Busted

by Gina Ciocca

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

Find this review and others like it at The Literary Phoenix.

NEED A PRIVATE EYE? CALL MARISA PALMERA.

Marissa didn’t ask to be the town’s resident PI, but after she catches her best friend’s boyfriend cheating on her, the title falls comfortably on her shoulders. Presented with a case to spy on a childhood friend’s boyfriend, Marisa quickly learns that not everything is what it appears to me, and sometimes, she can’t even trust her own instincts. She must choose where to lay her loyalties – with an old friend? Or with the boy she thinks is betraying her?

Busted is a quick read, filled with it’s fair share of interesting characters, new love and love lost, and of course… betrayal.

I FLEW THROUGH THIS BOOK.

I don’t read much contemporary, and silly love stories make me roll my eyes, but the distrust and intrigue in this book reminds me of my childhood. Unfortunately. If you like hysterical girls and shady boys and bitter exes, this is a good book for you.

And despite all the drama (and BOY was there drama) I read this in two days. I liked Marisa, even though she was naive, because it was clear that she had a good heart. And you want to root for her, because you quickly realize that most other people in the story are terrible. As for who is on her side, and who is a liar? I’ll let you figure that out yourself.

OTHER SMALL, GOOD THINGS?

Marisa has two loving, doting parents and a brother who is also her friend. Yay, healthy family dynamics!

Even though she is smart, Marisa is limited by her family’s means. I don’t see this frequently in any literature but it’s a very real and very comment state of being.

I love how crafty everyone is? As in… creatively inclined, not excellent plotters (although that also).

THIS STORY IS INTERESTING, BUT NOT UNIQUE.

The summary itself flaunts its similarities to Veronica Mars. The plot of “someone’s boyfriend might be cheating, oh no!” is definitely nothing new. But it was still a fun story to read and I appreciate some of the descriptions used by Ciocco to describe the weather, scenery, and relationships she writes about. Although this story takes place in late autumn, it’s a light, easy read.

I think this one would be a perfect quick read with a cup of hot chocolate as the wind gets crisp and the last leaves fall. I’d recommend it.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. In no way does this affect my review.