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ash_ton's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book on my grandma's bookshelf, and was surprised to learn it was a YA book. I decided to give it a chance, and I'm glad I did. I don't really like reading about popular people because I've never liked them, but I could overlook that enough because that wasn't all the main character talked about. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a mystery/thriller, because that's really what this is. I would have finished this book in one or two sittings if I didn't have to worry about college. All I have to say is: major plot twist!
miss_moonshine's review against another edition
4.0
This story reminds me of exactly the reason I never wanted to be popular; because when you're all the way at the top, the only way to go is down. And Jane, the protagonist, goes down in spectacular fashion, and with a literal bang. Waking up in hospital with amnesia places Jane in exactly the same boat as the reader; clueless. The mixture of present time and memories is very effective, allowing the reader only to know what Jane herself knows, thereby keeping the mystery. And - for me, at least - it was a mystery, right until the very end: keeping me reading after I'd told myself I would only read a couple of chapters, when I really should have been revising. What also kept me reading was the impeccable writing; I had read another of Michelle Jaffe's books, in which she was laugh out loud funny and reminiscent of Meg Cabot, but for me, Rosebush shows just how well the author can adapt to different styles successfully. There are only two grievances I have with this book, one is Jane's character; her overwhelming naivete - it's been the fodder for feel-good teen movies for decades, but I still find it quite unbelievable that a girl who has previously been under the radar thinks she can become popular and not have to pay some price. Also annoying is her seemingly irrational dislike of her step-father-to-be for much of the book. The other is that the end seems a little rushed, as though there had been that much time spent on the mystery that very little had been put into the solving of it, but the fact that Jane is in more danger when the mystery is solved keeps it from feeling too anti-climatic.
Cliched or not, this book directly supports the phrase 'With friends like these, who needs enemies'- but the twist is that it's not made entirely clear to whom this applies - but it could be used to describe every single person in the book.
Cliched or not, this book directly supports the phrase 'With friends like these, who needs enemies'- but the twist is that it's not made entirely clear to whom this applies - but it could be used to describe every single person in the book.
alisong7's review against another edition
3.0
My real rating is 2 and a half stars. This book sounded so interesting but I just found the character to be extremely annoying. I feel like the story overall was good but the characters just annoyed me too much
jeannemurray3gmailcom's review against another edition
4.0
Very well written in that one just had to keep reading to find out the details of why Jane was found in a rosebush, unconscious and paralyzed. The author gives the reader little bits and pieces of answers all the way through the book. I didn't have any idea of who the real culprit was until the end. - Very exciting!
luliriisi's review against another edition
2.0
While I thought the writing style and pace of the plot were fine, I really didn't like how Jane's relationship with David was portrayed. Yes, she eventually realises that she doesn't actually like him or want to be with him, the reasons why he's bad for her are never articulated. As a reader I can see what a douche he is, but I didn't get the impression that Jane saw that. During the story, fine, I forgive her for being a bit hazy and indecisive, but the flashbacks and the end? Especially at the end I wanted her to grow a bit more of a backbone and be more self aware. It wasn't a healthy relationship at all and I wish that Jane would've said it.
At least she realised the stalking wasn't a good thing.
At least she realised the stalking wasn't a good thing.
sjessup26's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a 4.25 for me.
I was very pleasantly surprised with this novel. I found it interesting, really good, and it kept my attention! Everything came together in the end, and to be honest, I did not suspect it at all! Definitely really enjoyed reading this book!
I was very pleasantly surprised with this novel. I found it interesting, really good, and it kept my attention! Everything came together in the end, and to be honest, I did not suspect it at all! Definitely really enjoyed reading this book!
wordnerdy's review against another edition
4.0
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2010/12/200-book-285.html
katiecoops's review against another edition
4.0
A little convoluted, but creepy and I didn't figure out who the killer was. There are definite moments of extreme far-fetchedness, but overall a good read.
missmoonshine's review against another edition
4.0
This story reminds me of exactly the reason I never wanted to be popular; because when you're all the way at the top, the only way to go is down. And Jane, the protagonist, goes down in spectacular fashion, and with a literal bang. Waking up in hospital with amnesia places Jane in exactly the same boat as the reader; clueless. The mixture of present time and memories is very effective, allowing the reader only to know what Jane herself knows, thereby keeping the mystery. And - for me, at least - it was a mystery, right until the very end: keeping me reading after I'd told myself I would only read a couple of chapters, when I really should have been revising. What also kept me reading was the impeccable writing; I had read another of Michelle Jaffe's books, in which she was laugh out loud funny and reminiscent of Meg Cabot, but for me, Rosebush shows just how well the author can adapt to different styles successfully. There are only two grievances I have with this book, one is Jane's character; her overwhelming naivete - it's been the fodder for feel-good teen movies for decades, but I still find it quite unbelievable that a girl who has previously been under the radar thinks she can become popular and not have to pay some price. Also annoying is her seemingly irrational dislike of her step-father-to-be for much of the book. The other is that the end seems a little rushed, as though there had been that much time spent on the mystery that very little had been put into the solving of it, but the fact that Jane is in more danger when the mystery is solved keeps it from feeling too anti-climatic.
Cliched or not, this book directly supports the phrase 'With friends like these, who needs enemies'- but the twist is that it's not made entirely clear to whom this applies - but it could be used to describe every single person in the book.
Cliched or not, this book directly supports the phrase 'With friends like these, who needs enemies'- but the twist is that it's not made entirely clear to whom this applies - but it could be used to describe every single person in the book.
la4est's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not a huge fan of books about "popular girls", so I didn't think I'd enjoy this book. That couldn't be farther from the truth! Jane is much more than a popular girl. The characters are well developed and the story progresses with a good rate. One of my favorite reads this year!