The Lies They Tell audiobook

"It seemed everyone felt fascination-meets-revulsion in Tristan Garrison's presence, followed by but the police cleared him; they let him go, didn't they? Somehow, it wasn't a comfort. Not at all."Over the past year I've become an avid fan of Gillian French; her writing is so character driven and atmospheric that it takes little to no effort in being transported to the setting of each of her novels. When I first saw the cover reveal for The Lies They Tell, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy and I'm so glad I did! This story was a seamless blend of mystery, suspense, and intrigue while also maintaining a traditional "YA Contemporary" feel, which is no easy feat. If you enjoy a plot that deals with dark, heavy content while sustaining a lighter, summer read feel, this may be the book for you.As stated above, this is a character driven novel that centers around the past and present; the reader is guided along a thrilling path where both sides of the story are open-ended. Who really torched the Garrison estate? Why did Tristan survive? Will Pearl clear her father's name and reinstate his good reputation? How much danger is she really in? As the reader we find the answer to all these questions and more, and while I've heard that some people had this one solved from the beginning and others were 100% shocked by the ending, I think I was blissfully somewhere in between. The answer to the whodunnit did cross my mind a few times, but I still felt that I grappled with other solutions and genuinely felt the stun at the big reveal regardless of my prior thoughts.I can't really say more about the plot for fear of spoilers, but if we're being honest my favorite things to talk about here are the characters and atmosphere. I have always dreamed of traveling seaside in Maine, and each time the urge hits me I grab one of two authors-Stephen King and Gillian French. While their writing style and content are on opposite ends of the spectrum, I find they both deliver the setting immaculately in their novels and fill a void in my reading soul that I didn't even know existed before. The writing is lush and descriptive in a natural way; instead of telling you what a summer in Tenney's Harbor is like, she says "Here, let me show you." The characters fit right into this style of writing as well; emotion is conveyed effectively and I felt those moments with Pearl as she experienced innocent, young love with Reese, turmoil over her father's situation, and terror as she realizes who murdered Tristan's entire family.The sign of excellent YA fiction is when it can reach beyond the scope of teenagers and lure in readers of all ages, and the author has given us such an excellent example of this with The Lies They Tell. While a good bit of the middle portion is a slow burn, I believe the patient, character intrigued reader will really take to this growing build up and find themselves gripped from beginning to end. Highly recommended for those looking for a book that's not too dark but not too light over the summer.*Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me an advance review copy. Mood board images acquired via We Heart It and can be found on my original post HERE.

4.5 Stars!It's been a really long time since I've read a YA mystery that has kept me on the edge of my seat, not only guessing at what was about to happen, but with what did happen as well. The magical whodunit.I usually figure these things out and yet this time, I think I didn't want to be right. I didn't want to feel something for the bad guy. I didn't want it to be who it was and more importantly, because of it, I didn't see it coming as well as I should of and because of that, this had me turning the pages rapidly towards the end, eager to be wrong, eager to be right and most of all, wanting to know it all either way.French craftily wove a tale riddled with darkness, deceit and lies. Something full of hate and prejudice. Of being wronged and unforgiving. Something oh so addicting and delicious in all its horribleness.Needless to say, I loved every minute of it. A must read for everyone.*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

The Lies They Tell is a smart, light mystery with suspenseful undertones that will engage you from the beginning. Seriously, the first chapter, um, wow—talk about hooking me in right from the beginning. In a town plagued by the uber rich and the working class townies, Tenney’s Harbor, Maine, is a town not unlike other nautical New England towns that have been famously depicted in film and media in the past. I was immediately transported back to my time vacationing in the Hamptons and Rhode Island with this clever story. In Tenney’s Harbor, the uber rich are a tight knit community where competition is key and privilege is currency. The Garrisons are the picture perfect family and have mysteriously has been slaughtered in an arson on the family property. Pearl Haskins, eighteen year old country club server in Tenney’s Harbor, and her father are shamed as gossip and rumors run rampant. Pearl’s father was the caretaker of the Garrison property and is blacklisted in town due to his possible involvement and/or negligence in the Garrison tragedy. Plagued with guilt and embarrassment, Pearl’s father turns to alcohol to mask his pain, while Pearl is angry at the upper class enemy.This summer, Pearl encounters a group of boys at the country club who gravitate towards her. These boys are some of the most privileged in town, and one has taken a liking to her. While Pearl is grossly unattracted to the demeanor exhibited by these boys, she decides to try and get in their inner circle so she can exonerate her father from any wrongdoing accusations by the townsfolk. As Pearl dives into the world of the glitz and glamour, she realizes that everything is not what it seems. With money comes power, and with power comes corruption, betrayal, and deception. The Lies They Tell is such a refreshing read for the thriller fan because it’s original, straight-forward, and uncomplicated. We are usually given these stories that have over-the-top in-your-face tricks to attract an audience, but with The Lies They Tell we get something more tailored. This story is a slowburn at heart, so please make sure to read this story at the right time, or you may need to put this down and come back to it. I was just off a book hangover from another book and was ready for something light and new. The book is labeled Young Adult, but it doesn’t compare to other Young Adult reads that I’ve read recently because it’s not campy, dry, nor one-dimensional. The characters all have distinct personalities and stories that are stimulating. The ending is very satisfying and also is left for interpretation. I wonder if there will be a book two? *praying to the book Gods because I’m not ready to say goodbye just yet* The story deals with romance, family dynamics, income inequality and privilege, and alcoholism; but the story does not try to wrap this all in one complicated message. We touch on a variety of different subjects, but the main story arc is never lost or deterred. I really enjoyed Gillian French’s nautical spin on a contemporary mystery and am excited for what’s next.

Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the author, Gillian French, for an honest review.A quadruple homicide, rich Summer boys, a drunk father and unattainable love.Pearl Haskins is about to have the summer of her life.The Lies They Tell documents Pearl’s time working the summer at the Tenney’s Harbor Country Club as a server to the rich and dismissive families of the elite. As a lower-class working townie, Pearl is well–aware of the divide between the Summer crowd and those who reside in TH year-round. The summer boys come from extreme wealth, and they have reputations for starting flings with townie girls and discarding them by the end of summer. Having resided there all her life, and her father working as a caretaker for the homes of these families, Pearl has always known to keep her distance and to not get involved.So naturally when Bridges, one of the summer boys who is close friends with Tristan Garrison, asks Pearl out, I was instantly screaming DON’T DO IT! He’s playing a trick on you! He just wants sex! HAVEN’T YOU SEEN CARRIE?! But don’t worry guys, she doesn’t get murdered or assaulted on their first outing, or even the one after that.* whew *The story takes the reader through Pearl’s summer as she gets to know the boys she has always seen at a distance.For Pearl, she justifies her time with them as a means to get closer to Tristan in order to learn the truth of the murders, and in turn, hopefully redeem her father’s reputation (which had been soiled by rumors that he was drunk on the job on night of the murders). But as she gets closer to Bridges and his friends, she begins to see a new side of them. They seem genuine and caring, and she even begins to enjoy the friendships that begin to blossom.Of course, my favorite character in this story has to be Pearl. She embodies the anxieties and stresses that being an eighteen-year-old girl represents. She is sassy and has quick remarks to protect herself, but deep down she just wants to feel accepted and desired like everyone else. I was constantly smirking at her quick wit and ability to adapt to the situations she was thrown in. The girl is sharp and knows how to handle herself, and I love her for it! When it comes to the summer boys, this girl can hold her own, but when it comes to her best friend Reese…*sigh*That boy deserves to be slapped for the way he treats her in this, and that’s all I am going to say.But the real focus of this story is Tristan and the death that surrounds him. After losing his entire family, for some reason he comes back to TH to spend the summer with his friends – doing way too much cardio and barely eating. Soon after the murders he was brought in by the police as a suspect, but the charges were dropped after he provided an alibi and proof that he was hours away at the time of the crime. Due to the trauma that he recently had to endure, it’s not surprising that he acts distant and prefers to be alone. But what is really intriguing about him is the thick fog of mystery that surrounds his character. The author does an excellent job of making you dissect everything he says and does, because you aren’t sure if you are supposed to love or hate him.He seems constantly lost in his thoughts and gives off the impression of not paying attention to anything around him, but its actually the opposite. He is sharp and opinionated, but not in a malicious or cruel way. His intelligence shines through and it is so easy to see the positive qualities in him that draw others in. And to be honest, he is just begging to be drooled over! With his uninterested facial expressions, quiet and closed-off demeanor, and resident tortured bad-boy aura – it was impossible not to fall in love with him. Tristan is the sorrowful beauty of a male who goes from king of the ball to social pariah overnight, and that’s just the beginning of his intrigue.The author pulls you into the lives of the characters in such a natural and realistic way. She perfectly showcases the awkward encounters between boys and girls, the pressures and expectations that are put on you by your peers, and the person you have to morph into the fit in. These characters decisions are dictated by a look of expectancy or by a tension in the air that whispers prove yourself, prove that you are worthy. It made me angered and sad for what it means to be a teen, but it also gives me a thrill for how well French was able to shed light on how it truly is.I was hooked on this story from the first page until the last, staying up into the wee hours of the morning to devour it. It’s a steady-paced YA mystery that gives subtle hints throughout the story, but keeps the reader completely in the dark until the end. As a true crime fanatic, I gravitate towards stories that slowly blossom and give insight into the human psyche. I want to know how the characters act to trauma or heated situations. I want to witness their reactions, read their body language and dissect the words and phrases they choose. I want to decide who is at fault by the evidence presented, and Gillian French allowed me to do just that. In my book, this was a win and I absolutely love that it ended with answers shrouded in even more mystery.

The Lies They Tell by Gillian French is a slow burn, young adult mystery, and I love that it's one of those books that hooks you from the very beginning. We start with a bang and then are transported into the future and to what Pearl’s life with her dad is like now. There is some suspense, lots of drama, tough subjects, and a big surprise right at the end. Even though it is a slow burn, this book was also quite the page-turner for me, and I was completely invested in finding out just what happened to Tristan’s parents. There is some sailing lingo that I wasn't super familiar with, but that in no way took away from the main plot of the book for me.For some reason I'm always a fan of reading about rich kids engulfed in mystery, and The Lies They Tell definitely scratched that itch for me. This is a character-driven story which is part of the reason I think it is a slower burn, but it is also so much more than just a mystery. I really felt for Pearl and no matter what age you are, I don't think it's hard to connect to her. I listened to the audiobook and I thought Caitlin Davies' narration was a bit stilted, but other than that I really enjoyed listening to this one. If you are in the mood for a contemporary/mystery young adult novel that takes itself seriously I would recommend checking out The Lies They Tell. Just make sure you are prepared for a slow burn and not a fast-paced thriller. Thank you to the publisher for my advance review copy via Edelweiss. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

The town of Tenney's Harbor, Maine is your typical, small-town summer getaway destination, where a fine, societal line exists between the wealthy summer residents and the blue collar "townies".A year ago, this small town was shaken by the shocking murder of the prestigious Garrison family. Someone shot and killed the Garrisons, then setting fire to their home. The only remaining Garrison was 17 year-old Tristan.As if the murder itself wasn't shock enough to the town, Pearl Haskin's family is effected by the murder in a way that turns their world upside down. Her father, who works as a caretaker for the expensive properties of the summer folk, was working for the Garrisons on the night of the fire, and therefore had to bear the brunt of speculation and police questioning. Ultimately, Win Haskin lost all of his current jobs and recommendations, leaving their family in a financial hole and pushing him toward the bottle.But it's that time of year again and the 'boys of summer' are returning to their vacation homes. When Tristan and his pose of polo-clad pals start attending meals at the clubhouse where Pearl works, she starts to slowly integrate herself into their lives.How much information can Pearl find out? Can she succeed where the police have thus far failed? And what dangers might lie behind doing so?★  ☆  ★  ☆ ★  ☆ ★  ☆ ★  ☆ ★  ☆ ★  ☆ ★  ☆ ★  ☆ ★  ☆ ★This is a great YA contemporary/mystery. While the mystery of the Garrison murder is always just below the surface and the ultimate priority of Pearl's every move, the plot is very much character driven. We learn so much about not only Pearl and her family, but also about Tristan and his closest friends--Bridges and Akil. There are also several female characters that are originally perceived as very snooty and annoying (in my opinion.. as many 'popular' girls that age can come across), but throughout the novel you learn pieces of their own stories that make them have more depth and character.Pearl will break you heart and will elicit so much respect from you for a girl of her age. At only 18-years-old, she has very much become the glue that holds her household together. Her father has spiraled down the drain after losing employment due to the Garrison case. He is very much struggling from alcoholism and has a very depressive outlook on life right now. Pearl becomes his caretaker and demonstrates a very strong work ethic for a teenager.There is romance in this novel, but it is never the front-runner in the plot. Pearl experiences heartbreak and jealousy through a relationship with her best friend Reese and begins a slow-burning romance with one of Tristan's best friends (as well as a very odd/mysterious relationship with Tristan himself).The pacing was very slow, but I felt that was appropriate for the target age group for this novel (marketed for grades 9+). I am used to reading lots of police procedurals and crime thrillers, so I kept wanting to investigate more into the deaths of the Garrisons. But that is exactly what Pearl is doing--to the extent that an 18 year-old is able to do so. She literally Trojan Horses herself into this group of prestigious and arrogant boys in order to gain access to any information they might have in relation to the Garrison murder.Overall, I really enjoyed this title! It was very nostalgic--we can all remember what it was like to be 18--young and free, but with so many burdens that seem beyond our control. Pearl is a strong female lead in that she does not stand back and let these burdens overtake her family. She is determined and headstrong and does what she has to do to protect her father (and her family).Trigger Warning(s): Murder, Fire, Alcoholism, Child Abuse, Insinuated Sexual AssaultThank you to Gillian French & HarperTeen for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Off The Press Reads: Blog ★ Instagram ★ Bloglovin'

I wasn’t ready for this book. If Pearl wasn’t a teenager and the point of view weren’t all hers, I’d even argue this isn’t YA. I’m always glad when a writer takes her YA seriously.After her father loses most of his jobs thanks to a tragedy happen right under his watch, Pear is working at the club when one of the rich guys seem to take special interest in her. She knows not to fall for their sweet talks, but his friend Tristan, the sole survivor of the tragedy, makes it impossible for her to stay away. Especially when she finally comes across a clue that could finally help unravel the happenings during that day, and who knows recover the trust her father has lost.It took me a while to warm up to Pearl but she is a nice character. I like how she is smart but will still make mistakes, she felt very real in her fascination. What really got me in this story, though, was the atmosphere. It reminds me of some early 2000’s, maybe late 90’s TV series, something like Young Americans meets Gossip Girl meets One Tree Hill? I guess the nostalgia it brought me was what pulled me most while reading this.I don’t think it’s perfect. The mystery itself, while I couldn’t predict it beyond doubt, I can’t say it was that twisty. Even though characters like Tristan could seem mysterious at first, they were just weird after all, which was a little bit of a disappointment. You won’t end this book feeling at awe or anything.Still, this was really good. Gripping, enticing. I felt in my skin the temptation Pearl was under. Sometimes I’d fear Tristan, sometimes I just couldn’t help that weakness in my knees. This is a writer I’m sure to follow from now on.It’s really rare for me to recommend YA’s to other age ranges, but this book could appeal to an older audience. As I mentioned, it’s not A-grade mystery but it’s still thrilling enough. If this is your thing, you may like this one.Honest review based on an ARC provided by Edelweiss. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

This book is between a three and a four star read for me. I really liked it because I did feel drawn into the setting and characters and I did finish the book within a couple of sittings. My only disappointment came from the lack of a big "aha" moment. The mystery was too easy to figure out and the ending not very satisfying. I did like the main character a lot and I felt her relatable and realistic.

If a book has polarizing ratings, it’s most likely going to be my jam.Yeah, the characters and situations frustrated me at times. And certain things were left open ended where I would have loved to have seen some closure.But in the end I didn’t care because I enjoyed the ride.

This twisty mystery takes place in a town in Maine where the townies and tourists are sharply divided groups. Everyone knows about the Garrison tragedy where the father, mother, sister and younger brother of Tristan Garrison on Christmas Eve. The house was set on fire to conceal the fact that they were all shot to death. Tristan is the only survivor because he was away skiing with friends. Pearl's father was the night watchman and lost his job and most of his other rich customers as a result of the tragedy.When summer comes again and with it Tristan and his rich friends, Pearl who works as a waitress at the country club decides to see if she can find out what led to the tragedy. She wants to clear her father's name. Catching the attention of one of Tristan's devoted followers, she insinuates herself into the group of rich kids and discovers all sorts of secrets about their lives.She even becomes fascinated with Tristan who is having difficulty rebuilding his life though he hasn't lost his grip on his social set. Her investigation is also jeopardizing her relationship with her best friend Reese. Although their relationship is already changing as Pearl realizes that she wants him as a boyfriend at the same time that he is building a relationship with another girl. I liked the family dynamics in this story as Pearl tries to cope with a father who is turning more and more to alcohol and a mother who left the family but still wants a relationship with Pearl. The mystery was intriguing too.

Phew! What a ride this book was! If you've been following me here, on Instagram or on Goodreads than you already know I'm a fan of Gillian's writing. I've read her last two books Grit and The Door To January, both of which came out in 2017 and I loved them both! Naturally when Gillian asked if I would be interested in reading and reviewing her newest book, The Lies They Tell, I didn't hesitate to say yes. I knew I would I wouldn't be disappointed reading another one of her Maine centered mysteries and I definitely wasn't. Fierce, mysterious and paranoia inducing, The Lies They Tell is one book you won't want to put down until the very end.What first struck me about this book is that there's no denying that Gillian is a Maine native (like myself). She paints such a vivid and perfect picture of the locations the characters travel that I truly felt like I was being transported there, which honestly wouldn't be hard since I live quite close to the area this story takes place in. She's solidly describes the relationships between the true, blue Mainers and the Summer people, aka the wealthy. There's a line drawn, which to some could seem as overdone or unrealistic, but I'm here to tell you that Gillian writes the divide EXACTLY how it is in real life. I found myself relating so much to Pearl, in the way of her job, living and all over station in life, because that's the way life can be for so many off us in our rural little state. What I really loved though, was that it wasn't painted as a bad life, just a tough moment in time, giving hope and the drive to work toward a better future.The characters, man, I don't think I've ever been so stressed out about a group of teenagers in my life. AGH! There were so many great characters and so many awful characters and I didn't know who to trust and I felt like I liked the wrong people...ugh. See what I mean about stress? Really though, Pearl, our main character is excellent. She impressed me so many times with her calm demeanor, her wits and her responsibility, and when Pearl came into the group of the "Summer Boys" Tristan, Bridges and Akil, it made me like her even more. Pearl found her own way into the group of the Summer kids and navigated them like a pro, with a few exceptions. She didn't put up with their crap and ultimately she shared her compassion, causing the boys to open their eyes a little wider. The boys themselves were an interesting crew, I didn't know what to think of Tristan the whole time, I mostly just pitied him, but I loved Bridges, I thought he was a sweetie pie. Akil....meh. Throughout, all of the characters in this book are compelling, you want to know everything about them, all the drama, yet you don't dare trust them, because any of them could be the one that killed the Garrison's. I feel like I would be remiss to leave out the ladies after mentioning the guys. Both Quinn and Indigo are secondary characters, that I feel like we're not exactly supposed to like, but I did. They're both so strong and don't put up with any shit. We absolutely need more ladies like this in young adult literature.The mystery aspect of this book was SO GREAT. So great! I seriously had no idea who did what until the very end and I was flabbergasted. The few clues you're given during the story are so slight that you won't even catch them until it's too late. While that part of it was great, I did feel like the big reveal happened a little too quickly. I didn't feel like I got enough answers or enough closure, so I felt like I was floundering a bit at the end. Basically, I need more!The one thing I will say that I REALLY didn't like about this book was Pearl's relationship with her best friend/love interest Reese. Actually, the thing I really didn't like about this book was Reese. I don't want to get into too much detail (spoilers), but UGH. That guy is the worst. Maybe it's just me, but a badass, independent lady like Pearl can do so much better than a guy like that. If you've read the book you'll have to let me know your thoughts on him.Overall, I really loved The Lies They Tell. I think it gives us a powerful look into teen life, the divide between wealthy and everyone else, and gives us a dark look into how someone can completely surprise you by what's going on in their head. If you like teen angst, drama and a whodunit, I highly recommend this book.4 out of 5 stars.Also, a big HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY to The Lies They Tell! It was just released today, so if this sounds appealing to you, RUN to the bookstore, don't walk.Many thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. If you'd like to see more of my review/bookish content, make sure you check out my blog! www.thegeekyyogi.com

http://www.themaineedge.com/style/sum...Young adult fiction means different things to different people. The very label leaves loads of room for variance and interpretation. And while there are those who look down their nose at YA fiction, the reality is that there’s plenty of nuance and sophistication to the best work in the genre.Maine author Gillian French’s work definitely demonstrates those qualities; her latest is “The Lies They Tell,” a thriller featuring a young woman trying to get to the bottom of a tragic mystery that haunts her small island town. Secrets and lies abound even as the dynamics between the town’s wealthy summer visitors and the year-round residents who serve them grow complicated.The town of Tenney’s Harbor on Maine’s Mount Desert Island has been a summer playground for the wealthy for generations. As with any such community, the relationship between those rich summer folks and those who live there year-round is delicate. That delicacy is laid bare one December when the Harrison family – one of the stalwart summer families, in town for a surprise holiday visit – is trapped in a horrible fire. Patriarch David, his wife Sloane, 17-year-old piano prodigy Cassidy and 10-year-old Joe all die. The family’s sole survivor – and sole heir – is teenaged Tristan.Pearl Haskins has lived in Tenney’s Harbor her whole life. She works at the local country club, serving meals and drinks to the monied elite that wanders into town to idly while away the summer months. Her father was on watch the night of the fire – whispers of his culpability for what happened are a constant, costing him the caretaking work that was their livelihood. He seeks solace at the bottom of a bottle.Pearl keeps her head down, working toward college and pining for a romantic relationship with her best friend Reese. But when Bridges Spencer, teen grandson of one of the town’s most prominent summer residents, takes an interest in her, she finds herself suddenly moving in a vastly different orbit than anything she has experienced before. That orbit includes Tristan, whose melancholy grief is accentuated by the shadow of suspicion that hovers over him.Pearl is drawn to Tristan, to the power he seems to hold over Bridges and the rest of the youthful scions of wealth that summer in Tenney’s Harbor. But as she spends more time in that sphere, she finds herself wondering just what might have happened that snowy winter night. The truth is there to be found, if only she can uncover it. That truth could potentially exonerate her father, assuage his guilt … and put to rest the sad, despondent ghosts that haunt not just the Haskins family, but the entire town.It would be a grave mistake to dismiss “The Lies They Tell” as merely YA fiction. This book isn’t “merely” anything – French is a gifted writer, a prose stylist who refuses to condescend to her targeted audience. She has written a taut, engaging thriller, one unafraid to take its time. Nothing is rushed; there are no half-measures or shortcuts taken. She allows the narrative to play out precisely as it needs to; that lack of pressure results in a gripping mystery that never once feels forced or false.One of the book’s biggest strengths comes from its understanding of the class dynamic inherent to a town divided between summer residents and full-timers. The ecosystem of a place like MDI is a deeply complex one, packed full of eccentricities borne of time measured in generations – families serving families rather than individuals serving individuals. French really captures the passive aggression and antagonism that are the inevitable result of such a skewed distribution of power. That skewed spirit is apparent on every page of “The Lies They Tell.”Pearl is a well-realized character, an apt representative of the “townie” who has inadvertently stumbled into a realm she had heretofore only observed from afar. The population of Tenney’s Harbor is split between those who view it as a getaway – Tristan, Bridges, the rest of the entitled teens and their parents – and those who view it as home – Pearl, Reese, Pearl’s dad and so on. Defining that split is key to the narrative’s compelling foundation.The mystery carries forward with an enigmatic energy; French leaves bread crumbs to be followed while still leaving the reader room to make their own discoveries. The end – when it comes – comes quickly; while some might argue that the closure is too abrupt, French has constructed the narrative in such a way that the pacing of that ending is just right.“The Lies They Tell” is a well-constructed, well-written thriller. Yes, Gillian French writes YA fiction, but one needn’t be a young adult to engage with her work. The quality of the work, the execution of it … while it might be intended for teenage readers, it will entertain and engage an audience of any age.

Thank you so much to Harper Collins for providing me with an ARC for this novel!This novel was one that I had read about on Goodreads and was instantly intrigued. I don’t read thrillers/mystery’s very often, but when I do, I want it to be one that makes me think and has some amazing tension. This one did just that!CharactersThe characters in this novel were so incredibly diverse. I loved seeing how the two (wealthy and middle class) groups clashed and how that influenced what information we received in relation to the mystery of this novel.The main character, Pearl, was a pretty interesting character to follow. I thought that she was incredibly well written and it was amazing to see her do something without receiving her entire thought process upfront so we had the opportunity to figure it out before it was revealed to us. Additionally, I really enjoyed how we got to see Pearl communicate with the other characters, whether they were friendly or not.WritingThe writing of this novel was pretty well done. I found that it always had me on my toes and wanting to know what happened next. Additionally, I loved the anticipation that accompanied anything that happened in this novel. The chapters were cut off at the perfect moments and the atmosphere of the novel was top tier!PlotI thoroughly enjoyed the premise of this novel. I do definitely recommend reading this novel in the summer because it is set in that season, plus it’s short enough for you to read it at the beach and have the perfect experience!The mystery aspect of this novel always had me thinking, we were continuously being told more information and getting more evidence so it was interesting to see how those facts effected my thought process. I really enjoyed the process of finding out who did the deed, but unfortunately at the end I was disappointed with who actually ended up doing it. I felt as though this novel could have had one more twist near the end that would have just pushed it over the top and made it incredible, unfortunately that didn’t happen for me.That was the only reason I couldn’t give this novel 4/5, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read it. It is SO worth reading. As I said, the entire process of finding all the information was insanely addictive and fun and made you never want to put the book down. Also, just because I wasn’t happy with the ending doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be, it is entirely based on personal preference.All in all, this novel was a super fun read and I’m so glad that I decided to pick it up when I did! I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good summer mystery/thriller, and honestly anyone else, you’ll all love it!

Rating up for this book. It was more of a 3.5 stars read. I enjoyed the story and it was a quick read that kept you interested. However the promise of the hidden monsters behind the money was not as dark or twisty and I would have liked. Granted it is a YA book and the author can only go so dark. I really enjoyed Pearl's character. She had a lot of depth. They setting was also really good too. I almost wish the book had been a tad bit longer so we could have had more between Pearl and Tristan. They didn't get enough interaction and the relationship between the two characters had so much potential.

I received an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review for which I give a 5 star rating. What a fantastic YA mystery. I never repeat information given from the excerpt and I also do not give away spoilers, that would ruin the fun and the adventure.What I can tell you is that this is a fast paced read that pulls you in based mostly on the behaviors of the characters. As I read further in, I discovered this wasn't just another typical teen drama.High stakes, trust and betrayal, relationships both real and faux, mental issues, control, grief and survival are all in this book.In my experience working alongside high schoolers these characters seem pretty realistic & "lead by example" is a strong theme throughout the book. So is: "Just because something looks perfect doesn't mean it really is". So do yourself a favor, buy the book and open the cover & start reading because you won't be disappointed but you will be surprised!

I really do not know how to rate this. It's very PG-13 for a mystery thriller.I think the best way to describe this is a senior mystery thriller about a wealthy family that dies in a fire. Well, most of them die in the fire.So our main lead character is Pearl a waitress at the club that this surviving guy, Tristan goes to with his friends who they nickname the "Summer Boys". Basically there all these trust fund wealthy boys who hook up with townies. Pearl decides to befriend them when one pursues her first. She starts hanging out with these boys and learns more about that December night when the house burnt down.So I mean it's well good writing but I just felt like I wasn't really scared for Pearl a lot of the time until one specific part when we are getting near the reveal of who done it. It's pretty good to start out with this type of book if you haven't read any thrillers before but I think there are better thrillers out there.