#Review - The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes #YA Mystery #Thriller

Series: The Inheritance Games # 2
Format: Hardcover, 368 pages
Release Date: September 7, 2021
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult  / Mysteries / Thrillers

Intrigue, riches, and romance abound in this thrilling sequel to the beloved bestselling The Inheritance Games

The Inheritance Games ended with a bombshell, and now heiress Avery Grambs has to pick up the pieces and find the man who might hold the answers to all of her questions—including why Tobias Hawthorne left his entire fortune to Avery, a virtual stranger, rather than to his own daughters or grandsons. 

Thanks to a DNA test, Avery knows that she’s not a Hawthorne by blood, but clues pile up hinting at a deeper connection to the family than she had ever imagined. As the mystery grows and the plot thickens, Grayson and Jameson, two of the enigmatic and magnetic Hawthorne grandsons, continue to pull Avery in different directions. And there are threats lurking around every corner, as adversaries emerge who will stop at nothing to see Avery out of the picture—by any means necessary. 

With nonstop action, aspirational jet-setting, Knives Out-like family intrigue, swoonworthy romance, and billions of dollars hanging in the balance, The Hawthorne Legacy will thrill Jennifer Lynn Barnes fans and new readers alike.

The Hawthorne Legacy is the second installment in author Jennifer Lynn Barnes' The Inheritance Games. As Sherlock Holmes allegedly once said, "The games are afoot!" 3 weeks ago, Avery Grambs was scrapping by trying to survive High School and living in her car hoping she could find a scholarship and escape. Then she learned that she was heir to Texas billionaire and philanthropist Tobias Hawthorne which came with bodyguards, lawyers, and hatred aimed towards Avery.

Over the past few weeks, Avery, Jameson, Greyson, and Xavier Hawthorne have been roped into solving a mystery from the recently deceased Tobias who left each of them a piece of a larger puzzle. Even though older brother Nash has stepped aside, for the most part, he's still involved because of Avery's half sister Libby who has her own issues. Avery, who is not related to the Hawthorne's, must move into sprawling Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man's touch--and his love of puzzles, riddles, secret passageways, hidden components, and codes.  

The catch is that if she leaves before the year is up, she gets nothing. If she dies before the year is up, she gets nothing. She also has to deal with Jameson, Grayson, and Xavier who have decided that Avery isn't a conwoman, but someone who truly wants to do the right thing even if it means a twisted love triangle that develops. There's never a dull moment in Hawthorne House. It seems as though everyone has secrets, and everyone has an agenda, and everyone want something, even if it means getting in Avery's way at every turn. 

With Rebecca Laughlin and Thea Calligans working with Xavier on a secretive plan, Avery makes a deal with both Grayson and Jameson to work together without stepping on each others toes. In an interesting twist, Avery's best friend Max arrives, and Avery tries to solve the secretive message her own mother left behind about the day she was born. One of the key mysteries of this book is whether or not Toby Hawthorne is still alive? This takes Avery on a journey of exploration, and danger, and apparently someone is desperate enough to put together scheme after scheme to stop her before she can reach her goals. 

I've said this previously, but this book reminds me of Knives Out with twists, and shocks, and surprises. There's literally a cast of dozens who could either be villains or allies of Avery depending on what the situation is. The only person in this entire book Avery can trust is Max who I adore because she is just straight up fun and doesn't give a damn who she offends. As I was reading the final chapters, I was praying that Avery finds time to deal her own brand of payback to a whole cast of characters. I eagerly await the final chapter in this trilogy called The Final Gamble coming in 2022.

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#Review - The Silence of Bones by June Hur #YA #Historical #Mystery

Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: April 21, 2020
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Mysteries / Historical

Set in Joseon Dynasty-era Korea, this evocative YA debut follows a 16-year-old indentured servant within the police bureau who becomes entangled in the politically charged investigation into the murder of a noblewoman.

I have a mouth, but I mustn't speak;
Ears, but I mustn't hear;
Eyes, but I mustn't see.

1800, Joseon (Korea). Homesick and orphaned sixteen-year-old Seol is living out the ancient curse: “May you live in interesting times.” Indentured to the police bureau, she’s been tasked with assisting a well-respected young inspector with the investigation into the politically charged murder of a noblewoman.

As they delve deeper into the dead woman's secrets, Seol forms an unlikely bond of friendship with the inspector. But her loyalty is tested when he becomes the prime suspect, and Seol may be the only one capable of discovering what truly happened on the night of the murder.

But in a land where silence and obedience are valued above all else, curiosity can be deadly.

June Hur's debut The Silence of Bones is a bloody YA historical mystery tale set in Joseon Dynasty-era Korea. This is a world where a girl who runs away is branded; where a cross pendant can be a death sentence since the monarchy is in the process of cleansing the country of Catholic's or those who support them. The story follows 16-year-old Seol who is an indentured servant called Damo within the police bureau who becomes entangled in the politically charged investigation into the murder of a noblewoman that leads her to some very dark places and questions about those she is working with. 

In this Korea, women are not treated equally, but the aristocratic women are mostly left alone. The police need female officers to arrest female criminals and examine female victims. The men are not allowed to touch or look at women's bodies unless they are married. Seol's job is to interact with female victims in the stead of the male police force. She also performs menial tasks and even lives at police headquarters. When the body of a female aristocrat is found mutilated, Seol must assist. She finds herself drawn into the procedure of investigation, and before too long, she is completely embroiled in the search for Lady O's killer. 

She also hitches her fate to Inspector Han, an aristocrat and military officer who has a bit of darkness following him. Inspector Han allows her more latitude than others on the department by asking questions instead of shutting up her curiosity. She has a fierce loyalty to Inspector Han and she craves the truth. She is drawn to him but begins to wonder about his connection to a string of murders. Does the inspector have a reason to seek vengeance against Catholics? How can Seol keep her promise to find out what happened to her older brother?  

Even though she cannot read or write, her mind is sharp, and she has questions about the crimes that she is helping investigate. Seol is curious when at times she shouldn't be. She craves knowledge but must figure out who she can trust and who she can't. She wants to do the right thing for her, but she also doesn't want to overstep her boundaries and end up in a worse position than being a Damo. Seol was not born a servant, but happenstance and bad timing ended up sending Seol to the Capitol to be a police servant. She has also come to the capitol searching for her brother who left 12 years earlier. 

Seol yearns to go home, but she has been bound for a generation, and she must do her duty. If she runs, she will be marked. Seol's family background is a key plot to this story since it was her older sister who put Seol on this path to find her older brother left after the mother died, and they lost their fortune and status due to accusations of being Catholics. There's so much going on in this book as are there many twists that you need to pay attention to. I reiterate, when you read a book, it is nice to have notes to go along with it so that you can keep your thoughts in one place and put them altogether once you are in the process of putting your words to your review.

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#Review - City of Scoundrels by Victoria Thompson #Historical #Mystery

Series: Counterfeit Lady #3
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: November 5, 2019
Publisher: Berkley
Source: Library
Genre: Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths

Elizabeth Miles finds herself in a position no con can help her escape. Her beloved fiancé, Gideon Bates, is awaiting his turn in the draft to fight in the Great War. Elizabeth is finding it hard to think of anything else, but Gideon has thrown himself into his work, preparing wills for soldiers before they ship out. Corporal Tom Preston is part owner of Preston Shoes, a company that is making footwear for the army, so he has a rather large estate. He needs a new will, however, because he has just been secretly married to a woman whom his family would never approve. He wants to make sure she and their unborn child are provided for if he does not return.

When Tom is later reported killed, Elizabeth and Gideon learn that the new will has gone missing after Tom’s bride revealed her identity to his family. Unless the new will is found and validated, the original will, which leaves everything to Tom’s brother, will prevail and the wife and child will get nothing. If Tom’s new bride survives, that is. Some terrible threats have been leveled against her, and Elizabeth and Gideon must figure out a way, legal or not quite, to secure Tom’s fortune for his wife and child while saving her life in the process.

 

City of Scoundrels, by Victoria Thompson, is the third installment in the authors Counterfeit Lady series. The Counterfeit Lady series is a historical mystery series featuring Elizabeth Miles, a con woman who finds herself embroiled in intrigue in turn of the century New York. There are several historically accurate events taking place in this story. First, World War I and the impending arrival of US military to the war in Europe. 

While Elizabeth's fiancé Gideon Bates is preparing to be drafted to war, the American Protective League is causing harm by reporting those who are not patriotic to the cause. The American Protective League (1917-1919) was an organization of private citizens that worked with Federal law enforcement agencies during the World War I era to identify suspected German sympathizers and to counteract the activities of radicals, anarchists, anti-war activists, and left-wing labor and political organizations.

The second historically accurate event is the 1918 Flu Pandemic that killed up to 50 million people worldwide. The Flu ends affecting almost every character in this story including Gideon. As a lawyer, Gideon is focusing his last few weeks as a civilian on drafting wills for soldiers. Most of them are, but one of the exceptions is Tom Preston, part owner of Preston Shoes, which has made a fortune providing shoes to the soldiers. Tom wants a new will leaving his share of the family business to his new wife and their unborn child – a wife the rest of his family knows nothing about. 

When word comes back that Tom has died, his new will goes missing, and his family doesn’t want to acknowledge his widow Rose Preston. Elizabeth our “reformed” grifter engaged to strait-laced lawyer Gideon Bates and a supporter of the Women's Suffrage movement, applies her “arts” to grift money from Tom's family. Elizabeth and her family come up with a scheme to get this war widow the money she should have inherited. But what complications might there be along the way?

In all fairness, the most interesting part of this whole story was the Flu seeing as it affected every part of society world wide. The author seemingly blames the spread of the Flu on American soldiers who were given cramped quarters and quickly built camps in an attempt to reach one million soldiers to send overseas to help defeat the Axis. The Flu hit so hard, that people actually dropped dead within minutes of catching it. It was so devastating that it affected the young more than the old.

I also encourage people to read about President Woodrow Wilson and how hateful he really was. He lied about entering World War I, then did so anyway. He hated women who marched and fought for Suffrage. His hand was literally forced after women started going on food strikes after being arrested and sent to farms. He could not tolerate criticism. He censored the media and quashed any dissent. He created concentration camps for American's of German descent.

Chapter One

I hate this stupid war!“ Elizabeth cried in frustration.

”Shhhh.“ Gideon glanced anxiously at the parlor door. Fortunately, it was tightly closed, even though it was highly improper for them to be alone in any room, even a perfectly respectable parlor. Gideon’s mother thought an engaged couple deserved a little privacy, however, hence the closed door. ”Not so loud. Someone might hear you.“

”Do you really think your mother would turn me over to the League?“ The American Protective League had thousands of civilian volunteers who were informally investigating enemy activities but who usually just reported their neighbors for being ”unpatriotic.“

”No, but I’m not too sure about the servants. People have been jailed for less, you know.“

”I do know, although I’m sure everyone hates the war by now, so how can saying it be unpatriotic?“

”I have no idea, but it’s not only unpatriotic. It’s illegal, and the League has spies everywhere, so please be careful, my darling. I wouldn’t want to spend our honeymoon in prison.“

”If we ever even have a honeymoon. I still don’t see why we can’t go ahead and get married, war or no war.“

Gideon sighed. ”You know why, darling.“

Elizabeth sighed, too, but much more dramatically. ”Because you’re too honorable to risk leaving me a widow.“

”And possibly leaving you with a child you’ll have to raise alone.“

”You might be sorry for being so honorable, Gideon. The way this war is going, by the time it’s over, I’ll probably be too old to have children at all, and you’ll wish we hadn’t waited.“

He smiled at that. ”I’m sure you have at least a decade of childbearing years left, and the war can’t possibly last that long. Now, stop fussing and kiss me before my mother decides we’ve been in here alone long enough.“

A few minutes later, they broke apart at the sound of a discreet knock, and Mrs. Bates joined them, pretending not to notice how breathless they both were.

”Have you seen the newspapers?“ Mrs. Bates asked. ”They sentenced the suffrage demonstrators in Washington to ten days in the workhouse.“

”Not the Occoquan Workhouse,“ Elizabeth cried in dismay. She and Mrs. Bates had spent time in that horrible place last fall for demonstrating for women’s suffrage outside the White House.

”No, a different workhouse, but no better, I’m sure. They were protesting in Lafayette Square this time, right beside the White House. I’m sure the government is justifying it by saying demonstrating for women’s rights is bad for civilian morale or some other poppycock.“

”Shhhh, someone might hear you,“ Elizabeth said, jumping up to close the parlor door.

”Do you think the League has spies in our house?“ Mrs. Bates asked in disgust.

”The League has members everywhere,“ Gideon said. ”And I don’t think they call them spies, Mother, so they might be offended if they heard you call them that.“

”Whatever I call them, I hope I’m not harboring any in my own home.“

”You never know,“ Elizabeth said, ”and we can’t take a chance of demoralizing our beloved doughboys with unpatriotic thoughts.“

”I hope they aren’t your beloved doughboys,“ Gideon said. ”That’s too much competition, even for me.“

”Don’t be silly. When you’re a doughboy, you will be my only beloved one,“ Elizabeth said.

”I just wish you didn’t have to go at all, Gideon,“ Mrs. Bates said.

”And you don’t really have to. You could get yourself appointed as a Dollar-a-Year Man,“ Elizabeth said slyly.

”David did,“ Mrs. Bates reminded him, naming Gideon’s best friend.

”And David will have to live with his decision, just as I have to live with mine.“ Gideon gave Elizabeth a disapproving frown. ”I can’t shirk my duty when so many other men have already paid the ultimate price.“

”I suppose your mother and I are just selfish, Gideon,“ Elizabeth said. ”We don’t see any reason for you to pay the supreme price.“

”If women ruled the world, I suppose there wouldn’t be any wars at all.“

”Another good reason to give us the vote,“ Elizabeth said.

”You already have the vote, at least in New York State,“ Gideon said.

”Yes,“ his mother said wearily, ”and that’s lovely, but a state here and there is not enough. All American women must have the vote.“

”So you can put an end to this war?“ Gideon guessed.

”Or at least elect people who will,“ she replied.

”I wonder if they really do pay those men a dollar,“ Elizabeth said to change the subject. Thinking about Gideon going to war was simply too dreadful.

”Who, dear?“ Mrs. Bates asked absently.

”The Dollar-a-Year Men. Do they really get a dollar a year?“

”I think that’s just an expression,“ Gideon said. ”I don’t think they get any salary at all. David would know. Why don’t you ask him?“ he added with a mischievous grin.

Elizabeth pretended not to notice the grin. ”I’m not sure David and I are actually speaking yet.“

”Really?“ Mrs. Bates said in surprise. ”I thought he’d forgiven you for breaking your engagement to him.“

”He apparently told Gideon that he was actually relieved that I did.“ She glanced at Gideon, silently daring him to confirm it, which he knew better than to do. ”But I think his pride was a bit bruised, and you know how sensitive men can be about matters of the heart.“

”Indeed I do,“ Mrs. Bates said.

”But apparently, many men have extremely strong stomachs,“ Gideon said, ”which is what I imagine it takes for the Dollar-a-Year Men to give a speech in theaters at intermission and make people feel guilty because they haven’t bought enough Liberty Bonds or knitted enough socks or saved enough peach pits for the war effort.“

”Don’t forget bandages, dear,“ Mrs. Bates said with only a hint of sarcasm. ”Heaven knows, I’ve rolled miles of them.“

”And bandages. David is welcome to serve our country as he sees fit, and I will serve it as I see fit.“

Elizabeth didn’t dare meet Mrs. Bates’s eye. Neither of them could bear the thought of losing Gideon, no matter how honorable it might be.

A few days later, GideonÕs law clerk showed a handsome young soldier into his office. His uniform had obviously been tailored to fit him and had been smartly pressed, which was unusual. ÒCorporal Thomas Preston,Ó Smith announced before leaving, closing the door behind him.

Gideon shook the soldier’s hand and invited him to sit. ”Where are you from, Corporal Preston?“

”Upstate,“ he said vaguely. ”You’re not serving?“

”I was too old for the earlier drafts, but they’ll get me this time. I’m just waiting to be called up.“

Preston nodded. ”Raising the age limit to forty-five will get a lot of fellows.“

”Indeed it will. I hear General Pershing wants a million more men over there.“

”That should put an end to the Boche pretty quick.“

Gideon shook his head. ”Nothing about this war has been quick, but let’s hope you’re right. Now, what can I do for you, Corporal?“ he asked, although he was pretty sure he already knew.

”The army tells me I need to make a will before I ship out.“

Most of the boys didn’t really need one, but Preston looked as if he might. ”I know that’s what they’re advising, and you probably also know our firm is preparing wills free of charge for the boys. It’s our contribution to the war effort.“

”I heard that, which is why I chose your firm, even though I can easily afford to pay for your services.“

Which explained the tailored uniform and confirmed Gideon’s suspicions. ”That isn’t necessary.“

”In my case, it probably is. My will must be a little complicated because my situation is complicated, and I don’t want any misunderstandings later if I…well, if I don’t return.“

Gideon nodded his understanding. ”What do you mean by ’complicated’?“

”First of all, because of the war, I am a man of means.“

”Why ’because of the war’?“

”My family owns Preston Shoe Manufacturing. We were doing quite well for the past twenty-five years or so, and when my father passed away about five years ago, he left me a third of the company.“

”Who owns the rest?“

”My older brother, Fred, and my stepmother, Delia, each have a third. Fred is the president of the company, and Delia and I just collect our quarterly dividends.“

”You aren’t involved in the company at all?“

”I suppose that was my family’s expectation, but I was still in school when my father passed. Then I turned twenty-one last winter, so I was eligible for the draft this past June, right after I graduated from Cornell, so I haven’t had a chance to go to work yet.“ Working in an industry essential to the war effort could have provided a deferment. Why hadn’t Fred offered his brother that opportunity? Or maybe Tom was too honorable to take it.

”I see. So you’re a college man. I’m surprised you didn’t go to officers’ training.“

”They wanted me to, but…“

Gideon waited, knowing how people detested silence and would often fill it with information they wouldn’t ordinarily reveal.

After a moment, Preston said, ”I didn’t think a man as young as I am should be ordering men to their deaths.“

Gideon nodded, understanding completely. ”They made you a corporal, though.“

”I went to a training camp in the summer of nineteen fifteen. One for college men.“

”Ah, yes, the preparedness movement.“ As soon as the war started in Europe, several retired American generals had seen a future need for officers if America entered the war. They started a series of private summer training camps for college men and others for businessmen. ”Did they teach you to be a leader?“

Preston chuckled at that. ”They mostly just taught us to march. Did you go to a Business Men’s Camp?“

”A Tired Business Men’s Camp, you mean?“ Gideon replied, giving it the sarcastic moniker the public had bestowed. ”No, I didn’t.“

”You’ll probably want to go in as an officer, anyway. Most of the older fellows do. I hear they’re opening some new training schools because they need so many new officers.“

To replace the ones being killed by the score, but Gideon didn’t say that to this innocent young man who might still think war was mostly honor, glory and parades. ”I’ll probably just do what they tell me to do. Now, explain to me why your will must be complicated. Your situation sounds pretty straightforward.“

”It would be ordinarily, I suppose. Did I mention that Preston Shoes has a contract with the army now?“

”No, you didn’t, but I’d guessed as much since you said you were newly wealthy.“

”Fred worked really hard and probably bribed a few politicians to get the job, and he’s made a fortune. Although…“

Gideon clamped his lips together and waited again.

Preston glanced at the door as if to make sure it was still closed. ”Now that I’m in the army, I’ve heard things.“

”Things about what?“

”The shoes. The ones issued to the soldiers. They…The soldiers call them ’chicken skins.’ Because they fall apart so easily.“

”They’re poor quality, you mean?“

”That’s putting it mildly. I know the shoes I was issued were awful.“

”I’m sure the army has contracts with many different shoe companies,“ Gideon tried. ”Maybe the pair you got was made by a different one.“

”You’re probably right, and I would hate to think…Well, anyway, Fred is running the company, and there’s nothing I can do about it now. When the war is over…“

Gideon let that pass. A lot of things would or wouldn’t happen when this cursed war was over. ”So you are now a wealthy man, courtesy of the U.S. Army. I’m assuming you want to leave someone your share of the company as well as the money you’ve made. Your brother?“

Preston smiled, but the expression held no mirth. ”I already have a will that does that. Fred took me to have it drawn up the minute he realized I’d be drafted.“

”And you’ve changed your mind?“

”Not exactly. I’ve gotten married.“

”Married?“ Gideon echoed in surprise and then managed to say, ”Congratulations.“

”Thank you. I know. You’re thinking I’m crazy to get married just before shipping out but…“ The color rose in his beardless face, and he dropped his gaze. ”Well, there’s a baby, you see.“

Gideon nodded knowingly. ”I do see. Then you’ve done the right thing.“

Preston smiled his mirthless smile again. ”I don’t think Fred or Delia would agree. She’s not…well, she’s not the sort of girl they would approve of.“

”What sort of girl is she?“ Gideon asked, carefully keeping all hint of judgment from his tone.

Preston’s entire face seemed to light up at that. ”She’s wonderful. Not like anyone I’ve ever known. She doesn’t care what other people think, and she always tells the truth, no matter how unpleasant it might be.“

Gideon ostentatiously moved a pad of paper from the side of his desk to the center and unscrewed the top of his fountain pen. ”And what is her name?“

”Rose O’Dell,“ he said proudly, instantly revealing why Preston’s family would not have approved. She was Irish and probably Catholic into the bargain. Either of those would make her socially unacceptable to the Prestons. ”Well, Rose Preston now. I have the marriage certificate if you need to see it.“

Preston reached into his uniform jacket pocket, but Gideon shook his head. ”No, I’ll take your word, Corporal. If there’s ever a question, your marriage is registered, I’m sure.“

”Of course it is.“

”Good. Then all I need to know is how you would like your estate to be distributed in the event of your death.“

”That’s just it. I don’t want it distributed at all. I want it all to go to Rosie. And the baby, of course, except I don’t think you can leave money to a baby, can you?“

”You can, but it’s not a good idea. Presumably your wife would use her inheritance to support herself and your child, so leaving it all to her would ensure your child’s welfare. Is that what you want?“

”Yes, that’s exactly what I want. Fred won’t like it. He won’t like any of it, but I’m married now, and there’s nothing he can do to change that.“

”Does he want to change it?“ Gideon asked uneasily.

Preston flinched just a little. ”He doesn’t actually know. That I’m married, that is. I’m shipping out in a few weeks and with the baby…We didn’t have much time, and I didn’t want Fred interfering.“

”I see. Does Fred know your wife?“

”Oh no. How could he? She’s from the city, after all, and Fred hardly ever comes to New York."

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#Review - Deadly Little Scandals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes #YA #Mysteries

Series: Debutantes (#2)
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Release Date: November 5, 2019
Publisher: Freeform
Source: Publisher
Genre:Young Adult / Mysteries

Think of the White Gloves like the Junior League—by way of Skull and Bones…”

Reluctant debutante Sawyer Taft joined Southern high society for one reason and one reason alone: to identify and locate her biological father. But the answers Sawyer found during her debutante year only left her with more questions and one potentially life-ruining secret. When her cousin Lily ropes her into pledging a mysterious, elite, and all-female secret society called the White Gloves, Sawyer soon discovers that someone in the group's ranks may have the answers she's looking for. Things are looking up... until Sawyer and the White Gloves make a disturbing discover near the family's summer home--and uncover a twisted secret, decades in the making.

No one is quite who they seem to be in this twisty, soapy, gasp-inducing sequel to Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ unputdownable Little White Lies.

 

Deadly Little Scandals is the final installment in author Jennifer Lynn Barnes Debutantes duology. Sawyer Taft moved into her Grandmother's home after she was offered a pretty amazing deal. In return, Sawyer was introduced to the world of the Debutantes and all the scandals that have been uncovered. This time around, the author does something a bit different. She actually goes back in time 25 years to the year of her own mother's Debutante year. If you have read the first installment, you know that Sawyer knew absolutely nothing about who her father was.

All she knew is that she's the result of her mother's teenage pregnancy pact with two other women one who lost her baby. Having discovered who her father really is through a series of hits and misses, Sawyer didn't expect to find friendship with girls who have their own scandals, & dangerous secrets (Sadie-Grace Walker, Lily Taft, and Campbell Ames). As I said, this story goes back 20 years to fill in the blanks, as it were, to what really happened and leads to even more curious mysteries. As the story opens, there are hints that something bad has happened to Sawyer and Sadie, but we have to wait until the last chapters to figure exactly what.

In the meantime, the girls are invited to join an exclusive group called the White Gloves. The White Gloves are thought to be Suburban legends until you actually receive an invite and are encouraged to participate in a series of challenges to see if you are deemed worthy. All is going well, mostly, until a skull is found during one of the challenges. A skull that dates back 20 years! Now we're cooking with gas! Who is the mysterious girl? And, why should we actually care? Oh, you should, you really, really should since it's a huge plot twist that you won't see coming!

Sawyer isn't finished with her Nancy Drew detective work however. She's still on the hunt for Ana Gutierrez, the other girl with her mother in the pact who disappeared. Sawyer knows that if she can find out who Ana's baby is, she won't be the solo member of the teen pregnancy pact. She will actually have someone else to understand how she feels. Sawyer's search uncovers even more dark and dangerous secrets which leads to her and Sadie ending up in mortal jeopardy, and even more understanding at how many things can go wrong if you dig too deep. 

I liked that this book kept moving forward and not stopping to pause for romantic interludes, although Sawyer & Nick have to resolve some pretty twisted issues thanks to Sawyer. Between the Lady of the Lake, the White Gloves, the affairs, the truth about what happened to Ana who hasn't been seen in 25 years, and the shocking surprise twist, there wasn't ever a truly dull moment. The flashback to 25 years ago was kind of boring for the most part. Until the final one which leads to a stunning revelation in the present. 
 

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