Blog Tour – Pretty Dead Girls by Monica Murphy

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Hi Lovelies! Welcome to my first Blog Tour of 2018. This stop is for the Pretty Dead Girls Tour hosted by Chapter by Chapter. I really enjoyed this YA murder mystery and definitely recommend it if you’re a fan of thrillers.  Don’t forget to stay until the end to join an awesome giveaway!


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4 ★ – ENTERTAINING AND ADDICTIVE
PUBLISHED BY ENTANGLED TEEN JANUARY 2, 2018
GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, MYSTERY, THRILLER
HARDCOVER 300 PAGES

Purchase Links Amazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

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Synopsis

Beautiful. Perfect. Dead.

In the peaceful seaside town of Cape Bonita, wicked secrets and lies are hidden just beneath the surface. But all it takes is one tragedy for them to be exposed.

The most popular girls in school are turning up dead, and Penelope Malone is terrified she’s next. All the victims so far have been linked to Penelope—and to a boy from her physics class. The one she’s never really noticed before, with the rumored dark past and a brooding stare that cuts right through her.

There’s something he isn’t telling her. But there’s something she’s not telling him, either.

Everyone has secrets, and theirs might get them killed.

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Review

 Another terrific book from Entangled Teen! With great writing and a fascinating storyline, Pretty Dead Girls by Monica Murphy had me hooked from the very first page. It’s entertaining, addictive, and just so much fun. 

This book completely intrigued me the entire time. The plot was fast-paced, suspenseful, and utterly thrilling that I actually finished reading in less than 12 hours. With catty popular girls, gruesome deaths, and a budding romance between two unlikely characters, there was definitely enough drama that had me turning the pages. I LOVED the mystery aspect and while Murphy certainly kept me guessing until the end, I did have my theories and 2 suspects in mind. There was a part that made me think it was a certain character. Just something about the scene gave me the feeling and I’ll have you know… I was correct! I loved playing detective and had such a blast solving the mystery. Although if I’m going to be honest, I never could do this in real life. I’d be too anxious, scared, nervous, and just a total mess.I do have to mention that the ending felt just a tad bit rushed. Don’t get me wrong, it was still awesome, but I felt like there could have been more.

The characters, while infuriating  and not very likable, were developed and written very well. They were fantastic in their own ways and acted their part quite convincingly. However, I have to admit that I had a difficult time relating with any of them – even Penelope. Their personalities were just strong and so intimidating that I could not see myself being friends with them. (I’m an introvert and very shy so I would not do well in their group). Nevertheless, that didn’t stop me from rooting for Penelope and the rest of her friends to have some kind happy ending.

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Oh and can I just say that Cass’s grandmother was just precious!!! She’s super adorable, genuine, and so sweet. Yup she’s definitely my favorite character!

The romance, while interesting, was kind of weird and I still don’t really know how I feel about it. I’m a romance junkie so to feel this way about a love story — specially one of my favorite tropes — is really throwing me off.  I just felt that the relationship between Cass and Penelope was a bit forced at times and just so awkward. I think the story would have been just as good without their romance. BUT… there were a few moments between Cass and Penelope that made me swoon. My favorite scene involved a closet, some music, and one steamy spine-tingling kiss that I wished would have happened to me when I was a teen (minus the uncomfortable situation which you’ll find out once you read this book). Maybe if some of their interactions played out differently, their pairing would have been more believable.

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Pretty Dead Girls by Monica Murphy is a fun thriller that’s perfect for anyone looking for a quick and exciting read. There’s plenty of drama and action, suspense to keep you on edge, and murder mysteries to solve. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and appreciated that Murphy addressed and showed the scary and devastating effects of bullying.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


monica_murphyAbout the Author

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is a traditionally published author with Bantam/Random House and Harper Collins/Avon, as well as an independently published author. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance. She is also USA Today bestselling romance author Karen Erickson. She is a wife and a mother of three who lives with her family in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere, along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she’s not writing, she’s reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She’s a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through many angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

Follow and Connect with Monica Murphy

Website • Twitter • Facebook • InstagramPinterestSnapchat • Goodreads

Tour Schedule

Giveaway Details –  Win a signed copy of Pretty Dead Girls by Monica Murphy

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Thanks for stopping by and reading my review. Hope you lovelies get to meet these Pretty Dead Girls and have fun solving the mystery. Don’t forget to leave your comments down below!

Sincerely Karen Jo

October and November Wrap Up

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Sooo work, adulting, the holidays and just life in general threw me off my blogging/reading/reviewing routine for the last two months. Not that I had a great one to begin with. I’m 10 books behind my Goodreads Reading Challenge and oh just about 34 books behind my Netgalley TBR…

Anyway, I managed to read 5 books in October and 7 in November. Not bad right?! I also did really well restraining myself from buying or requesting more books. I didn’t buy anything from Bookoutlet during Black Friday, but I did browse and added 10 books in my cart. Saving them for the next big sale or whatever’s left of it. I requested only 3 books from Netgalley — they’re Entrangled Teen Crush books, so I know I can breeze through those. And I purchased ONLY ONE book from Barnes and Nobles. So very proud of myself since last year I splurged and bought about 30 books.

I really enjoyed all the books I read. I don’t think I rated any below 4 stars so without further ado, here are the books I got through in October and November.

To read my full review, just click the title of the book.


October 

A Messy, Beautiful Life by Sara Jade Alan

5 ★ – SO ACHINGLY BEAUTIFUL

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A Messy, Beautiful Life by Sara Jade Alan is a lovely story about learning to find humor in life despite dealing with something really terrible. It’s riveting, deeply affecting, and very inspiring. While some parts are heartbreaking and just really sad, this book is also filled with so many fun, hilarious, and heartwarming moments that will make you smile and laugh out loud. Everything about this book is just so achingly beautiful. I love this story with all my heart and can’t recommend it enough.

No Plain Rebel by M.C. Frank

5 ★ – INCREDIBLY FASCINATING AND BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN

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No Plain Rebel is just as gorgeous and enthralling as No Ordinary Star (Review). M.C. Frank has created such a unique, thrilling, and heart achingly memorable story about loss, forgiveness and hope. There were plenty of nail-biting twist and turns, fun surprises, and tender moments that kept the story moving. I felt so many emotions with this book that I thought my heart would burst into a million pieces. When Frank writes… she writes with so much passion and purpose. Every single page had meaning, beauty, and most of all – a tremendous heart!

My Sophomore Year of Rules by Jennifer DiGiovanni

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My Sophomore Year of Rules by Jennifer DiGiovanni is all kinds of fun and cuteness! Such a lovely read that left a huge dorky smile on my face.  I haven’t read the other books in the series, but that’s going to change really soon. If you’re looking for a light, hilarious, and delightful YA contemporary romance, then I highly recommend you pick this up.

A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck

5 ★ –   SWEET, HILARIOUS AND PAINFULLY GORGEOUS

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This book seriously wrecked me, but in a terribly wonderful way — painful to read, emotional all the way, and so incredibly full of heart. Matt’s unrequited love for Tabby made me feel so many emotions. A Short History of the Girl Next Door is a fantastic story full of heart, friendship, love, loss, and never-ending supply of nerds. It’s beautiful, funny, and sad, but so real in every way.

No Vain Loss by M.C. Frank

5 ★ – WONDERFULLY BREATHTAKING ENDING

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I LOVEEEEE this series so much! The FEELS in this BOOK is insanely amazing. Ahhhh so so so much LOVE for this book and series! Full review to come & author interview to come!


November

The First Kiss Hypothesis by Christina Mandelski

4.25 ★ –  SATISFYINGLY SWEET AND DELICIOUSLY ADORABLE

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I LOVE friends to lovers stories and this one most definitely did not disappoint. The plot was entertaining, hilarious, and had plenty of sweet moments that made me smile. Some parts of story were clichéd as expected and a bit cheesy, but who am I kidding… I LOVED IT ALL! And that ending… that final scene at the beach — gave me insane FEELS.

Offsetting Penalties by Ally Mathews

4.5 ★ –  IRRESISTIBLY CHARMING

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This book is an absolute delight and I truly adored every moment. The writing was fantastic and easy to read. The storyline was fast paced, funny, and charming in every way. I thought the characters were just wonderful and I enjoyed getting to know them. The romance was just so swoony and cute and obviously my favorite part.

Haven by Mary Lindsey

5 ★ – A DELICIOUSLY DARK, SEXY, AND HEART-POUNDING TALE

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I’m utterly and positively smitten with this book. Haven by Mary Lindsey is such an incredibly unique, oddly intriguing, and suspenseful tale that had me reeling and holding my breath the entire time. With a badass, sassy, and beautiful heroine like Freddie, a handsome, tough, and brave hero with a gentle heart like Rain, and a wonderfully spellbinding story that’s hard to forget, Haven gave me the most amazing spine-tingling thrills and chills.

Saving It by Monica Murphy

4.5 ★ – FLIRTY, HILARIOUS AND INCREDIBLY SWOONY

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Another cutesy and fun read from Entangled Teen Crush! The plot is also interesting and had plenty of lovey dovey aww moments that made me all fuzzy and warm.  And the ending… so stinkin’ cute and romantic and just so wonderfully done that you’ll want to replay the moment over and over. Definitely one of the cutest friends-lovers romance stories.

Busted by Gina Ciocca

4.5 ★ – Super Adorable and Swoony

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This story was so fun and cute. I loved the concept, the drama, the romance and the mystery. I’ll have my full review for posted in a few days

Instructions for a Secondhand Heart by Tamsyn Murray

4.5 ★ –  PAINFULLY REAL, INCREDIBLY AFFECTING AND HEART ACHINGLY BEAUTIFUL

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Tamsyn Murray created such a lovely story about loss, self-discovery, second chances, and love. The storyline, while full of heart shattering situations, was riveting, sweet and at times even funny. The writing was undeniably moving, laced with beauty and sincerity, and just so utterly gorgeous that deeply affected me from beginning to end.

The Heartbreak Cure by Amanda Ashby

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The Heartbreak Cure by Amanda Ashby is a delightful friends to lovers story that satisfied my endless cravings for adorable romance reads. I’ll be posting my review for this next week as part of the blog tour hosted by ChapterbyChapter.


 

So, how did you do with your November TBR? What were some of your favorite books? Have you read any of the books on my list? Let me know in the comments down below!

As always, thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely Karen Jo