Published: April 13th 2016
Publisher: Bronarch Books
There’s just one semester left at the Briar School for Girls in Sonoma, CA. But it will take more than straight As for Lana Goodwin to survive . . .Â
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Senior year is not going well for 17-year-old Lana Goodwin. Her father’s vintage car business is about to crash and burn, the nicest (and cutest) teacher at school was fired under a cloud of scandal, and her hot sort-of boyfriend may or may not have something big to hide.
She’s also totally over being the class pauper. It’s bad enough her dad was briefly married to the head of the board—the rich, cruel, impeccably groomed Ramona Crawford. What’s worse is going to school with her vindictive ex-stepsister, who never misses an opportunity to make her life hell. Not ever.
It also happens to be the tenth anniversary of her mother’s suicide. No one knows why Annie Goodwin jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge the day after Christmas. She didn’t leave a note. She wasn’t sick. Even Lana’s father can’t explain it. Ten years later, someone—or something—starts sending her clues about her mother’s past.
Before Lana can escape to college, she finds herself in a life-or-death race to uncover her mother’s long-buried secrets.Â
Can she claim her birthright before her future and her life are snatched away?
Valley of the Moon is a modern-day fairy tale with some intense themes. (Goodreads)
Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review. This in no way influences my opinion.
I actually received two copies of this book. I first requested this book from the publisher and, whilst waiting for their answer, I received a free copy from the author. Then I got one from the publisher! I was drawn in by the premise – because it sounded like it was just my kind of thing. However, it just wasn’t – I don’t think it was completely the book, it may have been me too. I DNFed this book at 41%.
For me personally, there wasn’t enough happening in the story that was interesting enough to carry on reading. I was nearly half way through the book and all I had was a bunch of arguments between a bunch of people, with a couple of strange incidents – like snow globe falling on the floor by itself. I think it dragged too much for me and it was a series of events that I could get watching tv.
I struggled to feel any sort of connection to any of the characters. For me, I don’t think they were fleshed out enough to be able to form any kind of connection. I think Lana came across as childish. She seemed to over react to a lot of different things and there didn’t seem to be any thought process to her actions.
The relationship, which, granted, was over when I DNFed, was an insta love affair. I struggled to accept them as a couple because there was no definition for them. I didn’t feel those shipping vibes because Lana got to know him at a party, chewed his face off and then bam! They’re dating?? No, no shipppy feels for the insta love boat!
This book was a tad too slow for me with not enough happening in the amount of the book I actually read! I was disappointed with this book because the premise drew me in, but I hold out hope for this author and I would be willing to try another one of her books or future works. I gave this book 1/5 stars.
Have you read this book? What were your opinions?
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