Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart, 4 Stars

Okay, can we talk about this cover for a minute? It’s gorgeous, and intriguing, and strangely calming. I love it! I was immediately drawn to it, then noticed the author, E. Lockhart. Since I loved We Were Liars I figured Genuine Fraud would be a good bet for me.

I wasn’t mistaken!

My bookclub read We Were Liars a couple years back. And we were seriously divided. Some people absolutely hated the book.  It’s YA and Lockhart has a very distinctive style of writing in the book, which clearly polarized people. I loved it! I found the book haunting and memorable.

Have you read We Were Liars? I’d love to hear other opinions! On to Genuine Fraud.

From the Publisher:

Imogen is a runaway heiress, an orphan, a cook, and a cheat.
Jule is a fighter, a social chameleon, and an athlete.
An intense friendship. A disappearance. A murder, or maybe two.
A bad romance, or maybe three.
Blunt objects, disguises, blood, and chocolate. The American dream, superheroes, spies, and villains.
A girl who refuses to give people what they want from her.
A girl who refuses to be the person she once was.

My Review:

E. Lockhart has done it again! Genuine Fraud is a refreshingly different kind of YA novel.

The book opens on Imogen in some type of bizarre escape scenario. A bit confusing at first, but as I continued reading, I realized that the story is told chronologically backwards. It’s an interesting way to tell a story, especially since from time to time I wouldn’t know where exactly we were in the narrative, and assuming the wrong time frame would drastically change the story.

As the story unfolds, many things are not as they seem and I found myself surprised around every corner. I didn’t like Jules, but I also didn’t think it was necessary to like her to enjoy the story. She is obviously a deeply troubled girl and although she seems crazy messed up, sadly there are people like that in the world.

If you are an E. Lockhart fan, definitely check this one out. It’s a great read from beginning to end (or is it end to beginning) and even when you think none of it is going to come together..well..just read it!

Thank you to Bonnier Zaffre and Hot Key Books for the e-galley in exchange for my honest review.

Get your copy!

Indiebound