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2.95 AVERAGE
2.95 AVERAGE
I received this book for free from NetGalley, courtesy of SOURCEBOOKS Fire in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This review was first published on Paging Serenity.
Narrated by its main character, Hawthorn, a high school senior, The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett is a story about self-discovery and the power of assumptions. A lesson not only about the self, but on the facades people put on and the masks we wear.
I have mixed feelings about The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett and most of them stem from Hawthorn. She’s just a… quirky and naive character. Her maturity and imagination was hard to believe given her age. What high school senior believes in the existence of mythical creatures (when you’re not reading, of course)? My realist mind could not cope with Hawthorn’s imagination and naivety. There were too many instances where I almost stopped reading the book because of the extremely high level of second-hand embarrassment and face palming that she caused.
Still, despite her flaws, Hawthorn’s quirkiness was kind of endearing at times and she did have her redeeming moments. There were times when I was close to dnfing, but she pulled through and kept me interested (and somewhat invested, tbh) in her story.
Although Hawthorn did a good job reeling me in when I thought about quitting, it was the moral of the story that really convinced me to push on through. I think the lesson The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett tells, the lesson on self-discovery, mental illness, stereotyping, and facades, is incredibly important for everyone to learn. The lesson Hawthorn learns is more relatable than Hawthorn herself. I found the plot kind of stagnant but it was simply the messenger. The message was far more important and worth putting up with the roller coaster ride (not in a good way) the messenger took you on.
So overall, Hawthorn wasn’t too bad and neither was the plot. They didn’t kill me. What killed me was the romance. Oh. Dear. The romance. Let’s just say I could do without it. I found it inappropriate and unnecessary. There were other ways to achieve the same outcome.
In conclusion, The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett was an okay read. I don’t regret reading it, but it is definitely not a book I would read again. Most of the time Hawthorn was a bit hard to connect to, with all the second-hand embarrassment and “seriously????” moments that she caused. But she did have her redeeming moments that kept me reading. The lesson of the story is an important one and it sort of compensated for the poor, but relatable plot (this is definitely more a character driven novel). That being said, I don’t think anything could compensate for the romance that I was not at all a fan of.
Narrated by its main character, Hawthorn, a high school senior, The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett is a story about self-discovery and the power of assumptions. A lesson not only about the self, but on the facades people put on and the masks we wear.
I have mixed feelings about The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett and most of them stem from Hawthorn. She’s just a… quirky and naive character. Her maturity and imagination was hard to believe given her age. What high school senior believes in the existence of mythical creatures (when you’re not reading, of course)? My realist mind could not cope with Hawthorn’s imagination and naivety. There were too many instances where I almost stopped reading the book because of the extremely high level of second-hand embarrassment and face palming that she caused.
Still, despite her flaws, Hawthorn’s quirkiness was kind of endearing at times and she did have her redeeming moments. There were times when I was close to dnfing, but she pulled through and kept me interested (and somewhat invested, tbh) in her story.
Although Hawthorn did a good job reeling me in when I thought about quitting, it was the moral of the story that really convinced me to push on through. I think the lesson The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett tells, the lesson on self-discovery, mental illness, stereotyping, and facades, is incredibly important for everyone to learn. The lesson Hawthorn learns is more relatable than Hawthorn herself. I found the plot kind of stagnant but it was simply the messenger. The message was far more important and worth putting up with the roller coaster ride (not in a good way) the messenger took you on.
So overall, Hawthorn wasn’t too bad and neither was the plot. They didn’t kill me. What killed me was the romance. Oh. Dear. The romance. Let’s just say I could do without it. I found it inappropriate and unnecessary. There were other ways to achieve the same outcome.
In conclusion, The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett was an okay read. I don’t regret reading it, but it is definitely not a book I would read again. Most of the time Hawthorn was a bit hard to connect to, with all the second-hand embarrassment and “seriously????” moments that she caused. But she did have her redeeming moments that kept me reading. The lesson of the story is an important one and it sort of compensated for the poor, but relatable plot (this is definitely more a character driven novel). That being said, I don’t think anything could compensate for the romance that I was not at all a fan of.
Loved reading this book, it was a wonderful read, and a little bit sad, learning what happened to Lizzie!
I wasn't really sure about this one, and had no idea what kind of rating I was going with until the very end. Partly my fault, I didn't realize it was YA, so maybe not as dark as I usually enjoy.
the main character, Hawthorne, with the coolest name ever, is extremely annoying and constantly down on herself. maybe because I listened to this one as an audio book, but the snarly, teenage emotions got old quick. she seemed extra immature to be 17, and I was running out of patience with her until the end, in which her maturity level spiked up a tad.
overall, a good premise, just definitely not what I was expecting going in.
the main character, Hawthorne, with the coolest name ever, is extremely annoying and constantly down on herself. maybe because I listened to this one as an audio book, but the snarly, teenage emotions got old quick. she seemed extra immature to be 17, and I was running out of patience with her until the end, in which her maturity level spiked up a tad.
overall, a good premise, just definitely not what I was expecting going in.
Here we go again - a book so many people are reviewing that they love and I just...don't...get...it. Hawthorne Creely idolizes a girl who was a senior when she was a freshman (Lizzie Lovett) as Hawthorne feels that Lizzie leads a charmed life. How unfair that Hawthorne doesn't have friends like she thinks Lizzie does, or be able to do things, go places, flirt with...blah blah blah.
And then Lizzie Lovett ends up missing. So naturally, Hawthorn becomes super creepy and tries to become Lizzie by taking her job at the local diner, and trying to date Enzo, Lizzie's boyfriend who was the last person to see her alive. If she could have worn Lizzie's skin, I think she would have.
Couple this creepy, unnatural obsession with an immature take on what Hawthorne really believes happened to Lizzie (the way a young child would try to process a disappearance and assumed death) and you have this book of nonsense. Other reviewers have called Hawthorne magical, whimsical or a breath of fresh air on how you see the world. I see a child who never grew up and blames the world for all of her perceived slights (ah she must be part of the award for participating crowd!)
I finished this book because I wanted to see what happened to Lizzie, not to see anything more about Hawthorne's "theory." I wanted to see what lies Lizzie told - still waiting on that. So how can this book be called The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett if that's never referenced?
I would skip this one. I need a character that is rooted in reality for me.
I received this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
And then Lizzie Lovett ends up missing. So naturally, Hawthorn becomes super creepy and tries to become Lizzie by taking her job at the local diner, and trying to date Enzo, Lizzie's boyfriend who was the last person to see her alive. If she could have worn Lizzie's skin, I think she would have.
Couple this creepy, unnatural obsession with an immature take on what Hawthorne really believes happened to Lizzie (the way a young child would try to process a disappearance and assumed death) and you have this book of nonsense. Other reviewers have called Hawthorne magical, whimsical or a breath of fresh air on how you see the world. I see a child who never grew up and blames the world for all of her perceived slights (ah she must be part of the award for participating crowd!)
I finished this book because I wanted to see what happened to Lizzie, not to see anything more about Hawthorne's "theory." I wanted to see what lies Lizzie told - still waiting on that. So how can this book be called The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett if that's never referenced?
I would skip this one. I need a character that is rooted in reality for me.
I received this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Spoilers ahead:
Nice easy YA read that covers heavier topics such as suicide.
Hawthorn's voice is unique and intriguing. It's one of those reads where you aren't really rooting for the main character for the majority of the novel
Nice easy YA read that covers heavier topics such as suicide.
Hawthorn's voice is unique and intriguing. It's one of those reads where you aren't really rooting for the main character for the majority of the novel
No. Just...no.
With a title like The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett I expected something exciting and scandalous, like every few years Lizzie (if that was her real name!!) would start over in a new city with a new life and basically reinvent herself. Nope. Turns out she just wasn't the same person after high school (became more into nature than in cheerleading).
Hawthorn, however, becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened after Lizzie goes missing and comes up with an absolutely ridiculous theory that she believes 100% and tries to convince others that's what really happened too. Even AFTER the mystery is solved Hawthorn still insists that her theory is fact.
I never understood the point of this novel. I went in thinking this would be a fun mystery and, instead, VERY little was devoted to actually solving the case. Instead, Hawthorn mopes at school, is mean to her older brother, gets into a fight with her BFF over a boy, and tries to BECOME Lizzie by taking her job at a cafe and even dating/losing her virginity to Lizzie's boyfriend. He's 25, she's 17. Ugh.
There was also a minor issue I had with the way a particular character was portrayed. This book takes place less than an hour from where I live. Pittsburghese is a thing that really does exist (yinz is our y'all, etc) but I'm wondering where on earth the author got her info from. There's a side character who's a regular at the cafe where Hawthorn works. Think of the most stereotypical hillbilly impersonation imaginable...that's how he was depicted. No thanks.
VERY disappointed with this one.
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!
With a title like The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett I expected something exciting and scandalous, like every few years Lizzie (if that was her real name!!) would start over in a new city with a new life and basically reinvent herself. Nope. Turns out she just wasn't the same person after high school (became more into nature than in cheerleading).
Hawthorn, however, becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened after Lizzie goes missing and comes up with an absolutely ridiculous theory
Spoiler
Lizzie turned into a werewolfSpoiler
Lizzie was depressed and killed herselfI never understood the point of this novel. I went in thinking this would be a fun mystery and, instead, VERY little was devoted to actually solving the case
Spoiler
apart from Hawthorn running off into the woods looking for werewolvesSpoiler
At one point, Hawthorn goes so far as to tie a scarf around her neck and ~pull really hard~ because she wanted to feel what Lizzie felt in her last moments. Even after Lizzie's body is discovered, Hawthorn still drives out to the spot in the woods, just to be close to her.There was also a minor issue I had with the way a particular character was portrayed. This book takes place less than an hour from where I live. Pittsburghese is a thing that really does exist (yinz is our y'all, etc) but I'm wondering where on earth the author got her info from. There's a side character who's a regular at the cafe where Hawthorn works. Think of the most stereotypical hillbilly impersonation imaginable...that's how he was depicted. No thanks.
VERY disappointed with this one.
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!
Interesting and intriguing
I had a hard time getting into this story, partially because I didn't like the main character. I'm happy I stuck with it though! Hey character developed into someone I cared about seeing through to the end.
I had a hard time getting into this story, partially because I didn't like the main character. I'm happy I stuck with it though! Hey character developed into someone I cared about seeing through to the end.
Torn between 1/2 stars because the depression commentary was worthwhile...but the cringeworthy relationship made the book too painful to bear. I was looking for something quick before I went back into my nonfiction, and at the very least, I got that.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Despite what this book's description may have you believe, this book is more about Hawthorn inappropriately inserting herself in a missing girl's life rather than a real "edge of your seat", type mystery. Every other character besides Hawthorn was interesting to me. The book struggles to decide on the tone Hawthorn was going for, (mean, naive, or mysterious, etc.) thus making her character seem so self-absorbed to the point it's difficult to continue reading. The unnecessary and wildly inappropriate obsession or "romance" with Lizzie's grieving, now ex-boyfriend who's an adult and high school aged Hawthorn was the final nail in the coffin for me. There are so many other amazing novels in the mystery genre, however The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett is not one I would recommend.