Whispering Pines

Not my favorite middle grade horror novel. It felt like there were too many moving pieces and this story was just a little too over the top. After their father vanishes; Rae's mother, moves her and her sister across the country to the weird town of Whispering Pines. Sinkholes crop up everywhere, goat run the town, the woods are unsafe, and there has been a rash of children who have been abducted and returned sans eyeballs. Rae is immediately suspicious - but wants to fit in and make friends She befriends the town outcast, Caden, who conveniently lives across the street. Caden's family is into the occult - although things have been bad for them ever since his older brother "disappeared." What is actually going on in this town. Too far fetched and weirdly plotted for me. I doubt I will continue the series. 

Summer State of Mind

I'm not going to sugarcoat it, I HATED, HATED .... the main character for the first few chapters. Like full on loathed her skinny, little bitchy self. She was rich, spoiled, and hung out with other privileged little white fifteen year old brats. Thankfully her mom and dad decide their dearest daughter needs a reality check after she blew several THOUSAND dollars on her AMEX card. A fifteen year old spending thousands at couture shops, spas, private lessons, and fancy dining. Really?!?! Anyway ma and pa ship Harper and her twin brother off to a sleepaway camp in the middle of nowhere for a dose of reality. Her adventure seeking brother Kyle loves it, but Harper can't stand it. Her wedges aren't good for hiking, her hair can't adjust to the humidity, and she can't text! Oh no! What's a girl to do?!? Most campers immediately dislike Harper, dubbing her Camping Barbie. She makes one good friend though and surprisingly starts to have a good time. Maybe life isn't all about the superficial stuff, maybe her parents did know what's best for her.

The story is thoroughly predictable, but still enjoyable. It's the perfect beach read. It's fast, breezy, and doesn't require much thinking. It's the second in a "series" but this novel focuses on a different character and different year than the first (Sleepaway Girls), only the setting is the same.

I received this book for free from Librarything in return for my honest, unbiased review.