For a debut novel, I was impressed with the quality of the writing and not surprised that this story won the 2008 Moonbeam Awards Gold Medal in the Young Adult Fiction - Mature Issues category. Hart presents the teenage mind with skill, focusing on the struggles of trying to fit in to a new community, make friends and try not to come across as too weird or different. What girl wouldn't be flattered to catch the eye of one of the cutest guys in school? It is not surprising that July is prepared to make some allowances when her new boyfriend exhibits signs of jealousy, and Hart portrayal of July's indecision and behaviour rationalization rings true and no wonder, as July's boyfriend Ryan can be quite the charmer. The story has a good pace to it, slowly building the suspense and creepiness level to the point where I could not put the book down... I needed to know what was going to happen. I think the story would have been better if it did not have the supernatural aspect to it, if the ending had been a bit more polished (the story has a rather abrupt ending) and I wish that Hart had made more use of the journal July's mother kept to make the plot-theme connections. Originally published back in 2008, this story does not appear dated by today's standards, unless one finds the lack of social media as a bit "odd".

Overall, a decent YA suspense read with a focus on obsession/control in a troubled teenage relationship. ( )