Blog Tour: Sister Like Us by Susan Mallery

Author: Susan Mallery

Publisher: Mira

Date of publication: January 23, 2018

The grass is always greener on your sister’s side of the fence…

Divorce left Harper Szymanski with a name no one can spell, a house she can’t afford and a teenage daughter who’s pulling away. With her fledgling virtual-assistant business, she’s scrambling to maintain her overbearing mother’s ridiculous Susie Homemaker standards and still pay the bills, thanks to clients like Lucas, the annoying playboy cop who claims he hangs around for Harper’s fresh-baked cookies.

Spending half her life in school hasn’t prepared Dr. Stacey Bloom for her most daunting challenge—motherhood. She didn’t inherit the nurturing gene like Harper and is in deep denial that a baby is coming. Worse, her mother will be horrified to learn that Stacey’s husband plans to be a stay-at-home dad…assuming Stacey can first find the courage to tell Mom she’s already six months pregnant.

Separately they may be a mess, but together Harper and Stacey can survive anything—their indomitable mother, overwhelming maternity stores and ex’s weddings. Sisters Like Us is a delightful look at sisters, mothers and daughters in today’s fast-paced world, told with Susan Mallery’s trademark warmth and humor.

Sisters Like Us is the fourth book in the Mischief Bay series.  Besides this one, I had only read the first book, The Girls of Mischief Bay, before going into this one.  It definitely stood up well as a stand alone, so I don't think it's necessary to have read the other books in the series before this one.  of the two, I have to admit I liked this one more than the first.  It wasn't as heavy as I remember the first book being.  There were a lot of funny and light hearted moment with great characters that had a lot of room for growth.

I will also admit I didn't care for any of the women in the story at first.  Harper was too much of a miss perfectionist in everything (think Martha Stewart on steroids) and Stacey was in almost complete denial she was having a baby.  I mean she was over 6 months and hadn't told her mother.  Becca reminded me of why I hated high school and thought she was kind of a brat. Then I was introduced to Bunny and I understood why both sisters turned out the way they did.  She was a piece of work and I never warmed up to her. 

I am happy to say that I ended up being sucked into the story and before I knew it, I was over 65% in and loving it.  I found myself rooting for all of the characters (not Bunny though) and enjoyed watching them grow and change. I especially loved Stacey's "moment" after returning to work.  It was so sweet. This book also reminded me that sometimes you have to trust in the author and their process because you might just end up with another great read.  I definitely recommend this one.

Purchase Links

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About Susan Mallery

Susan Mallery is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of books about the relationships that define women’s lives—romance, friendship, family. With compassion and humor, Susan keenly observes how people think and feel, in stories that take readers on an emotional journey. Sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, and always uplifting, Susan’s books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list, thanks to her ever growing legions of fans.

Critics, too, have heaped praise on “the new queen of romantic fiction.” (Walmart) Booklist says, “Romance novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling,” and RT Book Reviews puts her “in a class by herself!”

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month, January of 1992. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool’s Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Seattle with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a tattletale toy poodle. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Animals play a big role in her books, as well, as she believes they’re an integral component to a happy life.

Connect with Susan

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Excerpt Tour:

Tuesday, January 2nd: Romantic Reads and Such

Wednesday, January 3rd: From the TBR Pile

Thursday, January 4th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Friday, January 5th: Books a la Mode

Monday, January 8th: Bewitched Bookworms

Tuesday, January 9th: Book Reviews and More by Kathy

Wednesday, January 10th: Reading Reality

Thursday, January 11th: The Sassy Bookster

Friday, January 12th: OMG Reads

Saturday, January 13th: I Wish I Lived in a Library

Monday, January 15th: Suzy Approved

Tuesday, January 16th: Palmer’s Page Turners

Wednesday, January 17th: Cheryl’s Book Nook

Thursday, January 18th: Books & Spoons

Friday, January 19th: Moonlight Rendezvous

Review Tour:

Monday, January 22nd: Reading Reality

Tuesday, January 23rd: Books and Bindings

Tuesday, January 23rd: Chick Lit Central

Wednesday, January 24th: I Wish I Lived in a Library

Thursday, January 25th: From the TBR Pile

Friday, January 26th: A Chick Who Reads

Monday, January 29th: Bewitched Bookworms

Tuesday, January 30th: Moonlight Rendezvous

Wednesday, January 31st: OMG Reads

Thursday, February 1st: Novel Gossip and @novelgossip

Friday, February 2nd: Girls in Books and @girlsinbooks

Monday, February 5th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Wednesday, February 7th: Palmer’s Page Turners and @palmerspagesandposes

Thursday, February 8th: Stranded in Chaos and @sarastrand9438

Friday, February 9th: Not in Jersey

Monday, February 12th: Cheryl’s Book Nook

Tuesday, February 13th: Book Mama Blog

Wednesday, February 14th: Deborah Blanchard

Friday, February 16th: Book Nerd

Monday, February 19th: Kritter’s Ramblings

Wednesday, February 21st: Why Girls Are Weird

Thursday, February 22nd: Thoughts on This ‘n That

Spotlight: The Bodyguard by Natalie Wrye

About THE BODYGUARD

All I have of him are flashes of memories, vivid nightmares.
But when I wake up to last night's dream man in my bedroom, who do I believe? My head... or my heart?
________________________________________

Daniela Bishop has everything to live for.

A beautiful loft in the south of France. A gorgeous albeit brooding man who looks at her as if she’s his last meal.

Too bad she doesn’t remember any of it.

A life she never knew with a lover she doesn’t recognize?

It couldn’t get any worse… until it does.

Drawn to a handsome devil with secrets darker than his Greek god-like features, Daniela will do anything to piece together the life of her protective housemate, Bishop (no first name), and subsequently her own.

But when memories masquerading as nightmares come back to show her the real truth about her life, her family and her love, Dani must come to grips with a past that is nothing like it seems… and an unknown life she may end up dying for.

Get your hands on THE BODYGUARD for free now:

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Nook: http://bit.ly/2mqYhbl

 

About Natalie Wrye

Natalie Wrye is a tequila connoisseur, Game of Thrones addict and author best known for writing page-turning Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.

A fan of the beautifully polarizing anti-hero, she crafts sexy stories about hard-bodied, complex men and the strong-willed women who crave them.

She loves it when people get weird with her on Facebook, NatalieWrye.com or NatalieWrites@NatalieWrye.com.

Connect with Natalie Wrye

Website: http://www.nataliewrye.com

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/b4A6_r

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nataliewrye

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9873960.Natalie_E_Wrye

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliewryewrites/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nataliewryewrit/  

Blog Tour: Review of About that Kiss by Jill Shalvis

Author: Jill Shalvis

Publisher: Avon

Date of publication: January 23, 2018

When love drives you crazy . . .

When sexy Joe Malone never calls after their explosive kiss, Kylie shoves him out of her mind. Until she needs a favor, and it’s a doozy. Something precious to her has been stolen and there’s only one person with unique finder-and-fixer skills that can help—Joe. It means swallowing her pride and somehow trying to avoid the temptation to throttle him—or seduce him.

the best thing to do . . .

No, Joe didn’t call after the kiss. He’s the fun time guy, not the forever guy. And Kylie, after all she’s been through, deserves a good man who will stay. But everything about Kylie makes it damned hard to focus, and though his brain knows what he has to do, his heart isn’t getting the memo.

… is enjoy the ride.

As Kylie and Joe go on the scavenger hunt of their lives, they discover surprising things about each other. Now, the best way for them to get over “that kiss” might just be to replace it with a hundred more.

About that Kiss is the fifth book in the Heartbreaker Bay series. It made my most anticipated reads of 2018 list.  Usually about this time, I find my interest fading in a series because I feel like the stories start to blend together and there is nothing new.  Not so with this series.  I have to say that this is probably my second favorite of the series so far. Accidentally on Purpose still holds the number one slot.  That being said, I adored this book.  This is Joe and Kylie's story.  Someone has stolen a memento from her childhood (a carved penguin from her grandfather) and is holding it hostage.  She runs to Joe to get it back.  

It was just such a fun read.  The banter between Joe and Kylie was so funny and comfortable.  Nothing felt forced or cliche.  The romance was steamy and just fun.  I was rooting for them the whole time.There were so many laugh out loud moments that it was hard to pick a favorite.  I loved Kylie's "disguises".  The other characters from the previous books make appearances here and add to the fun of the story.  They are all among my favorite "fiction friend groups" and I would love to have friends like that in real life.  

Does Kylie manage to get the guy and the penguin?  You''ll have to read to find out.  The next book in the series doesn't come out until this fall.  I can't wait!  This is a great series and one you don't want to miss.

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Series Buy Link 

Goodreads Link
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About the author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes warm, funny, sexy contemporary romances and women’s fiction. An Amazon, BN & iBooks bestseller, she’s also a two-time RITA winner and has more than 10 million copies of her books sold worldwide.

Author Links:  WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Cover Reveal: Hiding Lies by Julie Cross

Let us know what you think of the cover for Hiding Lies (Eleanor Ames, #2) by NYT bestselling author Julie Cross, which releases April 17, 2018!

This cover reveal is brought to you by Entangled Teen.

About Hiding Lies:

At Holden Prep, dirty little secrets always have a way of coming to the surface.

Eleanor Ames has never been what she seems. Average high school student on the outside, but reformed con artist trying to break free of her past on the inside. When Eleanor receives startling news about someone from her previous criminal life, plans for a new operation coinciding with her school’s upcoming field trip quickly consume her.

But operations rarely go according to plan. And this is one her irresistible teen FBI agent boyfriend, Miles, would never approve of.

Now, more than just Ellie’s reputation is at stake. If she fails, it could be her life.

Want to read more? Pre-order your copy of Hiding Lies (Eleanor Ames, #2) by NYT bestselling author Julie Cross today!

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About the author:

Julie Cross is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author of New Adult and Young Adult fiction, including the Tempest series, a young adult science fiction trilogy which includes Tempest, Vortex, Timestorm (St. Martin's Press). She's also the author of Letters to Nowhere series, Whatever Life Throws at You, Third Degree, Halfway Perfect, Chasing Truth, Off the Ice and many more to come! Julie Cross was a longtime resident of central Illinois but has recently moved her entire family across the country to continue her academic studies at Stanford University.

Website |  Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Spotlight: Maggie Series by Mya O'Malley

MAGGIE series

Maggie, Naomi, and Entangled Souls
By Mya O'Malley

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to share your home with an unearthly spirit who can’t find closure? Living on the edge of a cemetery with souls dating back to the 1700s would be enough to spook anyone, but Naomi finds it oddly romantic, and becomes inspired to write her next novel. Why not, when her muse, Maggie, calls to her from beyond her own window?

After all, the story couldn't possibly be as complicated as Naomi's own love life. Torn between Ryan, the mysterious and seemingly perfect man she just started dating, and Bryce, the sexy single dad who recently moved in next door, Naomi must navigate the tangled web of dating—all while trying to solve the mystery of Maggie's death.

When things turn dangerous, Naomi quickly learns whom she can trust and, more importantly, whom she can’t. Will she be able to write Maggie’s story and finally give Maggie the peace she deserves?

Naomi sighed as she thought about the outcome of Maggie’s story. Her body had been found washed up near the river. Awful. What a horrible thing. The location of the body had been a place where people walked along a path by the river. Naomi herself had been close to the crime scene many times, unaware of the traumatic events that had taken place there. 

No clues, other than it appeared to be a drowning. Evidence pointed to Maggie going out on a friend’s boat, perhaps, and falling overboard. 

But how?

And where was the friend? It didn’t make sense. A piece of this puzzle was missing; a rather large piece. 

A cold mystery was all that was left of Maggie’s story. 

Come on, come on. Maggie. Talk to me. Tell me what happened to you. What kind of girl were you? 

A sudden screech sounded from the window. Zelda. How was she supposed to concentrate on writing when Zelda kept intruding with her unpredictable behavior? She needed to write Maggie’s story. It was calling to her. If she didn’t write the story, she wouldn’t be able to write anything else. 

Cries filled the air. This was ridiculous. Naomi wouldn’t even waste her time trying to figure out the cat’s problem. “You’re a piece of work, you know that?” Zelda cried out in response. Now the cat had broken her concentration. 

Naomi needed to get out and clear her mind. She grabbed her notebook and her jacket from the hook in the entrance foyer. 

Once she was out of the house and down the narrow path heading into the graveyard, she turned around. It wasn’t surprising to see Zelda pacing back and forth on the windowsill. Crazy. 

After walking around for a few minutes, she was pulled toward Maggie’s grave once more. 

“Maggie, tell me your story. I’m listening.” Naomi didn’t actually expect to hear a response, but she knelt down and listened. She strained to hear the slightest sound, anything at all that would open up this mystery. 

Of course, she heard nothing. 

Nothing but the faraway sound of cars passing down the one-way street adjacent to the cemetery, then the faint cry of a crow overhead. Lifting her head to the darkening sky above, Naomi could have sworn the crow was staring right at her. Was she in the middle of her own eerie dream? Brushing off the uneasy feeling, Naomi shook her head and sat in the grass. 

“Was it your ex? Was it a stranger? Or was your death your own doing?” Naomi’s fingers touched the cold stone, running up and down the gravestone. A sharp crackling from behind caused Naomi to spin around. There was nobody there. 

Naomi would have sworn she heard someone. Perhaps it had been a darting squirrel or other small animal. Her attention returned to Maggie’s grave once more. Call it a gut feeling, but Naomi was convinced there was foul play at work here. It could be her overactive writer’s imagination, but instinctively she knew Maggie had been killed by someone. 

Most likely someone close to her. Wasn’t that usually the story? 

More determined than ever to solve this crime, Naomi stood up and brushed her pants off. She leaned over and spoke directly to Maggie’s headstone. 

“I will figure this out, girl. Just give me some time. I’ll find out who was responsible for this and you’ll give me my story. How does that sound? Fair?” 

The sound came from the woods this time. Whatever was creating the sound remained hidden.

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Naomi has a knack for attracting attention from ethereal beings—whether she wants it or not. Newly engaged to her sexy neighbor, Bryce, she has little time to celebrate and plan for her upcoming wedding, because no sooner does she wrap up a heartbreaking cold case than she finds herself right back where she started, searching for answers alongside ghostly spirits.

This time, however, Naomi learns that things are not what they seem as a man from her past quickly becomes her worst nightmare. If she’s not careful, this man might crush her hopes and dreams forever as he proves to be her most difficult opponent yet.

Still, Naomi tries to focus on her relationship with Bryce. Can it withstand head games and cruel intentions? Naomi makes it her mission to keep Bryce and his daughter safe from harm, but will true love be tough enough to withstand her adversaries?

Naomi must keep her eyes wide open and question everything— and everyone—in order to survive.

She sensed it before she heard the news. She could feel it deep in her bones. All night long she had tossed and turned, unable to find sleep. 

Nick.

“No,” Naomi wailed into her pillow, pounding her fists. 

No. But, of course, she knew it was true. After all, she had a sixth sense about things such as this. Damn, Nick. Why? How?

It had been several months since she had taken in his disheveled form, those cowardly eyes scanning her face, pleading for forgiveness from the other side of the depressing, stained, plastic divider at the county jail. 

Forgiveness that was difficult to give, although she had been working on it. Too late, Nick. It’s way too late for you now. Part of Naomi’s heart ached for Nick’s troubled soul. For the troubled child he had once been. 

Another part turned cold as she conjured up his face in her mind. As she had woken from a fitful night’s sleep, the image of Nick crying out, lost in the empty dark place where challenged souls lacked peace and closure, was too overwhelming to dismiss as a bad dream. 

“Bryce.” Naomi spoke his name aloud, even though her fiancé was most likely sound asleep at his house just up the dirt road. 

She needed Bryce. 

But Naomi knew Bryce would have to wait. Right after her first cup of coffee, she would have to call Officer Marty to confirm the facts of what she already knew to be true. 

How had it happened? Possibilities swirled through her mind. Endless scenarios came forth. It could be anything. Nick had been doing time for his part in the cover-up of Maggie Field’s death. Prisons could be dangerous, particularly for someone like Nick, a man who struggled to keep his emotions in check and often had difficulty conforming to the rules. 

One with a dark, menacing presence. 

One with attitude. 

Memories of the not so distant past slammed Naomi. Images of Ryan and Maggie . . . 

Maggie. 

The ghost that had all but consumed her. Maggie had reached out to Naomi, demanding peace. Naomi admitted to herself that she had become obsessed at that time in her life. Preoccupied with putting both Maggie and Ryan to rest. Luckily, Bryce was loyal and patient to the core during the first hectic months of their new relationship. 

What would he say now, knowing that a spirit was back? Knowing that this time it wasn’t the sweet spirit of a girl named Maggie or a quirky, kindhearted man that needed her help? 

This time it was worse, far worse. 

This time the spirit was unsettled, tortured—and to make matters even more daunting . . . 

He was her ex-boyfriend. 

Would Bryce be as understanding about Nick as he had been with Maggie and Ryan? Hopping up out of her bed to make her cup of coffee, Naomi figured she was about to find out. 

***

Moments after she hung up the phone with her friend, Officer Miriam Marty, Naomi reached for her coffee mug but then placed it back on the counter with a gentle thud. 

Damn, Nick. 

Miriam had confirmed Naomi’s worst suspicions and provided the bare facts surrounding Nick’s death. 

He was, indeed, dead. But the strange thing about it was that it appeared to have been intentional on his part. It was too early to say, but Miriam suspected that traces of drugs would be found in his system.

An overdose? Could he have intentionally taken his own life? No, that didn’t sound right. Then again, how well did Naomi even know Nick anymore? For that matter, how well had she ever known him? Naomi supposed it was easy enough for an inmate to have the means to obtain drugs. And, let’s face it, prison life could be grueling. 

No, no. Something didn’t feel right about this. Nick’s sentence was only to last just a few more weeks, why would he purposely harm himself? As Naomi tried to make sense of the news, she paced the floor. Zelda, her loyal feline companion, weaved in and out of her legs as Naomi stopped and grabbed her coffee mug from the table. 

Sharp rapping on the door startled Naomi, causing her to spill her coffee on her blouse. “Shoot!” 

Voicing her own displeasure at nearly being stepped on, Zelda screeched as she tore into the living room. Naomi snatched a napkin, wiping at her top as she made her way to the door. 

“Are you ready?” Bryce raised an eyebrow as Naomi stepped to the side to allow him through the front door. He leaned over and placed a quick kiss on her forehead. 

“Ready?” 

“Ah, yes. Remember? We were going to grab a bite and then head over to the trail for a walk?” 

Yes. That’s right. She and Bryce had plans this morning. With everything going on, she had clearly forgotten. 

“I . . . I’m so sorry. Give me a minute to change my shirt. Sit, I’ll be right back.” She scurried up the stairs to her bedroom to change. This could be a good thing, the time alone with Bryce. His young daughter, Holly, was in school, and she could have Bryce’s full attention. 

Dressed in a clean shirt, Naomi sprinted down the stairs and grabbed her sneakers. She attempted her best smile as she tied the laces. “Almost ready,” Naomi managed.

“What’s with you? Why are you out of breath?” Bryce cocked his head as he studied Naomi. 

“Just excited to spend the morning with you,” she offered a bit too cheerily, glancing up at him as she felt nagging guilt rise in her throat. He wouldn’t be happy about the news regarding Nick, and that was putting it mildly. He simply couldn’t even begin to understand. He would tell her to leave it alone, not to get caught up in somebody else’s problems. 

Naomi swallowed hard and gripped Bryce’s warm hand as they made their way to his truck. Once inside, Naomi glanced at her fiancé and then gazed down at her lap. 

“Bryce?” she whispered. 

Concern etched his handsome face. “What is it? What’s wrong?” He reached for her hands. 

“We need to talk.”

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ENTANGLED SOULS

coming late 2018

If Naomi thought solving three murders was going to earn her a respite from the spirits who flock to her for guidance and resolution, she couldn't have been more wrong. This time around, helping her friend, Officer Miriam Marty, solve a particularly daunting case is just the beginning.

Newly married to her soul mate, Bryce, Naomi figured she could settle in and enjoy the first few months of marriage without the all-consuming task of helping the spirits around her find the closure they so desperately seek. She should have known there was no chance of normalcy, though - even her stepdaughter Holly's quirky friend, Lillie, adds to the confusion.

This time, Naomi's challenge is unique. Not only does she have to put her heart and soul into helping an intricate, beautiful ghost, but this precious soul soon teaches Naomi that her path in life, her fate, has led her to precisely where she needs to be.

Everything about Naomi's past experiences with the paranormal crashes together as Naomi becomes entwined in the entangled plot that has become her life, alongside the unique souls that complete her destiny.

Mya O’Malley was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City, where she currently lives with her husband, daughter and step-daughters. The family also consists of a boxer named Destiny and a ragdoll cat named Colby. Mya earned an undergraduate degree in special education and a graduate degree in reading and literacy. She works as a special education teacher and enjoys making a difference in the lives of her students.

Mya’s passion is writing; she has been creating stories and poetry since she was a child. Mya spends her free time reading just about anything she can get her hands on. She is a romantic at heart and loves to create stories with unforgettable characters. Mya likes to travel; she has visited several Caribbean Islands, Mexico and Costa Rica. Mya is currently working on her eleventh novel.

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Little Secrets by Anna Snoekstra

Author: Anna Snoekstra
Publisher: MIRA
Date of publication: October 2017

What happens when ambition trumps the truth?

A town reeling in the wake of tragedy

An arsonist is on the loose in Colmstock, Australia, most recently burning down the town's courthouse and killing a young boy who was trapped inside.. 

An aspiring journalist desperate for a story

The clock is ticking for Rose Blakey. With nothing but rejections from newspapers piling up, her job pulling beers for cops at the local tavern isn't nearly enough to cover rent. Rose needs a story-a big one. 

Little dolls full of secrets

In the weeks after the courthouse fire, precise porcelain replicas of Colmstock's daughters begin turning up on doorsteps, terrifying parents and testing the limits of the town's already fractured police force. 

Rose may have finally found her story. But as her articles gain traction and the boundaries of her investigation blur, Colmstock is seized by a seething paranoia. Soon, no one is safe from suspicion. And when Rose's attention turns to the mysterious stranger living in the rooms behind the tavern, neighbor turns on neighbor and the darkest side of self-preservation is revealed.

Little Secrets is about a small working class town in Australia where too many secrets and too many hot tempers end up causing a lot of damage to the community.  In the wake of a tragic fire where a child was killed, dolls start showing up on the door steps of the children in the town.  They strangely look like the children they are left for.  Rose is looking for a story that will give her a big break in the world of journalism and uses this one as her jumping board.

I really disliked this book.  I probably should have DNF'd it, but I kept holding out hope I would end up least liking something.   It also took me forever to read and I ended up switching to audio to finish it out quicker.. Nothing happens in a large majority of the book.  I know not every story can have all likable characters, but at least one could go a long way to making the story good.  I couldn't find one nice character in this book.  Even the little kids are kind of brats.  The protagonist almost had my sympathy for a while, but she ended up being just as detestable as the rest of them.

I never really felt the mystery aspect of the book.  Finding out all of the secrets was kind of a let down.  There was one twist that did take me by surprise, but it seriously wasn't enough to save the book for me. Even that twist, which was one of the big ones, never really was addressed again after it was revealed.  You would think there would be some repercussions, but no.  In the end, they all kind of got what they deserved and were probably looking at miserable lives ahead.  I'm not really sure I would recommend this one.  It's is really dark and I guess if you like that sort of book, you could give it a shot. Otherwise, I would say skip it.