Book Review + Contest: Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten

SUMMARY: Nina was beautiful, wild, and adored by her younger sister, Ellie. But, one day, Nina disappeared. Two years later, everyone has givenup hope that Nina will return, but Ellie knows her sister is out there. If only Ellie had a clue where to look. Then she gets one, in the form of a mysterious drawing. Determined to find Nina, Ellie takes off on a crazy, sexy, cross-country road trip with the only person who believes shes got a chance--her hot, adventurous new crush. Along the way, Ellie finds a few things she wasnt planning on. Like love. Lies. And the most shocking thing of all: the truth.


OPINION: 4 STARS

This was a quick read with a fast paced plot although admittedly predictable. Red flags went off in my mind far earlier than they ever did for Ellie but given her situation, I didn't find it irritating or uncharacteristic at all. Her wild, artsy sister who had a habit of sneaking out left one night and never returned. Her mother more or less lives in denial, sometimes even coming off as relieved, forcing the burden of finding her to fall on Ellie- at least in Ellie's mind it does.

When she starts finding clues, Ellie runs with it because maybe it has been 2 years but this is her sister. I very much loved how determined Ellie was to find Nina- even after 2 years. When everyone else pushed her to give up, she kept going even though that would bring even more pain and disappointment than giving up. Ellie's character was smart, despite some if the situations she dragged herself into but I blame that on love more than anything because despite everything, she's still a teenaged girl. Finally, someone wanted to help her and someone was seeing her. When her sister left and her mother was somewhat of a ghost, there was somebody to focus on her and see her.

The road trip aspect of this book was definitely interesting. It starts with a picture Nina happens on that was undoubtedly drawn by her sister. The pictures are included in the book and the artwork is absolutely stunning and they give the reader an even better idea of who Nina was. I think that addition is fantastic and really helped pull things together. Along the way, more drawings and pieces of art are incorporated, each one leading Ellie closer to the truth about her sister.

Again, while predictable, I really enjoyed both this book and the ending. While I didn't guess the entire plot, things start falling into place and enough pieces are given early enough for the reader to wager a close bet. Will I read this one again though? Absolutely because it is well written, it's fast paced with enough plot twists thrown in to keep me going. It grabbed me pretty early and with a cast of very colorful characters, this book made for a great red.


About the Author: Lynn Weingarten spends a lot of time writing in coffee shops while occasionally reading strangers' laptops over their shoulders. In the past she has been a book editor, a barista, a counter girl at a bakery in Ireland, a waitress at a bar, and a seller of tiny homemade clay animals. She lives in New York City. Wherever Nina Lies is her first novel. Please visit her online at http://www.lynnweingarten.com/.

Now that you know my opinion, make your own! I have 3 copies of Wherever Nina Lies up for grabs, courtesy of the publishers. US Residents only unless you have a friend with a US mailing address willing to accept it for you. This contest will end Friday, March 19 at midnight.

To enter, you MUST fill out THIS FORM! No comment entries will be accepted!