Scan barcode
hellobookbird's review
4.0
"Apparently I'd become a spy service and a chauffeur service, all wrapped up in one big, loser package."
Marisa caught her best friend's boyfriend making out with another girl but never intended to continue the trend. However, when her ex-frenemy Kendall asks her to spy on her boyfriend, Marisa just can’t say no. But the more time Marisa spends with TJ, the more she realizes that she's falling for him.
[b: Busted|21825764|Busted|Gina Ciocca|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495767357s/21825764.jpg|41096645] was a cute, light-hearted contemporary read full of humor, teen drama, and mystery. Ciocca perfectly combines teen's obsession with the internet and social media with the angst that comes from dating in high school.
Marisa and Charlie had an amazing friendship and I love that they both had each other's backs the whole time. On top of that, Marisa has a super close relationship with her brother. A+ for all the positive relationships in her life!
The teenagers also completely felt like teenagers. Normally this isn't a huge sticking point for me (because I can't handle a lot of angst) but it honestly helped sell this story! And I love that the ending has a really positive message that I think teens can relate to.
(Also, A+ on this cover. It really caught my eye and, I'll admit, is one of the reasons I picked this up!)
Recommended for those that like a boy-meets-girl, contemporary story with a touch of mystery!
vmillswood's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
abbyreads2's review
3.0
3.8 STARS
Wow! I'm speechless. When I decided to read this book, I wasn't expecting all that drama. It was one of those moment you didn't know you needed until you had it and a moment you couldn't seem to let go of. I don't understand how this book doesn't have a higher rating and more people reading it. It was brilliant. I was actually thinking. It wasn't focused on the romance all throughout the book. Actually, I was expecting much more romantic scenes and there wasn't much of that. I liked both of the main characters. Their feelings were real and intense but light at the same time. It wasn't overpowering. It was just great. I really enjoyed reading this book. I kinda wish they had told us if she won the journal thing she entered about the craziest thing she's done for a story because that was crazy crazy. And also really good. Totally worth the read. If you're not into drama then this is definitely not the story for you. I personally don't mind drama.
Wow! I'm speechless. When I decided to read this book, I wasn't expecting all that drama. It was one of those moment you didn't know you needed until you had it and a moment you couldn't seem to let go of. I don't understand how this book doesn't have a higher rating and more people reading it. It was brilliant. I was actually thinking. It wasn't focused on the romance all throughout the book. Actually, I was expecting much more romantic scenes and there wasn't much of that. I liked both of the main characters. Their feelings were real and intense but light at the same time. It wasn't overpowering. It was just great. I really enjoyed reading this book. I kinda wish they had told us if she won the journal thing she entered about the craziest thing she's done for a story because that was crazy crazy. And also really good. Totally worth the read. If you're not into drama then this is definitely not the story for you. I personally don't mind drama.
papertraildiary's review
4.0
Original review from The Paper Trail Diary:
This is a fun, quick read-in-a-day kind of YA, in which a girl ends up being a pseudo private eye around her town for girls who suspect their boyfriends of cheating. It’s not exactly something Marisa wants to be doing, but she gets roped into a longer situation by an old friend and her boyfriend, who Marisa ends up getting close with. It’s cute, has a lot of chemistry, and is pretty silly. I found that towards the end things got kind of confusing – there’s this other storyline playing out that I didn’t fully get at times, and sometimes I’d get characters confused with each other (Jordan, Jason, you get it). Pick this one up when you need a quick lift!
This is a fun, quick read-in-a-day kind of YA, in which a girl ends up being a pseudo private eye around her town for girls who suspect their boyfriends of cheating. It’s not exactly something Marisa wants to be doing, but she gets roped into a longer situation by an old friend and her boyfriend, who Marisa ends up getting close with. It’s cute, has a lot of chemistry, and is pretty silly. I found that towards the end things got kind of confusing – there’s this other storyline playing out that I didn’t fully get at times, and sometimes I’d get characters confused with each other (Jordan, Jason, you get it). Pick this one up when you need a quick lift!
gggina13's review
4.0
This book was a funny little “mystery,” but I’m more impressed by the portrayal of teenagers. They cussed. A lot. People who cheated on their boy/girlfriends weren’t complete assholes - just confused kids. A girl dating a younger guy. Kids doing sketchy shit for money that isn’t drug related. Like, shit like that happens in high school and I thought it was really cool to see such an accurate portrayal.
libeerian's review
2.0
Reviewed from an ARC via NetGalley.
Like a lot of other reviewers, the premise and Veronica Mars comparisons had me intrigued with this book, but neither held up. The VM connection is pretty flimsy - you're not getting a sassy, wise-cracking PI here. I had little interest in Marisa or any other character. Some of the little details got to me (Marisa seemed to have more activities/clubs/jobs than she could possible have time for and what teenage boy makes leather goods?).
Like a lot of other reviewers, the premise and Veronica Mars comparisons had me intrigued with this book, but neither held up. The VM connection is pretty flimsy - you're not getting a sassy, wise-cracking PI here. I had little interest in Marisa or any other character. Some of the little details got to me (Marisa seemed to have more activities/clubs/jobs than she could possible have time for and what teenage boy makes leather goods?).
lauren_yee's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
maimaitu's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
The blurb was a bit misleading, I thought she was the queen of spies, but it was not like that. She catches a cheater and her next case is when her old frenemy Kendall shows up and wants to know if her boyfriend TJ is cheating. So not spyqueen.
Marissa loves journalism. She likes hanging out with her friends, yup, you know a normal teenager, she says so herself. Why on earth she even thinks of befriending Kendall again I do not know, sorry Kendall but you are a bitch. Marissa is being way too kind.
Which brings us to the story. Spying on TJ. Who is cute, who likes the same things she does and who has a girlfriend (even a bitchy one like Kendall). Of course she starts to fall for him and well trust me, it will all work out in a very good way. No spoiler saying that.
There are also some sidestories while she investigates, her BFF Charlotte getting over her Ex, a scandal at Charlotte's school. Marissa getting over her own ex. All of the stories tying together neatly.
I liked Marissa. I was not sure about TJ, I mean yes I liked him, but ugh Kendall. I am glad it all worked out in the end even if I thought it ended too well for some, cough cough.
A nice mystery and romance.
Narrator
She was good. I liked her voices and nuances. She works well for a YA book.
Marissa loves journalism. She likes hanging out with her friends, yup, you know a normal teenager, she says so herself. Why on earth she even thinks of befriending Kendall again I do not know, sorry Kendall but you are a bitch. Marissa is being way too kind.
Which brings us to the story. Spying on TJ. Who is cute, who likes the same things she does and who has a girlfriend (even a bitchy one like Kendall). Of course she starts to fall for him and well trust me, it will all work out in a very good way. No spoiler saying that.
There are also some sidestories while she investigates, her BFF Charlotte getting over her Ex, a scandal at Charlotte's school. Marissa getting over her own ex. All of the stories tying together neatly.
I liked Marissa. I was not sure about TJ, I mean yes I liked him, but ugh Kendall. I am glad it all worked out in the end even if I thought it ended too well for some, cough cough.
A nice mystery and romance.
Narrator
She was good. I liked her voices and nuances. She works well for a YA book.