Review: Wow, this was interesting.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 8, 2013
At A GlanceThis book was so amazing. I was giddy with how much I liked it...then that cheesy ending happened.The GoodThis borders so close to 4 stars because really I loved the story and characters so much. You know what? Eff it! I'm changing the rating from 3.5 stars to 4. Despite my annoynces I mentioned in the bad, I can't deny my excitement over reading this book from cover to cover.This book is like a mind-eff to the extreme. Everyone around Francesca is saying she IS the missing Fiona but Francesca KNOWS she's not. It's was so confusing but exciting. We get small hints of her possibly being Fiona, but we also get hints of her being Francesca. We are kept in the dark just as much as the characters. The mystery was so freakin' fun. I had my guesses and came pretty close to the truth but it was far more complicated than I could have ever imagined.Francesca was such a brat in the beginning, and who could blame her? She is taken away from everything she knows and forced to live with people she doesn't know. She rebels the best she can against her foster family and I thought it all was pretty funny. But watching Fiona's family trying to convince Francesca that she is Fiona was heartbreaking. They have been devastated since Fiona's disappearance. What else are they suppose to think when this Francesca looks exactly like their daughter all grown up? As Francesca starts to get more comfortable with her new surroundings, she starts to see that her supposed real family are actually great people. I love how she developed relationships with all of them, especially her supposed foster brother, Sean.But the real story is Francesca and Brody. Brody remembers the girl he fell in love with when they were children. When she was taken, he was devastated. But when Francesca comes home as a supposed older Fiona, he knows in his heart that Francesca is Fiona. Now it's up to him to convince her. Brody was such an amazing guy. He's considerate, funny, charming, and loving. He was on Francesca's side no matter what. His dedication to her was heartwarming. I could see Francesca starting to love her new life because Brody was in it. But that also brought up why her other life was so bad. I was dying to know. Because she makes it obvious she has another family that she loves but is also a little afraid of. What?? Why?? Is Francesca really Fiona? When we finally get answers, it was like fireworks, rollercoaster rides, and face punches all in one.Huss is an amazing writer who can spin a story like no other. I've loved every book from her so far. The twists, the surprises, the danger, it was all so exciting. I was happy to see a strong sense of family and love throughout the novel. The dialogue was amazing and the pacing was perfect.The BadI was in love with this story in the beginning but some things happened that had me chopping some stars. First the whole Brody has loved Francesca/Fiona since they were tiny kids (4 and 6 years old). He keeps saying he knew then that they were meant for each other and would be married one day. Really? REALLY? Come on! It was such a silly concept and I didn't buy it one bit. Why? Because what damn 6 year old boy thinks about MARRIAGE? Yeah, this deserves at least a half star deduction.Then things were going smoothly again until the ending. It was the cheesiest cheese-fest ever. And not only was it filled with cheese, it was unbelievable. As in no way would things EVER go down that smoothly if we are to believe these characters Huss created are real people in a real situation. Things just don't happen that way. I wish I could say more but I would give too much of the story away. So that knocked off another half a star. I almost did a whole star but just couldn't do it.The SnugglyAfter getting over the fact that Brody was pretty much in love with Francesca since she was in the freaking womb, I did love them together. They were so cute it's not even real. It's obvious they are good for one another because they brought out the best in each other.This is a very YA book when it comes to sexual content. We get great sexual tension and a whole Bella and Edward vibe with Francesca wanting to have sex but Brody holding back, but no sex scenes.Final ThoughtsI loved the characters and the story was pretty amazing. Definitely a unique premise. I've read Huss's Rook and Ronin series and loved those books, so it's obvious Huss is a great writer. And despite my whining over the ending and stuff, I would actually highly recommend this book to pretty much everyone. Very recommended.Quotes“Yeah, well, I've always been her boyfriend. She just didn't know it. This girl is my one. And she's always been the one.”Because Fiona Sullivan is my soulmate. I knew it from the first time we played together. . . . . I remember looking at her when she was four years old and I was six, thinking to myself, I love that girl. That is the girl I will marry."Reality becomes blurred, secrets are revealed, and life will never be the same when the final questions are answered: Is she Francesca or Fiona? And where does she really belong?""I want to savor every moment, every first, and then when that first time is over, I want to wallow in the after-effects and enjoy the second time around just as much.""I think I could love you.""I think you already do."*Free book from author for honest Review*