Waiting on Wednesday #78

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine which spotlights highly anticipated upcoming releases.

Title:  Wink Poppy Midnight

Series:  N/A

Author:  April Genevieve Tucholke 

Genre:  Young Adult, Mystery

Publisher:  Dial Books 

Publication Date:  March 22, 2016

The intrigue of The Virgin Suicides and the "supernatural or not" question of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer coalesce in this young adult mystery, where nothing is quite as it seems, no one is quite who you think, and everything can change on a dime.
Every story needs a hero.
Every story needs a villain.
Every story needs a secret.
Wink is the odd, mysterious neighbor girl, wild red hair and freckles. Poppy is the blond bully and the beautiful, manipulative high school queen bee. Midnight is the sweet, uncertain boy caught between them. Wink. Poppy. Midnight. Two girls. One boy. Three voices that burst onto the page in short, sharp, bewitching chapters, and spiral swiftly and inexorably toward something terrible or tricky or tremendous.
What really happened?
Someone knows.
Someone is lying.

Find Wink Poppy Midnight online

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Why I'm waiting on Wink Poppy Midnight this Wednesday:  I was a huge fan of April Genevieve Tucholke's first book, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (find my review here) but I never read the second book in that series.  Still, she's an enormously talented author and I'm very intrigued by the sound of this book (though also a bit confused).  Hopefully it's a good one!

Did you ever read Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea?  Did you enjoy it?  I'm really hoping this book is as good (if not better) than that one!  Who else is looking forward to reading this book?  Let me know in the comments below!

Review: Fall With Me

Title:  Fall With Me
Series:  Wait For You #4
Author:  Jennifer L. Armentrout (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  New Adult
Publisher:  Avon Books
Publication Date:  March 31, 2015
Source:  Bought

Eleven months ago, bartender and weird-shirt-wearing extraordinaire Roxy and Officer Reece Anders had a one night stand. Well, kind of. She’s been in love with him since she was fifteen, and he wishes that night they shared never happened. She’s sworn him off forever, but the past and future collide, forcing her to rely on the one man who broke her heart not once, but twice.
Her best friend since birth has been in a long-term care facility since he became a victim of a hate crime years ago, and the person who put him in there is out of prison and wanting to make amends with him and Roxy. She’s not sure she has room for forgiveness in her and when she begins to receive frightening messages and is on the receiving end of escalating violence, she thinks she knows who is to blame. The man who already destroyed one life already.
But Reece isn’t convinced. The threats are too personal, and even if Roxy doesn’t believe him, he’s not willing to let anyone hurt her. Including himself. He’s already messed up more than once when it comes to Roxy and he’s not going to let history repeat itself.

Find Fall With Me online

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I feel like every review I write about a book written by Jennifer L. Armentrout is basically me gushing and swooning over the guy characters and cheering on the girl ones.  I mean, come on, I pick up one of her books and basically put on my fangirl cap for at least a week.  My friends now fear my fangirl cap because they know it means I will be blabbering nonstop about a book.  Well, that's basically how this book left me!  Fall With Me delivered in all the ways I wanted it to.  It was funny, spooky, and sizzling with attraction between Roxy and Reece!

As always, the characters were what made this novel so amazing.  JLA has a knack for whipping up characters that steal my heart.  Roxy was just so amazing.  After having met her in a couple of the previous books, I was thrilled that we would finally be getting her story and so happy that it delivered so completely!  She was quirky, strong, stood up for herself, and hilarious.  She was definitely someone I could see myself wanting to hang out with.  And Reece was the same!  He was so loyal and protective.  I really loved watching how he and Roxy got along.  It was also nice seeing the couples from the previous books show up in this one.  It's always so much fun to see what they're getting up to nowadays.  

All the mystery aspects of the story were on point.  Really guys, it was so creepy and shudder-inducing.  Reading it, I was actually getting scared.  Up until the point that it was revealed what was going on, I was completely in the dark.  I had no idea who was doing these things and it really kept me glued to the pages trying to figure it out.  The end scene...jeez, it's a thing of nightmares.  So creepy.  But really well written.  I loved reading it and seeing how everything unfolded.  

Fall With Me is another one of JLA's books that has become a favorite of mine.  The characters were just as amazing as ever and the added mystery throughout the novel made it impossible to put down.  Add in her signature wit and romance, and this book had it all!

“I’m scared, too. And there are times I question what I deserve, but we’re in this together. So fall with me,” 

Five Teapots

Review: Dangerous Boys

Title:  Dangerous Boys
Series:  None
Author:  Abigail Haas (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  Young Adult
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster
Publication Date:  August 14, 2014
Source:  Gifted

Three teens venture into the abandoned Monroe estate one night; hours later, only two emerge from the burning wreckage. Chloe drags one Reznick brother to safety, unconscious and bleeding; the other is left to burn, dead in the fire. But which brother survives? And is his death a tragic accident? Desperate self-defense? Or murder?
Chloe is the only one with the answers. As the fire rages, and police and parents demand the truth, she struggles to piece together the story of how they got there-a story of jealousy, twisted passion, and the darkness that lurks behind even the most beautiful of faces… 

Find Dangerous Boys online

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This was actually the first Abigail Haas book I wanted to read, the one that initially reeled me in like a fish on a hook with that wonderful blurb and gorgeous cover.  Of course, when I realized she had also previously release Dangerous Girls, I had to read that one first and, let me tell you, it BLEW MY MIND.  So I expected nothing short of amazing and mind bending and awesome from this one.  It definitely delivered and I can't believe I didn't see what happened coming because I was totally waiting for it the whole time.  Like, how does Abigail do this?!? Every single time I finish one of her books, I'm left sitting there like an idiot, mouth hanging open and eyes wide in shock, until I finally gather myself and reread the last couple of pages because no, no way, I couldn't have read the right...no...no....what?!?!  How?!?!?  Basically, my brain is like putty in the hands of this woman and will believe almost anythings she writes out and releases to the world.  

The one thing that I do find whenever I read one of her books, is that I don't particularly enjoy her main characters.  Like, I find them extremely interesting and flawed and engaging but there's no way in hell I'd ever find myself spending time with them.  Chloe, our main character, was no different.  While she wasn't necessarily mean or nasty, there was just something about the way to was around the two boys that turned me off from her.  The two boys, however, I very much liked (but was also creeped out by) because they were so...well, dangerous and interesting and mysterious and I wanted to know everything about them.  Particularly Oliver.  He grabbed my attention from the moment he stepped onto the page.  

I don't want to say too much about the overall plot because I don't want to spoil this amazingness for anyone.  But just trust me when I tell you that Abigail Haas is a master of weaving tricky, slippery, and unpredictable stories.  I'm so so SO excited to see what she has in store for us next.  I have no doubt it will leave me just as shocked as this one has.

“Some pieces couldn’t be glued back together. Some people weren’t for fixing.

Sometimes, the only thing to do was burn the whole fucking world down and start again.” 

Five Teapots

Review: The Devil You Know

Title:  The Devil You Know
Series:  None
Author:  Trish Doller (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  Young Adult 
Publisher:  Bloomsbury Childrens
Publication Date:  June 2, 2015
Source:  Bought

Eighteen-year-old Arcadia wants adventure. Living in a tiny Florida town with her dad and four-year-old brother, Cadie spends most of her time working, going to school, and taking care of her family. So when she meets two handsome cousins at a campfire party, she finally has a chance for fun. They invite her and friend to join them on a road trip, and it's just the risk she's been craving-the opportunity to escape. But what starts out as a fun, sexy journey quickly becomes dangerous when she discovers that one of them is not at all who he claims to be. One of them has deadly intentions.
A road trip fling turns terrifying in this contemporary story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Find The Devil You Know online

Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Goodreads | The Book Despository 

So, this book would have been a lot better if Arcadia, our main character, hadn't made so many stupid decisions, the biggest of which being running off with two strange men that she knew for less than a day.  I just...my brain couldn't understand why.  Why, Arcadia?!?!  Why would you do something so completely idiotic?  I enjoyed the mystery aspect more than anything and the creep factor definitely got me.  It was a subtle and the sort of freaky that really crept up on me.  But still, I was pretty disappointed I hadn't liked this read more; I was really excited about reading it and it didn't quite meet my expectations.  It just left me kind of meh once I have finally turned the final page.

Like I said, my biggest problem with this novel was the main character.  Arcadia honestly just got on my nerves.  I didn't understand her reasoning behind almost everything she did.  Like, I got that she wanted a bit of freedom and adventure but this was just too much.  If you want freedom and adventure, go out with people that you know, not random dudes that you meet in the woods.  It was just so stupid, I couldn't bear it.  Even when things began looking really sketchy, Arcadia refused to admit that she may have done something wrong.  Her stubbornness and complete disregard for the feelings of her dad and brother really turned me off from liking her.  

Now, of course, the two random guys that Arcadia runs away with soon become potential love interests.  One, a bad boy with a violent past, the other, a goody-goody that is super caring and sweet.  I honestly didn't like either of them.  Mostly because their relationships with Arcadia were built around her stupidity and lack of self preservation and just felt all around too rushed.  I was suspicious of them both the entire time we were with them but guess pretty early what was going on with the creepy mystery aspect of this book.  It was fairly predictable with the way the guys acted and I wasn't shocked in the slightest when the big reveal happen.  I still enjoyed the mystery though and see it all unfold.  

Overall, I didn't really like this book.  The mystery aspect was the only part I thoroughly enjoyed and even that was fairly predictable and even felt a little rushed at the end.  Still, I was a pretty easy and fast read so if you don't mind some serious eye-rolling and a drive-you-crazy MC, it's worth check out.  

"I rationalized everything, telling myself that I earned this time away from home. But now, with too much time to do nothing but think, I wonder if I was just plain selfish. Just … stupid."

Two Teapots

P.S.:  Wonderland's Reader recently turned three and I recently turned nineteen!  To celebrate, I'm hosting a big giveaway where you have the chance to win a $25 B&N gift card or a book of your choice!  Don't miss your chance to win.  Enter here.

Blog Tour: Bone Deep Review

Title:  Bone Deep
Series:  N/A
Author:  Kim O'Brien (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  Young Adult
Publisher:  Spencer Hill Press
Publication Date:  May 19, 2015
Source:  An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

When Paige Patterson travels to Arizona to spend the summer with her archeologist father, she expects answers. Why did her parents divorce? Why did her father choose his career over family? She doesn’t expect to be reunited with her best friend Emily Linton, a girl she has always admired and secretly wanted to emulate, or to find herself falling for the project manager’s son, Jalen Yazzi.
But the summer takes a terrible turn when Emily vanishes. As the police struggle for answers, Paige sets out to find the truth.
The search takes Paige from the Cliffside ruins of prehistoric Native Americans to the Navajo Nation to the horrifying possibility that the answer is much closer to home. Emily, it turns out, was not the only one good at hiding things.
Her father has no alibi for the night Emily disappeared. An intern with the motive insists he’s innocent. And Jalen has some secrets of his own.
Old bones might not be the only things buried in the ruins. As Paige digs deeper into Emily’s disappearance, she realizes that uncovering the truth may cost her everything—even her life. 

 Find Bone Deep online

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This wasn't exactly the sort of book I'm used to reading but I'm really happy that I gave it a chance!  It focused heavily on the mystery aspect and I loved it.  There was a lot of tense situations that added to the creepy factor.  The different aspects came together in a well organized and interesting novel.

My absolute favorite part of this novel was the emphasis on the mystery.  The way that Kim O'Brien set things up and the way the events unfolded just made it so I couldn't put this book down until I figured out what happened.  The clues and hints along the way added to my enjoyment a lot.  I had a blast trying to figure out what had happened the night that Emily, Paige's best friend, disappeared.  I had an inkling at the beginning of what happened and I liked testing my theory as I went further into the story.

The characters in this book were good.  They all had their quirks about them that I liked and disliked but for the most part I thought they were fun.  I especially like Paige.  While she did get on my nerves at some points, I thought the way she handled things emotionally was really realistic and brave.  Also, her relationship with Jalen was pretty awesome.  I thought that clicked well together.  While they aren't my absolute favorite couple, they did support each other and work together pretty well.

The ending of this book, even though I had been guessing the whole time, still came as a bit of a shock.  It was a bit bitter sweet but I was satisfied with it overall.  There was a few things throughout that didn't sit completely well with me but for the most part, I thought this book was great.  I'm excited to see what Kim O'Brien comes out with next!

Don't miss your chance to win a paperback copy of Bone Deep!  US only 

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**I am an intern at Spencer Hill Press but the opinions expressed within this review are 100% my own**

Review: Dangerous Girls

Title:  Dangerous Girls
Series:  N/A
Author:  Abigail Haas (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  Young Adult
Publisher:  Simon Pulse
Publication Date:  July 16, 2013
Source:  Gifted

It's Spring Break of senior year. Anna, her boyfriend Tate, her best friend Elise, and a few other close friends are off to a debaucherous trip to Aruba that promises to be the time of their lives. But when Elise is found brutally murdered, Anna finds herself trapped in a country not her own, fighting against vile and contemptuous accusations.
As Anna sets out to find her friend's killer; she discovers hard truths about her friendships, the slippery nature of truth, and the ache of young love.
As she awaits the judge's decree, it becomes clear that everyone around her thinks she is not just guilty, but dangerous. When the truth comes out, it is more shocking than one could ever imagine...

Find Dangerous Girls online

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Oh my goodness, I was not ready for this book.  While I knew it was intense, I had no idea it was this  intense.  From page one, I was thrown right into the action with Anna and the rest of her friends when they find Elise, Anna's best friend, dead in the home they're vacationing in.  The clues just kept on stacking up as I went through the book, trying to figure out who had murdered her, and when I thought I had it all figured out, Abigail Haas through another curve ball and I was knocked off my feet by the twist.

I don't want to say too much about this book because I don't want anything to ruin the twists that pop up throughout it, but what I can say is that I was kept on my toes throughout.  We focused on trying to figure out who had murdered Elise by going through the events leading up to the murder, Anna and Elise's past as best friends, and the trial after it had happened.  While I usually don't like having stories jump around in such a non-linear fashion, I found I actually really enjoyed it with this one.  It gave the story more depth and allowed me to get a better idea of exactly what was happening and what could have possibly happened to Elise.  

The thing about this book is that I didn't really like any of the characters in it but I was invested enough in their lives that I found myself rooting for them.  They all had load of flaws and that made them feel more real and also made it easier to dislike them.  But like I said, I found myself rooting for them and hoping they would find the truth...which wasn't anything I had been expecting!  Basically, this book left me like this

When it comes down to it, I absolutely adored this book and I 100% recommend it to everyone.  Seriously, go get it right now so you can experience the mind-blowing awesomeness!  This book had left me craving the next book Abigail Haas is coming out with, Dangerous Boys.  I have no doubt that it is going to be just as twisty as this one was!

“Any one of us could be made to look a monster, with selective readings of our history.”

Five Teapots

Review: The Diviners (DNF)

Title:  The Diviners
Series:  The Diviners #1
Author:  Libba Bray (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  Young Adult
Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date:  September 18, 2012
Source:  Gifted

Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City—and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.
Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.
As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened.

Find The Diviners online

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Man, I was so excited going into this book. While I had never read anything by Libba Bray before, I'd heard awesome things about her works, particularly this one.  However, I found I was pretty disappointed with this book.  I had the hardest time connecting with the characters, getting interested in the plot, and finding motivation to read it.  Eventually, I had to mark this one as DNF at about half way through.  

Connecting with characters is a must for me when I read a book.  If I don't care about the characters, I find I don't care much about the story overall.  With this one, I couldn't even bring myself to like the characters, particularly Evie, out main gal.  She was just...oh my gosh, so frustrating.  From the very beginning of the book, she cared less about the people around her and more about how she was perceived.  I grew tired of her thirst for fame very quickly, especially when she began going behind some of her loved ones backs in order to achieve it.  She was a shallow, snobby girl.  I can't say whether she improved or not toward the end of the novel since I didn't finish it but I couldn't find it in me to continue reading in order to find out.  

The other characters weren't much better but I can say that I at least liked them.  However, we didn't really get to know them much, at least not in the first half of the book.  The only character I'm honestly a bit sad that I won't get to know more about is Sam.  He was the highlight of the entire book for me.  Funny, charming, and a thief, he was exactly what I like in my book boys.  And his banter with Evie when they were together was off the charts.  I loved it!

The plot had the potential to be absolutely fabulous but I found it took a little too long to get rolling.  Nothing really major or interesting happened until about 100 pages in and by that time I was already playing with the idea of marking it as DNF.  I will admit though, once things did start happening, they were really interesting and creepy.

Another problem I had with this novel was that it was just unnecessarily long.  It's 500+ pages and it could have easily been cut down to 300, I think.  There was just way too much description.  There were entire pages of just description and I just got way too bored way too quickly with it.  

I'm sad I didn't like this book.  I really wanted to but I just could not get into it.  While it wasn't all bad, there was just too many of my bookish pet peeves rolled into these pages for me to really enjoy it.

“Your mother and I do not approve of drinking. Have you not heard of the Eighteenth Amendment?” 
“Prohibition? I drink to its health whenever I can.” 

Two Teapots

Review: Rival

Title:  Rival
Series:  Fall Away #2
Author:  Penelope Douglas (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  New Adult
Publisher:  Penguin Group (USA)
Publication Date:  August 26, 2014
Source:  Bought

Madoc and Fallon. Two estranged teenagers playing games that push the boundaries between love and war…
She’s back.
For the two years she’s been away at boarding school, there was no word from her. Back when we lived in the same house, she used to cut me down during the day and then leave her door open for me at night.
I was stupid then, but now I’m ready to beat her at her own game…
I’m back.
Two years and I can tell he still wants me, even if he acts like he’s better than me.
But I won’t be scared away. Or pushed down. I’ll call his bluff and fight back. That’s what he wants, right? As long as I keep my guard up, he’ll never know how much he affects me….

Find Rival online

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My Review:  I can't seem to find the right words to describe my feels about this book.  Did I like it?  Yes.  Was it better than the first one, Bully?  In my opinion, again, yes.  It hooked me from page one and I couldn't get enough of it.  I flew through it like a rocket and when I came out on the other side, I was wearing a smile.  But looking back on it, there are some things that just didn't sit right with me.

One thing I did enjoy about this was the love-hate relationship between Madoc and Fallon.  I love exploring relationships like that in novels because it creates amazing tension!  And the fact that we didn't know exactly why there was so much tension made things 10x better and more intense.  I was caught up in unraveling the mystery that surrounded their past.  And when we finally did, I just loved their relationship all the more.  They had a lot of passion between them which fueled both their arguments and the love they shared between each other.  

The only aspect of their relationship (and of the book in general) I didn't totally like was how quickly it moved.  It felt like one second they were completely disgusted with each other and the next they were professing their undying love to each other.  While I really wanted them to be together, I feel like it could have been more satisfying had there been more build up to the moment when their relationship changed.  Their opinions of each other changed at break-neck speed and that bothered me.  

  

Besides how quickly their relationship moved, I really enjoyed the plot.  There wasn't any boring moments and I loved seeing the characters from the first book in this one.  I love it when there are crossovers like that!  Like I said before, I was just completely hooked on this story.  It helped that the writing style was awesome, too!  Penelope Douglas just paints a picture in my head and conveys emotions so perfectly.  I feel like I'm right there with the characters.  

Rival is a novel that is fast paced and entertaining.  I would definitely give it a go if you're looking for something full of romantic tension, interesting characters, and a mysterious past!  

Four Cards

Review: We Were Liars

Title:  We Were Liars
Series:  None
Author:  E. Lockhart (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  Young Adult
Publication Date:  May 13, 2014 by Delacorte Press
Source:  Bought

A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.
Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

Find We Were Liars online

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My Review:  This book blew my mind.  Seriously, I'm still reeling from reading it.  I'd heard all the hype, I was extremely excited and had tons of guessing bouncing around my head and I still did not see the end coming.  It was amazingly woven.  I'm applauding the author right now for how well she tied this novel together.  

Honestly, this is an extremely hard review to write without spoiling everything.  What I will say, I'm going to be pretty vague about.  I don't want to ruin the end for anyone still planning on reading this.  

I was torn abut the characters, honestly.  All of them rubbed me the wrong way.  I both disliked and pitied them as I read until I realized they had all wormed their way into my heart and I loved them.  They had some seriously terrible family drama that just broke my heart into a million pieces.  I was absolutely horrified by the way their family manipulated and backhanded each other.  I couldn't imagine living in an environment like that and I could understand how the kids ended up so messed up.  I was torn between this half the time

And this the other half of the time

As far as plot goes, there wasn't a ton happening but it always felt fast paced and interesting.  The mystery kept me going in this novel.  I just needed to figure out what was happening and why.  I was surprised at how strongly it held onto me.  I really couldn't put this book down.  I read it all in one sitting.  

I enjoyed the writing style whole-heartedly.  I've heard some complaints about how the prose was a little too flowery and confusing but I enjoyed it a lot.  It painted a better picture in my head of what the main character was dealing with and feeling.  It packed a more emotional punch while I read and I loved that.  

This is the sort of novel that you have to just experience for yourself.  If you're having doubts and wondering whether you should get it or not, just make that leap and get it!  It's well worth the chance with this amazing novel.  

“We are liars. We are beautiful and privileged. We are cracked and broken.” 

“He was contemplation and enthusiasm. Ambition and strong coffee. I could have looked at him forever.” 

Four Cards

Don't Look Back Release Day Launch!

Today, I am so excited to announce the release of another book from one of my favorite authors, Jennifer L. Armentrout.  This novel is unlike anything she's ever written and I'm beyond excited to jump in and share it with you!

Title:  Don't Look Back

Series:  None

Author:  Jennifer L. Armentrout

Age Group:  Young Adult

Published:  April 15, 2014 (that's today :D) by Disney Hyperion

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend.

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

Find Don't Look Back online!

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads ~ iTunes

Excerpt from Don't Look Back!

              I didn’t recognize the name on the street sign. Nothing about the rural road looked familiar or friendly. Tall, imposing trees and overgrown weeds choked the front of the dilapidated home. Windows were boarded up. There was a gaping hole where the front door had been. I shivered,wanting to be far away from here…wherever here was. 

 

Walking felt harder than it should be, and I stumbled off the chilly asphalt, wincing as

sharp gravel dug into my feet. 

My bare feet? 

I stopped and looked down. Chipped pink nail polish peeked through the dirt…and blood. 

            Mud caked the legs of my pants, leaving the hems stiff. It made sense, seeing as how I wasn’t wearing any shoes, but the blood…I didn’t understand why there was blood staining the knees of my jeans. 

 

My vision clouded and dulled, as if a gray film had been dropped over my eyes. As I

stared at the weathered asphalt under my feet, large and smooth rocks replaced the tiny stones.Something dark and oily seeped over the rocks, slipping through the cracks. 

 

Sucking in a sharp gasp, I blinked and the image was gone. 

Hands trembling, I raised them. They were also covered with dirt and scratches. My nails were broken, bloodied. A silver ring wrapped, encased in soil, around my thumb. Air froze in my chest as my gaze crawled over my arms. The sleeves of my sweater were torn, revealing pale flesh covered in bruises and gashes. My legs started to shake as I swayed forward. I tried to remember how this had happened, but my head was empty—a black void where nothing existed. 

 

A car drove by, coasting to a stop a few feet in front of me. Somewhere in the trenches of my subconscious, I recognized the flashing red and blue lights as a source of safety. Elegantly scrawled along the black-and-gray side of the cruiser were the words ADAMS COUNTY SHERIFF’SDEPARTMENT. 

  

Adams County? A flash of familiarity came and went. 

The driver’s door opened, and a deputy stepped out. He said something into the radio on his shoulder before he looked at me. 

 

“Miss?” He started around the cruiser, taking tentative steps. He looked young for a

deputy. Barely out of high school and able to carry a gun seemed wrong somehow. Was I in high school? I didn’t know. “We’ve received some calls into dispatch concerning you,” he said gently. “Are you okay?” 

 

I tried to respond, but only a hoarse squeak came out. Clearing my throat, I winced as themotion scratched and pulled. “I…I don’t know.” 

 

“Okay.” The deputy held up his hands as he approached me, as if I were a skittish deer about to bolt. “My name is Deputy Rhode. I’m here to help you. Do you know what you’re doing out here?” 

 

“No.” Knots formed in my belly. I didn’t even know where here was.

His smile strained. “What’s your name?” 

My name? Everyone knew their name, but as I stared at the deputy, I couldn’t answer his question. The knots started twisting more. “I don’t…I don’t know what my name is.” 

 

He blinked, and the smile was completely gone. “You don’t remember anything?” 

I tried again, concentrating on the empty space between my ears. That was how it felt.

And I knew that wasn’t good. My eyes started to tear up. 

“Miss, it’s okay. We’ll get you taken care of.” He reached out, lightly taking hold of my

arm. “We’ll get this sorted.” 

Deputy Rhode led me around the back of his cruiser. I didn’t want to sit behind the

Plexiglas, because I knew that wasn’t good. Only bad people sat behind the glass in police

cruisers. I wanted to object, but before I could say anything, he settled me into the seat and

wrapped a coarse blanket around my shoulders. 

Before he locked me in the bad part of the car, he knelt and smiled reassuringly.

“Everything’s going to be okay.” 

But I knew he was lying, trying to make me feel better. It didn’t work. How could

everything be okay when I didn’t know my own name?

“This engrossing thriller packs a heady atmospheric punch with plenty of theatrical scares,” Kirkus Reviews

“Armentrout has written another winner. From the first page to the last, she builds both terror and confusion to the point where readers will be hooked and on the edge of their seat. This standalone contains all of Armentrout’s usual trademarks– a strong and determined heroine, witty comments and hot guys–but she adds in an extra layer by ratcheting up the suspense to the highest degree and follows it up with an ending no one will see coming.” RT BOOK REVIEWS 4 1/2 Stars TOP PICK

About Jennifer L. Armentrout!

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia.

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true.

Well, mostly. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.

She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don't Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen.

Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

 Find Jennifer online!

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