Celebrating Debutantes 2016: Please Don’t Tell by Laura Tims (Review + Giveaway)

Book Details:

Title: Please Don’t Tell
Author: Laura Tims
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: May 24, 2016
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover, eBooks

Joy killed Adam Gordon—at least, that’s what she thinks. The night of the party is hazy at best. But she knows what Adam did to her twin sister, Grace, and she knows he had to pay for it.

What Joy doesn’t expect is that someone else saw what happened. And one night a note is shoved through her open window, threatening Joy that all will be revealed. Now the anonymous blackmailer starts using Joy to expose the secrets of their placid hometown. And as the demands escalate, Joy must somehow uncover the blackmailer’s identity before Joy is forced to make a terrible choice.

In this darkly compelling narrative, debut author Laura Tims explores the complicated relationship between two sisters, and what one will do for the other. It’s a story that will keep readers turning

Book Links:

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Personal Thoughts:

Please Don’t Tell is a dark, gripping, compelling story that kept me up all night, franctically flipping pages till the final chapter.

“There’s nothing scarier than what you can’t see.”

The story is told from alternating point of view of Joy and Grace – twin sisters who are both present during the night Adam Gordon dies. Joy is narrating her part in present time while her twin sister Grace is telling her side of the story in the past. Both girls has valid reason to hurt Adam, but can they really kill someone?

At first, I honestly got confused between Joy and Grace but after few more chapters of reading it get easier for me to differentiate the two. Joy is loud and more outgoing while Grace is quiet and studious. Between the two girls, I’m surprised that I can easily connect to Joy than Grace, even though I am more of the quiet type. For some reason, Joy’s confussion and straight forward attitude is easier to read than Grace’s self-concious version.

Laura Tims successfully captured Joy’s confussions, hatred, and fears. She let the readers experience, and understand Joy’s situations even at times when Joy is making choices that not everyone will agree. Joy can be frustrating but still you will root for her. You want her to find out the truth even sometimes you fear that it will hurt her or someone close to her.

“You don’t need a right to sadness…. Sadness just happens to you.”

The mystery about Adam Gordon’s death is the main reason why I get invested with Please Don’t Tell. Right from the first chapter I already have guesses and the more I read the more speculations I have. I formulate lots of possible scenarios to the point that almost everyone becomes a suspect. I couldn’t wait for the truth to come out about what really happened that night Adam died just to confirm if any of my guesses is correct.

With murder, secrets, mystery, suspense, and romance Please Don’t Tell is a thrilling and compelling read that will keep readers guessing and turning pages till the end. Laura Tims successfully weaved a realistic story through Joy and Grace, showing the complicated sibling’s dynamics and how guilt and self-blaming can turn into a more dangerous game.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Tims is the debut author of PLEASE DON’T TELL, coming May 24th, 2016 from HarperCollins. Her second book, THE BEST THING ABOUT PAIN, will be out in 2017. She’s a mental health advocate, a member of the Sweet 16s, a Hufflepuff, and a fan of humans.

Find Laura

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Goodreads

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Giveaway:

What’s up for Grab?

• ARC of Please Don’t Tell
  

The Rules:

• Open to US /Canada residents only
• There will be one (1) winner
• Winner will be chosen and announced by rafflecopter
• Winner will be contacted thru email & should response within 48 hours
• Ends April 16, 2016
• Prizes will be sent by the author

To enter fill out the rafflecopter form

Good Luck!!!

Treat yourself to a complete #CelebratingDebutantes2016 experience. Click the image below for the full list of schedule and links to each feature post!