Author: Paige Harbison
Publication date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 304ISBN: 9780373210428
Welcome to Manderley Academy
I hadn't wanted to go, but my parents were so excited…. So here I am, the new girl at Manderley, a true fish out of water. But mine's not the name on everyone's lips. Oh, no.
It's Becca Normandy they can't stop talking about. Perfect, beautiful Becca. She went missing at the end of last year, leaving a spot open at Manderley—the spot that I got. And everyone acts like it's my fault that infallible, beloved Becca is gone and has been replaced by not perfect, completely fallible, unknown Me.
Then, there's the name on my lips—Max Holloway. Becca's ex. The one boy I should avoid, but can't. Thing is, it seems like he wants me, too. But the memory of Becca is always between us. And as much as I'm starting to like it at Manderley, I can't help but think she's out there, somewhere, watching me take her place. Waiting to take it back.
I hadn't wanted to go, but my parents were so excited…. So here I am, the new girl at Manderley, a true fish out of water. But mine's not the name on everyone's lips. Oh, no.
It's Becca Normandy they can't stop talking about. Perfect, beautiful Becca. She went missing at the end of last year, leaving a spot open at Manderley—the spot that I got. And everyone acts like it's my fault that infallible, beloved Becca is gone and has been replaced by not perfect, completely fallible, unknown Me.
Then, there's the name on my lips—Max Holloway. Becca's ex. The one boy I should avoid, but can't. Thing is, it seems like he wants me, too. But the memory of Becca is always between us. And as much as I'm starting to like it at Manderley, I can't help but think she's out there, somewhere, watching me take her place. Waiting to take it back.
This book is a retelling of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier which I have yet to read so I can't compare the story, we are introduced to the "New Girl" as she gets accepted to Manderley Academy, when she arrives at Manderley all drama unleashes, the New Girl realizes she was accepted just because Becca Normandy disappeared and now she is living under her shadow, nobody wants to know the New Girl, everything she does is compared to Becca and if that wasn't enough, her roommate is obsessed with Becca, this leads to some creepy chapters that I really enjoyed.
The book alternates between the New Girl and Becca's perspective. I like being able to read both points of view, this just adds to the suspense. Becca is extremely difficult to like, she always gets what she wants at any costs, using her beauty to manipulate those around her. The mystery of her disappearance was the reason I kept reading until the end. We get to see how the New Girl starts to stand strong against all the tension.
I didn't cared for the romance. Max was just annoying for me, he was attached to Becca by nothing more than pressure and had me rolling my eyes from time to time.
I personally found some situations in the book difficult to believe starting for the reason the parents of the New Girl send her to boarding school and the end just fell flat for me, that's the reason I gave only 3 stars.This book had some sexual situations that I don't think where very descriptive.
Overall I enjoyed the writing style and the story in general was entertaining throughout the book.
Review based on an Advanced Reader's Copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.
Posts
9 comments:
A nice and interesting review - but I think thish whole being watched by the girl whose place I'm just taking thing would scare me off too much :D
I did a review of this on my blog too. I didn't care much for this book either. The romance was blah and the characters and storyline was just un believable to me. I did enjoy the writing style. :O) Great reaview!
Oooh, the synopsis is so intriguing! Thank you so much for following my blog and now I'm returning the favour - great blog! :D
This book hasn't grabbed my attention in anyway as far as the plot goes but the cover is beautiful! It makes me want to be intrigued and interested in the book but my to be read pile is large enough without adding a book that is kind of 'meh'. Awesome review and thanks for stopping by my blog!
Ooh I love mysteries! I haven't really checked this one out before but I have seen it around, maybe I will give it a go. Great review!
I've heard a lot about this book. It's the mystery of what happened to Becca that makes me want to read this one, but I've got a long to-read list. I need to clear a few away first.
Thx for sharing your review!
I totally agree and while Max was irritating i really liked the concept of the book and how we learn the new girl's name in the last page...that [art was done pretty well
@Miri: At first I thought it would scare me too, but my curiosity to know how it ended was the reason I had to finish the book. :D
@Stephenie: Thank you so much :)
@Rachel: Thank you for stopping by :)
@Jaime: I agree the cover is beautiful and It was well-written, which I can appreciate. Thank you for stopping by :)
@Vanessa: If you decide to give it a go, let me know your thoughts.
@Rita: I share the feeling, my to-read list is just a little bit out of control, I'm working on it but it seems every time I read one book I add 2 or 3 more :) .
@Aparajita: I know :), that's the reason I didn't gave the name in my review. Thank you for commenting.
great review. The feedback on this has been pretty mixed and I enjoyed hearing your thoughts.
Post a Comment
Thank you for taking the time to comment. It makes my day and I read every one of them. ♥