Cryer's Cross

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Lisa McMann
Pages: 233
Format: Hardcover 
My Rating: 5½ out of 10


Summary (thank you Goodreads): Kendall loves her life in small town Cryer's Cross, Montana, but she also longs for something more. She knows the chances of going to school in New York are small, but she's not the type to give up easily. Even though it will mean leaving Nico, the world's sweetest boyfriend, behind.

But when Cryer's Cross is rocked by unspeakable tragedy, Kendall shoves her dreams aside and focuses on just one goal: help find her missing friends. Even if it means spending time with the one boy she shouldn't get close to... the one boy who makes her question everything she feels for Nico.

Determined to help and to stay true to the boy she's always loved, Kendall keeps up the search--and stumbles upon some frightening local history. She knows she can't stop digging, but Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried...

My Thoughts: I've read a lot of Lisa McMann's books, and I've never really been blown away by them. They're good, I just probably wouldn't re-read them again. Or, at least, in the near future. And well this isn't screaming to be read anytime soon, it is definitely, beyond a shadow of a doubt, going to claim my thoughts again. It's one of those stories where I honestly had no idea where Lisa McMann would take it. It had so many potential avenues to go down, but the one she choose was absolutely stellar. I didn't see it coming, maybe I should have, but I didn't. The characters had the right amount of quirks, and some were creepy enough to have me second guessing. It was interesting to see how Kendall developed, however I don't think she was affected enough by the disappearance of Nico... I mean, he was her best friend/boyfriend. The ending was creepy. There is literally no other way to describe it besides saying it was creepy. It was weird and unexpected and somehow totally perfect. This was a really good read. The characters weren't developed nearly enough, in my opinion, and I wish it was a little bit longer. 

Final Thoughts: Decent, kind of creepy read. Probably wouldn't re-read it again, but I don't mind that I bought it for four dollars either kind of read. 

Dead to You

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Lisa McMann
Pages: 243
Format: Paperback 
My Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary (Thanks Goodreads): Some memories are better left untouched.

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family.

It's a miracle... at first.

Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together.

But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked.

Something unspeakable.

My Thoughts: Let me just take a second here to totally appreciate the cover of this novel. I adore it. I went to the bookstore with no intention to buy this particular book. The cover pulled me in though, and I'm sure glad that it did. This book was unique to say the least. I haven't read anything like this before. Have you ever been completely mind screwed by a book? Yeah, well I think it suffices to say that Lisa McMann has successfully mind screwed me. Starting the book, I really didn't know where it was going or where I even expected it to go. Dead to You took me to a place that I hadn't dreamed it would take me too. I found Ethan easy to relate to, even though nothing I have ever experienced can even begin to relate to what he has gone through. My only complaints were the super short chapters (two, maybe three pages), and the ending! The ending! My God the ending! I would have loved to know more, but at the same time, I think it ended perfectly. 

Final Thoughts: I'm at a loss for words currently, as I've just finished the book. Short and sweet, and I promise you won't regret picking this one up!