A teenage misfit named Hawthorn Creely inserts herself in the investigation of missing person Lizzie Lovett, who disappeared mysteriously while camping with her boyfriend. Hawthorn doesn't mean to interfere, but she has a pretty crazy theory about what happened to Lizzie. In order to prove it, she decides to immerse herself in Lizzie's life. That includes taking her job... and her boyfriend. It's a huge risk — but it's just what Hawthorn needs to find her own place in the world. (Goodreads)
The book's summary and title are much more intriguing than the actual content of the book. The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett makes you think that Hawthorn will be finding out all these lies surrounding Lizzie. Instead, this book is more centered on Hawthorn growing up from an extremely self-centered and slightly bizarre teenager to one who is able to accept herself and the world around her. All of the characters are annoying and cliche and the story spends so much time going nowhere. I had to force myself to finish it.
"When Althea Leary abandons her nine-year-old son, Jasper, he’s left on his uncle’s farm with nothing but a change of clothes and a Bible.
It’s 1952, and Jasper isn’t allowed to ask questions or make a fuss. He’s lucky to even have a home and must keep his mouth shut and his ears open to stay in his uncle’s good graces. No one knows where his mother went or whether she’s coming back. Desperate to see her again, he must take matters into his own hands. From the farm, he embarks on a treacherous search that will take him to the squalid hideaways of Detroit and back again, through tawdry taverns, peep shows, and gambling houses.
As he’s drawn deeper into an adult world of corruption, scandal, and murder, Jasper uncovers the shocking past still chasing his mother—and now it’s chasing him too." - Goodreads
Right from the beginning it draws you in and makes you want to know what is really going on. Why would a mother abandon her son? Over the course of the book, you slowly learn the truth of what has happened and why in a way that makes it feel like you have been there with Jasper the entire time.
I think D. M. Pulley did a wonderful job with both the world creation and characters. Everyone is believable. The majority of the book is very well written, but I did have some issues with the last half. I am not sure if it was just rushed or if something went wrong with editing, but there were a few parts that felt disjointed or like something important had been cut out. Other than that, this was a very good book.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving an eARC from Netgalley.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ 3.5/5
Book Information: Goodreads
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