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A review by lilythebibliophile
This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
If you know me, then you know that I am very picky when it comes to YA mysteries, and I am so happy I enjoyed this one as much as I did! After reading this book, I know I'll be picking up all of Ashley Elston's previous (and future) mystery titles.
♢ I loved this book because it was so innovative. The beginning vignette from the boys' perspective draws you in, and I loved how it characterized the boys as being one singular unit rather than individual people.
♢ Also, I have never read a YA legal thriller before. I'm not sure if any more of them even exist. It was fresh and fun to read from the perspective of Kate as she investigated the murder with full support from the assistant District Attorney she worked for.
♢ I also LOVED the ephemera in this book, especially the transcripts of the interviews with the suspects and witnesses. The addition of the body language commentary from Kate was impeccable. It was novel to me, added more to the story, and felt well-placed.
♢ Usually, text conversations between love interests can feel trite to me, but here, they felt natural and I understood why Kate would feel the way she did towards her love interest.
♢ The plot of this novel is compelling because it is just so well done. Each chapter propelled the plot forward in a delightfully unexpected way, and the little mysteries and reveals woven into the story were well-thought-out and didn't rely on tired, overused YA mystery tropes (no student-teacher affairs, here, guys!) Ashley Elston found a way to create a secret for each member of the River Point Boys that was unique, and I deeply appreciate that.
♢ I also loved the red herring in the boys' segments. IYKYK.
♢ I was surprised by how much I ADORED the romance in this book. Usually, romance subplots in YA mystery novels feel unnecessary to me, but I was grinning and giggling in public while I was listening to this audiobook.
♢ I loved the way Kate andShep's connection unfolded naturally and Kate's belief in Shep's innocence did not feel forced. It gave me all the feelings a first love should give; anticipation, butterflies, and an innocent I-cannot-believe-this-is-happening-even-though-of-course-it-is feeling.
♢ Truly, all of the character relationships here felt believable. Kate and Stone, Kate and her mom, Kate and Reagan; even Kate and Pat's relationship felt authentic and true. I felt like I got a full picture of Kate's life and the people in it with a few carefully-crafted sentences placed here and there.
♢ Overall, YA mysteries are just so much better when they subvert all the usual tropes, and when they don't have a standoff with the killer where the protagonist is in danger. The fear that the standoff would come (because it almost always does) was enough to keep the ending exciting.
♢ This book felt cozy in a way, because the legal aspect of it kept the story grounded and exciting without being overly-sensational or dramatized. Most of the characters in the novel are morally good and trying to do the right thing, so that was nice. It was also pleasantly atmospheric due to its consistent writing.
♢ The reveal at the end was deeply satisfying. I wouldn't have wanted the book to end any other way. Ashley Elston could've gone one way, but she decided to give the mystery even more layers and I loved it.
♢ My only minor gripe with the story is that Kate didn't seem to have that much of a distinct voice to me. She was obviously smart and caring, and I understood her life and relationships, but I was missing that little bit of added depth that would make her a truly memorable narrator. I can excuse this, though, because I enjoyed the book so much.
♢ I loved this book because it was so innovative. The beginning vignette from the boys' perspective draws you in, and I loved how it characterized the boys as being one singular unit rather than individual people.
♢ Also, I have never read a YA legal thriller before. I'm not sure if any more of them even exist. It was fresh and fun to read from the perspective of Kate as she investigated the murder with full support from the assistant District Attorney she worked for.
♢ I also LOVED the ephemera in this book, especially the transcripts of the interviews with the suspects and witnesses. The addition of the body language commentary from Kate was impeccable. It was novel to me, added more to the story, and felt well-placed.
♢ Usually, text conversations between love interests can feel trite to me, but here, they felt natural and I understood why Kate would feel the way she did towards her love interest.
♢ The plot of this novel is compelling because it is just so well done. Each chapter propelled the plot forward in a delightfully unexpected way, and the little mysteries and reveals woven into the story were well-thought-out and didn't rely on tired, overused YA mystery tropes (no student-teacher affairs, here, guys!) Ashley Elston found a way to create a secret for each member of the River Point Boys that was unique, and I deeply appreciate that.
♢ I also loved the red herring in the boys' segments. IYKYK.
♢ I was surprised by how much I ADORED the romance in this book. Usually, romance subplots in YA mystery novels feel unnecessary to me, but I was grinning and giggling in public while I was listening to this audiobook.
♢ I loved the way Kate and
♢ Truly, all of the character relationships here felt believable. Kate and Stone, Kate and her mom, Kate and Reagan; even Kate and Pat's relationship felt authentic and true. I felt like I got a full picture of Kate's life and the people in it with a few carefully-crafted sentences placed here and there.
♢ Overall, YA mysteries are just so much better when they
♢ This book felt cozy in a way, because the legal aspect of it kept the story grounded and exciting without being overly-sensational or dramatized. Most of the characters in the novel are morally good and trying to do the right thing, so that was nice. It was also pleasantly atmospheric due to its consistent writing.
♢ The reveal at the end was deeply satisfying. I wouldn't have wanted the book to end any other way. Ashley Elston could've gone one way, but she decided to give the mystery even more layers and I loved it.
♢ My only minor gripe with the story is that Kate didn't seem to have that much of a distinct voice to me. She was obviously smart and caring, and I understood her life and relationships, but I was missing that little bit of added depth that would make her a truly memorable narrator. I can excuse this, though, because I enjoyed the book so much.