Reviewed by Sam@WLABB on
This is not a story, it is more of a conversation, between you, the reader and the narrator, Cadence Sinclair Eastman. Cady is the eldest grandchild of the Sinclair clan. A clan, which will remind you of the Kennedy family, minus the politics, but with all the drama. Each summer, the three generations gather on the family island near Martha's Vineyard and spend time frolicking on the beach, tubing, making ice cream, etc.
The summer of her 15th year, Cady's world starts to crumble. Her father decides he cannot live like a Sinclair any longer and he abandons his family. Then there's the "accident" which leaves Cadence with selective memory loss -- she cannot remember most of her 15th summer. She suffers from crippling headaches and starts to act erratically and irrationally. During her 17th summer, she returns to the island and her memories of the 15th summer return to her.
What's great? I liked the writing style a lot. Somewhat reminiscent of "What My Mother Doesn't Know". This style seemed appropriate for delivering Cady's story to the reader. It made me feel as though I was sitting down with Cadence as she re-told the tale of her 15th summer. The "Liars" were well constructed characters and the other characters were also well defined - from the weak "mummies" to the manipulative grandfather. But what really made this book 5-stars was the ending. So unexpected, and the follow up chapters added to the weight once "the truth" was revealed.
In true great YA fashion, I was left sobbing.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 15 June, 2014: Finished reading
- 15 June, 2014: Reviewed