Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. Unfortunately, while the blurb really interested me, I have been unable to get into the book.

Unfortunately I didn't finish this book, as I couldn't get into it - nothing against the author or book, just not to my personal taste. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.

Book Review- Hickville Redemption by Mary Karlik

Mackenzie Quinn is the shy one. She is now a freshman and Travis is still the one she can count on. However she has a crush on Braden McGuire and she is partnered up with him on the big anniversary article. Braden has an idea about telling the tragic story of Cassidy Jones and her death. There are big secrets behind her death and Braden is determined to reveal what really happened. No one in town wants to talk about it and that drives Braden even more. Plus he finds Kenzie fascinating, a puzzle to solve.
Kenzie wants to date him and Travis gives her the space to do so. He also gives Kenzie a diary belonging to Cassidy. He wants her to get to learn the person behind the secrets and mystery.
However Kenzie doesn’t like how Braden is pushing. She is unable to verbally express what she wants. Travis also is having difficulties letting Kenzie date other people. When everything comes out, the secrets are shocking. Travis tries to protect Kenzie. Braden continues to try and reveal everyone’s secrets.
This is the third book in the Hickville series. I’ve read all about the sisters and their friends and family. I like how they have adapted to their new lives. Kenzie is the youngest and the quietest. Her shyness held her pack. She had Travis as her best friend. You know he would have feelings for her. I liked both of them together. I guess the author had Kenzie figure things out the hard way. By first having Braden date her, made her realize differences between Travis and Braden.
The storyline was interesting with lots of twists and turns, I liked the mystery of Cassidy but I didn’t like Kenzie all that much. She couldn’t handle things well. She had a skewed view of things and her inability to express herself was more than shyness. She really frustrated me throughout the story. She was pretty immature for me. Otherwise I like the story. I give it a 4out of 5.

I loved this book I was hooked from the very first page and I couldn't wait to read this book when I wasnt reading it because I wanted to know what was going to happen next to the characters. This is the first book that I have read by Mary and I will be reading more of her work in the future because I SAS hooked to this story and I loved Marys writing style. I also loved the chemistry between the characters

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. This book has more twists and turns, that kept me reading until I was done. I love the unique people and situations in this book, that ties to a 30 year old mystery. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the first two books in the series. If you love a mystery mixed in with YA romance, I recommend this book.

Mackenzie has a crush on Braden, a slightly nerdy reporter on their school paper, and she is excited when he asks her on a date.
Turns out, getting to know Mackenzie better isn't all Braden is interested in.
Braden is determined to uncover the mystery surrounding the death of Cassidy Jones thirty years earlier- and Mackenzie's dad was dating her at the time.
Mackenzie reluctantly agrees to help Braden investigate, in the hopes of clearing her dad of any involvement.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but I ended up really enjoying it. It is the third book in the series, and I hadn't read the first two, but I didn't feel lost at all. This can definitely be read as a stand alone.

I found myself becoming really drawn into the story, and the mystery surrounding Cassidy's death.
Mackenzie's best friend, Travis gives Mackenzie Cassidy's diary, and through this we get to know what was going on in Cassidy's life in the lead up to her death.

There is a love triangle (maybe even Quadrangle??) but it is handled well.

I really loved the friendship between Mackenzie and Travis, and I liked how Braden coming into the picture affected this friendship in a realistic way.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable book, perfect for a light summer read.

4.5 Stars - Fantastic Teen Mystery

I didn’t expect to love this as much as I do. Hickville Redemption by Mary Karlik is a fun and exciting read. I haven’t read the others in the series and I don’t think you have to in order to read this one. Actually, I think this book is absolutely fantastic as a standalone. I swooned, I laughed, I cried... Those pretty much seals the deal for me.

The story started out a bit slow, but once I got into it, I honestly could not stop reading. There’s plenty of intrigue, drama, mystery and excitement. I love Karlick’s writing style. It’s simple and easy to read, but definitely not lackluster. I could easily picture myself as a character in the story piecing together clues to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of Cassidy Jones. And I loved it. I thought the mystery part was really interesting – not mind bending holy cow that was super awesome, but pretty darn good. I enjoyed the drama too. It felt realistic and reminded me so much of my high school days.

I immediately fell in love Kenzie. Teenage me and probably a little of the adult me can relate to her in so many ways. She’s an introvert and takes a while to warm up to people. She feels uncomfortable in group settings so she doesn’t talk much – yup totally teenage me and at times adult me too. She prefers to observe and listen rather than participate – yup that is so me. I definitely felt for her and could sympathize with her whenever she was thrown into situations she didn’t want to be in. BUT, even though she’s shy, she doesn’t let that stop her from doing the things she loves. She also doesn’t think that her quiet personality is something that needs to be fixed or that she’s a puzzle that needs to be solved – I loved that about her.

Travis is kind and sweet and absolutely adorable. He's caring and considerate. I love how protective he is of Kenzie, but still gives her space... he's just an overall good guy. But I have to mention that while I was reading, he frustrated me a little. Not in the bad way though. In Tagalog there's a word "gigil" and that's exactly how I felt. I guess it’s like – oh he's so cute and I totally understand his reasons for doing or not doing something... heck that's also the reason why he's so lovable and really I respect him I do, but at the same time I want to pinch him and push him to act differently then maybe this would happen and that won’t happen and…

And that got me really thinking... I love drama in books. When it makes sense and flows well with the story, then by all means give me! Travis and Kenzie together equals awesome friendship, amazing chemistry, swoony kisses, and crazy drama! I also really LOVED the parts when Kenzie would read Cassidy's diary. It was heartbreaking, but that definitely made the story more intriguing. The only part that really irks me is the ending… it felt rushed. There was all this build-up so I was expecting something drastic at the end, but it just finished in a not so exciting way.

Overall, I really enjoyed Hickville Redemption and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun YA mystery with an intriguing storyline, relatable characters, realistic drama, and sweet romance.

Secrets, mystery and suspense on rolled into one book. I am a big fan of this author now. The story line is interestly amazing.
I love the main characters Travis and Kenzie and their secretly loving each other and to afraid to tell.
The story of the mysterious way in which Cassidy Jones died is an interesting story and how it had affected the people in the past and their futures and how society looks upon some of the issues that Cassidy was facing today is completely different in the 80's.
I loved the diary entries and how we learned about the good times and the bad times of Cassidy's life and we do finally learn the truth.
I have to say that I would recommend this book to my friends so they can love the main characters as much as I do. I like their shyness and fear of the unknown when it comes to their friendship.

*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

<i>Thirty years of Mystery. Murder or Suicide?
 Thirty years ago, Cassidy Jones fell from the abandoned train trestle to her tragic death at the age of sixteen. But what really happened at that bridge? Was it just a wild high school party gone horribly wrong, or were there more sinister forces at play?</i>

30 years after the tragic death of Cassidy Jones, protagonist and shy farm girl Mackenzie Quinn finds the dead girl's diary in her hands. Meanwhile, 15 year-old Mackenzie's love life is on the rocks. Caught up in a love triangle with her best friend,jock Travis Barnes, and nerdy journalist Braden McGuire, Mackenzie must decide whether to bide by rules and expectations or to follow her heart and live in the moment. The long-dead girl's diary acts as a teenage guide for her,something or rather,someone she can relate and turn to.
Only,the problem is her dad,Tommy Quinn, was Cassidy's boyfriend and confidant and as a result featured in many a diary entries. With that kind of proof,Mackenzie's father is a prime suspect when the case is dug up by her jealous boyfriend. As Mackenzie delves deeper into Cassidy's world, she discovers shocking secrets and horrific decisions which led to fatal consequences. Rumours spread like wildfire and all those present at Cassidy's death become the talk of the town. Time is running out for Mackenzie as her father's innocence and her family's reputation hangs in the balance while she deals with a vengeful ex boyfriend and scandalous news headlines. However, the greatest obstacle she must overcome is her heart.

This book was honestly one of those you describe as a cute and thought-provoking summer read. It had an appealing fluency to it which mainly came from the characters. The writing is immensely enjoyable and hooking. Told from multiple perspectives, this one demands to be finished in one sitting. From the mystery to the farmyard animals to the characters, 'Hickville Redemption' is the one to read this summer.

The main lesson teens can take away from 'Hickville Redemption' is that it's acceptable and understandable to make faults at such a tender age and not worry about tomorrow but focus on the now,the here and the present. I swept through this book and ate it all in a few days. Despite being the third book in a series, there is no harm in reading it as a standalone; each novel has its own story line and is centred on a different girl in the Quinn family.

What I loved about this book so much is that it goes to lengths to show that teens like anyone make mistakes, ones that will change them as people and responsible adults for the future. To see the protagonist develop as a character while she learns the ins and outs of high school, persevering while she deals with such a traumatising affair at such a tender age, is both heartwarming and inspiring.

The only criticism I have for this book is that the writing was not descriptive enough and felt unsatisfying. I would have loved to have been more involved in their quiet town life as well get to know the other characters a bit more. Also,though it might not be considered important, can we talk about the cover? I understand the symbolism of it, but both the aesthetic and creativity of the cover was lacking. Does it really matter? Let's hope not.

The author,Mary Karlik, is truly a hidden gem of a writer and one that we need to read more of. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. Overall, I am glad to have read from the perspective of such a relatable character and be with her as she uncovers the mystery. I would highly recommend this to fans of the mystery, contemporary, romance and teen genres.

*<i>The above quote(s) were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication<i>*

See my other reviews on my blog: https://bookalert101.WordPress.com

I thought the overall book wasn't my preferences, but it will connect with some tweens and teens. I think that it's great to see a mystery title with all the dystopian books out there. Personally, I thought the book was just missing something. I didn't gravitate towards the characters and feel connected to them. I do think that it is a quick read that will appeal to the teens looking for a fun, mystery to read.