[Book Review] The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

Publication Date: June 3, 2014
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Source: eARC provided by NetGalley

Summary

Everyone knows Alice slept with two guys at one party. When Healy High star quarterback, Brandon Fitzsimmons, dies in a car crash, it was because he was sexting with Alice. Ask anybody.  Rumor has it Alice Franklin is a slut. It's written all over the "slut stall" in the girls' bathroom: "Alice had sex in exchange for math test answers" and "Alice got an abortion last semester." After Brandon dies, the rumors start to spiral out of control. In this remarkable debut novel, four Healy High students tell all they "know" about Alice--and in doing so reveal their own secrets and motivations, painting a raw look at the realities of teen life. But in this novel from Jennifer Mathieu, exactly what is the truth about Alice? In the end there's only one person to ask: Alice herself.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

My Review

Note: I received a digital review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a spoiler free review.

The Truth About Alice, by Jennifer Mathieu is a book that I think everyone should read. It's a beautifully written book about a tough subject: bullying and rumors. It is told from the point of view of four different characters, but the story isn't about any of them, it is about Alice, the victim of the rumors and bullying. It isn't until the very last chapter of the book that we finally get to see her point of view. The characters, while occasionally cliche, where very realistically written and all of them where well-rounded characters that fel like real people, not just flat, secondary characters. The only thing I wish was that the book was longer, not because it didn't feel like a satisfying ending, but because I just didn't want the book to end.

"Waiting on" Wednesday [15]

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

Publication Date: June 3, 2014

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Synopsis 

Everyone has a lot to say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie, and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep – Alice down.

I'm so excited for this book and not only because I'm on MacMillan's FierceReads Street Team for this book. This book has been getting stellar reviews and I'll be reading it this coming week in preparation for the release about The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu. Be on the lookout for some cool posts during the month of June featuring this amazing book!

Check it out on Goodreads!  

Fierce Reads: Team Alice!

I am excited to announce that I’m officially part of the Fierce Reads Street Team for The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu! Be on the lookout for some awesome stuff via Tumblr, Twitter, and right here on this blog! I'm stoked to be part of this team because I love contemporary books that deal with tough topics. I feel books like The Truth About Alice really have the opportunity to impact the readers.

Since The Truth About Alice doesn't come out until June 3rd, here's a summary to hold you over:

Everyone knows Alice slept with two guys at one party. When Healy High star quarterback, Brandon Fitzsimmons, dies in a car crash, it was because he was sexting with Alice. Ask anybody. 

Rumor has it Alice Franklin is a slut. It’s written all over the “slut stall” in the girls’ bathroom: “Alice had sex in exchange for math test answers” and “Alice got an abortion last semester.” After Brandon dies, the rumors start to spiral out of control. In this remarkable debut novel, four Healy High students tell all they “know” about Alice—and in doing so reveal their own secrets and motivations, painting a raw look at the realities of teen life. But in this novel from Jennifer Mathieu, exactly what is the truth about Alice? In the end there’s only one person to ask: Alice herself. 

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