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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
I so enjoyed this book much more than Jessica Goodman’s previous books. Filled with mystery, betrayal, murder, first love and a friendship to die for. This one kept me on the edge of my seat, just when I figured it out, another “clue” fell into my lap. The friendship is strong between the three girls, Goldie, Imogen & Ava, a friendship that is also tested by secrets. Ones that once revealed could change the dynamics of their friendship, damaging it forever.
This was a pretty good thriller! I suspected who it was a bit but didn’t entirely figure it out. Definitely a unique spin on most YA thrillers but unfortunately had language and some sexual content I didn’t care to read. Pretty easy to skip though!
3.5⭐️
- really enjoyed first half of book and flew through it
- feel like middle slowed down
- ending was quick, but I enjoyed it
- loved the camp setting
- felt some descriptors of characters were repetitive
- enjoyed the quick chapters between the “then” and “now” timelines
- liked this one much more than the authors first book I read. Would read another of her books.
- YA thriller that makes an easy read
- really enjoyed first half of book and flew through it
- feel like middle slowed down
- ending was quick, but I enjoyed it
- loved the camp setting
- felt some descriptors of characters were repetitive
- enjoyed the quick chapters between the “then” and “now” timelines
- liked this one much more than the authors first book I read. Would read another of her books.
- YA thriller that makes an easy read
A definite reason why Goodreads should offer half stars, as this was a solid 3.5 stars.
The story focuses on Camp Alpine Lake and its uneasy relationship with the inhabitants of Roxwood, the nearby town.
Our main character is Goldie whose parents work at the camp. Every year she was, through their work, entitled to attend the camp for free where she got to mingle with those who come very different backgrounds. Her best friends, Ava and Imogen, have always been part of her summer experience but as they grow up - and other things start to take precedence in their lives - things change.
Goldie has not told her friends about her involvement in a road accident which injured a local star hockey player. Having taken the fall for her boyfriend of the time, Goldie finds it hard to trust those who should be looking out for her. When camp season comes round, there’s a definite atmosphere and Goldie starts to think those close to her are hiding their own secrets. When the boy who broke Goldie’s heart is found dead, she starts to dig under the surface and soon learns that the shiny exterior hides something rotten.
There’s some attempt to hide truths and mask big moments. In the end the whole premise for these events felt a little forced. Not so much the thriller it was touted as, but still a good read.
The story focuses on Camp Alpine Lake and its uneasy relationship with the inhabitants of Roxwood, the nearby town.
Our main character is Goldie whose parents work at the camp. Every year she was, through their work, entitled to attend the camp for free where she got to mingle with those who come very different backgrounds. Her best friends, Ava and Imogen, have always been part of her summer experience but as they grow up - and other things start to take precedence in their lives - things change.
Goldie has not told her friends about her involvement in a road accident which injured a local star hockey player. Having taken the fall for her boyfriend of the time, Goldie finds it hard to trust those who should be looking out for her. When camp season comes round, there’s a definite atmosphere and Goldie starts to think those close to her are hiding their own secrets. When the boy who broke Goldie’s heart is found dead, she starts to dig under the surface and soon learns that the shiny exterior hides something rotten.
There’s some attempt to hide truths and mask big moments. In the end the whole premise for these events felt a little forced. Not so much the thriller it was touted as, but still a good read.
This was a good simple road trip book to read all in one go, because if I had to stop reading and pick it up again, I probably would not have. This story had so much potential, and it was a very good basis for an amazing and complex Ya thriller. But instead, it just felt like the author stuck with their first idea and refused to push it any further. If you are new to thrillers and want to step into something that is simple with very few twists and turns to follow this would be a good starting out point. This really reminds me of the Riley Sager book The Last Time I Lied. and honestly would recommend that one more if you are wanting a summer camp thriller with spooky vibes.
It was fine but I had a hard time caring about the story.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I wanted to love this because… well, just look at that cover. It drew me in and the idea of a summer camp mystery? Sign me up. Plus, I always wanted to be a camp counselor but by time I was old enough I had bailed on sleep away camp.
Anyway, I wanted to love this but somehow… it just failed. I couldn’t get on board with this otherwise smart girl would give up her future to take the blame for a crime her boyfriend committed. And then keep talking about how she didn’t have a bright future anyway and he was going to this big college but she was just going to be a townie. And it seemed like she was pretty sure he’d go off the college and come back and be with her. Such an odd situation that made no sense. She went to a well known and prestigious summer camp every year with the children of some of the country’s wealthiest people. She had connections. She would have been fine.
Then there was the murder of this boyfriend (now ex). He had stopped talking to her after she became a pariah after taking the blame for a crime he committed. He could even stick by her? What a dick. But he does and suddenly he was the love of her life? And she teams up with her chief torturer (who, btw, knew the truth all along) to solve his murder because the cops have written it off as an accident?
And it was a cover for a financial scandal? In the end it was embezzlement all along? And I wasn’t a huge fan of the the last minute change in personality to Stu and Mellie. First they’re protecting Goldie at all costs and then they’re knowingly letting her take the fall for a crime and convincing her parents to do the same? They, presumably, shell out some cash to keep Goldie out of jail and then they embezzle a bunch of money to “keep it all for themselves”. The go from saying “we wanted to shield you so you never have to deal with anything bad” to killing the 18 year old she’s in love with? They go from saying “we love you like a daughter” to trying to burn her to death in a building? It’s a big leap and really not that much foreshadowing in there to really suggest that they could be violent in anyway.
And the ending? Where Goldie says that maybe she’ll buy it one day? That would have been a better ending, a time jump to her as an adult and owning the camp.
Ultimately, there was a really good premise but it was all set up and no payoff.
Also, what was the significance of the lightening bolt necklace? Did Goldie give it to him?
Anyway, I wanted to love this but somehow… it just failed. I couldn’t get on board with this otherwise smart girl would give up her future to take the blame for a crime her boyfriend committed. And then keep talking about how she didn’t have a bright future anyway and he was going to this big college but she was just going to be a townie. And it seemed like she was pretty sure he’d go off the college and come back and be with her. Such an odd situation that made no sense. She went to a well known and prestigious summer camp every year with the children of some of the country’s wealthiest people. She had connections. She would have been fine.
Then there was the murder of this boyfriend (now ex). He had stopped talking to her after she became a pariah after taking the blame for a crime he committed. He could even stick by her? What a dick. But he does and suddenly he was the love of her life? And she teams up with her chief torturer (who, btw, knew the truth all along) to solve his murder because the cops have written it off as an accident?
And it was a cover for a financial scandal? In the end it was embezzlement all along? And I wasn’t a huge fan of the the last minute change in personality to Stu and Mellie. First they’re protecting Goldie at all costs and then they’re knowingly letting her take the fall for a crime and convincing her parents to do the same? They, presumably, shell out some cash to keep Goldie out of jail and then they embezzle a bunch of money to “keep it all for themselves”. The go from saying “we wanted to shield you so you never have to deal with anything bad” to killing the 18 year old she’s in love with? They go from saying “we love you like a daughter” to trying to burn her to death in a building? It’s a big leap and really not that much foreshadowing in there to really suggest that they could be violent in anyway.
And the ending? Where Goldie says that maybe she’ll buy it one day? That would have been a better ending, a time jump to her as an adult and owning the camp.
Ultimately, there was a really good premise but it was all set up and no payoff.
Also, what was the significance of the lightening bolt necklace? Did Goldie give it to him?
3.5 stars!
cozy camp vibes! friendships! secrets! murder!
not my favorite YA mystery but it kept me entertained and guessing. a good summer read!
cozy camp vibes! friendships! secrets! murder!
not my favorite YA mystery but it kept me entertained and guessing. a good summer read!