What if your life was charmed and everything in it was perfect… 

Before. 

This is the story of my past. Of what things were like for me when everything was normal. Of what every teenager’s life is like. Clothes. Parties. Boys and summer vacation. What’s so wrong with that? I liked it. I was happy. 

Until things changed. I changed. 

I didn’t know that lies and secrets were about to take over my existence. I didn’t know there was someone out there, someone meant just for me. I didn’t know that I was about to go on a journey, a journey that would lead me to the girl I am today. 

This is the beginning of the worst year of my life. Would I go back and change things? Erase everything that has happened to go back into these moments? 

Not a chance. 

This is a story of before.

It took me 19 pages to fall in love with this book, imagine what a hundred more would do? I could never ever imagined how 19 pages could have worked me up so much, I was screaming CLIFFHANGER like a maniac in the end, no kidding. 

I love how the story was written, 19 pages to introduce us to Mr.Harbouring-Dark-Secrets-And-Crushing-On-A-Girl Sam, and bubbly-I-don't-see-it-coming Heven (I just can't get over the fact that I am crushing on a guy who I've known only for 19 pages, that must be a new record for me, what can I say? I'm easily attracted to mysterious guys LOL) 

Truth to be told, I never expected such a short story to be capable of being so adrenaline junkie and dark, but it exceeded my expectations, and so I would describe this book into two words. 

Fast and Furious!

I can't wait for what the next book, Masquerade has in store for us, Fast & Furious 2? 

Before did a great job for reminding me the joy of getting pumped up for the next book. 

         

He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her. 

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed. 

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is. 

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

Playlist: The Third Temptation of Paris by Alesana

I have lost my ability to write a formal review, so I'll start by saying whatever that I am feeling now (Note: I am typing this review at 3.47am, immediately after I finished the book)

Maybe it was the song that made my reading experience intensify. To be honest, this is my very first book about unhealthy obsession, mental issues, homosexual relationships and serial killing. And how did I responded? BEST THRILLER EVER READ.

I don't read much of thriller, often I would opt for paranormal romance or chick-lits, but I will be adding thriller to my pile of TBR list because of this book. It was an intense read, although I was hooked on the story from the first page, I was a bit sceptical at first because Archer was a bit too depressing for my liking. Besides the fact that he harboured this secret 'obsession' towards Vivian, the girl he loved, he had been trying to protect her by killing her demons. Not that I have any problem with it, I just thought he should have something better to do with his life.

In the first few chapters, everything about Archer centered around Vivian, which was an unhealthy obsession, and I was rather bothered. But not until when Evan entered his life and Archer started to fall for him. Evan's presence in Archer's life was significant, Evan was the one who became the muscles to his bones, I have to say, although I don't oppose homosexuality (in fact I respect them) it was sort of weird to read about it for the first time.(just like incest, but surprisingly I find myself drawn to that as well) But as I progressed through the story, Evan and Archer's relationship surpassed any other couples I've read about. Maybe it was because it was something new, or perhaps it was simply just because there was such an understanding and love between them. Evan is the kind of guy who I could completely trust and rely, who could be the one who keep me rooted, and Evan was Archer's anchor.

I loved the way Kelley narrated the story, not only did she create characters that had affected readers big time, she managed to keep me at the edge of my seat, biting on my own fist, urging myself to read faster and figthing back tears. Yeah, I was always nervous to read about how the story unfold, who was killed, who was not, who will be next? And it always fascinated me to explore deeper into Evan and Archer's relationship, I swear I was swooning every time they got together. But one of the best parts of the book, is when I read about Archer's journey of freeing himself, by freeing Vivian. It was twisted, it was intense, Archer was constantly fighting with his inner demons, it was hard to describe but those parts were the ones that broke me down. I hated Vivian, but I couldn't bring myself to loathe her, she seemed to be really nice at first, but she was the real demon that Archer had to get rid off. I remembered thinking 'GET SOME HELP!' whenever I read about Vivian.

Family, romance, murder, it's the perfect package! I was reluctant to stop reading and begging for more. I was glad that I got an ARC.

Archer is really a good man, I felt for him for what he had been through and how shitty his life was. I cried a lot in this book. ~took another tissue~ 

After a lot of typing, all I wanted to say is

KELLEY YORK YOU ARE AMAZING! You wrote one of the most amazing coming of age story that I had ever read and introduced me to a whole new genre! Bringing issues of family and society and took it up another notch. Great Job!

I LOVE THIS BOOK AND WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO THRILLER SEEKING YOUNG ADULTS. 

              

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes that the dead leave behind in the world... and the imprints that attach to their killers. 

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find the dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. 

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer... and becoming his prey herself.

The concept of a body finder is extremely unique. Since she was young, Violet has been able to sense echos (a certain aura given out by restless bodies) and to her dismay, she would be continually drawn to these callings until their bodies were finally laid to rest. She might be awkward, but she has Jay, her inseparable best friend who seemed to understand her completely and always followed her around on 'hunting-the-dead-animals' adventures. Violet also has her family, who understood that she inherited her 'gifts' from her grandmother and would go to the extreme to protect her emotionally and physically.  

I was hooked from page one, and was very much reluctant to extricate myself from the story I was so engrossed in. Having watched The Walking Dead rerun on TV a few hours before, reading The Body Finder sort of creep me out. It was one of the books that managed to raise my goose bumps! (Which I gave extra points for that)

All I have to say is this book has an impressive 'scare' factor, swoon-worthy romance and awesome plot. I love the way the story was narrated in two different points of view, one from the Violet's POV and the other from the murderer's POV, this made the story even more exciting! 

And being a teenager, a book will not be complete without romance. Best friend turn boyfriend? What else could compare? Jay and Violet shared a deep bond, and it was very romantic to read about how Jay took care of Violet. 

Pick up this book. You will not regret!

Reviewed by,

Kavita and Lily was in love, but their love was not approved by the society, call it forbidden, call it pedophilic, to me age is just a number, and love certainly knows no boundaries. 

Why is it that the society is in acceptance of a relationship between 16 year old teenage girls and centenarian vampires? Wherelse a relationship between a teacher and a student is strictly forbidden, and once again, quote: pedophilic? How much different could a 16 year old think compare to an 18 year old? They still tend to make the same mistakes, make the same judgments. Thus rounding up to my previous statement, AGE is just a NUMBER, and LOVE has no RULES. 

Kavita Davidson was Lily's art teacher. Him being 28 and she just a minor, they knew the consequences of their actions, while denial was a bliss, it eventually wore them out. Kavita was still haunted by his past, and Lily was living in hell, as fate brought them together, they saved each other. Kavita found happiness in Lily's innocence, Lily found solace in Kavita's protective arms. 

Honestly, I was completely absorbed by the story, from the first time I heard of Kavita's name (which was unique and uncommon) I knew that I was hooked. I really loved the way the story was narrated, from the 'awkward first meeting' between Mary Stewart and Kavita (I have to admit, they were so awkward I laughed at their flirtations) to the intense moment both Kavita and Lily shared, it couldn't have been told more perfectly, although, I was unsatisfied with some parts and thought it could be elaborated. But all is good! And it was narrated through 'the eyes of arts', which I have to say, is something I've been wanting to read about for a long time.

Nevertheless, it was a quick and emotional read. I enjoyed the carefree chapters and felt tears brimming as I uncovered the climax. I could not get over the fact how noble Kavita was! He took the Last Flight Out in order to save Lily from having to suffer, knowing that she had suffer enough from her experience in her hell-like household. (Don't you just want to get a Kavita for yourself??) Though I did not want it to end like this, that would sort of be conflicting to the title now won't it? :P

Also, I love reading about the bonding between Nick and Kavita, it was very well narrated. I for one am glad for that, because to me, a good book will not be complete without the 'essence' of friendship. To prove my point, they did not need to verbalize their points, they finish each other's thoughts!  

I definitely enjoyed this book (and still thinking about it as I lay in bed), it brought up a lot of questions in my mind and made me reflect on today's society. I had quotes from the book flashing in my brain and wonders how Carroll could come up with such philosophies. One thing for sure, I felt very much enlightened. (I love it when books make me feel that way!)

This is the perfect romance/coming of age story and I would recommend this to anyone! 

Random coincidence: Famous Last Words happens to be one of my favourite songs!