Lygia Day Penaflor

Playing right along the lines of high school drama, this tale takes a step into the disturbing direction and leads down a chilling path.

Rafi is amazed at how perfect the high school's cutest Senior couple is, and she holds nothing but the highest regard for both of them. Determined to bask in their glory every moment she can, she finds ways to weave into their lives and become friends. First, she joins yearbook and makes sure that she's in charge of all Senior photos. Then, she joins the same clubs. With each opportunity, more doors are open to her, and soon, she's right there with them...at least, until the two love-birds part. It's more than Rafi can stand, and she's going to do anything to keep them together.

This book fulfills the title completely. It's creepy, but not completely in the way I expected. Everything plays from Rafi's point of view. The reader dives deep into her head, watches the high school couple through her eyes, and is exposed to her every thought. It's clear right away that she's obsessive in a very unhealthy way. She knows it, embraces it, and follows her urges with full heart and no apologies. It is creepy to get to know Rafi and unsettling to watch her grow closer to the pair, move by move. Her thoughts are well laid, and her plan logical, even as it sends discomfort into overdrive. And worse, yet, there are times where it's hard not to feel sorry for her and wish they could become good friends. It's a tight weaving and well done.

Unlike many thrillers, violence isn't the main drive, but rather, the psychology...which isn't any less dark. Rafi's true intentions are also never hidden, and what surprised me, is that this tendency isn't even unknown to some around her. Here's where I do wish there had been a bit more, since is missing history surrounding a friend and an earlier teacher.

Thriller fans, who love diving into high school drama, are going to want to take a peek at this one, since it does fulfill the promise its title makes. This one is creepy. I received a complimentary copy and found this to be a chilling read.… (meer)

All of This is True is an exquisitely complicated story about 4 high school students who meet and befriend their favorite author. A dream come true right? Until they become the main characters of said author’s next book!

The whole novel is told through transcripts of video interviews, news articles, released text messages, and the author’s manuscript to divulge to the reader what might have gone down between these high schoolers and the author. This makes for a bit of a mystery read, you experience the story as if you were an interested party researching the story yourself via the internet. You never *truly* get a traditional book POV, instead you see and read public information. What’s true? That’s up to you!

Switching between the character’s ‘real’ names and book within the book names as a little confusing a first but was easy enough to latch on to. I love that you get the most insight into the characters through the author’s manuscript, which is not necessarily what happened or what the characters were actually thinking. So your thoughts on all of the events going on are heavily influenced, and the ending needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

This will keep you on your toes and questioning everything you’re told- All of This is True was such a uniquely creative read and I would recommend it to everyone!
… (meer)