Stay With Me and The Fever

Do you remember how life was when you were a teenager? If you have teenagers, think about all they face today that we didn’t.
I have two intriguing books to tell you about today that involve teenagers in different ways.

STAY WITH ME by Alison Gaylin

In author Alison Gaylin’s latest thriller, STAY WITH ME, readers learn remembering is not always a good thing.

The protagonist, Brenna Spector, is a superb private investigator thanks to her ‘hyperthymestic syndrome,’ which enables her to remember any day in time intensely including all aspects of it. 

The condition was brought on by her sister’s disappearance many years ago. The condition is also causing a riff between Brenna and her daughter, Maya, who feels she’s second in her mother’s world with her missing Aunt Clea always first.

When Maya suddenly disappears, Brenna’s world is turned upside down. Using her expert skills, Brenna begins to search for Maya and in the process discovers the past and the present could be connected.

The story moves at a steady pace and holds your attention from beginning to end. The characters are well-delve loped and realistic. The author paints a vivid setting with her words that come to life on the pages.

This psychological thriller is well-balanced with emotion and action. It’s a suspenseful read to keep you on the edge of your seat guessing the outcome.

STAY WITH ME is the third installment in the Brenna Spector series, but can be read on its own.

Stay With Me by Alison Gaylin, Brenna Spector Novel Book #3, Harper, @2014, ISBN: 978-0061878268, Paperback, 384 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me as part of the author virtual book tour. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

This next book I had the opportunity to begin reading a print copy and finish by listening to a downloadable audio version.

THE FEVER by Megan Abbott

The antics of teenagers and a mysterious illness spreading through a high school are at the core of Megan Abbott’s THE FEVER.

Narrators Caitlin Davies, Kirby Heyborne and Joe Barrett do a great job bringing the characters to life. Their interruptions of the characters’ emotions as they story unfolds adds depth to this suspenseful tale. Their mannerisms enhance the story.

The story focuses on Deenie; her friends, Gabby and Lise; Deenie’s brother, Eli; and her father, Tom, a teacher at the high school. When Lise has a seizure in the classroom, rumors begin as to what caused it. Later when Lise is rushed to the hospital in serious condition after another episode, full-blown gossip begins. Fear and speculation mount when other girls in the school begin to have similar seizures.

While Deenie isn’t affected by the seizures, her world is turned upside down as friendships are strained and blame is tossed around. The students’ theories about the epidemic runs rampant with speculation, while the parents are just as baffled.

This is a story told on a number of levels, with listeners/readers being drawn in and held spellbound waiting for an answer to the illness. With all the twists and turns, the story still flows smoothly and at a steady pace.

The characters are realistic and with traits parents of teens can easily relate to. THE FEVER holds listeners/readers in a grip of ‘what if’ as the mysterious illness is uncovered. This tantalizing tale will stay with you long after the closing sentence.

The Fever by Megan Abbott; Little, Brown and Company; @2014, ISBN: 978-0316231053, Hardcover, 320 Pages

Audible Audio Edition; Narrators: Caitlin Davies, Kirby Heyborne and Joe Barrett; Hachette Audio; @2014; ASIN: B00K7KTDX8; Unabridged; Listening Time: 9 Hours and 12 Minutes

FTC Full Disclosure – A print and downloadable audio copy of this book were sent to me by the publisher and as part of the author’s virtual book tour in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copies did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope I’ve enticed you a bit with these two enthralling stories. Do you think teenagers have it easier or harder now than when you were growing up? 

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