Teresa TotenRezensionen

Toten authentically shows eight pivotal days in the life of Sami, a girl trying hard to be a regular teen, but her world is far from regular, what with the secrets she thinks she needs to keep in order to have acceptance in her community. A nuanced and unflinching look at what it's like to be a young person doing everything right, doing everything they can to achieve what others take for granted, fearing that one false step can wash it all away.
Brava.

CW: Self harm, OCD
3.5 Stars

Great, realistic story of kids dealing with issues that overwhelm them -- of coping and triumphing, of loving and letting go. Very well done. That sounds really heavy, but it's actually quite endearing and funny.

books it reminds me of: Counting by Sevens, Out of My Mind, Curious Story of the Dog in the Night-Time, Colin Fischer

A terrifically trashy teen thriller, just in time for beach season.

Thank you to Penguin Random House for the advance reading copy.

3.5 stars

(From www.pingwings.ca)

I was really in the mood for a twisty thriller when I picked up Beware That Girl. It started out strongly enough, with opening chapters that hinted at a dark, twisty story, and a main character who was a self-proclaimed liar with a dark past. So far, so good!

I liked the alternating perspectives – some chapters were told in Kate’s first-person voice, while others were told in third-person.

And the story was a page-turner. I read it in a couple of days, and was super curious to find out how things turned out.

Overall, I liked the book, but I didn’t love it. Nothing about the characters really pulled me in after the first couple of chapters. The synopsis talks about twists, but I didn’t find anything too twisty or surprising here.

Recommended for YA mystery fans, but I don’t think this holds up to the expectations I had from that synopsis!

Adam is a 14 year old with OCD. He goes to a group therapy session where he meets Robyn Plummer. He likes her and they become closer. Adam is constantly trying to get better for Robyn. His mom also has mental health issues and she's a hoarder. As Robyn and Adam's relationship progresses, his mom's condition gets worse. He talks about how his mom ripped up a letter and later realizes her mental health was so bad that she had been sending herself threatening notes. At that point he fears for his brother, Sweetie. He also breaks up with Robyn because she is getting better but he's only getting worse. Then, he finally goes to live with his father after his mother becomes too much for him to deal with.

I would recommend this book because it shows realistic insight into the life of someone with OCD. I myself don't know much about OCD so for me it was very interesting to see what it's like. Or at least a general idea. And how someone with a hard home life on top of OCD copes with it. The book also shows how someone with a mental illness deals with simple everyday things, like having a crush on a girl. I think it would also be a good read because it's just a really interesting story that shows that just because people are going through the same illness doesn't mean their symptoms are the same. Like for example, Adam has to do things over and over again until they are fixed. He also has a need to be perfect for people.

Powerful psychological thriller with multiple mysteries is set against the backdrop of the mega wealthy elite of New York City. Toten delves into the mesmerizing yet dysfunctional world of those who manipulate but seem ever so charming. With its gripping pace and Hitchcockian twists, Beware That Girl will keep readers guessing until the very last line.

FROM AMAZON: The Haves. The Have-Nots. Kate O'Brien appears to be a Have-Not. Her whole life has been a series of setbacks she's had to snake her way out of - some more sinister than others. But she's determined to change that. She's book smart. She's street-smart. And she's also a masterful liar.

As the scholarship student at the elite Waverly School in NYC, Kate has her work cut out for her: Her plan is to climb the social ranks and land a spot at Yale. She's already found her "people" among the senior-class "it" girls - specifically in the cosseted, mega-wealthy, yet deeply damaged Olivia Sumner. As for Olivia, she considers Kate the best friend she's always needed, the sister she never had.

When the handsome and whip-smart Mark Redkin joins the Waverly administration as head of fundraising, he immediately charms his way into the faculty's and students' lives - becoming especially close to Olivia, a fact she's intent on keeping to herself. It becomes increasingly obvious that Redkin poses a threat to Kate, too, in a way she can't reveal - and can't afford to ignore. Mark has his own plan for a bright future and never doubts that he can pull it off. How close can Kate and Olivia get to him without having to share their dark pasts?

I decided to stop reading after the first few chapters, it just seems like the typical boring storyline. Not to do any spoilers but it was predictable and there was no "oh, what" it was more of "of course".

I put this book down a lot. Once I got to the midway point, I had to see it through

It took me a while to get into this book, as I wasn't really sure where it was going. I'm glad I persevered. Once I got about half-way through I breezed through the rest. It was a fairly dark teen thriller that didn't end where I thought it would. There were some really strong and diverse characters, with hidden pasts and different motives. The unexpected ending made it worth reading. I also liked the way the narrative switched between the two main characters. Not too much was given away at any time, which may be hy I found it hard to get into, but this sparseness of information added to the suspense and guessing of what was going on.

I must admit I really did like this book up until the end. Maybe I wanted a happy ending. Yeah that's what i wanted a happy ending. Two girls raised in different ways but so much alike. Conniving and ambitious each has their eye on the prize until a predator in a man suite makes his entrance at the school they attend and makes all the girls a flutter in the most sociopathic way. He uses one friend to get to the other, his eye is on the prize also.

Het orgineel van mijn review kan je vinden op mijn blog:
http://www.linda-linea-recta.nl/de-onverwachte-held-van-kamer-13b-door-teresa-to...

...Een van de ontroerende scenes uit het boek, en ik moest echt even slikken.
En als een boek dat met je kan doen, wel dan is het gewoon een goed boek!!

How does one cope with normal stresses related to being a teenager and at the same time deal with OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)? This is the life of the book’s fifteen-year-old Adam Ross. Adam is making efforts to overcome his obsessions by taking medication, by participating in individual therapy sessions, and by attending group therapy with other teens led by the counselor, Chuck. It is in this group therapy that Adam meets Robyn, who he considers to be the love of his life. This group also offers him a chance to make some new friends as he unconsciously takes on the role of helpmate and supporter to the other participants. In spite of Adam’s efforts and his new relationship with Robyn, his obsessions begin to worsen. His parents are divorced and he is worried about his mother who is a hoarder, and his little stepbrother who also has compulsive issues seems to need his attention more frequently. Adam knows he must do something before his whole life comes apart.

I gained some knowledge of the difficulty of living with mental illness particularly with OCD. The road to recovery from OCD or any mental illness is not an easy one and there are no promises of a cure. And many times, as with Adam’s mother, those with a mental illness put on a façade in an attempt to keep the illness hidden. The book is enlightening, at times humorous, and even offers a little thread of mystery and it is a lot about struggling to accept oneself and to be accepted by others.

I have tried to get into this book, but the narration just pushes me out. I have been a fan of Toten's previous books, particularly The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B, but for whatever reason, this novel has left me cold. I will have to try it again at some other point, when I may be more receptive to it.

Teresa Toten is the author of a remarkable book I have previously reviewed, The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B. This novel is quite different in style and substance.

Toten certainly knows how to use plot twist in creative ways. The book veered off into unpredictable situations that built the tension of this psychological thriller exponentially. The first third of the book was rather slow but the last third was riveting.

Toten reveals just enough about the two main characters, Olivia and Kate, to build our curiosity and suspense as the story progresses. These girls are in their senior year and aiming for Yale University. We know that something has happened to both these girls to damage them deeply in different ways. We know that they are both keeping secrets. We know that they are both afraid. We know that something isn’t quiet right with the handsome Mr. Mark Redkin who takes an interest in them.

The author cleverly reveals snippets of Kate’s life that makes us question whether she is the hero or the villain in this drama. She uses people. Does she care for them at all? The answer is as complex as the plot itself.

My major criticism of this book would be that the dialogue clunks in places and seems artificial and flat at times. As well, there are moments when the point of view is muddied. Although this is a suspense novel, character plays a major role and believable dialogue is essential. The two brilliant girls did made some very stupid choices.

Although it doesn’t have the genius of 13B, I think this would make a great suspense movie with the right script writer and director. All in all, it was a very enjoyable read.

3.5 stars

This was one of those books where it took a bit to
pick up, and then for majority I didn't want to stop reading, until the last couple chapters which disappointed me.

I liked the character development, and gathering little bits of information throughout to get clues to an ending. I also really liked that I was actually surprised by some of the twists! I don't read thrillers often because I usually find them quite predictable, so that was a huge bonus for me. All the brownie points there. Plus there is a dog which is always a plus.

I simply did not like the ending. It seemed rushed and odd for the circumstances. I feel like it was either written in a hurry or changed last minute, there just wasn't much cohesion with the rest of the book from what I could tell. Didn't completely ruin it but was a bit upsetting after the great build up.

Kate, the scholarship student at an all-girl private school, must face her tortured past as she plans for her future. Scheming her way into moving into the home of one of the vulnerable rich girls, Kate will discover who is using whom. This book effectively deals with topics such as dysfunctional families, mental illness, and sexual predation. A recommended read for young adults.

A twisted story that left me cringing. The ending was a complete surprise! The storyline was a bit farfetched; however, maybe that is what it made it so readable.
I could see this being made into a movie. I did enjoy the setting, and the concept of the haves and have-nots, and the way the characters were driven to achieve their goals, no matter what!

The main characters weren't very likable. In fact, I would not have wanted to be in their friend circle. They were pretty self-centred and manipulative, and not very authentic to me. There were so many secrets !

I did like Anka, and Mrs. Chen, and Johnny, and especially Bruce !

The ending left me wondering what would happen next... maybe a sequel is in order - what would happen to Kate and Olivia at Yale? What further trouble would they get into?

Very much into this sort of Gossip Girl-meets-Gone Girl YA. Akin to the book version of the best Lifetime movie you can imagine. And I demand a sequel!!

This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be after reading the description from Goodreads. I was expecting a lighter story; a typical "rich boy goes after shy girl" type of story. Maybe I just didn't read the summary too carefully but the description on the back of the book was more accurate to what the story actually is.

The themes in the were darker as it deals with various forms of abuse but it was done in a way that is completely realistic and believeable.

The parallels to The Taming of the Shrew in the modern world really add to the story. Maybe because I am a Shakespeare-nut and am familar with the story that I can see what the authors were doing and appreciate it. Those who may not be too familar with the story may not get it right away but the major plot ideas from The Taming of the Shrew are explained in the book so you won't be completely lost.

I also liked the fact that the story was told in part by Evan. While I feel that Shakespeare's play focuses on the abuse of women, Evan's presence in the book shows the affect abuse can have on males and children living in abusive homes.

My only complaint about the book was the way it ended. I would have liked an epilogue or some sort of wrap-up because I really want to know how these characters grow from this.

In short, if you enjoy books that aren't filled with the typical "high school soap opera drama" and are comfortable reading about abuse in family and romantic relationships then this book is worth a read.

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

Adam is part of a support group for teenagers with OCD - he is on meds, sees a psych and is also stretched between 2 families - his hoarding mother and his very challenging 5 year old half-brother called "Sweetie" who seems to have his own anxiety issues. As he struggles to put his life back together a new girl called Robyn joins the group and suddenly Adam has a reason to try and get "better" as he falls instantly in love with her. Her arrival coincides with a new therapy the Psychiatrist in charge of the group suggests; that they all adopt Super-hero names and persona to build confidence. Robyn chooses Robin and Adam chooses (naturally) Batman.
Then things start to get complicated - Adam's new helping persona of Batman is so successful that Robin starts to make huge progress, while Adam himself struggles - someone is sending his Mum horrible letters.
I must admit that it took me a while to guess who was sending the letters - at one point I thought Adam may have had schizophrenia and was blacking out and sending them himself. I liked the character of Adam as he was sweet but flawed....the Catholic stuff is very funny. When Adam takes the whole group to Church and they muddle up all the rituals and call the priest the pope. If you have been raised a Catholic you will laugh out loud.
Mature readers for the swearing only...copious "F" words.

Compelling characters (I especially love how quickly Toni latches on to different theories) and a great plot. The Toronto setting was fantastic -- I always loved it when books mention specific streets or intersections and I can picture myself there. This is part of a compelling series that I so much wish had been around when I was a kid.

I wanted to like this book more than I did because I am such a fan of Toten's first book, The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B. It was just too unlikely.

The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B gives readers an in-depth look at OCD by breaking down the stereotypes of what it is and how serious the condition can really be. I felt an instant connection with the main character, Adam, from the very beginning of the story. He’s the underdog who is trying to get a better hold on his condition while struggling with the fact that he feels stuck in the middle of life.

The novel has an enjoyable cast of characters that brings their own colors to the story and I love the tight-knit bond they form with each other (ex. calling each other their superhero code names). Inside and outside of their weekly group they work to help each other work through their issues.

As for the romance in the book, Adam is immediately attracted to Robyn, but doesn’t act on it right away even though he really wants to. Adam and Robin do have an instant connection but they start out with a budding friendship that eventually turns into a romance. They also act as a source of strength for each other.

It was eye-opening to read the pov of someone who has OCD, and after I finished the book I got a better understanding of what people with that condition struggle with and how it can easily escalate as well as various ways it can be treated.

This novel is a great story that highlights the seriousness of OCD, but I appreciated that it doesn’t wrap itself completely around the disorder. It not just a book about OCD, but rather it’s a story about a boy who has to overcome his fears and tries to gain courage over his extreme anxiety. It’s also a well-written coming of age story and it does a good job of showing the obstacles that we are sometimes faced with at that period of our lives.