Mini Reviews: The Almost Truth and Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook

From Back Cover: Sadie can’t wait to get away from her backwards small town, her delusional mom, her jailbird dad, and the tiny trailer where she was raised. She knows she can have a better life, and she has been working steadily toward it, one con at a time. But when Sadie’s mother wipes out Sadie’s savings, her escape plan is suddenly gone. She needs to come up with a lot of cash - and fast - or she’ll be stuck in this town forever. Then Sadie sees an age-enhanced photo of a missing girl who looks like her. With her best friend's help, she devises a plan - the ultimate con - to get the money. But the more Sadie learns about the missing girl, the more she starts falling for her own hoax ... and for the wrong boy. Sadie wanted to change her life, but she wasn't prepared to have it flipped upside down by her own con. Suddenly it seems like she has a lot more to lose ... 

My Rating: 3 hearts 

Thoughts on the Novel: Having read a couple of Eileen Cook’s previous books, I knew that The Almost Truth would be an amusing novel that I’d finish in one sitting. However, I couldn’t help but be disappointed that when the potential arose for a little bit of seriousness to be added to the story, the book ended abruptly. As well, I never really connected with Sadie since she and her best friend, Brendan, were pros at conning people whereas I don’t really approve of lying. Overall, although I had fun reading The Almost Truth, it’s probably my least favourite of Cook’s novels. 

The Almost Truth was released in December 2012 by Simon Pulse. 

In exchange for an honest review, this book was received from the publisher (Simon and Schuster Canada) for free.

original image from thegate.ca

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From Goodreads: In the final weeks of eighth grade, Lauren Wood made a choice. She betrayed her best friend, Helen, in a manner so publicly humiliating that Helen had to move to a new town just to save face. Ditching Helen was worth it, though, because Lauren started high school as one of the It Girls - and now, at the start of her senior year, she's the cheerleading captain, the quarterback's girlfriend, and the undisputed queen bee. Lauren has everything she's ever wanted, and she has forgotten all about her ex-best friend.

But Helen could never forget Lauren. After three years of obsessing, she's moving back to her old town. She has a new name and a new look, but she hasn’t dropped her old grudges. She has a detailed plan to bring down her former BFF by taking away everything that's ever been important to Lauren - starting with her boyfriend.Watch out, Lauren Wood. Things are about to get bitchy.

My Rating: 3.5 hearts 

Thoughts on the Novel: I found Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood, an older Eileen Cook novel, to be a bit more enjoyable. Although I couldn’t understand why Helen would still hold a grudge against Lauren years after having moved away, I’m always game for a story involving revenge. Unfortunately, Helen’s revenge tactics turned out to be pretty petty.

I did like Helen’s voice though and the fact that Cook showed that getting revenge may not actually make you happier. Sometimes it’s better to concentrate your energy on yourself rather than on others. I just wish the story could have concluded differently because you never find out what type of consequences – other than the fact that her friends sure got over being used quite fast – Helen faced due to her actions. This was one novel where I could have used an epilogue!

Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood was released by Simon Pulse in January 2010.

original image from thegate.ca