The Rules For Disappearing
by Ashley Elston
Published: TODAY! [5.14.13]
Pages: 320
She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.
Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.
But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I knew next to nothing about it, other than it was some contemporary kinda thing. I'd even skimmed the summary and still came away wondering what it was. I must have been dreaming when I read it. But I didn't need to worry, this book jumps right into an explanatory scene and we get the feel of Meg and her life right off. From then on it's pretty much smooth sailing....of a sort.
I have never read a book dealing with the Witness Protection Program before, so I thought this was a very intriguing plot line. Honestly, I knew next to nothing about it before I read this, so it was also very informative. Watching Meg go through this and struggle with the hard things that come along WPP, it wasn't hard at all for me to slip into her shoes. Meg is a very realistic and down-to-earth character. I loved how honest she was with herself, even when she had to keep it from others. Her voice is very well done and I felt her innocence and struggles all in one fabulous blend. Seriously, I like could not put this book down for very long before I wanted to jump right back in.
And part of that comes from Ethan, our love interest and hotness extraordinaire. I'm going to throw it out there that THERE IS NO LOVE TRIANGLE! Hallelujah! It was so nice to just have one boy for a change. Aaaaw, and what a boy he was. I adore Ethan. He's a strong character. If you're looking for a Hawt boy who is attracted to the girl and when she blows him off he wimps out and waits till she flakes and runs back to him? So not Ethan. And thank heavens for it. I loved how he seemed to genuinely care for Meg, and he knew she was going through a heck of a lot, and yet he still tried to be her friend and stay by her! Way to be a knight in shining armor! Not to mention he's got a thrill side, a romantic side and a mischievous side. Recipe for Hawtness. Thumbs up for this lover boy.
However, I'm putting it out there that this book seems to have a pretty firm act of insta-love. It's very obvious, and yet..I let it go. Which is strange for me. It just seemed to work.
I feel like I need to say something about Teeny. I adore this girl. She's so fun. She made me smile, and oh, I wanted to hug her so bad sometimes. Having younger siblings like her probably helped me connect with the relationship that Meg has with her. She's been through so much and we get to see all the sides of this strong girl in the book. She's so well developed that you can't help but adore her. Kudos to Teeny.
Now, a big part of this book is of course, the mystery. Talk about a thrill. Sheesh! It's kinda hanging around the edges of your minds as the romantic plot takes root, but then the thrill picks up and it's Boom Boom Boom. There were totally a few scenes when I was gripping the book, or shivering with a prick of fear. I'm also impressed how well it kept me from guessing some of the aspects that are revealed at the end. Which brings me to my next point. The end, while we get some revelations and things kinda go a little topsy-turvy...it feels a little unresolved. It's a bit fast, in regards to the mystery and we're left hanging on some threads. However then I happened to notice, that there is gonna be a sequel! Well, yay for that. It makes me feel better about the ending. Because it was still a fabulous ending to the book, even if a bit rushed.
Soo...my final verdict? This book is a fresh, new contemporary voice, with a thrilling mystery entertwined with realistic characters and a yummy romance. If you're like me, you'll eat this up!! Thumbs up to Ashley. I'm totally going to be checking out the next one.
Content: Moderate
[For language. Quite a bit, including plenty of the S--- word. Kissing, some innuendo]
Ashley Elston lives is North Louisiana with her husband, three sons and two cats. She worked as a wedding and portrait photographer for ten years until she decided to pursue writing full time. Ashley is also a licensed Landscape Horticulturist and helps her husband run a commercial land and landscaping business. They also custom harvest pecans and have cows. Yes, cows.
And now all you wonderful people, because this is part of the fabulous blog tour hosted by Shane @ Itching For Books, I've got a......what's that? A GIVEAWAY! Oh yeah, I adored this book and now it's your turn to get a copy! Woot! You want this. Trust me, you do. So, what are you waiting for? Enter!a Rafflecopter giveaway
And that is it for me today! Don't forget to enter, and with a HAPPY HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY to this fabulous debut, I'm off! XOXO,
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