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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
♥ Quick Thoughts and Rating: 5 mindblown stars! This book! I think I sat down on my bed after having finished it just repeating "Wow...oh wow!" like a broken record while clutching the book to my chest for a good five minutes. I read it all in a matter of hours because I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, and it was a book I won't soon forget.
This is Our Story was a compelling novel about friends, secrets, and how one can implode the other under all the right circumstances. FAIR WARNING: If you dare to dive in to this book, make sure you set aside the necessary time to read it uninterrupted because it will be one of those stories you won't want to put down until you have all the answers.
♥ Review: SPOILER-FREE REVIEW! So, the word count and amount of review I can do here is severely limited because of the very spoilerish nature of the entire plot and how magnificently Elston built the story. The novel is delivered in a unique way that truly enhanced the reading experience for me. A majority of it comes from our protagonist's narrative and that's broken up with one of the River Point Boys' perspective and through police interrogations of eyewitness accounts, video logs, and text messages. I felt like being inside the RPB's head offered a creepy aspect to the book (that totally fascinated me while weirding me out simultaneously) and then I was really pulled me in by Kate's narratives–seeing as she was so close to the case–interspersed with the other sources made me feel like I was just as much a part of the uncovering the culprit as the actual characters were. I wanted to know how that day went down, how exactly Grant was killed and how no one knew who was responsible. Furthermore, I wanted to know what it was about these guys, how close their friendship was, that they could remain such a united front even when one of their own was killed . . . and when one of their remaining best friends was responsible for his death.
Elston did an amazing job of layering the story and I had a hell of a time watching all the threads unravel. It's hard to catch me on my toes because I'm typically good at figuring out the bad guy, but this one kept me guessing the entire way through. Honestly, I bounced between contenders the entire book, thinking it could have been any of the boys and all for varying spoilerish reasons. It was a complicated story that the author managed to handle with ease, relaying all its complexity with a finesse that I don't think many authors could have duplicated when tasked with the same mission. I also really appreciated the romance. It wasn't the biggest part of the book, but it was perfectly swoony and believable all the same.
In summary, this book kept me engaged from start to finish. From the word go, I was all in on this storyline. There was a deeply developed plot and realistic characters that kept me intrigued and eager for more throughout the entirety of this novel. It was easy to see why so many of my other friends gave it such glowing reviews. I don't think this is a book to be missed.
♥ Teaser Quote: The opening chapter of this novel was so exceptionally written. I was one hundred percent invested from the jump. I think I'll tease you with a bit of it...
♥ Rec It? Abso-freaking-lutely! This book was a reading experience, one that I think all readers should take on. Elston never disappoints with her books, and I can't wait to see what books she has in store for us in the future. I was a fan before, but this book made that fact concrete. Give me all your words, Ms. Elston!
MAJOR P.S. The author is sending out amazing swag packs (plus you gain an entry for a stellar giveaway) if you pre-order this book before November 14, 2016. You can find more information about all that epic goodness on Stacee's blog here.
♥ A very special thanks to Stacee for letting me borrow her copy. Make sure you go check out her blogbecause she’s my most favorite person ever to see what awesome authorly adventure she’s been on recently.
*Disclaimer: My KP, Stacee from the wonderfully fabulous Adventures of a Book Junkie, lovingly lending me her ARC. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this version and not of the published edition (which you should totally go and buy).This review was originally posted on The Book Hookup here.
This is Our Story was a compelling novel about friends, secrets, and how one can implode the other under all the right circumstances. FAIR WARNING: If you dare to dive in to this book, make sure you set aside the necessary time to read it uninterrupted because it will be one of those stories you won't want to put down until you have all the answers.
♥ Review: SPOILER-FREE REVIEW! So, the word count and amount of review I can do here is severely limited because of the very spoilerish nature of the entire plot and how magnificently Elston built the story. The novel is delivered in a unique way that truly enhanced the reading experience for me. A majority of it comes from our protagonist's narrative and that's broken up with one of the River Point Boys' perspective and through police interrogations of eyewitness accounts, video logs, and text messages. I felt like being inside the RPB's head offered a creepy aspect to the book (that totally fascinated me while weirding me out simultaneously) and then I was really pulled me in by Kate's narratives–seeing as she was so close to the case–interspersed with the other sources made me feel like I was just as much a part of the uncovering the culprit as the actual characters were. I wanted to know how that day went down, how exactly Grant was killed and how no one knew who was responsible. Furthermore, I wanted to know what it was about these guys, how close their friendship was, that they could remain such a united front even when one of their own was killed . . . and when one of their remaining best friends was responsible for his death.
Elston did an amazing job of layering the story and I had a hell of a time watching all the threads unravel. It's hard to catch me on my toes because I'm typically good at figuring out the bad guy, but this one kept me guessing the entire way through. Honestly, I bounced between contenders the entire book, thinking it could have been any of the boys and all for varying spoilerish reasons. It was a complicated story that the author managed to handle with ease, relaying all its complexity with a finesse that I don't think many authors could have duplicated when tasked with the same mission. I also really appreciated the romance. It wasn't the biggest part of the book, but it was perfectly swoony and believable all the same.
In summary, this book kept me engaged from start to finish. From the word go, I was all in on this storyline. There was a deeply developed plot and realistic characters that kept me intrigued and eager for more throughout the entirety of this novel. It was easy to see why so many of my other friends gave it such glowing reviews. I don't think this is a book to be missed.
♥ Teaser Quote: The opening chapter of this novel was so exceptionally written. I was one hundred percent invested from the jump. I think I'll tease you with a bit of it...
"Look, I know we're all scared shitless right now, but we'll be fine. There's no reason for anyone to ruin his whole life over this," I say.
There's one person who hasn't spoken at all, and I realize just how fragile this plan is. We all have to agree or the whole thing will fall apart. He looks down at Grant then back at the rest of us and finally says, "We're in this together. We stick together."
I lean forward and the other three do the same. Hovering over poor, dead Grant, I say, "Okay, this is our story . . ."–quote taken from the ARC of This is Our Story, unidentified POV, pg. 3
♥ Rec It? Abso-freaking-lutely! This book was a reading experience, one that I think all readers should take on. Elston never disappoints with her books, and I can't wait to see what books she has in store for us in the future. I was a fan before, but this book made that fact concrete. Give me all your words, Ms. Elston!
MAJOR P.S. The author is sending out amazing swag packs (plus you gain an entry for a stellar giveaway) if you pre-order this book before November 14, 2016. You can find more information about all that epic goodness on Stacee's blog here.
♥ A very special thanks to Stacee for letting me borrow her copy. Make sure you go check out her blog
*Disclaimer: My KP, Stacee from the wonderfully fabulous Adventures of a Book Junkie, lovingly lending me her ARC. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this version and not of the published edition (which you should totally go and buy).This review was originally posted on The Book Hookup here.
The cover of the book draws you in, the premise capsizes your attention and has some good twists intertwined...but ultimately the story wraps up too quickly leaving you wondering if that's it. Let's just say I was happier with my imagined twist ending than the true "non-twisty" one.
I had no idea this was by the same author that wrote First Lie Wins! This book was a book club pick.
Nothing makes me more anxious than someone innocent being prosecuted facing jail time. It was down to the wire for sure...
The five River Point Boys were a bit confusing and I had to look at my notes several times to see who was who.
Nothing makes me more anxious than someone innocent being prosecuted facing jail time. It was down to the wire for sure...
The five River Point Boys were a bit confusing and I had to look at my notes several times to see who was who.
Concise Review:
A 4.5 star read (rounded up), [b:This Is Our Story|23341252|This Is Our Story|Ashley Elston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1452621783l/23341252._SX50_.jpg|42900866] is perfect for anyone who loves thriller/mystery books but is also good for anyone who likes a simple fast paced and exciting book. It’s a well written and developed book with likable characters and an intriguing plot. I highly recommend it. Just warning you though, once you start it - you will NOT be able to put it down until you’re finished :D
Detailed Review:
I loved this book. Like, I LOVED it.
It’s so clear to me that Ashley Elston is an incredibly talented writer. [b:This Is Our Story|23341252|This Is Our Story|Ashley Elston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1452621783l/23341252._SX50_.jpg|42900866] is not only written well in terms of its plot and characters - which, let me just say, are *chef’s kiss* immaculate- but also simply in its writing style. Elston does an amazing job in developing the story and laying out the background, setting, and plot events for us and she does it in a way that is not only easy but also enjoyable to read.
Five rich private school best-friends go hunting on a weekend morning despite being drunk from a party the night before and learn the hard way when things turn deadly. When one of their friends, Grant, is shot dead, the other four swear themselves into secrecy - even though they don’t know what exactly happened.
A mysterious narrator opens the book for us, describing what happens that morning in an ambiguous way that will leave you hooked and wanting to know more.
Throughout the book, the chapters alternate between the point of views of Kate and the mysterious narrator. Kate is our main character who works at the district attorney’s office and lets her curiosity and passion for photography get her deep into the case until she is actually trying to solve it. She is a very likable character who you will be rooting for as you read.
The suspense had me on edge, the twists had me lying in shock, and the story as a whole had me grinning. I was literally screaming as I was reading.
The only con I found is that the ending felt a bit too rushed, as if it wasn’t developed to its full potential like the rest of the book. I wish we got more there. However, it was still a good ending and the impeccable development of the rest of the story made up for it.
[b:This Is Our Story|23341252|This Is Our Story|Ashley Elston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1452621783l/23341252._SX50_.jpg|42900866] is a very good mystery book that will most definitely leave you satisfied.
Please, please, please read it (unless you have already, in which case leave your thoughts below)!
A 4.5 star read (rounded up), [b:This Is Our Story|23341252|This Is Our Story|Ashley Elston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1452621783l/23341252._SX50_.jpg|42900866] is perfect for anyone who loves thriller/mystery books but is also good for anyone who likes a simple fast paced and exciting book. It’s a well written and developed book with likable characters and an intriguing plot. I highly recommend it. Just warning you though, once you start it - you will NOT be able to put it down until you’re finished :D
Detailed Review:
I loved this book. Like, I LOVED it.
It’s so clear to me that Ashley Elston is an incredibly talented writer. [b:This Is Our Story|23341252|This Is Our Story|Ashley Elston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1452621783l/23341252._SX50_.jpg|42900866] is not only written well in terms of its plot and characters - which, let me just say, are *chef’s kiss* immaculate- but also simply in its writing style. Elston does an amazing job in developing the story and laying out the background, setting, and plot events for us and she does it in a way that is not only easy but also enjoyable to read.
Five rich private school best-friends go hunting on a weekend morning despite being drunk from a party the night before and learn the hard way when things turn deadly. When one of their friends, Grant, is shot dead, the other four swear themselves into secrecy - even though they don’t know what exactly happened.
A mysterious narrator opens the book for us, describing what happens that morning in an ambiguous way that will leave you hooked and wanting to know more.
Throughout the book, the chapters alternate between the point of views of Kate and the mysterious narrator. Kate is our main character who works at the district attorney’s office and lets her curiosity and passion for photography get her deep into the case until she is actually trying to solve it. She is a very likable character who you will be rooting for as you read.
The suspense had me on edge, the twists had me lying in shock, and the story as a whole had me grinning. I was literally screaming as I was reading.
Spoiler
And OMG, Kate and Shep are SO cute together! He made me swoon so many times - he’s just so adorable :’)The only con I found is that the ending felt a bit too rushed, as if it wasn’t developed to its full potential like the rest of the book. I wish we got more there. However, it was still a good ending and the impeccable development of the rest of the story made up for it.
[b:This Is Our Story|23341252|This Is Our Story|Ashley Elston|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1452621783l/23341252._SX50_.jpg|42900866] is a very good mystery book that will most definitely leave you satisfied.
Please, please, please read it (unless you have already, in which case leave your thoughts below)!
This book held my interest well enough, but it does get a little tiresome reading about whiny entitled high school boys. I don't actually remember the ending of this one, but I do remember that I was hoping for more of a twist. And I had to suspend my disbelief quite a bit in terms of how the perpetrator was discovered and brought to justice -- SO MUCH convenient eavesdropping, along with other things.
I really liked the first half of the book, but then it got kind of boring, which is odd because it's usually the opposite in a thriller type book.
Once the relationship drama/love story angle started, I got annoyed. It wasn't what I was expecting from the book and it got on my nerves that it was thrown at me and kind of shoved down my throat. It made the mystery nowhere near as exciting for me, and it made me grow tired of the book quickly. It was also disappointing because I liked Kate in the beginning and then she just got so annoying.
I think had I had more background on the River Point boys, it would have been a better read.
Once the relationship drama/love story angle started, I got annoyed. It wasn't what I was expecting from the book and it got on my nerves that it was thrown at me and kind of shoved down my throat. It made the mystery nowhere near as exciting for me, and it made me grow tired of the book quickly. It was also disappointing because I liked Kate in the beginning and then she just got so annoying.
I think had I had more background on the River Point boys, it would have been a better read.
This took me forever to finish.
The mystery was okay. I enjoyed it, although I felt as though it wasn't as organized or focused as it could have been, even though it was the core of the story. Still, it wasn't horrible.
I didn't like the main character. Her personality and actions were ridiculous to me, and to top it all off the adults around her seemed inept, allowing her behavior to continue. It just didn't seem believable to me, and since I had trouble believing the premise, I just didn't have a lot of investment in the book. The romance seemed like a forced subject in a book where the author hadn't made room for it or established a real foundation. It was just another part I didn't care much about, which made it hard to enjoy the story to it's fullest.
A real shame since I really wanted to enjoy this one...
The mystery was okay. I enjoyed it, although I felt as though it wasn't as organized or focused as it could have been, even though it was the core of the story. Still, it wasn't horrible.
I didn't like the main character. Her personality and actions were ridiculous to me, and to top it all off the adults around her seemed inept, allowing her behavior to continue. It just didn't seem believable to me, and since I had trouble believing the premise, I just didn't have a lot of investment in the book. The romance seemed like a forced subject in a book where the author hadn't made room for it or established a real foundation. It was just another part I didn't care much about, which made it hard to enjoy the story to it's fullest.
A real shame since I really wanted to enjoy this one...
This is a very, very strong 4 stars. The mystery at the center of this book wasn't anything special, but the writing and the atmosphere were some of the best I've read all year. I really, REALLY liked this and I can't wait to read more from Ashley Elston in the future.