Review: The Obsession by Natasha Preston

Author: Natasha Preston
Publisher: Delacourte Press
Publication Date: December 2025

 ARE YOU REALLY HOME ALONE?

Sixteen-year-old Connie has been dragged into the world of vlogging - her mum Lou's vlog is hugely popular, enough to bring in money for a new house, expensive lifestyle . . . and a lot of criticism.

While Lou and Connie's older sister Isla are touring colleges, Connie stays home alone, where she becomes increasingly paranoid about comments on the vlog. Plus someone is turning up at her school and following her on her way home.

Then Connie's best friend is attacked - the third teenage girl attacked in five weeks - and suspicion turns to Connie. Connie doesn't know who she can trust any more and goes on the run. But will the killer - whoever they are - catch up with her?

In The Obsession, Connie is forced to participate in family vlogging by her horrible mother.  She hates it, but goes along to keep the peace. When her mother and older sister leave for a college tour, she is left behind to take care of herself for 2 weeks.  Things begin to go sideways when her friends begin to be attacked.

Books by this author have kind of been a hit or miss for me.  I had high hopes for this one and as far as the reveal of who, I was surprised.  But, unfortunately that is about all I liked about the book.  The motive made no sense and literally came out of left field.  I'm sure the horrible mother and her behavior were some sort of commentary on the whole family vlogging issue that seems to be plaguing YouTube. There were loose ends that never got tied up.  And don't get me started on that ending.  I had to replay the last part of the audiobook to make sure I didn't miss anything.  Ending the book with literally no resolution was not clever and not cute, it only pissed me off.  I don't recommend this one.

Review: The Dare by Natalie Preston

Author: Natasha Preston
Publisher: Delacourte Press
Publication Date: May 2024

 I triple dog dare you . . .

As senior year comes to an end, senior pranks are just beginning. It all starts innocently enough. Marley and her friends—Atlas, Lucia, and Jesse—egg houses, set chickens free on the quad, and fill the principal’s office with glitter-filled balloons.

But when Jesse accepts a dare to drive danger alley, a ten-mile stretch of winding road that’s notorious for car wrecks, with no headlights, things take a turn for the worst.

Now, the four friends are bound by a tragic accident—and a dark secret that threatens their bright futures

The Dare is told through Marley's perspective as she takes part in the end of senior year pranks at her school.  In her high school, the senior pranks are a big deal and the ultimate way to end their high school career.  This year, the dares seem dangerous and when Marley and her friends have a dare go wrong, their futures might be in jeopardy.

I really didn't like this one.   Especially as I got to know the characters, I didn't like any of them.  This is only through Marley's perspective, however, I'm not sure I would like any of the other characters any more had I been in their heads.  The entire premise of the accident and the aftermath was very far-fetched.  There is a little twist and some "justice" in the end.  I didn't like that part. It left a bad taste in my mouth.  Without giving anything ways, I especially didn't care for Marley got away with. Maybe if I had liked her more, but I just didn't. 

Review: The Haunting by Natasha Preston

Author; Natasha Preston
Publisher: Delacourte Press
Publication Date: September 2023

Haunted by the past . . .

Penny's trying to forget about her ex, Nash. His father was arrested for the brutal murder of four teenagers on Devil's Night last year. Penny's parents have forbidden her to have anything to do with Nash or his family. It's hard not to think of what happened as spooky season gets underway--but she's trying.

That stops when she goes to the Halloween store with her friends to find a costume. What she finds instead is ripped from a horror movie: a girl from school bleeding out on the floor of a dressing room. Stabbed.

Is a copycat killer on the loose? The adults are saying no. But Penny knows better.

The Haunting is the latest YA horror from this author.  A year ago, Penny's boyfriend's father was arrested as a serial killer who murdered four teens.  Now Halloween is coming up once again and Penny finds the first body.  Could it be happening again?  If so, who is the new killer?

I thought his was a fun YA slasher.  It reminded me of the slashers of the 80s and 90s, like the movie Scream.  I was kept guessing until he end.  That reveal is how you do a twist.  I really liked it.  I didn't love the cliffhanger though.  I will have to speculate that all ended up well in the end.  I also really enjoyed the characters.  The characters really enhanced the book.  I also liked that the parents were actually involved in the story. There is a romance, but it wasn't annoying.  I won't spoil this one. I do highly recommend it.

Review: The Island by Natasha Preston

Author: Natasha Preston

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Publication Date: February 28, 2023

They said goodbye to their friends and family for the weekend. They weren’t counting on forever.

Jagged Island: a private amusement park for the very rich—or the very influential. Liam, James, Will, Ava, Harper, and Paisley—social media influencers with millions of followers—have been invited for an exclusive weekend before the park opens. They’ll make posts and videos for their channels and report every second of their VIP treatment.

When the teens arrive, they're stunned: the resort is even better than they’d imagined. Their hotel rooms are unreal, the park’s themed rides are incredible, and the island is hauntingly beautiful. They’re given a jam-packed itinerary for the weekend.

But soon they'll discover that something's missing from their schedule: getting off the island alive.

The Island is the latest by this author that comes out next week (2/28/23).  Paisley along with a group of online "influencers" are invited to stay on an exclusive island and tour an amusement park and hotel.  The billionaire who owns it wants publicity and the teens get a free weekend vacation.  Someone goes missing and the group quickly realizes that is the least of their problems.

I was hooked from the start in this one.  I did ultimately enjoy it.  The story is told through only the point of view of Paisley.  I think that was a good move.  It ratcheted up the suspense.  I didn't call the killer or his motives.  It was mild on the gore.  I do have 2 issues with the book.  In the beginning, Paisley mentions that there is an attendant at each ride should they want to ride one.  What happened to all of those employees?  Also, I hated the ending. It was a horror cliché and one I've never been a fan of.  Despite those two things, I do recommend it.

Review: The Lake by Natasha Preston

Author: Natasha Preston
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: March 2021

Esme and Kayla once were campers at Camp Pine Lake. They're excited to be back this year as CITs (counselors in training). Esme loves the little girls in her cabin and thinks it's funny how scared they are of everything--spiders, the surly head counselor, the dark, boys . . . even swimming in the lake! It reminds her a little of how she and Kayla used to be, once. Before . . . it happened.

Because Esme and Kayla did something bad when they were campers. Afterwards, the girls agreed to keep it secret. They've moved on--or so they say--and this summer is going to be great. Two months of sun, s'mores, and flirting with the cute boy counselors. But then they get a note. THE LAKE NEVER FORGETS. And the secret they've kept buried for so many years is about to resurface.

 The Lake is a YA mystery set at a summer camp.  Esme and her best friend, Kayla received invitations to be Counselors-in-training at their old summer camp.  They are hesitant because of something tragic that happened when they were younger.  Something they never owned up to.  The synopsis intrigued me and promised creepy summer camp vibes, so I was all in.

Sadly, The Lake didn't live up to my expectations. It ended up being jsut OK for me.  The story is told through only Esme's perspective.  I would have liked more than one perspective.  I didn't feel like there was any real danger until about the last quarter of the book.  I mean it was a bit creepy and mysterious, but just on a very surface level.  Choices were made by the owner of the camp that never would have been made.  I had a hard time suspending my disbelief.  The ending was what made me really not love this book.  I hated it.  I'm not sure I would recommend this one.  I have read better books from this author.

You Will Be Mine by Natasha Preston

Author: Natasha Preston
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Date of publication: February 2018

ROSES ARE RED
VIOLETS ARE BLUE
WATCH YOUR BACK
I'M COMING FOR YOU

Lylah and her friends can't wait to spend a night out together. Partying is the perfect way to let loose from the stress of life and school, and Lylah hopes that hitting the dance floor with Chace, her best friend, will bring them closer together. She's been crushing on him since they met. If only he thought of her the same way...

The girls are touching up their makeup and the guys are sliding on their coats when the doorbell rings. No one is there. An envelope sits on the doormat. It's an anonymous note addressed to their friend Sonny. A secret admirer? Maybe. They all laugh it off.

Except Sonny never comes home. And a new note arrives:

YOUR TURN

You Will be Mine is the second book that I have read by this author.  The first  book, The Cabin, I ended up DNF'ing because it was kind of dull.  This one was a lot more enjoyable.  Being a fan of teen slasher movies, this story line really appealed to me.  Lylah and her roommates begin receiving notes that hint at a secret stalker. One by one, as Valentine's Day approaches, they start to turn up dead.

 It did read like a typical teen slasher book or movie.  In fact, it carried many of the typical tropes that one finds in them.  I looked at it like a guilty pleasure. It was fun and cheesy. I enjoyed the characters and surprisingly, none of them were really annoying.  I did call the killer about halfway through the book, but I still liked the ending.  Oh, and I totally called the events of the epilogue.  Any fan of teen slashers will be able to see it coming a mile away.  Still, it was a fun read and one I would recommend.