel super high, even though they were? There was just a weird tension there. But other than that, this was still an enjoyable book.
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June 5, 2023Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for providing an eARC for review.
I very much enjoyed this novel. The characters were likable, but certainly not perfect, and they had real life problems. I really felt we got to know our main character, but would have liked a bit more background on others in the book (although maybe this is planned later). The main character experienced growth and a lot of change, although we meet her after her fall from the rich lifestyle to which she was accustomed. It would have been nice to have some flashbacks of her "before" behaviour to compare how she's grown, although being able to follow her thought process gave us a good idea of what we might have expected.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read for me, and I wouldn't hesitate to read other works by this author.
I very much enjoyed this novel. The characters were likable, but certainly not perfect, and they had real life problems. I really felt we got to know our main character, but would have liked a bit more background on others in the book (although maybe this is planned later). The main character experienced growth and a lot of change, although we meet her after her fall from the rich lifestyle to which she was accustomed. It would have been nice to have some flashbacks of her "before" behaviour to compare how she's grown, although being able to follow her thought process gave us a good idea of what we might have expected.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read for me, and I wouldn't hesitate to read other works by this author.
September 15, 2023
I think I’d probably rate this 3.5. It has some interesting characters; I really like B! The plot line is exactly what I would expect from a Disney project.
Casey’s family lived on the right side of town in the South because of her family’s savings and her father’s bank investments. Then, their finances crashed. So, her best friends at school are now often ignoring her or insulting her status. Her parents are a mess dealing with the situation. Oh, Casey is black, by the way. The town she lives in was supposedly founded by a Rebel officer who purchased the property from a prosperous black community decades ago that was founded on a silver mine. When Casey takes in some of the family treasures to the local pawn shop, a coin that she thought was just an old penny turns out to be an antique coin that is possibly from a buried treasure.
Teenage angst. Racism. Treachery. Friendship.
Casey’s family lived on the right side of town in the South because of her family’s savings and her father’s bank investments. Then, their finances crashed. So, her best friends at school are now often ignoring her or insulting her status. Her parents are a mess dealing with the situation. Oh, Casey is black, by the way. The town she lives in was supposedly founded by a Rebel officer who purchased the property from a prosperous black community decades ago that was founded on a silver mine. When Casey takes in some of the family treasures to the local pawn shop, a coin that she thought was just an old penny turns out to be an antique coin that is possibly from a buried treasure.
Teenage angst. Racism. Treachery. Friendship.
March 14, 2025
Casey's family no longer lives on the rich side of the lake. In fact, she now works at the country club that her family used to belong to. Her family is in danger of losing her grandmother's old home too, so Casey tries to find ways to raise funds. An attempt to pawn her grandmother's ruby ring leads Casey to the discovery that the town's legend about hidden treasure might be true. Who can you trust, though, when you don't belong with the rich kids anymore and the "poor" kids don't trust you? Casey learns quickly who has her back as she survives several very dangerous situations. The book kept me interested but I must admit that there was a time or two where I thought the dialogue didn't sound authentically teen.
October 12, 2025
This book feels like it should have gone through another draft. The pacing is quite weird which takes away the impact of certain scenes, and overall makes it feel a little rushed, like it was trying to go through all of the events as quickly as possible. In addition to that, it felt like characters just thought or did things because the plot demanded it and not because it’s been set up. There are also some characters that end up being wasted or not having much impact on the story.
Overall, this book had potential; the characters, the premise and themes are interesting, but just weren’t developed enough. This book would have been better if it had been longer or had cut some parts to give other sections more time to breathe.
Overall, this book had potential; the characters, the premise and themes are interesting, but just weren’t developed enough. This book would have been better if it had been longer or had cut some parts to give other sections more time to breathe.
September 3, 2023
4.0 stars
While this book had a lot of good social/historical commentary, it was a bit predictable. It was also a bit hard to get into and to keep me interested, but I think that was the narrator whose voice was too even and unemotional. However, it was a multi-layered book, which I liked. It was a great book, between the social/socio-economic parts, the romance, the mystery, and the family relationships. I do wish there'd been more with her sister. I also hoped for a final unpredictable twist, but that wasn't there. A solid 4-star read overall.
While this book had a lot of good social/historical commentary, it was a bit predictable. It was also a bit hard to get into and to keep me interested, but I think that was the narrator whose voice was too even and unemotional. However, it was a multi-layered book, which I liked. It was a great book, between the social/socio-economic parts, the romance, the mystery, and the family relationships. I do wish there'd been more with her sister. I also hoped for a final unpredictable twist, but that wasn't there. A solid 4-star read overall.
June 4, 2024
Casey was part of the privileged "charmed" set until her dad lost his job and all their money. Then they had to move to the other side of town where people lacked money and she had to work at the country club she had grown up as a member. When she discovers there might be a buried treasure in the lake behind her old house, she teams up with the "downstreamers". Between dodging bullets and the mayor, they become real friends. There is more here than just a treasure: abuse of power, racism, revisionist history, and family history. Give to students who like "Outerbanks".
January 8, 2025
This was an exciting, suspenseful and fun YA mystery. The cast of characters was great. A group of teens dealing with some serious real-life issues and struggles but throw in a treasure hunt. A wild ride ensures. On their search for hidden treasure, they uncover the secret dark history of their town that someone doesn’t want exposed. This story had so many twists and turns. Its action packed. It was fun but also included social and historical commentary on land theft, racism, race, class, and friendship. This YA story was educational, exciting and unique. I also liked how very hopeful the ending was.
November 30, 2025
This was a solid 4.5 for me because I did really like it. I just thought it took a really long time to get to the climax and the ending and then it just kind of rushed from there. I wish they had spent a little more time at the end. It’s a really interesting treasure hunt story but also more about Towns like Tulsa wear black communities were completely wiped out and erased from history. As these kids search for treasure you also realize that there might be a much more sinister history to their town. I think my students will really like it, which is why I bought it
September 26, 2024
I almost gave up on this on audio... but it got a lot better after about 45%. The first half is interesting in a drama/girls' friendships kind of way, and has the pull-your-heartstrings story of her family's slow dissolution. But it was NOT the action-packed mystery I thought I was getting from the prologue, the blurb, etc. The last half came through though! Lots more suspense there. I don't know if students will stick with it.
CW: language (intermittent cursing)
CW: language (intermittent cursing)
November 26, 2024
I like that this book was about trying to revive a once-thriving Black community that had been sabotaged -- it reminded me very much about the unspoken/unacknowledged history of Tulsa circa 1921. I enjoyed the exploration that Casey & friends did, but I wish that there had been a little more in-depth investigation into her grandmother's papers and the town's history -- that's the part I found most intriguing and craved more of.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2023
I enjoyed the mystery and the bits of suspense, which was quite perfect for a YA read. Not super fast paced, but moved along at a decent pace. I enjoyed all the characters, but the story really didn't delve much more into them, so I couldn't quite connect with them. I do love a good happy ending, so I was happy to read the little updates on everyone at the end.
October 12, 2023
2.5/5
I had liked the mystery of the book. It wasn't my favorite so it say, even though I have never watched Outer banks I have seen some of the content so I can't say how this book was compared to the show. The plot outside of the mystery I found to be alright, I wasn't exactly rushing to find out what happened.
I had liked the mystery of the book. It wasn't my favorite so it say, even though I have never watched Outer banks I have seen some of the content so I can't say how this book was compared to the show. The plot outside of the mystery I found to be alright, I wasn't exactly rushing to find out what happened.
January 7, 2024
Good as Gold is a YA mystery thriller, about uncovering hidden secrets. It is fastpaced and gripping. I really enjoyed the characters and plot, but I felt that near the end it moved so fast that I lost track of things. This is a good book to get out of a reading slump and is also good for younger audiences. I liked the way it was a social commentary
July 20, 2024
I liked the plot themes: riches to rags, real life treasure hunt, small town buried history come to light with social commentary; some of the school drama was so trite and unnecessary, and I felt took away from the time spent on character development. The characters were okay but I was left wanting more from them, like I didn’t get to know them well enough.
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