I love me a good YA mystery and I was really excited to read They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman. Not only is it a solid mystery, but I also loved the setting at a prep school and that it is about a "secret" society at said school. This was a very addictive and quick read that I was able to finish in just a couple of sittings. I also thought it was a really great debut novel, and I was a huge fan of Goodman's writing style as well. The concept of the Players was pretty simple, and it was shocking how far some of these kids would go to remain in it. I loved the way we learn little by little what being one entails, and this book is chock-full of so much betrayal and a strong dose of lies. It also has some great twists and turns along the way and I don't think I was fully prepared for the way it was going to end.
The audiobook was really good as well and also a great way to go if you are going to read this. The narrator is Kristen Sieh who I have listened to before, and I always enjoy her narration. I don't know what it is about a book with mean girls, but I always seem to enjoy those types of reads, and They Wish They Were Us is full of them, along with some douchey guys as well. There were times that it was quite chilling and Goodman covers some very real and tough subjects. I loved the rawness to this one, and there are times it gets a little dark and gritty which I really liked. Jill is the viewpoint we have for the entire story, but it definitely took a while to find out what really makes her tick and what her motivations are. The jumps between past and present were great to give the reader a full picture of everything by the end and it was quite the ride to get there. I will be recommending this to anyone who likes a quick read, and fans of prep/private school settings!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The audiobook was really good as well and also a great way to go if you are going to read this. The narrator is Kristen Sieh who I have listened to before, and I always enjoy her narration. I don't know what it is about a book with mean girls, but I always seem to enjoy those types of reads, and They Wish They Were Us is full of them, along with some douchey guys as well. There were times that it was quite chilling and Goodman covers some very real and tough subjects. I loved the rawness to this one, and there are times it gets a little dark and gritty which I really liked. Jill is the viewpoint we have for the entire story, but it definitely took a while to find out what really makes her tick and what her motivations are. The jumps between past and present were great to give the reader a full picture of everything by the end and it was quite the ride to get there. I will be recommending this to anyone who likes a quick read, and fans of prep/private school settings!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.