Twisted Fate by Norah Olson

Sisters, Sydney and Allyson are as opposite as they come: Ally is your self described good girl, helping her mom out at social functions, sailing with her dad, working hard at school, and generally enjoying her part time job; Syd enjoys ditching class (and detention), skateboarding, mouthing off, and getting high. Then Graham moves in next door. Both sisters are drawn to him, he's quiet, artistic, a tad creepy, and a dark past, but Syd doesn't trust him. As both sisters are drawn in by the enigmatic neighbor their worlds start to collide and Syd begins to obsess over exposing Graham's past and saving Ally.

Twisted Fate is a quick read that keeps the pages moving, but this reader found both the reveal of Graham's secret and the big twist to be pretty predictable early on. Olson tells the story from multiple points of view, but  almost every significant character mentioned gets at least their own chapter, which becomes a bit too much and makes it harder to really connect with anyone. If you're looking for a darker beach/summer read this will suffice. If you're looking for a true psychological thriller below are some suggestions for authors who have done it better.

Lisa

Identical by Ellen Hopkins
Complicit by Stephanie Kuehn
Six Months Later by Natalie Richards

Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle

Vivian Apple is counting down to the apocalypse; well she doesn't believe it's going to be the apocalypse, but a large portion of the country that has currently feverishly taken to the new religious sect the Church of America does. Unfortunately for Vivian her parents are among the newly religious. But then she goes home and her parents are gone and there are two body sized holes in their bedroom ceiling. Many other believers have disappeared as well, although plenty of them have been left behind with the nonbelievers. After a mysterious phone call and realizing that she's not okay with the world just falling into post apocalyptic chaos Vivian embarks on a road trip to California with her best friend, a guy she met on apocalypse eve, and they even pick up a pregnant kind-hearted believer on the way. Vivian still isn't sure what she believes, but she knows she wants some answers.

Vivian Apple at the End of the World is dark and funny and slightly scary (not in the horror story way, but in the way where you recognize your own world in one that is coming apart) all at the same time. Vivian is a little slow to jump to action, but let's be honest it might take us all awhile to get moving when the world seems to be ending. An entertaining and at times thought provoking read.

Lisa

If you like this:
No Parking at the End Times by Bryan Bliss
This Side of Salvation by Jeri Smith-Ready