Burying Eva Flores

*3.75 stars on StoryGraph*

First of all, thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to the ARC version, in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book (and had access to the audiobook ARC as well so listened to the novel as I read, which was a really great experience of the book).

Overall, I enjoyed the book, and agree with others that it is very reminiscent of The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. I think the story was really interesting in the development. It definitely picked up pace as it continued, and it took me a while to get into the book. I think that, at first, it didn’t read as naturally as I think it could have done and the dialogue was slow for me. But that picked up and I did enjoy it.

I also think, re: audiobook, that the different cast was a bit confusing for me to get used to and it helped to have a text of the book to read at the same time. However, some people said they love a cast recording. I have never listened to one before, so it just took a bit of getting used to but once I recognized who was who then I started to really enjoy that aspect.

I really enjoyed this one. It was a fantastic murder story and I flew through most of it in one day.

I liked the characters and the plot, it was interesting, I found it different to the usual mundane murder mysteries that you normally see as there was just a dash of magic included.

Definitely recommend!

"You just don't know what's inside... You don't know everyone's truth."⠀
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Jennifer Alsever, Burying Eva Flores ⠀
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Burying Eva Flores by Jennifer Alsever is such a unique book! The author skillfully weaves together text messages, emails, police statements, and character dialogue to create a rich tapestry of supernatural suspense. There was an underlying eerieness to the story that was punctuated by references to indigenous folklore and ghost stories. Eva and Sophie were equally as infuriating as they were sympathetic and I had a hard time rooting for either one but I was so pleased with the end of their character ARCs. The twists and turns of this YA thriller come hard and fast as the story progresses and kept me on the edge of my seat. The brutally honest commentary on social media, bullying, and the teenage experience is a vital part of the book and is executed with a precision that cuts to the bone.
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This was a great murder-mystery novel, it had what I enjoyed from the genre and I was invested in what was going on in the story. The characters were well-written and I enjoyed the way they were realistic. I enjoyed the way Jennifer Alseve wrote this and am excited to read more from her.

"This was the moment where Eva was supposed to tell her that she wasn’t fat. She had to tell her mom she was beautiful. If she didn’t, her mom would pout, then … the tsunami. The rage and the despair and the violence—the chase. “What the hell did that mean?” she would demand. “You know you aren’t so goddamn perfect yourself, you little bitch. Just wait for age to get you.”

This was such an interesting book! I loved the premise of the awful, self-absorbed TikTok star vs Sophia and her friends. The characters were written so well that I could clearly envision them and their motives in my head. I stormed through this book in just one day, I couldn’t put it down.
This is my first book that I’ve read by this author and I’ve immediately gone and added a ton of her others to my tbr list!

If you love mystery/thriller books, I highly recommend this book! I liked the layout of the book, mixing interviews with different characters to dig in deeper. The characters were great and it kept me guessing to the end. This is a must read.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

What a twist! This book kept me searching the entire time!! I loved the present day along with going into the past. It all tied together nicely with no confusion. Lots of surprises for me which I enjoy. I hate being able to predict the story so this was a treat!

Twisting, turning story with an ending I never saw coming! I never could have predicted the outcome of this story. So many scandals and secrets that will keep you turning the pages wanting to know what happens next! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book! Such an interesting story.

Who killed Eva Flores??

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Read if you like:
☠️ YA murder mystery
☠️ group of friends who-dun-it
☠️ dual timelines
☠️ multi POV
☠️ short chapters
☠️ multiple story-telling format

Eva Flores is dead, and everyone knows it was her “stalker” Sophia. Eva has 4 million followers on TikTok and her friend Sophia is totally obsessed with her and copies everything she does. Or does she?

I love this format!! This book is part narrated story and part text transcription put in chronological order of video interviews conducted. It makes the story much more enjoyable to read those other POVs thrown in there a little bit. There were even other things included like comic strips and pictures and stories written by some of the friends, and it made it a really fun read!
This book was very structured and made it super clear which POV you were currently reading, and what time period you are reading 💕💕 Nothing is worse than when it isn’t clear what you are reading, I spend more time trying to figure out where I was or who’s currently talking than I do reading the story.
I love a dual timeline thriller! There’s something about the jumping back and forth and slowly releasing tiny pieces of information that makes for a very exciting read for me! I love putting all the pieces of the puzzle together myself and hopefully I can beat the narrator to the murder! (I never do 🤣)
All of the characters were terrible and I didn’t like a single one of them 🤪 Any one of them could have been the bad guy and I wouldn’t have been surprised.
There was a weird sub-plot here that was a little far fetched and strange to be honest; I did not love the story writing part…
It’s such a small thing but I really like when chapters have titles ❤️ It gives me a little hint about what is to come.

A fantastic book that had me on edge from start to finish. Getting to know Sophia and Eva and their very different lives and backgrounds really few me in. Eva started as a character whom I really disliked but, soon turned into a seemingly misunderstood individual who I felt sorry for. The transcripts of interviews and text messages broke up the text well and made for a more interesting read. The tribal curse made me wary that the 'magical' aspect may seem too farfetched, but this was definitely not the case by the end. A thoroughly enjoyable. novel!

This is a story, very different to what I have read before. A YA mystery which has some complex character development & rivalry.

The story revolves around a set of teens and is set in the town of Paonia. It is said that the town suffers a curse of indigenous people who were evicted from their lands. Eva is a TikTok star with a large number of followers who eagerly await her videos. She has suddenly disappeared and as the days pass it appears that she may not be alive. The suspicion falls on Sophia, due to their bitter relationship. The Sherriff feels that she was evasive when questioned, but knows he must find the body if he has to establish guilt.

Earlier - Eva had accused Sophia of stalking her – publicly shaming her in a video. Sophia is enraged as she feels it is Eva who is copying her. There are friends including Morgan, Ethan & others and her brother Dylan who watch as the rivalry seems to be going out of hand. Eva’s stepdad is her career guide and keeps up the pressure of her to grow her success. Sophia has a job at a fast-food restaurant and has to tolerate the barbs Eva throws her way when she comes in. Eva’s family purchase the house Sophia and her family live-in and they have to move.

I found the nature of interactions & bitterness building between Eva and Sophia to be very well written and interesting. The snippets of messages exchanged, and social media posts add nicely to the narrative. Some aspects revealed in the later part of the story on Eva’s disappearance came across as far fetched & impractical but there was a touch of charm.

Overall, an easy-going and well-paced relaxing read,

My rating: 3.5 / 5.

i loved this book! the way the narrative switched between the last and the interviews was so clever, and i was surprised by the twist! i also enjoyed the supernatural elements of it, and especially the idea of a curse because of stolen land. i highly recommend!

I kept debating if I wanted to read this book or not and I'm glad I did. I'm on a young adult kick lately so I ended up going for it. This was a fun and quick read. The storyline was original. The format of intertwining text messages and interviews added some pizzaz to the story. There is a little bit of supernatural happenings, but not in the form of ghosts or spirits. I'm typically not a huge fan of supernatural storylines and that is my reason for debating on reading this, however I would categorize this as mild in that department.

Thanks to Netgalley and Books Go Social for a free digital copy.

This was an interesting YA mystery. The chapters at broken up by interviews and journal entries of a story that is vey written for a class assignment. This was a new writing style for me, I enjoyed it. The story is also being told told from multiple point of views which I normally don’t like but it works for this book. The story covers rivalries between high school students, social media influence, and family issues.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.

A mystery story with different sensations, I could feel the suspense and things that made me curious, scared and goosebumps while reading it.

Thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to the ARC version, in exchange for an honest review.

The Tik Tok star Eva Flores disappears and the main suspect is Sophia, the stalker. The book reports the relationship between Eva and Sophia, sometimes conflicted, and left me wanting to know what had really happened. I like when there are several POVs and in this one there is also the interview of the characters to the detectives (reminding me of the book Big Little Lies, by Liane Moriarty). Do you want to know what happened to Eva? Enjoy this read!

i really enjoyed this book! it different from the other ya books i have read this year and can only recommend it if you are looking for something new and fresh

First of all the format of this book was perfection. I loved all the mediums used to tell this story. The tension between Sophia and Eva was palpable and you could just feel the bubbling hate rising throughout. The supernatural portions of this book added flair to the typical mystery genre. Honestly this could contend with any thriller in any category outside of YA. I didn't have very many expectations of this going in but I loved every page.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story was presented and formatted in a very intriguing way which really helped to add to the mystery of the story. The characters were very childish and annoying at times, but that works for the overall story. The concept of people living fake lives on social media is a very prevalent topic and it was interesting to see it investigated in this book.

This was such a fun, refreshing story. It was like Mean Girls with a supernatural twist. The chapters were short so the pacing was great and I enjoyed the interview format interspersed throughout. The main characters were well developed and the author did a great job of portraying teen life, revenge, social media. It was also a great reminder to never judge others because you never know what’s going on behind closed doors.

Mysteries told in non-traditional ways with dual timelines, multiple POVs AND a bunch of awful characters to dislike? LOVE IT!

YA is hit or miss for me these days, but this was a definite HIT. Unapologetically 2020s, it's lovely to see a current book for current teens rather than what would have been ~hot~ 15 years ago.

While the comp titles are valid, I feel like BURYING EVA FLORES is it's own thing, and not afraid to be so.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

Burying Eva Flores was intriguing from the get go. A mean girl that mimicked her target was enough to make me want to keep reading to find out why, but the little jumps back and forth through timelines kept me engaged. The characters are all well established and have a purpose without going into too much detail.

Overall I was not able to put the book down since my hair appointments this morning, so I say it's 5 star read

"Everyone thinks I killed Eva Flores.

Sure, I hated how everyone was over the moon about Eva's stupid TikTok fame. And I suppose I got a little bit carried away with vengeance after the girl tried to ruin my life.

When my friend gave me that leather journal, I’d never felt so much power in my life. It was intoxicating. Who wouldn’t have done what I did to Eva?

But now, everyone thinks that just because she vanished in a local forest in the middle of the night that, "hey, of course Sophia killed her." They point to the blood found on the jackets. The text messages. The slightly weird thing I had with Eva's dad. And the fire.

But the whole thing is far more complicated than you’d think.

So what happened to the horribly obnoxious Eva Flores at the end of the school year? I can't really say."

Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen M. McManus, Burying Eva Flores unwinds the mystery of two very different rivals with text messages, documentary interviews and more. If you're looking for an unputdownable thriller with supernatural suspense, then pick up Burying Eva Flores today!

If you loved the books mentioned above, then you will love this. This story was unputdownable.

Jennifer is a great writer, she really had me hating Eva… that is until they went on the student trip to the cottage. I wish there was a second book so we could learn more about Eva’s life! So glad I got this eARC from NetGalley, very enjoyable read.

A group of teens live in a town that is supposedly cursed by the people who’s land was stolen from them. It switches back and forth between present day and the past.

Burying Eva Flores has some of the most compulsive chaos I've read, mixing teen drama, trauma narratives, and touches of horror. I love the experimental segments, particularly the intercut movie interviews, which worked really well (and which made me interested in the idea of an entire novel like that). I do think some polishing was needed, as the prose can be a bit blunt when it is "making a point", and the structure and pacing feels a little off. I am also a little concerned by the use of Native American genocide (and whispers of a curse) as a backdrop to this drama - I think it needed far more care if it wanted to tackle how hatred and bigotry from the past trickle down to the present. And personally, I feel like the book shied away from the potential queerness involved with Sophia and Eva (both individually and together) - it just seemed like it skirted around exploring what seemed to me an obvious aspect in their antagonism. An absorbing read though, especially when it lets disaster reign.

Burying Eva Flores written by Jennifer Alsever was a bit out of my comfort zone, but let me just say something, I enjoyed this book. It was a bit different from the other books that I read, but it was still enjoyable. The pacing was a bit slow, but once I started to understand what was going on, the pace started to pick up. The only reason I didn't give this book five stars was because it left me with so many unanswered questions, and for that reason I couldn't fully love this book. Burying Eva Flores has a dual POV, from then and now, but it wasn't confusing at all. I feel like the characters were unlikable, but it truly made the story more interesting. The premise for this book sounded so interesting, but I did see mixed reviews, so it kind of made me hesitant to start this book, but i'm so glad I did pick it up. It was definitely interesting enough to keep me on the edge of my seat, but it just left me with so many unanswered questions, such as if the detectives found Eva's blood and Sophia's blood on Sophia's jacket why wasn't she arrested? Why was Riley arrested, how did the detectives know she stabbed people if there was no proof of the knife? There's a few more, but I didn't want to say them because it'll give the story away. Anyway, please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this book. I will say, I have grown out of my YA phase, but despite this book being YA it was definitely interesting how it played out. Some parts of the story are in interview forum, as someone who doesn't like audio-books, the interviews were definitely easy to follow along without the audio-book version. I thought the interviews were a great aspect of the story, but I felt like some of the characters picked sides, which isn't really my thing, but oh well, it played out differently.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND BOOKSGOSOCIAL FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!

Everyone thinks Sophia Palmer killed Eva Flores. Sophia and Eva were both definitely complete opposites of each other, but Sophia felt like Eva was copying her when they both dyed their hair blue the exact same way. Sophia didn't like Eva at all, but Eva thought she and Sophia were friends at one point because Sophia wasn't like everyone else, she was her own person, she didn't bow down to Eva like everyone else did, so why did Sophia want to get revenge on Eva Flores? Eva was a huge Tiktok star and had a huge number of followers, Sophia absolutely hated the way everyone was always over the moon about Eva's tiktok fame. Sophia got a little carried away with vengeance after Eva tried to ruin her life. Sophia's mom quit her job due to a pervert, so money was low coming in, Sophia worked at The Wheel, a little coffee shop in town, but Eva's family bought it and ruined everything, or so Sophia thought. When Morgan gave Sophia a leather journal for a school project, Sophia has never felt so much power in her life. It was in a way intoxicating for Sophia. Who wouldn't have done what she did to Eva? At a senior bash camping trip they had, some girl cut off Eva's hair, but Eva immediately pointed the finger at Sophia, because she had a feeling Sophia didn't like her, after that Sophia felt like it was her turn to ruin Eva's life.

They had a group project they had to do in one of their classes, write a story. Once Sophia received the leather journal from Morgan she started writing her story, but the catch was it was about Eva Flores. Sophia wrote down this story of everything that should happen to Eva, but the weird thing that happened was everything that Sophia wrote started happening to Eva. It was like magic, Sophia didn't understand how it worked out, but it was really happening. It was like Sophia somehow had magic powers. Eva decides to organize a trip to this forest type thing. They decide to play a card game, one question was, "what was the most selfless thing you've done"? Everyone thought Eva wasn't brave enough, so Eva had to prove to Sophia she wasn't scared of anything, so when Eva vanished in a local forest in the middle of the night, everyone thought that of course Sophia killed her. There's evidence of blood on their jackets, text messages, the slightly weird thing Sophia had with Eva's step dad, and the fire that was started. BUT EVERYTHING IS FAR MORE COMPLICATED THAN YOU'D THINK!!!!!! This book definitely kept me on the edge of my seat with everything that was happening, but still left me with so many unanswered questions.

So, what happened to Eva Flores at the end of the school year? READ THIS BOOK TO KNOW!!!!!!

#BuryingEvaFlores #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-Arc copy of this novel. Young adults will enjoy this book.

Recap:
Eva Flores is TIKTOK's latest sensation. She posts, and she gets millions of likes, thousands of dollars, and message after message from adoring fans. She is also the bane of Sophia Palmer's existence. When Sophia refused to bow down before the queen bee and do everything required of her to earn Eva's friendship, Eva eviscerated her on social media. She called her a stalker, she copied her hairdo, and she got her fired from her job. When Sophia is gifted a leather journal she thinks nothing of the story she writes about Eva's fall from grace... until she starts to see unlikely and eery parallels between the words she's written and events happening around her in real life. No one could blame her for taking back a little of the power that Eva stole from her. But how far is too far when someone's real life hangs in the balance?

Reaction:
The genre of paranormal thriller is one that I'm still learning to love, but I have to say Jennifer Alsever hit it out of the park with this one. From the text messages, emails, and interviews that were entered in as part of the text, to the multiple points of view that we read in real time as the story unfolded, to the elements of the mystical and fantastic that made this story as spooky as it did thrilling. Every part of the plot was well executed, and the growth that we see from the characters feels real in a way that will resonate with teenagers. "Burying Eva Flores" makes my list for top teen reads of the year.

Recommended for:
Fans of Karen M. McManus, anyone who wanted to see more of Pamela on Supernatural, and teens who weren't quite ready to read "Behind Her Eyes" but enjoyed the Netflix show.

Special thanks to NetGalley and to BooksGoSocial for providing me with an Advanced Reader's Copy of "Burying Eva Flores" in exchange for an unbiased review!

Very good YA thriller with some paranormal twist. The writing was very good overall, great plot, multiple POV’s. The magic part threw me for a bit but I came around. Would recommend for YA readers

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this review copy.

A great book that is a fun read. I really enjoyed this one.

This book was a quick, cute read. I wasn’t sure how I’d perceive the paranormal aspect of the book, but I actually really liked it. The author did a great job of weaving it in. I do wish I got to know these characters more in depth, but did like their growth that was shown. Overall, I think this is a great YA read that kept me engaged from start to finish.

Easy to read, written in a unique format that breaks up the chapters in a fun and interesting way.
Characters are interesting and constantly make you try to guess their motives.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The intriguing premise of two girls at odds, combined with the allure of a mysterious notebook and a tribal curse, immediately captured my attention. The author skillfully incorporated the paranormal element into the story, which pleasantly surprised me. While I would have appreciated a deeper exploration of the characters' backgrounds, I did witness their growth throughout the narrative, which added depth to their personalities. From beginning to end, I found myself completely engrossed in this captivating YA read. It was a quick and delightful journey that left me satisfied.

I wanted drama, and this book delivered exactly that.

This was an engaging and irresistible read that effortlessly drew me in. It was just what I needed to break out of a reading slump.

What caught me off guard was that it fell into the realm of supernatural or magical realism thriller. This unexpected twist injected an absurd element into the narrative, enhancing its overall appeal.

The characters were flawed and driven by revenge, possessive, impulsive and often toxic. Their dynamics created an atmosphere that was impossible to resist. The impact the power had on Sophia was to be expected not any less compulsive for it, and the story offered valuable lessons to be learned.

Towards the end, the plot started to lose its grip on me as the peculiar elements escalated beyond comprehension. Nonetheless, I appreciated the satisfying resolution that neatly tied everything together.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Burying Eva Flores by Jennifer Alsever in exchange for an honest review.

Definitely was a very unexpected plot twist with a the magic journal which threw me off for a bit but once all the details came to light it was a very enjoyable thriller/paranormal book

****"Burying Eva Flores: A Thought-Provoking Journey"****

"Burying Eva Flores" offers readers a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of human emotions and family dynamics. The novel delves deep into the complexities of grief, love, and the intricate ties that bind us to our past.

The storytelling is both tender and raw, drawing readers into the lives of the characters and allowing them to experience their joys and sorrows. The author's prose is beautifully crafted, evoking a strong sense of place and atmosphere that enhances the emotional impact of the narrative. The vivid descriptions of settings and emotions make it easy to immerse oneself in the story.

One of the standout aspects of the book is its well-developed characters. The protagonist, Eva Flores, is a multi-faceted individual with a compelling backstory and relatable struggles. Her journey of self-discovery and healing is depicted with authenticity and sensitivity. The supporting cast also contributes to the richness of the story, each character bringing their own unique perspective to the narrative.

The exploration of cultural and familial elements adds depth to the story, offering readers insights into different ways of life and the challenges that individuals from diverse backgrounds may face. The book skillfully navigates these themes without veering into overly didactic territory, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions while still being engaged with the story.

While "Burying Eva Flores" is undoubtedly a powerful and moving read, there are moments where the pacing could have been tightened to maintain a more consistent flow. Some readers might find certain sections slightly slower, but the emotional payoff in the end makes up for these minor lulls.

In conclusion, "Burying Eva Flores" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that tackles complex themes with grace and sincerity. It's a story that lingers in the mind long after the last page has been turned, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives and relationships. With its compelling characters and evocative prose, this book is a strong recommendation for those who appreciate character-driven narratives with a touch of introspection.

A fun yet thrilling read as we find out what really happened to Eva. The red herrings and plot twists within were sn excellent read.

This was a fantastic read. I had no idea what to expect going into this book and it ended up having such a interesting premise that I thoroughly enjoyed throughout the entire book.

I really enjoyed this book and I think the reason I enjoyed it so much is because I could imagine it happening. You only have to go onto social media but especially tiktok where people with a lot of followers actually believe they are celebrities are all ripping each other apart

A new to me author, and I enjoyed listening to a well written story that kept my attention and makes me want more.

An interesting and original story, I couldn't read this quick enough. Had me on the edge of my seat, needing to read one more chapter!