Waiting on Wednesday #2: The Good Girls by Sara Shepard

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

The Good Girls (The Perfectionists #2), by Sara Shepard
Publication: June 2, 2015, by HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Thriller, Mystery
Pages: 368
Format: Hardcover

From Sara Shepard, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, comes the shocking sequel to The Perfectionists—with an ending you'll have to read to believe!
Mackenzie, Ava, Caitlin, Julie, and Parker have done some not-so-perfect things. Even though they all talked about killing rich bully Nolan Hotchkiss, they didn't actually go through with it. It's just a coincidence that Nolan died in exactly the way they planned . . . right? Except Nolan wasn't the only one they fantasized about killing. When someone else they named dies, the girls wonder if they're being framed. Or are they about to become the killer's next targets?

So... JUNE 2 BETTER COME FASTER. I really enjoyed The Perfectionists, and I'm so excited to discover WHO KILLED NOLAN, and then here we read that someone else the five hate was killed.... WHICH I KNOW WHO AND I WANT TO SEE WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO HAPPEN. Cliffhangers and suspense both rock and stink at the same time. Agh!

What's your most anticipated read lately?

The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard Review

The Perfectionists (The Perfectionists #1), by Sara Shepard
Publication: October 7, 2014, by HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery, Romance
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover
Source: Gifted
Rating: 

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling series Pretty Little Liars comes a thrilling new novel about five perfect girls who are framed for a murder they didn’t commit. 
In Beacon Heights, Washington, five girls—Ava, Caitlin, Mackenzie, Julie, and Parker—know that you don’t have to be good to be perfect. At first the girls think they have nothing in common, until they realize that they all hate Nolan Hotchkiss, who’s done terrible things to each of them. They come up with the perfect way to kill him—a hypothetical murder, of course. It’s just a joke...until Nolan turns up dead, in exactly the way they planned. Only, they didn’t do it. And unless they find the real killer, their perfect lives will come crashing down around them. 
From Sara Shepard, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, comes another story of dark secrets, shocking twists, and what happens when five beautiful girls will do anything to hide the ugly truth.

My Thoughts: 

Sara Shepard's novels have been with me since the start of my blogging career. No, for real. I started off reading PLL in 2013, and I couldn't look back or regret the decision I made to binge read them all and stay with the series until the sixteenth and final novel. Then came The Lying Game, which also shattered my heart into pieces because it was SO good. I was so excited to hear that Shepard would be releasing a new duology, which kind of gives me the feels that she's learned from her crazy mega-huge series. 

Although, after reading, I must say that she hasn't learned from changing her concepts and subjects into something new for readers. As many other reviews have noted, this is basically an exact copy of Pretty Little Liars, although with new characters, a new setting and a new killer. But there's so many things that lie the same here, and it's what basically frustrated me since I didn't buy my own copy so that I could rave about something that was already written (AND FINISHED OFF WITH) in the past. I'll get to that later, but it's something I've wanted to let out since I finished reading.

"That was the bitch about school: No matter what happened, no matter who you got in a fight with, who broke up with you, or whether a teacher tried to molest you at his house, you still had to go to the same freaking classes every day. Face the same demons and humiliation. You couldn't run and hide, no matter how badly you wanted to." (Hardcover, page 222)

Now, after I had to give myself a refresher and look back onto who is who, and who did what, I think that I'm most likely able to give you a quick synopsis from my point of view. Here, we have five chicks who live in a rich town, go to a preppy school and such: Ava, Julie, Parker, Caitlin and Mackenzie. They all have different personalities and attributes, different hobbies that they're obsessed with. But of course, there's one thing that they all have in common: hating Nolan, a backstabbing popular guy who seemed to have ruined everyone's life in one way or another. They all planned to kill him, which was a joke, but then he ends up murdered the exact way that they planned. WHAT?

Nope, they didn't do it. At least, that's what Shepard is trying to get by at us readers. Maybe one of them did do it, but the clues are just so vague and nobody seems to be able to figure the majestic puzzle out. I have my suspects, and when you read this, you'll probably have yours since there are loads and loads of characters. HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS. *over-exaggerates* But really, there's too many and I had to find myself flipping back and forth because it's all first name-last name, times a hundred. Of course, there are also five protagonists and points-of-view, and that's a lot to take in as well. This is Shepard syndrome.

Ugh, so we're back here at stage one, and the negativity all rolled up together in this book like a burrito. THE COPYING. I deducted a whole star from my personal rating because it's a copy of PLL. If you look closely at the events, they're so similar. Protagonists hated the guy that they killed (like Aria, Emily, Spencer and Hanna hated Ali), a teacher is involved (EZRA?!), preppy school/rich kids (Rosewood. Period.), and tons of more examples that would take me a day to note since I'd have to go look back at it all. Honestly, if you don't enjoy remakes, then stay away. You'll probably hate this one if you're so against it. 

"That had been close—too close. With the cops already onto them, one wrong move could be the end of everything they'd all worked so hard for—graduation, college, Juilliard. One wrong move and their perfect lives would be over." (Hardcover, page 198)

If you know me and my liking of concepts, you'll probably know that I adore mysteries and thrillers. One of the reasons why is because they're so relatable and they send chills down my spine. I found my heart skipping a beat out of fear occurring to me here frequently, and I will say that Shepard is a stellar author in every way, excluding choice of stylistic elements and such. She knows how to play with readers' minds and feelings, and that's what I look for in a great read.

Her stories are always fast-paced as well, if you can tell. There were SO MANY chapter cliffhangers that I just couldn't take it anymore and realized that I will have to complete this book in one sitting, which I proudly can admit that I did, without any issues related to the plot whatsoever. I stare at the book in my hands and I still feel the same way that I did while reading it a week and a half ago. *smiles to self*

As for the characters, Mackenzie and Ava were my favourites. Intelligent protagonists who know what they want and will work hard for it? Girls who make masterful awesome plans? They're my type of people, I tell you. Without them, the story probably would've gone nowhere since their personal struggles with friendships and their futures were such a large thing that was incorporated with this novel and made a difference in the mystery itself. I will give a huge YAY to Parker, Caitlin and Julie, though! (BEST SQUAD EVER.) Doesn't the title even sound so much better than PLL? THE PERFECTIONISTS. I'm a perfectionist, so I can totally relate, you know. 

Romance was played hand in hand with the other things. Of course, it was also part of the romance since Nolan did have something to do with some of the girls, (I won't name who, though) but there were a few scattered relationships outside of the obvious that I wish can mend because I totally ship. AND WHAT WAS WITH MR. GRANGER?! THAT WAS FREAKY. And a little inappropriate? (Obviously, hah.)

So, the ending gave us something wonderful in our minds: hope. The police were actually involved in the investigation with everything, but I know that Shepard won't let the mystery be solved as quick and span in one novel. That's what we have for the second and final (I HOPE) book that will surely stun our minds. This already left us with suspense, and WE NEED ANSWERS TO SO MANY THINGS. I'm hoping that Shepard will take us on many blasts into the pasts next time in June (when The Good Girls comes around), and I'm ready for more thrill, mystery, and less PLL. Woot!

Are there any other authors who reuse the same concepts over and over again?

Vicious by Sara Shepard Review

Vicious (Pretty Little Liars #16), by Sara Shepard
Published On: December 2, 2014, by HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery/Murder/Thriller, Romance
Pages: 338
Format: Hardcover
Source: Gifted
Rating: 

In Rosewood, Pennsylvania, reporters are lined up outside the historic courthouse, typing furiously at their iPhones with freshly manicured nails. Because the trial of the century is happening right here in Rosewood: the four pretty little liars have been accused of killing Alison DiLaurentis. Only Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily know that they've been framed. Ali is still out there, laughing as she watches the girls go down for her murder. But when your nickname includes the word "liar," no one believes you're telling the truth. . . .
Aria tries to run away from it all but finds that life on the lam is even harder than life as a liar. Spencer gets in touch with someone who can help her disappear--but when a guy from her past reemerges, Spencer no longer knows what she wants. Hanna decides that she'll hear wedding bells chime before she serves time. And in the face of prison, Emily does something truly drastic--something that will change her friends' lives forever.
As the trial goes on and the outcome looks grim, the girls are in their darkest hour yet. But maybe they can finally figure out how to beat Ali at her own game. Because once upon a time, she was just a pretty little liar too.

After 3 years of me reading these books (but many more for others), we’ve come to the end of the series that changed the view of teen mysteries. Pretty Little Liars for me is one of my most favourite book series and TV shows, and it’s about damn time that it’s over, although I still am feeling a little sad here and there. Vicious was definitely one of the best books of the series, and the ending was awesome.

So I’m sitting here wondering if the TV show will end the same way as the books did, because it was really good. Shepard came to a close and we got the ending for the girls and what they’ve always dreamt of—happiness especially. And I’m also seriously wondering if Shepard will make some sort of spin-off series about their children. HAHA that’d be hideous and ridiculous.

So I made my theories after reading the previous novel and sitting there shocked because Ali could really get to them this time. THEY’RE ON TRIAL FOR MURDER, PEOPLE. If the verdict sends them to prison, they can be there for life with people not believing anything about them. And saying that, A is up to do anything. 

“Get some sleep, girls. You look exhausted.” He gestured to the plate of Danishes. “And have one, for God’s sake. You don’t know when you’ll get the pleasure of a Danish from Rizolli’s again.” Emily flinched. It was pretty easy to interpret what that meant: Prisons didn’t serve pastries.”

A is so screwed up, everyone. Like I freaking wanted to rip this book apart as we were coming close to a conclusion in the case. And then there were lies, fake deaths and hiding of course. What would a PLL book be without all of that?

This is something simple: the girls are wanted for murder after Alison framed them by faking her death and leaving a journal behind stating all lies. She’s watching them from afar, laughing her head off as the judges and detectives keep on finding fake evidence. Aria tries to flee everything by heading to Norway with Noel, who’ll never leave her. Hanna decides to do something a little early, but the earlier the better as long as she’ll know that she has someone while she’s in prison. Spencer’s fleeing back into the past where she meets Wren again, and Emily does something a little wild and leaves a scare. But anything is better than going to prison or dying, right?

I’m just so happy to see an ending after the time being. It’s been so many years where we’ve had the four liars as our protagonists, skipping between each of their POVs, not knowing what to believe in the end. We found out so many secrets and things that seemed like they weren't even possible in the first book. The events and plot of all of the books combined truly were something memorable. 

Fuck, you just can’t imagine how much I wanted these girls to have success and happiness. From when they were freshmen they were haunted by A’s image and weren’t ever left alone. A teared their families apart and killed many people that they personally knew. No one believed them as framing was all over the place, and they weren’t put in peace and were afraid to go to sleep. It’s truly psychopathic and obsessive.  

"You won't lose me," she breathed, melting into his arms. But that was the problem. Soon enough, he was going to lose her—to jail. Unless they found what they were looking for."

I’ve totally got to say that these girls were unable to let go and give it a stop. They took risks, risks to ensure that they’d live their own happily ever afters with the people that they loved. And each of them did have that person inside of their hearts. (BTW, it’s totally different from the show. Don’t even base anything on the show.)

I loved the ending, loved the characters and weren’t able to let them go. It’s really weird now, knowing that there won’t be any new mystery or story having to deal with Spencer’s stubbornness, Aria’s rebellion inside, Hanna’s fearlessness, and Emily’s risk-taking. It’s like a part’s missing from me. I guess now I know what kind of connection I really did have to these books.

So you’re probably asking what I’ve given this book a 4 star rating if all I’m doing is gushing. I honestly can say that it didn't give me enough of what I wanted. Yes, the ending and the characters were all pleasing, but I guess I wanted more surprises and plot-twists. I kind of saw this coming anyways because it had to be ended in a happy way after all of that sorrow and shit they had to go through. It’s understandable. But where’s that extra bizazz that Shepard kept throwing at us in the past novels? There actually wasn’t even one death here.

I guess now’s the moment where we talk about letting this one go. Except, I’ve never realized that it’s that heart-wrenching to give up. I loved Alison, Aria, even Ezra and the whole gang of characters. The message is that anyone can be lying and hiding some huge behind your back even if they’re your best friend… or once was. 

As this book has gotten so much hate and negativity, I’m really feeling like boycotting against those haters. Don’t like it and don’t accept it? Don’t read it—no one’s forcing you to or even asking you to. This was a fantastic ending to a series that I’ll never forget and shares a huge spot in my heart.

Toxic, by Sara Shepard

Toxic (Pretty Little Liars #15), by Sara Shepard

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery/Murder/Thriller

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Publication: June 3, 2014, by HarperTeen

Format: Hardcover Edition (borrowed)





Goodreads Summary: One A has been captured…but the most dangerous A of all is still out there in the penultimate installment in Sara Shepard's #1 New York Times bestselling Pretty Little Liars series.

High school seniors Aria, Emily, Spencer, and Hanna barely survived their most recent encounter with A. And it's not over yet…. The police don't believe there's another, deadlier, A out there, but the girls know what-and who-they saw. If they don't track down this final tormentor soon, A will silence them forever.

Sara Shepard's fan base continues to grow as ABC Family's hit Pretty Little Liars TV show draws in new readers to the #1 New York Times bestselling series. Full of unexpected twists and shocking revelations, the second-to-last novel ramps up the stakes for the jaw-dropping series conclusion in Pretty Little Liars #16.

Review: 

 *This review will contain spoilers from the past books, but nothing too much from this book. Please take a precaution before reading.*

Sara Shepard...

  Just end this series, come on. You know you've taken it too far now. FIFTEEN BOOKS IN A FREAKIN' SERIES? *barfs* 

  Every PLL fan knows that this series is too long. We get the story. And now in the series, fate just hates Aria, Spencer, Emily and Hanna too much. Like it has gone over the top. How can no one find Ali and turn her in? This whole story is too unreal and that's my reason why I'm giving it a 3.5 star rating, also adding to the fact that nothing much was happening in this book and it was predictable. 

  Alright, so Ali has still not been found, but she's still leaving hints and traces of herself around for the girls to see and be afraid of. The four of them want to go and find Ali and silence her forever because they just have enough of everything going on and what has happened in the past. Suddenly, good things start coming to all of them. Spencer's blog is getting more recognized, Aria has sold a painting of Ali for a ton of money, Emily is going to see her past lover in prison, and Hanna has scored herself a movie role... In a movie about the girls' experiences. So will good things all come to an end?

   The story keeps dragging on. We have the same plot setup as the past books. A is still leaving traces of herself, and well, the girls are scared and have enough of everything. And then there's a sneak of romance in between and of course, tons of drama and mystery. This author could've ended the series after the eighth or ninth book, but she added a whole new generation to the story and created another A. I'm still so shocked that it continued to this point.

   That's what frustrates me the most, and many other readers of this series, obviously. I'm not going to complain and rant too much. But, the book was okay itself. Nothing special, but bearable to read, despite the fact that the curse of the fifteenth book is haunting me.

    Do I really have to talk about the concept? After years of knowing the same plot, nothing has changed. Thankfully, *exhales* we will find out the ending in the sixteenth book, and then it'll be all done. I really have to admit that The Lying Game was better than this. 

     The previous book didn't really leave us off at some plot twist or anything, so the beginning just began out ordinary. The whole book was really ordinary anyways. I'd say that this was just a not-needed filler for the last book. 

      

      

      The plot was just good. It was intriguing because Sara Shepard is a good writer, but the events weren't anything special.

       Every time I read a book from this series, my liking of the four liars changes every time. This time, Hanna was my favourite, followed by Aria, Spencer and then Emily. But either way, they're all good characters who have their flaws and imperfections. That's it.

        The ending of this was just a mind-blower, but not in a good way. Now they're probably going to go to prison for "killing Ali." Wowww. And watch, in the last book, they're actually going to kill Ali once and for all. That's how the whole series is going to end. TA DA. -_-

         Overall, I'm very eager to see if my prediction was correct, so I will read the final novel, and who knows? Maybe it'll be amazing.

P is for Pretty Little Liars

  Imagine, you go to your best friend's sleepover. She decides to add some fun to everything, but wanting to hypotize all 4 of you, including yourself. You can imagine what would happen, if something went wrong, so you back out. Your friend gets angry and you all decide to go to sleep.
  A few hours later, you bolt up, noticing that 1 out of the 5 of you are gone. You get up, searching for your friend, when you see her in the kitchen. You get angry at her, and she leaves the house. You run after her... but she disappears, and you never see her again.

   This plot sounds great, doesn't it? Well, lucky for you, this is a book that's actually published, and has sold millions of copies online, and even became a hit TV show. Yes, I'm talking about the world-famous series by Sara Shepard, Pretty Little Liars. 

  So I've basically told you the beginning of the story, before it all began. 

  Okay, so maybe not all of it. By the way, that's Troian Bellisario up there, the girl who plays Spencer Hastings in the show. 

   Three years later, Alison's still missing. Her 4 best friends who she left behind, Aria, Spencer, Emily, and Hanna have all moved on with their lives, but they all still have a feeling that Alison's alive. When Ali was with them, everyone seemed to love her, she was beautiful, with her big blue eyes and long blond hair, but inside, they were all envious. Anything could've happened to her.

   When the four girls start to get a mysterious, anonymous text claimed to be someone named "A," all four girls believe that Ali's alive, and she's ready to come back to Rosewood.

    A #1 New York Times bestseller, Pretty Little Liars stunned every reader, including myself. I adored it. Mysterious, girly, and surprising, PLL is one book to remember. 

   Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale, Troian Bellasario and Shay Mitchell star in the show as the real Hanna, Aria, Spencer, and Emily, and make fans obsess over the show and the books. 

  OMG! Did any of YOU hear about what the third Divergent book is going to be called? ALLEGIANT! YAY! I CAN'T WAIT!

   QOTD: Do you believe in the quote that is commonly used in the show, "Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead." by Benjamin Franklin?