Friends Like These, by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, is a gripping YA mystery that follows high schoolers Jessica and Jake as they navigate love, betrayal, and dark secrets. Entering their senior year, they find themselves tangled in a web of lies after attending a chaotic party thrown by Jake's ex-girlfriend, Tegan. When Tegan goes missing the next day, the duo must confront their friends and unravel the mystery, all while dealing with their own romantic tensions and personal mistakes. The plot is fast-paced with plenty of unexpected twists, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

Alvarez's writing style is engaging, utilizing dual perspectives to give depth to the characters and the unfolding story. The narratives breathe life into the experiences of the flawed protagonists, making them relatable even during their moments of poor judgment. The author's clever handling of heavy themes, like toxic friendships and the complexities of sexual assault, adds layers to the story. With its unpredictable turns and an emotional rollercoaster, Friends Like These is a perfect blend of teen drama and mystery.

Characters:

The characters are complex and flawed, each hiding secrets that contribute to the story's tension and mystery.

Writing/Prose:

The prose features multiple perspectives, which helps create complexity and engagement with the characters.

Plot/Storyline:

The story centers on high school drama, relationships, and a mysterious disappearance that unfolds through secrets and lies.

Setting:

The setting revolves around a modern high school, focusing particularly on a pivotal summer party.

Pacing:

The book features brisk pacing that keeps the narrative engaging and encourages continuous reading.

Notes:

The story involves teenage characters navigating complicated relationships and a mystery surrounding a missing person.

The protagonist couple, Jessica and Jake, enter their senior year with a complicated dynamic due to Jake's ex-girlfriend Tegan.

A pivotal event occurs at a back-to-school party that leads to Tegan's disappearance and subsequent police investigation.

The book features a full cast narration in its audiobook version, enhancing the storytelling experience.

The narrative includes multiple points of view, including that of the missing character, providing depth to the story.

Key themes include toxic friendships, the consequences of poor decisions, and the exploration of difficult topics like sexual assault.

The pacing of the book is described as fast and engaging, making it a quick read.

Many characters are portrayed with flaws, making it difficult for readers to completely dislike them despite their mistakes.

The author, Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, is noted for her ability to create tension and unexpected twists throughout the story.

The book has received comparisons to a well-executed teen drama TV show, highlighting the entertaining nature of the plot.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

There are significant content warnings related to themes of sexual assault and the portrayal of toxic friendships.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate level of romance present, primarily focusing on the relationship between Jessica and Jake amidst the surrounding drama.

From The Publisher:

"Sharp, atmospheric, and wildly fast-paced"-Jessica Goodman, New York Times bestselling author of They'll Never Catch Us

From the author of Lies Like Wildfire comes another page-turning thriller about the little lies we all tell before the truth sets us free-perfect for readers of Karen M. McManus and Diana Urban.

Mistake number one . . .

Fun-loving Jake tells his girlfriend, Jessica, that they have to go to Tegan's end-of-summer party in their tiny California beach town. Jessica doesn't like parties, and she doesn't like Tegan, who has an obvious, obsessive crush on Jake. But she agrees to go, to make Jake happy.

Mistake number two . . .

Something awful happens at the party. Something so embarrassing that Jessica doesn't know if she can ever get over it-and Jake will do whatever it takes to earn her forgiveness. And now a girl is missing. Everyone is a suspect. And Jake seems to have a lot to hide. . . .

When a body is discovered at the beach, friends start turning on friends, and lies start piling upon lies. What happened could destroy their lives. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Mistake number three . . .

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Friends Like These

Jennifer Lynn Alvarez