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Review: Remember Me by Romily Bernard

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Remember Me by Romily BernardRemember Me by Romily Bernard
Series: Find Me #2
Published by HarperTeen on September 23, 2014
Pages: 355
Source: the publisher
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four-stars

In the sequel to Find Me, Wick Tate, sarcastic teen hacker, is back and once again dealing with criminals and corrupt cops…and a brooding new love interest. Will Wick persevere when some secrets refuse to stay hidden?

Wick had thought her troubles were over.

But she should’ve known better.

Not only is she embroiled in a new murder case, which starts with a body with “Remember Me” carved into it and doesn’t stop there, but she also discovers new evidence surrounding her mother’s suicide…which leads her right back to her imprisoned deadbeat dad. And she has to deal with her flirty new hacker friend, Milo, sniffing around—which her boyfriend, Griff, isn’t too happy about.

The pressure might be too much as secrets—including Wick’s own—climb to the surface.

Remember Me is an edge-of-your-seat thrilling read that’ll have readers turning the pages at lightning speed! The paperback of Find Me is on sale simultaneously, and a digital original novella from Romily, featuring Griff, is on sale just a few weeks before!

Remember Me was an epic, intense and suspenseful read. My heart was in my throat for at least half of the book, if not more. I absolutely loved Find Me – it was one of my favorite reads of 2013! And to have the sequel surpass it in awesomeness? That’s impressive! I definitely didn’t notice any Second Book Syndrome in Remember Me!

Wick hasn’t changed much since Find Me, character-wise. I mean, she has new fears and nightmares from what happened at the end of Find Me and she’s been pulled in even deeper by Carson. But otherwise, she’s still skeptical of everything and everyone and completely untrusting. She’s still protective of Lily and wary of Bren and her affections. She’s still confused about how she feels about her dad, still misses her mom – and still keeps Griff at a metaphorical distance. But in Remember Me, Wick becomes very stubborn and slightly paranoid. She worked alone before Griff, but has since come to rely on him a lot. Yet she pushes him away in Remember Me, refusing to confide in him or ask for help. I really wanted to shake some sense into her at times!

As for Griff himself.. Griff frustrated me. I really loved him in Find Me, but he was very stubborn and childish and annoying in Remember Me. He should have been supporting Wick, not pushing her away or condemning her for her lifestyle. She had her reasons for doing the things she did and if he trusted and loved her as much as he claimed, he should have been more supportive or pushed to help more. And what he did in the end? It broke my heart, but you know what? Good riddance!

Now Milo.. Milo I liked! He was kind of odd in the beginning and his awe at meeting Wick was borderline creepy worship. But the more we get to know him – and the more he and Wick get to know each other – the more he grows on you. He’s loyal, smart and has the connections necessary for Wick to do what she needs to do. He’s almost like a male version of Wick. They get each other, they understand what’s at stake in their line of work and they work well together. I still don’t completely trust Milo yet, though..

The whole Carson story line was really starting to bug me. I think it was one of my biggest issues. I despise dirty cops and he was the lowest of the low, scum and a pain in the butt! I think, deep down, he thought what he was doing would help the greater good, but he sure went about it the wrong way. I think if he’d been nicer to Wick, they could have been an epic team. I’m not sure he deserved what happened to him in the end, though he really did deserve to get knocked down a few pegs. I guess we’ll see where his story goes in the third book – I have a feeling Carson is going to end up being the lesser of the two evils…

Bren and Lily really made me angry in this book. Like, I would have thrown it if I had the physical copy of the book. As it was, I was reading on my iPad and I figured throwing that wasn’t a good idea. But wow.. At one point, roughly half-way into the book, Bren said some things and I just… I flipped out. I wanted to punch her so badly, more than I’ve ever wanted to punch anyone in my life – real or fictional!!! I couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth! And Lily.. I know she’s young and she just wants a family and a normal life, but WICK IS YOUR SISTER! STOP TREATING HER LIKE CRAP, YOU LITTLE BRAT! I mean, really. The things she said to Wick were so cruel.. And Bren and Lily were two characters I REALLY loved in Find Me. So for them to do the things they did.. Honestly, what Bren said is unforgivable and I don’t know if there’s anything she can do that will redeem her.

I love Romily’s writing style and the unique voices she gives her characters. The plot was truly intriguing and incredibly suspenseful. It was a fast-paced read, too. I basically read it in three sittings. Each time I picked it up, I read a huge chunk of the story – I was so engrossed in it, I just didn’t want to put it down. I loved the revelations at the end and I loved the introduction of the new “bad guy,” plus the set-up for the third book – it was all very ominous and creepy! I also can’t wait for the third book!! I’m really excited to see how everything wraps up and how it all ends.

Romily Bernard is an amazing writer. She’s created an amazing world with incredible characters. The story sucks you in and refuses to let go. I’m excited for Trust Me (the third book in this trilogy), but I’m also excited to see what else Romily does in the future.

Overall, if it isn’t obvious already, I highly recommend this book, this series and this author! If you haven’t read Find Me yet, I suggest you do so ASAP! You’re missing out on an amazing read if you don’t!

four-stars

Review: Find Me by Romily Bernard

Review: Find Me by Romily BernardFind Me by Romily Bernard
Series: Find Me #1
Published by HarperTeen on September 24, 2013
Pages: 307
Format: Hardcover
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five-stars

“Find Me.”

These are the words written on Tessa Waye’s diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa’s just been found . . . dead.

Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target.

Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick. Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick’s deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?

Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.

But she’s going to find this killer no matter what.

Because it just got personal.

Find Me was such an amazing book. I went into it thinking it was just about hacking, but it’s about so much more than that and it was so, so good!!

Wick is a fascinating character with a unique voice. She’s skeptical of everything and everyone and completely untrusting. She has her reasons, too. She’s protective of her younger sister, Lily – and it’s a good thing because, unlike Wick, Lily is trusting and open. That’s not necessarily a bad way to live, but it leaves Lily vulnerable.

I loved Lauren so much. She was an amazing friend and I loved that Wick could confide in her and trust her. There were enough untrustworthy characters in this book and in Wick’s life. It was nice knowing she had someone she could count on. On the flipside, I completely hated Carson throughout the majority of the book. He was creepy and untrustworthy. And then the end of the book just blew my mind. Like.. Whoa. No words. And I’d spoil it, too, if I said anymore.

Then there was Griff. Wow. Um. I seriously don’t even know where to start with Griff. He was kind, friendly, sweet, mean, aloof, flirty… I could go on and on and on. He goes through a myriad of emotions, feelings and personalities from beginning to end. And some of the revelations… Wow. Like.. At one point, I thought I knew where his character arc was going, and then I wasn’t sure, and then I was like… Mind Blown!!

I actually got to a certain point in the book where my reactions were basically like this:
“WHAAAAATTTT?????”
“WHOA! WAIT… WHAT???”
“WHAT??? WAIT, WAIT… WHAT???”
“WHOA, THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE NOW!!!!!”

So… yeah. I don’t even know what else I can say without spoiling everything. I’m STILL reeling from the ending!! I heard there is supposed to be a second book and I WANT IT!!!!!!!! NOW!!!!!!!

Bernard is such a great writer. She gives Wick a unique voice, there’s no pesky love triangle, and the red herrings and twists and turns will leave your head spinning!! I literally had a book hangover after reading Find Me and it took me forever to start a new book after finishing it!

If you come away with from this review with just one thing, let it be this: You MUST read this book!!! NOW!

five-stars