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