Book review: The After Girls by Leah Konen

Goodreads.com description: Ella, Astrid, and Sydney were planning the perfect summer after high school graduation. But when Astrid commits suicide in a lonely cabin, the other girls' worlds are shattered. How could their best friend have done this--to herself and to them? They knew everything about Astrid. Shouldn't they have seen this coming? Couldn't they have saved her? As Ella hunts for the truth, and Sydney tries to dull the pain, a chilling message from Astrid leaves them wondering whether their beloved friend is communicating from the after life. The girls embark on a journey to uncover Astrid's dark secrets. The answers to those questions--questions they never dreamed of asking--will change their lives forever.


This book. I read After Girls in the span of two nights. It was a little creepier than the books I usually pick up, so the night that I finished it, despite it being 3:00 in the morning, I had to get up out of bed and watch some lighthearted t.v. to get out of my own head. It was a story of love, friendship, depression, suicide, and secrets. I never quite knew how Konen was going to wrap it up, which is a good thing. I loved the friendships but at the same time, I really wish that I could have gotten to know Astrid a little better. Why did these girls love her so much. I never quite got it but it didn't make me enjoy the book any less. I just let Leah Konen take me on this creepy ride.

I gave it 4/5 stars on Goodreads.com.

Book Review: Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett

Confessions of an Angry Girl (Confessions #1) by Louise Rozett

CoaAG is about Rose, a fourteen year old girl, who is starting high school. Her father, a contractor, has recently been killed in Iraq. Her brother just left for college. Her best friend wants to be a cheerleader. Rose isn't having an easy time of any of it.

She meets Jamie in study hall. She recognized him from her brother Peter's soccer games. She develops a crush on him all the while knowing that he's dating Regina, head cheerleader, popular girl, and crazy person.

Now, all of this happens and the whole time, you're not quite sure why Rose is so infatuated with Jamie. I never really got it. He was kind of a flat and bland character. I never really liked him. Or Rose's best friend, Tracey either.

The whole time I'm just thinking to myself, "Why?"

This is the first of a series and it ends pretty abruptly, with Tracy and Rose scheming up a plan to get revenge on Regina. I liked this book enough to want to find out what happens to Rose and everyone. I'd like to see some more character development.

I will say that I think I would have liked this book much more if I was reading it as a teen. As a twenty-something, maybe I just don't relate the way an actual teenager might to the situations that Rose finds herself in. I would also like to point out that young Rose has EXCELLENT taste in music. :) You'll find that out during the party scene after homecoming. :)