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Friday, May 2, 2014

❃ ❁ ✼ CONVO REVIEW: DON'T LOOK BACK BY JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT ❃ ❁ ✼




Title: Don't Look Back
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Date Published: April 15, 2014
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
GenreYoung Adult, Romance
Reviewer: The Mauve Fairy & Rock Chick Fairy

Synopsis
Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend. 

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?
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Convo Review

What is your first impression on the book? Any thoughts when you first read the blurb?

Mauve Fairy
My first impression is that this book must be good. The author is popular. She had written so many amazing books that are loved by many. Plus, I so love her Lux series, it’s probably one of my top favorite series of all time!

When I read the blurb, I immediately thought that there’s something mysterious about it and creepy. And having grown up to Nancy Drew Mysteries, I love those mystifying and perplexing plots, second guessing what would happen next and trying to solve the puzzle while reading the book. I was interested enough that I added the book immediately to my TBR and waited the book for it to come out so I can read it once it’s out.

Rock Chick Fairy
To be honest, I was skeptic yet intrigued. I was skeptic because I didn't like the non-paranormal book of JLA that I tried reading. I was intrigued though, because I am a big fan of suspense and horror books. I was like "Hmm.. Let's see how JLA handles YA suspense.

It's the same thing with the blurb. I was skeptic, yet intrigued. 


Mauve, I totally agree with LUX! It has been taken to a whole new level!!!


Do you think the book is aptly titled?

Mauve Fairy
Hmmm I think so. It’s actually a line in the book and it speaks of that bewildering and baffling plot that I was talking about. And I think the title is eerie enough that it speaks of frightening and weird things are about to happen that makes it appealing to readers to get this book and read it.

Rock Chick Fairy
I guess it was, to some extent. It is indeed a line from the book, but the story actually didn't need it. I mean, if you read the book and find out everything about it, the title would seem irrelevant.


What are your views on the cover of the book?

Mauve Fairy
One would not be able to associate the cover’s significance with the story at first glance. You need to read the book to know why it matters. The jewelry box is mentioned several times in the story and is the main object that will finally reveal the secret that was being kept. So I would say that whoever thought to make it the cover is a genius one. I mean since the story is also about romance, the designer can go for a couple or a lovers photo. So they must have planned this really well.

Rock Chick Fairy
THE COVER ROCKS. It's bound to call to your inner "oooh-shiny-cover-I-wanna-read-it-now". If you ask me, I think the cover is more relevant than the title. 


Any expectations when you began reading Don’t Look Back? And were these expectations met?

Mauve Fairy
Well, since it’s a JLA book, my expectations are really high. I have read a handful of her books and as I said earlier, I love looove the Lux series. I was prepared to be sucked in this story and be transported to another fiction world.

I would say that the story is good. Good enough to pass the time and get relaxed by reading a book. But it’s not that amazing. I mean I was able to guess some things correctly. Still a great read though. I had fun solving the puzzle. I had fun trying to guess what really happened to Cassie and to guess who was the mysterious guy that she was with. I had fun reading the romance between Carson and Samantha. And cursed the bad characters in the book.

Rock Chick Fairy
I expected to be really bewildered and scared. I expected A LOT, but NO, my expectations were not met. It was a let down for me.


Thoughts on the book while you’re reading it.

Mauve Fairy
I’m trying to predict everything while reading the book hahaha. That’s what I do when I read mysteries. I was trying to guess why Cassie feels that she needs to outsmart Samantha in everything that she does. And why she’s so bent on having what she has. I was guessing what transpired with Del and Cassie. I was trying to forecast if Carson is the guy Samantha would end up with. I was speculating the motives why would Cassie disappear and what really happened to her. I was trying to get into Samantha’s head and will her to remember everything.

Rock Chick Fairy
While I was reading it, I wanted to take a look at the end part and just get over with it already. In all honesty, I was bored. 


Describe the main characters of the book mainly Samantha and Carson.

Mauve Fairy
Before the amnesia, Samantha is a bitch. She was so hateful and I can’t bear the things that she did or said to the people around her. She’s really not that bad when she was little. She changed when she became friends with Cassie. So, for her to have a second chance to have a do-over and be the good girl that she really is is something that I welcomed. I’m thankful that while she can’t remember her past life, she’s able to see for herself what she was doing before were horrible and that she herself realized that she needs to change. I’m also pleased that she had acknowledged her attraction to Carson in which I think is good for her and recognized that Del is not the man for her.

Carson is the perfect book boyfriend. He’s hot and good looking enough to catch Samantha’s attention when she saw him after she had amnesia. He plays baseball, is friend with Samantha’s brother Scott. And he’s sweet. I love their scenes in the tree house.

Rock Chick Fairy
For obvious reasons, Samantha reminds me of Emma (Shelly Crane, WIDE AWAKE). Like what Mauve said, she got another chance in life and I like it that she wants things to be better. However, she was too slow in changing things. She was too accepting. Like with her "friends". She was clearly irked with them from the very first, but she still hung out with them and that Del, who clearly is a cheater. LOL. I guess her personality faults can be attributed to the accident though.

Carson is a good guy. I didn't like him at first because he's like this Mister "You-were-such-a-bitch-to-me-before-so-I-will-also-be-bitchy".. but when he believed what Samantha was saying, he was very considerate of her, to the point that I thought he was being too considerate. Did I think that he could be the killer? Hell yeah. Who wouldn't? haha!


Opinions on the second characters? Are there hateful and amiable ones?

Mauve Fairy
Ah, there are so many hateful characters in this book. Del the dick because he’s a cheater, Veronica because she’s a terrible friend and she's so mean. I also hate Trey because he’s a lousy boyfriend and Samantha’s mom in the beginning because I think that she’s weak. Even Cassie though she’s not physically present in the book. And Samantha’s dad in the end because he is so selfish and thinks of only himself and what money can do for him.

I like Julie because I think she’s a great friend. I like Scott because I think he’s a great brother and boyfriend.

Rock Chick Fairy
I hate all of Samantha's "friends". I hate her parents. You'll see why when you read it. You'll high five me for sure!


So what did you think after you’ve read the book? Thoughts on the plot of the book.

Mauve Fairy
The plot is interesting enough. It held my concentration for a while and kept my mind working and guessing things. The puzzles are baffling. The scenes are perplexing. Amnesia is good trope since the main character cannot remember anything that the story has enough baseline for a fine story.

I think the book is okay. It has its moments like that scene after the dance. I thought for a moment that my guesses are not valid but I thought how can it be? It’s not in Carson’s character to do that thing. I’m not really surprised in the end since I was able to estimate Samantha’s dad’s secret. And I was content that finally Samantha and her mom were able to patch up their differences.

Rock Chick Fairy
PREDICTABLE. I think I've predicted two or three things just by reading the first few chapters. I'm sorry, but I am a big fan of Stephen King and R.L. Stine, so you can just guess how high my level of expectation is for a suspense YA book. The plot of this book is forgettable and I am kind of disappointed.


What are the elements that make the book interesting?

Mauve Fairy
It has some elements of surprise. The mystery behind Samantha’s disappearance is fascinating. The suspense element on some of the scenes makes the story heart-stopping. The romance is kinda sweet. Carson and Samantha grew up together but had a fall out and now they’re back in each other’s arms. The mean girls and the douchebags (Trey and Del) are downright assholes.

Rock Chick Fairy
The mystery. It was just intriguing to see who's behind it. If only I wasn't able to figure it out in the middle of the book. 


Do you feel that you got your money’s worth with this book? Expound on your answer.

Mauve Fairy
Yeah I think so. This is good enough for me. Have not fallen in love with it but not really that bad that you would think to kill your kindle.

Rock Chic Fairy
Maybe. It was just an okay book to me. If maybe you have a lot of time on your hands and would like to try how JLA writes YA, then go ahead. Buy it. We may have different opinions.


Does the book have moral lessons or insights for that matter? What are they?

Mauve Fairy
Even the closest person to you can have a secret that could change your life.

Rock Chic Fairy
Life's a bitch. Deal with it.  All people are born good, so just cut off all things/people that make you grow into a bad person. Not all people are as lucky as Samantha to get a do-over.

Life is short. Choose to do good things that will make you proud even if you forget it. Choose good places to go to, but don't dwell on the place or material things. Dwell on the people who you are with. Choose good people to be with everyday. 


Would you recommend this book to your friends?

Mauve Fairy
Yeah why not.

Rock Chic Fairy
Yep. I may not have liked it, but I won't stop other people from reading it.


How would you rate this book? And what is your rating?

Mauve Fairy
4 Fairy wings. I said earlier that this is good enough. Did not rocked my world though but it’s an ok read.

Rock Chic Fairy 
3 Fairy wings. It's an okay read. 


Rating

3.5 Fairy Wings


About the Author

#1 New York Times and International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Connect with Jennifer
Email: jenniferlarmentrout@live.com 
  

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