Review: The Secrets of Lily Graves by Sarah Strohmeyer

Release date: May 13th 2014
Publisher: HarperCollins
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:

With the intrigue of Pretty Little Liars and plenty of romance, bestselling author Sarah Strohmeyer weaves a story of secrets and lies—set in a funeral parlor.

Growing up in a house of female morticians, Lily Graves knows all about buried secrets. She knows that perfect senior-class president Erin Donohue isn’t what she seems. She knows why Erin’s ex-boyfriend, hot football player Matt Houser, broke up with her. And she also knows that, even though she says she and Matt are just friends, there is something brewing between them—something Erin definitely did not like.

But secrets, even ones that are long buried, have a way of returning to haunt their keeper.

So when Erin is found dead the day after attacking Lily in a jealous rage, Lily's and Matt’s safe little lives, and the lives of everyone in their town of Potsdam, begin to unravel. And their relationship—which grew from innocent after-school tutoring sessions to late-night clandestine rendezvous—makes them both suspects.

As her world crumbles around her, Lily must figure out the difference between truth and deception, genuine love and a web of lies. And she must do it quickly, before the killer claims another victim.

*Received a copy from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

The Secrets of Lily Graves had been sitting on my shelf for a few months now, so while looking for my next read I decided to find out what the story was all about. Besides, I really liked Sarah Strohmeyer's Smart Girls Get What They Want and was really interested in seeing how the author transitioned from light and funny contemporary to something dark and mysterious as a murder concept and a character whose family ran a funeral home. 

So, did I like the story? Yes, mostly. But there were some things that bugged me. For instance, I felt like Lily's character seemed to be trying too hard to appear Gothic, fascinated by the world of the dead, etc. It didn't come out as natural to me. And I was a bit annoyed at times with her feelings for Matt. I guess you can say I didn't warm up as much to her character, but that never threw me off a story before. Lily was tolerable, and I wanted to see how everything would wrap up.

My other issue is that the story seemed a tad stretchy throughout, and then by the last chapter it was being rushed as if the author grew tired of writing it. Also, it was a little obvious. I mean, I'd already suspected who was behind the murder from jump, so the reveal at the end wasn't very climatic on that person's part. However, I had no clue whatsoever about the other person so that made up for the ending somewhat.

credit: epicreads

As mentioned before, I liked the story for the most part. The writing was good. I liked Lily's mom and aunt. The funeral home setting was new to me so it was interesting reading about how they prepared the dead and the effort that went into it. That was intriguing and good to know that the Graves' respected the families enough to want to do their best. That was conveyed greatly in the story. 

This is a switch from Sarah's previous release but I don't mind it at all. It's great when an author can take on different genres, and while I wasn't in love with The Secrets of Lily Graves, it was still a good story that I liked reading. I recommend this book if you're into YA drama with a murder mystery.

Review: Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer

Release date: June 26th 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren't the most popular girls in school, they aren't too worried. They know their real lives will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges. There will be ivy, and there will be cute guys in the libraries (hopefully with English accents)! But when an unexpected event shows them they're missing out on the full high school experience, it's time to come out of the honors lounge and into the spotlight. They make a pact: They will each take on their greatest challenge—and they will totally rock it.

Gigi decides to run for student rep, but she'll have to get over her fear of public speaking—and go head-to-head with gorgeous California Will. Bea used to be one of the best skiers around, until she was derailed. It could be time for her to take the plunge again. And Neerja loves the drama club but has always stayed behind the scenes—until now.

These friends are determined to show the world that smart girls really can get what they want—but that could mean getting way more attention than they ever bargained for. . . .

*Received Physical ARC from publisher in exchange of an honest review.

Who says smart girls aren't cool? Sarah Strohmeyer's latest explores the world of overachievers who break away from the stereotypes , adding fun and excitement in their high school experience.

Smart Girls Get What They Want is a cute, witty, humorous, and empowering book for the brainy... and the average.

"I am the product of two brilliant inert elements with negative bonding capabilities, one who was a Dr. Who fan girl, the other who consistently drove into fire hydrants..." and thus a hero of nerds is born.

What I love about this book is how even though the characters are teenagers, as well as the language used is that of teens (no duh), it’s still very much contemporary and to the point.

Stereotypically, smart girls aren’t often asked out on dates or even considered datable by hot guys. In fact, many have dumb down themselves for guys to be interested in them. Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are only the latest brainy girls in high school to fall victim to such standards until they started doing other “cool” stuff besides being a full time nerd (studying consistently). They certainly got a wake up call when Neerja’s super smart older sister wasn’t quite the person they’d held her up to be.

I believe the issue emphasized on was success versus happiness, which would you prefer?

Genevieve or Gigi is the lead brain, no offense to her just as equally smart counterparts. I’m simply stating that she’s the main girl. Anyways, Gigi’s character is one of great morality. She’s next to perfection, a goody goody; never skipped school, excelled as a honors student, puts her friends first, and never cheated on a test. Well, that’s all about to change. That good girl image is about to change when Gigi is accused of cheating with fellow classmate, Mike. 

Mike is the jock. The guy in high school that’s hot, rich, and athletic, but hardly on par in his academics. At least that’s what people, even Gigi, perceive. And isn’t that another stereotype, that hot high school guys are stupid and rely on smart girls to help them pass their classes. Gigi starts seeing Mike in a new light once his smartness comes to light. 

Both are plunged into the drama of cheating and are forced to work together on a project that would somehow relinquish this accusation. If they can collaborate in an equal manner, whereas neither will judge the other based on their high school persona, they just might pull this off. 

Aside from the cheating issue, Gigi is taken aback by the hot transfer student, Will, who’s described as the smartest of their high school’s male population. While she’s lusting for this dude, I can’t help but consider her and Mike getting together. While that was rather evident, their romance took very long to build up. I’m talking nearing the end of the book.

Anyways, Gigi along with her BFFs, Bea & Neerja go on this new journey to change what their fellow school mates thinks of them, by challenging themselves to activities outside of their comfort zone. I’ve forbidden myself from spilling the details here so just read and you’ll enjoy the findings as much as I did. 

I must say that I was totally pissed at how much of a jerk Justin turned out to be. However, I loved the joke regarding him at the end of the book.

I’ll conclude here by saying that seriously, I enjoyed this book. There were some terminology used that made me jump back into my days in high school and I liked that about the story as well. There’s entertainment, drama, teen romance, fighting spirit, and accomplishments. Throw in some schooling and Sarah Strohmeyer has cooked up one of the best contemporary reads for the summer.