A review by thenovelmaura
The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It's not a secret that I love how McManus writes teenagers, and I often recommend her as a great YA mystery/thriller author. This wasn't my favorite book of hers but I thought it was solid; good twists, cool Martha's Vineyard-esque setting, lots of money and family secrets. It's also a thoughtful commentary on how children can be unfairly punished for the actions of their parents and kept in the dark about past events that affect their current situations.

This might have been 4.5 stars if it weren't for the forced romance, since I think the book would have been much better without it.  Again, even if you're not a fan of McManus, her books would be perfect for a teen in your life who likes stories with drama and intrigue.

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