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vickycbooks's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I loved Stokes' Girl Against the Universe, and was very excited to hear she was coming out with another book! I hadn't read any of her mysteries before this, but Hidden Pieces sounded AWESOME.
And it was definitely better than I expected (my expectations for mystery/thriller are honestly kinda low), but I did think that this was a pretty solid read!
It's easier to start with the negatives first, and there were honestly only two things that I wasn't a huge fan of.
First, I felt like honestly all of this could have been avoided if the character wasn't as...negligent? Was more honest? Like, I sort of facepalmed because I felt like the main character just could have avoided this whole situation better if she was honest with the start.
And I don't mean just with the burning the house down thing (which I actually felt she was reasonably justified in not telling anyone because money, but still boo?), but with the whole not telling her boyfriend thing too.
I just felt like the who reason why the plot happened could have been avoided if the main character was a little more honest.
But, I do realize that this is partly because of character flaws etc., but I always get a wee bit frustrated with plots that could have been completely avoided if one thing did/did not happen.
The other thing that made this less appealing to me was that I predicted the blackmail/murderer from a little before the halfway point. Which never happens to me.
I'm pretty terrible at guessing these things and I definitely probably am getting better at guessing killers, but I also felt like Stokes didn't include enough red herrings to make it hard to guess. Like, it was pretty easy to rule out the obvious ones (and you know the murderer is usually a side character) and there weren't many other characters left, so I intuitively knew who it had to be just based on mystery/thriller tropes in general.
I definitely wished it was more twisty, but there were still a lot of pluses to this!
I LOVED the blackmail aspect. Like, those were chilling and dangerous and super cool. I think Stokes did a really great job of building those up and making Embry distressed and everything. It definitely felt like there weren't a lot of options and you really felt what Embry was going through.
Plus, this book just totally sped by. It was really easy to digest, and even though I didn't have a lot of time, I wanted to find out what happened next and I wanted to keep reading, which is more than I can say for a lot of books I don't connect with.
So even though this didn't end up being perfect for me, I was invested and interested and I enjoyed being chilled by all the danger! Definitely recommend if you're in the mood for a story featuring blackmail and characters who don't have any good options...
Thank you so much to Harper Collins for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review!
I loved Stokes' Girl Against the Universe, and was very excited to hear she was coming out with another book! I hadn't read any of her mysteries before this, but Hidden Pieces sounded AWESOME.
And it was definitely better than I expected (my expectations for mystery/thriller are honestly kinda low), but I did think that this was a pretty solid read!
It's easier to start with the negatives first, and there were honestly only two things that I wasn't a huge fan of.
First, I felt like honestly all of this could have been avoided if the character wasn't as...negligent? Was more honest? Like, I sort of facepalmed because I felt like the main character just could have avoided this whole situation better if she was honest with the start.
And I don't mean just with the burning the house down thing (which I actually felt she was reasonably justified in not telling anyone because money, but still boo?), but with the whole not telling her boyfriend thing too.
I just felt like the who reason why the plot happened could have been avoided if the main character was a little more honest.
But, I do realize that this is partly because of character flaws etc., but I always get a wee bit frustrated with plots that could have been completely avoided if one thing did/did not happen.
The other thing that made this less appealing to me was that I predicted the blackmail/murderer from a little before the halfway point. Which never happens to me.
I'm pretty terrible at guessing these things and I definitely probably am getting better at guessing killers, but I also felt like Stokes didn't include enough red herrings to make it hard to guess. Like, it was pretty easy to rule out the obvious ones (and you know the murderer is usually a side character) and there weren't many other characters left, so I intuitively knew who it had to be just based on mystery/thriller tropes in general.
I definitely wished it was more twisty, but there were still a lot of pluses to this!
I LOVED the blackmail aspect. Like, those were chilling and dangerous and super cool. I think Stokes did a really great job of building those up and making Embry distressed and everything. It definitely felt like there weren't a lot of options and you really felt what Embry was going through.
Plus, this book just totally sped by. It was really easy to digest, and even though I didn't have a lot of time, I wanted to find out what happened next and I wanted to keep reading, which is more than I can say for a lot of books I don't connect with.
So even though this didn't end up being perfect for me, I was invested and interested and I enjoyed being chilled by all the danger! Definitely recommend if you're in the mood for a story featuring blackmail and characters who don't have any good options...
Thank you so much to Harper Collins for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review!
alainaevans's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC of Hidden Pieces and I really enjoyed it. I guessed the culprit pretty early on but there were still mysteries I hadn't guessed by the end. I thought the MC made some poor choices in the beginning (shows she is realistically flawed) but then she made better decisions as the story went on that I think other mysteries don't do. Some other mysteries tend to have the characters make really bad decisions for the entirety of the story to the point that it is so annoying to read and finish. Hidden pieces didn't do that. The MC started to turn the narrative around and made decisions I was cheering for because they actually made sense. That is what set this book apart for me. I will definitely be reading more of Paula Stokes' books.
falconerreader's review against another edition
5.0
I've read a handful of Stokes books now, and this is my favorite. It's a great YA thriller, with plenty of tense moments and red herrings, but there's far more to it than that.
Full review at http://falconerslibrary.blogspot.com/2018/11/review-hidden-pieces-by-paula-stokes.html
Full review at http://falconerslibrary.blogspot.com/2018/11/review-hidden-pieces-by-paula-stokes.html
taylor_nic0le's review against another edition
4.0
Page turner from the start. I had so many theories about who Unknown was or could have been and I had it half solved at about 75% through. I really connected with Embry and her challenges and I enjoyed her character development as the story progressed.
sandiereads's review against another edition
2.0
I had high hopes because I've enjoyed a couple of her other books, but this one wasn't as compelling (despite the intriguing start). Maybe if I hadn't just read a few other suspense-filled YA novels earlier this year, I wouldn't judge it this harshly, but I also had a hard time with the protagonist's poor choices. I didn't connect with anyone except for perhaps Holden, and the big reveal feels anticlimactic instead of poignant.
bookishgeek's review against another edition
3.0
Embry has it rough. She lives alone with her mother (unless you include her dog Betsy), and works tirelessly at the family cafe to keep their heads above water. She is the reason her best friend's boyfriend dumped her - unfortunately, that reason is because she slept with said best friend's boyfriend. Her actual boyfriend is overseas, and Embry doesn't have the heart to break his.
Yes, things are rough for Embry. Even rougher still though when a late-night tryst in the abandoned Seacliff Inn turns into arson (or whatever you call accidental arson?) Right then and there, Embry and her lover (BFF's BF, Holden) decide to play "mum's the word" and keep their mouths shut about the entire situation. Of course, someone saw more than Embry and Holden suspected, and they are playing a dangerous blackmail game with them where the stakes get higher and higher still.
I always appreciate a morally grey character, and I "get" Embry's dilemma. She's a smart kid, and cares so much for her family. But I cannot abide by cheating, and it's hard for me to muster empathy for a character so emotionally manipulative.
The big "whodunit?" clincher is one that I predicted, but that did not stop me from enjoying the book. I wish it had been a bit more of an eleventh-hour twist, but YA thrillers typically lean heavier on the romance/mystery side than the "wtf?!" domestic thriller pieces we are used to seeing in "adult" novels.
Overall, I spent a very enjoyable time in Embry's head. I only wish it had been a little more zig and a little less zag.
Yes, things are rough for Embry. Even rougher still though when a late-night tryst in the abandoned Seacliff Inn turns into arson (or whatever you call accidental arson?) Right then and there, Embry and her lover (BFF's BF, Holden) decide to play "mum's the word" and keep their mouths shut about the entire situation. Of course, someone saw more than Embry and Holden suspected, and they are playing a dangerous blackmail game with them where the stakes get higher and higher still.
I always appreciate a morally grey character, and I "get" Embry's dilemma. She's a smart kid, and cares so much for her family. But I cannot abide by cheating, and it's hard for me to muster empathy for a character so emotionally manipulative.
The big "whodunit?" clincher is one that I predicted, but that did not stop me from enjoying the book. I wish it had been a bit more of an eleventh-hour twist, but YA thrillers typically lean heavier on the romance/mystery side than the "wtf?!" domestic thriller pieces we are used to seeing in "adult" novels.
Overall, I spent a very enjoyable time in Embry's head. I only wish it had been a little more zig and a little less zag.
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, I loved this book! Such a great mystery, and these characters weren't perfect, and yeah, it was so great to read!
booksofamber's review against another edition
4.0
I always enjoy Paula Stokes’ thrillers, and Hidden Pieces is no exception. Stokes is very talented when it comes to drawing you in and keeping you guessing, especially as she throws little hints into the story every now and then that you may or may not pick up on.
I was captivated by Hidden Pieces from the start, as it opens with a PSS (positive sex scene) and then a hotel burns down. So, yeah. It started off really well. When the main character starts to get blackmailed, the stakes rise, and everyone becomes a suspect.
To be honest, I had one theory as to who the blackmailer was throughout the whole book, and it turned out I was correct. I wasn’t disappointed though, because I wasn’t entirely convinced. It was more of a hunch, and I started to put the little clues together, and ultimately had a really good time trying to figure out the mystery.
I loved the relationship in this book as well. It was mostly positive, and the characters were really good together. That said, I wish Hidden Pieces hadn’t fallen into the Second Act Breakup trope that I so despise. So many books do this and I stopped being shocked or upset years ago.
If you’re looking for a good YA thriller, you should definitely pick this one up!
I was captivated by Hidden Pieces from the start, as it opens with a PSS (positive sex scene) and then a hotel burns down. So, yeah. It started off really well. When the main character starts to get blackmailed, the stakes rise, and everyone becomes a suspect.
To be honest, I had one theory as to who the blackmailer was throughout the whole book, and it turned out I was correct. I wasn’t disappointed though, because I wasn’t entirely convinced. It was more of a hunch, and I started to put the little clues together, and ultimately had a really good time trying to figure out the mystery.
I loved the relationship in this book as well. It was mostly positive, and the characters were really good together. That said, I wish Hidden Pieces hadn’t fallen into the Second Act Breakup trope that I so despise. So many books do this and I stopped being shocked or upset years ago.
If you’re looking for a good YA thriller, you should definitely pick this one up!
theengineerisreading's review against another edition
5.0
Before I actually go into the review proper, I want to say shout to National Book Store for giving me a copy of this book in one of their Instagram giveaways.
This is my third October read and I’ve been seeing some negative reviews about this book being somehow a rip-off of Pretty Little Liars, and Little Monsters by Kara Thomas. But after reading this book, I can’t comprehend why some people throw rocks at a good read like this. I mean, I know we are all entitled to our own opinion but the book and the author do not deserve the hate it receive. Sorry, just sharing!
Technically, Hidden Pieces by Paula Stokes is a young adult-mystery book that revolves on the story of Embry Woods, a seventeen year-old teenage girl from Tillamook County, who, upon a series of unfortunate events, got caught in an uncontrollable situation with her best friend, Holden Hassler, after both of them got involve in a fire incident in their area’s infamous Sea Cliff Inn. Their involvement resulted to a succession of unwanted blackmailing from Unknown, the person who know that Embry and Holden are involved in Sea Cliff fire, and the repercussion of this events result to the protagonists being manipulated to do crimes they can’t escape else someone they love will suffer. Embry and Holden, with the help of their friends, embarked on an adventure to unveil Unknown’s identity and free themselves from the shackle of their lies. The catch is, will they unravel who their blackmailer is or will they fall to Unknown’s trap and finally confess of their role in the Sea Cliff fire?
Moving on from that lengthy spoiler, I must say that though this is my first mystery/thriller read for years (YEARS!!!!), I did not had a hard time connecting with Paula Stokes’ world and characters since her style of writing is appealing to teens and adult readers. She easily built the characters of Embry and Holden by incorporating backstories of the characters in their respective highlights. I mean, there is no easy way to enumerate Embry’ pessimism and Holden’s optimism without laying out all of what happened in their past journeys.
As imperfect as every person in this world is, I love that Embry Woods was not written in the usual way where female characters go head over heels to some boy-next-door because that is one hell of a used trope and readers get tired of encountering that trope. One thing I hate about Embry’s character is her sense of lying but that’s part of her development and I also note that she somehow managed to turn the table of that attitude during the last part of the book.
I won’t prolong this review but I’ll end with this, if you are looking for a thriller read that will make you whisper ‘One more chapter..’ in the middle of the night while you’re in bed, then Hidden Pieces by Paula Stokes is a definite fit for your taste.
BEST QUOTE/S:
“As messed up as things are between the three of us, I feel a flash of hope that somehow everything might turn out all right. But then I remember the secrets I’m keeping, the lies I’ve told, the horrible things I’ve done. And that momentary sense of lightness sinks like an anchor.”
“You did a bad thing. Maybe several bad things. But we all do bad shit sometimes. It’s what you do now that matters. If you don’t like the person you are, take responsibility for your past mistakes and do better.”
“I kept telling myself I was protecting you, but really, I’ve been protecting me. I knew telling the truth would mean losing you as a friend. I couldn’t think about losing my best friend. I know how selfish that makes me.”
This is my third October read and I’ve been seeing some negative reviews about this book being somehow a rip-off of Pretty Little Liars, and Little Monsters by Kara Thomas. But after reading this book, I can’t comprehend why some people throw rocks at a good read like this. I mean, I know we are all entitled to our own opinion but the book and the author do not deserve the hate it receive. Sorry, just sharing!
Technically, Hidden Pieces by Paula Stokes is a young adult-mystery book that revolves on the story of Embry Woods, a seventeen year-old teenage girl from Tillamook County, who, upon a series of unfortunate events, got caught in an uncontrollable situation with her best friend, Holden Hassler, after both of them got involve in a fire incident in their area’s infamous Sea Cliff Inn. Their involvement resulted to a succession of unwanted blackmailing from Unknown, the person who know that Embry and Holden are involved in Sea Cliff fire, and the repercussion of this events result to the protagonists being manipulated to do crimes they can’t escape else someone they love will suffer. Embry and Holden, with the help of their friends, embarked on an adventure to unveil Unknown’s identity and free themselves from the shackle of their lies. The catch is, will they unravel who their blackmailer is or will they fall to Unknown’s trap and finally confess of their role in the Sea Cliff fire?
Moving on from that lengthy spoiler, I must say that though this is my first mystery/thriller read for years (YEARS!!!!), I did not had a hard time connecting with Paula Stokes’ world and characters since her style of writing is appealing to teens and adult readers. She easily built the characters of Embry and Holden by incorporating backstories of the characters in their respective highlights. I mean, there is no easy way to enumerate Embry’ pessimism and Holden’s optimism without laying out all of what happened in their past journeys.
As imperfect as every person in this world is, I love that Embry Woods was not written in the usual way where female characters go head over heels to some boy-next-door because that is one hell of a used trope and readers get tired of encountering that trope. One thing I hate about Embry’s character is her sense of lying but that’s part of her development and I also note that she somehow managed to turn the table of that attitude during the last part of the book.
I won’t prolong this review but I’ll end with this, if you are looking for a thriller read that will make you whisper ‘One more chapter..’ in the middle of the night while you’re in bed, then Hidden Pieces by Paula Stokes is a definite fit for your taste.
BEST QUOTE/S:
“As messed up as things are between the three of us, I feel a flash of hope that somehow everything might turn out all right. But then I remember the secrets I’m keeping, the lies I’ve told, the horrible things I’ve done. And that momentary sense of lightness sinks like an anchor.”
“You did a bad thing. Maybe several bad things. But we all do bad shit sometimes. It’s what you do now that matters. If you don’t like the person you are, take responsibility for your past mistakes and do better.”
“I kept telling myself I was protecting you, but really, I’ve been protecting me. I knew telling the truth would mean losing you as a friend. I couldn’t think about losing my best friend. I know how selfish that makes me.”
heatherhy01's review
3.0
I love a good psychological thriller. Especially when you are not sure whom is doing what until the very end. This book gave me just that. I had my assumptions but was surprised at whom the culprit was once everything was revealed.
The very first chapter of this book is what caught my attention. I am a sucker for a love triangle and just can't get enough of them. Our main character of Embry had dated Luke forever but Luke joined the military and went over sea's to serve so she decided that they should take a break. In the meantime, she starts hanging out with Holden and that is where her problems start brewing.
I really was unable to tell whom the person was that was terrorizing Embry, to the point of harming her loved ones for the things she had done. Was it her best friend? Was it Luke? I had even found myself questioning Holden since he was not around when her text messages would arrive but I was not prepared for what had really been going on! The writer did a very good job at keeping her secret until the very end and not giving too much away throughout the book.
I really did enjoy the book but was not a huge fan of the main character of Embry. Hence the three star rating. She seemed a bit whiny to me and very wishy-washy. I also was not a huge fan of her relationship with Holden and did not really feel the love so to speak. My whole force behind reading was the thrilling aspect of the ending.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the review copy in exchange of an honest review!
The very first chapter of this book is what caught my attention. I am a sucker for a love triangle and just can't get enough of them. Our main character of Embry had dated Luke forever but Luke joined the military and went over sea's to serve so she decided that they should take a break. In the meantime, she starts hanging out with Holden and that is where her problems start brewing.
I really was unable to tell whom the person was that was terrorizing Embry, to the point of harming her loved ones for the things she had done. Was it her best friend? Was it Luke? I had even found myself questioning Holden since he was not around when her text messages would arrive but I was not prepared for what had really been going on! The writer did a very good job at keeping her secret until the very end and not giving too much away throughout the book.
I really did enjoy the book but was not a huge fan of the main character of Embry. Hence the three star rating. She seemed a bit whiny to me and very wishy-washy. I also was not a huge fan of her relationship with Holden and did not really feel the love so to speak. My whole force behind reading was the thrilling aspect of the ending.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the review copy in exchange of an honest review!