The fun part of any mystery or thriller is trying to second guess where the author is going with it. And when you get it wrong, and are surprised, it is even better. That is where the tension lies.

But, then there is this book, where I figured out not only who Shelley really was, but who she was not. It was the only suspense there was, really.

The story, on the other hand, is fast paced, even though there is a sort of love triangle, with the Perfect Boy ™.

So, although it was well written, and has a bit of diversity in it, as the main character, Kan, is Thai-American, I wouldn't recommend this to people who have read many thrillers, as they will figure things out faster than I did. However, it does make for an interesting read for actual YA readers.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

**I received a complimentary copy of GIRL ON THE VERGE from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review**

GRADE: A+++++++
5++++ stars

Oh Pintip Dunn, I think I'm in love with you. Only a few pages into GIRL ON THE VERGE I knew I was reading a story I'd reread many times. The level of tension gave me a visceral reaction in my chest. I had to stop reading several times, just to catch my breath and slow my heart rate.

Kan straddles a world between her old-fashioned Thai grandmother and her American life in Kansas. When her mother brings home an orphan, Shelly, Kan embraces her as the sister she never had. But, Shelly jumps into the relationship too quickly, in a Single White Female manner, and soon Kan realizes Shelly isn't the mousy girl she seems to be.

With remarkable, steady fast paced writing and plot, Dunn masterfully reveals twists and turns throughout the story. I guessed some, but that did not diminish my enjoyment of GIRL ON THE VERGE, if anything I couldn't wait for the twist to happen. Dunn's characters have so many layers. Kan narrated most of the story, with chapters from Shelly's third person POV interspersed to add depth to Shelly and show aspects of her personality Kan had yet to discover.

GIRL ON THE VERGE is a must read for anyone who likes thrillers, creepy friendships or disturbing characters. Pintip Dunn will take hold of you in an Eileen Cook kind of way, my highest compliment for a YA thriller.