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dommthebombb's review against another edition
4.0
This book was my bookclub read for March and when I saw that it had a pretty little liars meets breakfast club, I was so ready to dive right in!
alibob2409's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
seraphina11's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rianebh's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So high school. In the best way possible
ankosu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
rebeccatan's review against another edition
5.0
☆ 5 Stars - 9.43 CAWPILE
I'm very late to the fan club with this book and this is my first (but certainly not last) Karen M. McManus read.
As it usually is with me and books I can usually pick out the plot twist relatively early on, I definitely underestimated the potential of this book based off the blurb, so props to McManus and her publishers for that. Well played. Once reading there were a lot of red herrings and suspicious behaviour from many of the main characters and side characters but I caught on to the true culprit by around 30-50% of the way into the book.
The characters in this book were well fleshed out, with varying personalities, complications, relationships and motives. Whilst following standard high school cliches that can get a bit tired especially as a 25 year old, this book contained many of my favourite elements of YA novels. I hadn't seen the romance genre tag prior to reading and was happily surprised and rooting for certain characters when it was presented.
I personally wasn't triggered whilst reading this book however some tropes/plot points could be triggering to some readers so I would exercise caution if any of the following may impact you and/or your personal safety.
I see people describe One of Us is Lying as The Breakfast Club x Pretty Little Liars and that is probably the best way to simplify it to those considering reading it. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy the YA and Mystery/Thriller genres. I will definitely pick up some more of Karen M McManus's novels in the future, and will probably even give the TV show an attempt.
I'm very late to the fan club with this book and this is my first (but certainly not last) Karen M. McManus read.
As it usually is with me and books I can usually pick out the plot twist relatively early on, I definitely underestimated the potential of this book based off the blurb, so props to McManus and her publishers for that. Well played. Once reading there were a lot of red herrings and suspicious behaviour from many of the main characters and side characters but I caught on to the true culprit by around 30-50% of the way into the book.
The characters in this book were well fleshed out, with varying personalities, complications, relationships and motives. Whilst following standard high school cliches that can get a bit tired especially as a 25 year old, this book contained many of my favourite elements of YA novels. I hadn't seen the romance genre tag prior to reading and was happily surprised and rooting for certain characters when it was presented.
I personally wasn't triggered whilst reading this book however some tropes/plot points could be triggering to some readers so I would exercise caution if any of the following may impact you and/or your personal safety.
Spoiler
LGBTQIA+ as shock factor, outing, mental health/illness, terrorism/school shootings, substance abuse, prison/juvenile detention, manipulation, abuse, narcissism, cheating.I see people describe One of Us is Lying as The Breakfast Club x Pretty Little Liars and that is probably the best way to simplify it to those considering reading it. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy the YA and Mystery/Thriller genres. I will definitely pick up some more of Karen M McManus's novels in the future, and will probably even give the TV show an attempt.
prishakatre's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
one of the best
lexijas's review against another edition
3.0
This has been on my TBR list since 2017 and I finally had the chance to read it.
I was slightly disappointed at the end but this book actually got me out of my reading slump and made me add more crime, mystery, and suspenseful books to my TBR. There are certain moments in the book that got me bringing my hand to my mouth because of shock and kept me at the edge of my seat. But the romance in the book was sweet but was rather unnecessary in the plot. I wished the romance wasn't the main focus (which was in certain characters and chapters) and crime soon became the second plot instead of it being the main. But overall, I did enjoy this book. It was a quick (easy) read and one of the characters, Addy, is the most memorable one in the end, surprisingly.
I was slightly disappointed at the end but this book actually got me out of my reading slump and made me add more crime, mystery, and suspenseful books to my TBR. There are certain moments in the book that got me bringing my hand to my mouth because of shock and kept me at the edge of my seat. But the romance in the book was sweet but was rather unnecessary in the plot. I wished the romance wasn't the main focus (which was in certain characters and chapters) and crime soon became the second plot instead of it being the main. But overall, I did enjoy this book. It was a quick (easy) read and one of the characters, Addy, is the most memorable one in the end, surprisingly.
kaikai1618's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It was so good and I could not stop reading. I loved finding out more about these character's lives and trying the puzzle out this murder. They each has such clear voice and everything was executed so well. I think I will be picking this book up again.
Anywayyyy
SPOILER SECTION*******
I loved the character development that occurred for all these characters and I love them all because:
Addy was in a controlled and manipulative relationship with Jake. Jake was controlling of her choices and her everyday life but it was subtle compared to obviously bad relationships. I didn't like him but Addy was completely blind sighted. But what I loved about her character development was how she found herself and ended up not giving a damn what Jake thought thank god. She chopped off her hair like letting him go cause it was the only reason he noticed her when they first met. All the friends she thought she had turned on her and she had to deal with that. But then she found out how free she was and she was so badass not caring what people thought anymore. She got a better bond with her sister who is there for her regardless and it was really nice how their relationship starts to get closer.
Cooper just wants to get into a good college and he's a nice guy. I could understand him in the way he would play things safe and make sure no one fond out his secret and trying not to stir trouble. I was not expecting Cooper to be gay but when he went into that apartment to see Kris I was ecstatic. I love him and Kris together and after he gets outed I like the way the author shows that it's still hard getting used to being out in the open, but things are mending themselves. I just feel hard for Cooper, especially in that scene in the cafeteria where people are giving him, crap when he's outed. He's frozen and my heart breaks for him. But then Nate steps in which brings me to him.
I've always fallen for the types of characters who seem bad but have a deeper past. I love Nate and he has a lot of independence from how his Mom left and his Dad is barely consciously around, he has to barely get money through dealing drugs and he's had to hoist himself up through life. His personality is very play it off as cool but guarded as someone who has experienced the dark parts of life. but when he opens up he is such a good person. You can tell he cares and has understandable motives for what he does. I didn't exactly expect a relationship with Bronwyn but they work so well together in how they interact. She helps take him out of his guarded shell.
Bronwyn is a strong character. I understand her and I love how she has this drive for things and how she can get things done when determined to. She feels responsible for being pristine and perfect which leads her to cheat in chemistry as a mistake she regrets. She makes a mistake but it turns out to be a smaller problem compared to this giant murder case. I just love her persistence to help Nate and the way she stands her ground through everything. She's scared but stronger than she seems and has an undying will to help those she cares about.
I loved how all these people came together and found that they made a good group together. They're so different, yet they all understand how it feels to be in this situation and they all end up understanding and supporting one another.
I just didn't expect that Simon did it to himself. Wow that's crazy and makes complete sense. I'd always found Simon to be an interesting character but I never thought about how for and crazy it could have gone. It was basically evil genius. And wit Jake who I thought was just a jerk and then moved on from him, I didn't realize he was that much of a control freak who liked the power he got. Seeing everyone be so oblivious got to his head and I just did not expect it.
But in all this book was a great read, I would recommend it and I will be reading anything this woman writes in the future.
Anywayyyy
SPOILER SECTION*******
I loved the character development that occurred for all these characters and I love them all because:
Addy was in a controlled and manipulative relationship with Jake. Jake was controlling of her choices and her everyday life but it was subtle compared to obviously bad relationships. I didn't like him but Addy was completely blind sighted. But what I loved about her character development was how she found herself and ended up not giving a damn what Jake thought thank god. She chopped off her hair like letting him go cause it was the only reason he noticed her when they first met. All the friends she thought she had turned on her and she had to deal with that. But then she found out how free she was and she was so badass not caring what people thought anymore. She got a better bond with her sister who is there for her regardless and it was really nice how their relationship starts to get closer.
Cooper just wants to get into a good college and he's a nice guy. I could understand him in the way he would play things safe and make sure no one fond out his secret and trying not to stir trouble. I was not expecting Cooper to be gay but when he went into that apartment to see Kris I was ecstatic. I love him and Kris together and after he gets outed I like the way the author shows that it's still hard getting used to being out in the open, but things are mending themselves. I just feel hard for Cooper, especially in that scene in the cafeteria where people are giving him, crap when he's outed. He's frozen and my heart breaks for him. But then Nate steps in which brings me to him.
I've always fallen for the types of characters who seem bad but have a deeper past. I love Nate and he has a lot of independence from how his Mom left and his Dad is barely consciously around, he has to barely get money through dealing drugs and he's had to hoist himself up through life. His personality is very play it off as cool but guarded as someone who has experienced the dark parts of life. but when he opens up he is such a good person. You can tell he cares and has understandable motives for what he does. I didn't exactly expect a relationship with Bronwyn but they work so well together in how they interact. She helps take him out of his guarded shell.
Bronwyn is a strong character. I understand her and I love how she has this drive for things and how she can get things done when determined to. She feels responsible for being pristine and perfect which leads her to cheat in chemistry as a mistake she regrets. She makes a mistake but it turns out to be a smaller problem compared to this giant murder case. I just love her persistence to help Nate and the way she stands her ground through everything. She's scared but stronger than she seems and has an undying will to help those she cares about.
I loved how all these people came together and found that they made a good group together. They're so different, yet they all understand how it feels to be in this situation and they all end up understanding and supporting one another.
I just didn't expect that Simon did it to himself. Wow that's crazy and makes complete sense. I'd always found Simon to be an interesting character but I never thought about how for and crazy it could have gone. It was basically evil genius. And wit Jake who I thought was just a jerk and then moved on from him, I didn't realize he was that much of a control freak who liked the power he got. Seeing everyone be so oblivious got to his head and I just did not expect it.
But in all this book was a great read, I would recommend it and I will be reading anything this woman writes in the future.