Helllllo readers, today is another book from the recesses of my Kindle. I’ve been meaning to review these for ages and I’ve had a bit of a readers block recently so have been struggling to get anything finished. I seem to pick one up and then put it down again and then start something new and it’s exhausting to say the least. I read this book almost a year ago and had a quick flick through but quickly remembered my thoughts so have penned them down here for you. As always anyone waiting for reviews, they will appear at some point. I’m struggling with reading at the moment but will hopefully all pick up soon.
When KATE HARRIS moves to Long Beach California, she hopes to finally settle in her new home. She longs to have friends and fantasises about meeting the guy of her dreams. But after one dangerous night, Kate finds herself obsessing over a mysterious stranger who saves her life, and she embarks on a quest to uncover his identity. But her journey ends when she discovers her gorgeous neighbour, JACK JONES, who proves to be the welcoming distraction she needs.
Kate is deeply intrigued by Jack, and begins to feel differently when she’s in his company. She is flattered by the attention he showers her with and enjoys her newfound confidence. And even though their relationship symbolises young love, Kate soon realizes that Jack is anything but normal.
When Jack is forced to reveal his many secrets, including the curse inflicted upon him by his twin brother, Sebastian, Kate begins questioning what is real and what is just a mere illusion.
Jack refuses to make peace with his brother, and warns Kate to stay away from him. But Kate is drawn to Sebastian, and if she betrays Jack, the consequences of her actions will lead to devastation for them all.
This review I feel is going to be really difficult to rate because I think since genre’s are always developing. YA for example, which for me has really come into the light recently in terms of their popularity, and some just haven’t hit that quality mark. If I was to rate this book on the plot then it would be very different to my review based on the characters but I’ll try my best. The book follows the relationship of Kate who is saved by a mysterious stranger; she then plots to find out who he really is. However, during her mission she meets the rather dashing and exciting Jack. As the book continues we see the love triangle develop and the dangers that it has created.
You can tell from the blurb that it’s quite a niche idea I think. It’s not one I’ve seen for a long time and I think the blurb really set me off for a really good read. The problem for me is that the book is written entirely in first person from Kate but, and this I think is due to the YA feel of it, she is so under-developed that the book especially the dialogue of the characters falls really flat. The book should really be full of emotional trauma, tension and suspense but the characters are so lacking that it really can’t be saved. There are also a hell of a lot of clichés used including the favourite biting of the bottom lip and collapsing into heaps on the floor. Exhausting.
Additionally, realising that I’m really writing this book off, the superpowers of the twins are not really being used for anything useful? You would think given super powers that they would be used for good, throw in a bit of action, a cliff-hanger or two and you’ve got an even better story that could have supported the characters better but no, na-da, they’re not really used at all. However, if I’m going to spin the positives I’ll go with this; the writing does move with pace and is at times gripping. The author throws in a couple of surprises and although Kate is a weaker character she is down-to-earth which is nice. The two males in the book were written with spirit and I could definitely see myself getting into an argument over who I preferred.
How am I going to sum this all up? I think it’s got good bits and bad. Unfortunately it’s too undeveloped and not thought through succinctly and that is a toughie because it is what ultimately supports the book on the whole. I thought Kate was a confusing character but she has potential and the author obviously knows what she needs to do just didn’t quite pull through. On an asthetic point the cover is awful; but I am glad I read this, just won’t be revisiting any time soon.
Linnnnnks
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