MacKenzie Common

The Lives of Desperate Girls by MacKenzie Common was a fantastic read! The characters were well thought out, easy to identify with, and easy to connect with. The storyline was written in the appropriate pace and kept me well interested throughout.

Some parts of this book might be a bit difficult for some people to digest. This book hits on a lot of heavy subjects like sex, rape, murder, racism, bullying, and suicide. That being said, some of the subject matter opens up to meaningful dialogue.

Written in a first person narrative, the approach of storytelling was somewhat different than others I've read in the same genre. And even though some elements of the story may appear familiar, it is truly special and unique in its own right.

I absolutely enjoyed this read and would recommend it to others who enjoy YA/mystery type books.

I received this book at no cost, courtesy of NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada, for my honest feedback and review.… (mer)

A coming of age story that is equal parts beautiful, grim, and insightful. Jenny holds secrets about the last night she saw her best friend tightly, unsure whether to tell anyone. Chloe's last few months were torture for reasons mostly beyond her control. When another girl, Helen, who lives on a nearby reservation, is found murdered on a remote trail, it isn't long before Jenny starts wondering why this girl isn't getting anywhere near the attention from local police as Chloe's disappearance is.
When Jenny realizes brooding Tom, a senior at school, is willing to help investigate and might have a romantic interest in her, it leads to a number of events, some dangerous, others painful, but the most important ones opening her eyes to the frailty of those around her. An excellent story and I hope to read more by the author in the future.… (mer)

This book ticked all the boxes - it had teen romance, murder/ mystery/ suspense, small town life, and racial tensions. As difficult as the subject matter (the murder of teen Native Helen causes Jenny to refocus her life instead of thinking about the mysterious disappearance of her best friend Chloe), this was an enjoyable read. The touch of romance between Jenny and Tom felt real but never detracted from the rest of the story. As Jenny develops relationships with people in the town she never spoke to before Chloe's disappearance, and we start to see the town of Thunder Creek as a whole, Common paints a detailed picture of small town life.… (mer)