January 3, 2012
Simon Pulse
Synopsis:
Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother.
But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.
My Review:
Ever since I first laid eyes on this book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it! The cover is adorable and the title fits perfectly. The synopsis grabbed me from the start! Hunky new step-brother and ghosts? I'm in! I am happy to say that after completing the novel, I was pleased. It has just the right amount of drama, romance, and mystery to keep the reader engaged but not overwhelmed. And the best part is that it is a stand alone! Yay for a nicely wrapped up ending!
Isobel has her fair share of problems coming into the story. Her dad has Schizophrenia, her mom married some guy she just met off the Internet, and she is forced to leave her only home and high school during her senior year. Talk about a horrible situation. And when she starts hearing noises and seeing the ghost of a haunted looking girl, she fears that she has inherited her father's Schizophrenia. Even worse is that she seems to be falling for her step-brother Nate, which is a total no-no.
I felt beyond awful for Isobel. Her step-dad Richard, or as she likes to call him, Dick, is a total creeper. I don't know how she handled living in a house with him. I would have gone insane! And the fact that her mother is so immature and selfish made me so upset! Isobel has such a tough life, but I love how she didn't let it get to her too much. And did I mention how annoying her step-dad was? Props to Isobel for not doing anything drastic to him! I would have had a hard time holding back.
Isobel's relationship with Nate is so sweet. At first, Nate is very cold and aloof, but Isobel is slowly able to pull back the layers and see that Nate is pretty amazing. I just loved every scene they had together. Their moments with each other range from hilarious to down-right steamy! Cook knows how to write a good romance.
UNRAVELING ISOBEL is a great paranormal contemporary novel that YA readers will enjoy. I can't wait for more from Cook!
My Rating:
I haven't heard much about this book at all but it sounds like something I would LOVE! I adore when we're not sure we can trust the narrator because she might not be in her right mind, and her relationship with Nate seems like it's really well done. Awesome review Bailey!
ReplyDeleteHA! I love that she calls her step-dad Dick. :P
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to this one! It sounds funny and sweet...and just perfect! Thanks for the review, Bailey! :)
LOL, "Dick". That's awesome. I didn't even know about this one, which is sad b/c I love Eileen Cook. Definitely putting this on my TBR list. Thanks for the well thought out review, hon! :)
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a contemp. I had no idea it was a paranormal! Yay! I want to read it now!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! Thanks for the break down and the warning about icky Dick!
Heather
This one sounds like it's going to be a great read. I loved Cook's The Education of Hailey Kendrick and I'm sure this one is going to be just as humorous.
ReplyDelete