Any book coined as a,‘YA Thriller’ will forever have a place in my heart and on my bookshelf, and this one is no exception!

Poppy Winslow's family has five rules:

1. No one can know your real name.
2. Don’t stay in one place too long.
3. If you sense anything is wrong, go immediately to the meeting spot.
4. Keeping our family together is everything.
5. We wish we could tell you who we are, but we can’t. Please—do not ask.

Poppy does not know her parents' real names, or why they have been on the run her entire life. She just knows something really bad would happen if they got caught. It means constantly changing schools, never making friends, and not getting a cell phone or even access to the Internet. When her parents take Poppy and her little sister to California, things seem different. The house they stay in has meaning to her family. She mails in a DNA test, not fully realizing the consequences of her actions. As Poppy grows close to a classmate, she also starts to uncover some truths about her parents. Combined with the results of her DNA test, everything unravels all the hard work her family has done to stay hidden all these years--and reveals some shocking truths about the past.

"If I could pinpoint the moment things changed, it was as simple as this: a high school library in Illinois, cozy, me working at a table with my science-fair group."

Oh this book was such a fun surprise! I could not put it down; it was mesmerizing. I found myself completely caught up in Poppy and her family's story. Who on earth were her parents? What did they do? Why would they force their children to go through such lengths to protect their identities? Why would their kids--especially Poppy, nearly eighteen--go along with it? The book is part mystery (unveiling all those answers) plus part character-driven coming of age tale as Poppy grows up, learning about herself. She's spent her entire life putting her family first, but is that really the best thing for her?

I loved learning more about her parents' backstory and also delving into Poppy's relationship with Harry, the boy she meets in math class and starts to fall for. The family dynamic in STATE is complicated and complex, but interwoven so delicately. Weisenberg also makes some timely and intriguing points about our digital footprint and how DNA can link people together.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's different, with fascinating family dynamics and a really riveting plot.

This Golden State by Marit Weisenberg had me hooked from the first page. The main character, Poppy/Emily/Katie has lived her life on the run with her family. She has no idea why they are on the run or what happened in her parents' past. As she gets closer to 18, Poppy starts wanting to know more and wanting more for her life. They have moved around so much over her life, she has never felt at home anywhere - until they arrive in San Francisco. Poppy immediately feels a connection to the house they stay in and the area. She also notices a change in her mom and dad. Her dad appears more agitated and fearful, while her mom seems happier. When she convinces her parents to let her take an advanced math course over the summer, Poppy's whole life begins to change. She meets Harrison (Harry) Addison, whose mom is the mayor of San Francisco and dad is a bigwig in Silicon Valley. She becomes more and more curious about her parents' past and takes a DNA test on a whim to see if she can find out more. Harry helps her find the truth and overcome her fears.

This book is well written and the story was very intriguing and I just wanted to keep reading! This will make a great addition to a middle school or high school library. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Poppy is an 18 year old living on the run with her parents and younger sister. She has no idea why they live this way-- fearing every little thing and moving at the drop of a hat. She's always wanted to go to California, but for some reason her paranoid father won't ever let them go that far west. One magical day, Poppy learns they are moving to the Golden State and she's even going to be allowed to take an advanced summer math class. Poppy is determined to keep to herself and enjoy her newfound freedom... until she meets Harry Addison in her class and finds herself inexplicably drawn to him.

This book was so great. It was completely riveting and I kept telling myself "okay one more chapter" and then realizing I'd read at least 6 chapters. Each one was so short and ended in such a way that I just HAD to keep going. The mystery behind Poppy's parentage and secret life was satisfying and the way it fell in to place for her made a lot of sense. Obviously there's some suspension of disbelief, but it was minimal. Poppy was such a real character-- she behaved like a teenager would, and seemed to have all the mannerisms and personality of a kid who grew up really sheltered, wanted to know more, and was terrified of the consequences of wanting too much.

Overall, this was a great mystery that included a sweet romance, coming of age, and truly coming to understand oneself and stand up for what you desire. The ending was pretty open-ended, which I am generally a huge fan of. I do wish the huge climax had come just a bit earlier in the story so we could get more of a denouement, but that was relatively minor for me. My only other complaint is that I wanted to spend more time in the mystery and less time in the romance. That's just a personal preference though-- the romance was well-written and believable. I just wanted more answers and less kissing.

I would definitely recommend this title to readers who like mystery, romance, and coming of age stories.

This Golden State is about a teenage girl named Poppy, if that is her real name, whose family has been on the run for as long as she can remember. She doesn't know their real names, they have moved more times than she can remember, and she's never allowed to ask about the past. After a move to California, one that her dad reluctantly agrees to, cracks begin to show. Poppy mails in a home DNA test, desperate for answers about her family. As she opens up to a boy in her math class, Harry, he helps her begin to unravel the secrets her family has long protected. With a professor showing an interest in her future that no one else has, Poppy is torn. She begins to ask herself what she really wants and what does she owe to her family, one that has protected her yet taken away every opportunity for a future for herself. How much does she owe them and how much does she owe it to herself to start her own life?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. With just the right amount of mystery and a zest of romance, this book drew me in from the very beginning. I wanted to know who Poppy was and what her parents had done in their past. I wanted to know if Poppy could really unravel her family secrets and decide if everything she has done for them her entire life has been worth it. Poppy turns eighteen, so she no longer has to stay with her family, she could strike out on her own. But that's not an easy choice to make since her family is all she's known her whole life, never keeping friends for longer than a few months, and always wondering what if they just stayed in one place.

This YA thriller will draw you in and keep you guessing about Poppy and her family. It is a coming-of-age story but will appeal to readers of all ages.

Imagine Bonnie and Clyde having kids. That's basically This Golden State.

I have been let down by almost every single 'thriller' I have attempted to pick up the past few months. And I think that fear is what kept me from picking up my arc of This Golden State sooner. I am pleasantly surprised that I ended up actually enjoying it. Though, it's marketed as a thriller, it's more of a contemporary coming-of-age romance with a bit of mystery.

Poppy, who I fully imagined as a teenage Poppy Drayton the entire book, is almost eighteen. She's never had many friends or anything constant in her life because of her parents mysterious past. They've been on the move her entire life, only staying in one place for a matter of months. She and her sister aren't allowed to use their real names or talk about their family. They have never really questioned it. Until now.

Poppy and her family's latest move is to California. And Poppy joins a summer math class (for funsies 🙄) and meets the equally as mysterious Harrison. Harry starts to make Poppy question things. And she spontaneously decides to do a DNA test which makes her life slowly begin to unravel and the past catch up to her parents.

(quote)It was amazing what parents could do. Whether they tried to hurt or tried so hard to protect, they ended up doing damage in their own way.(quote)

Harry has his own issues. We get glimpses of his life. Even with very different circumstances, Harry understands Poppy in a way no ever has. Even her family. I didn't see fireworks but their relationship and development was sweet and felt natural. He and Poppy were both children who had to grow up too soon and learn to to keep secrets that no child should have to shoulder.

(quote)I’d had a lot of time to think about what it takes to keep a secret. You have to suppress parts of yourself. You have to compartmentalize in order to keep a secret safe. Witnessing Harry’s happiness made me wish I could let go and be myself, too.(quote)

The mystery of Poppy's family's past kept me interested in the plot but it did get repetitive to the point I thought about dnfing once or twice. The plot twist of the 'mystery' wasn't what I thought it was going to be. Though, it wasn't far off or very shocking. And I don't like that the story ends abruptly. I was sure there would be an Epilogue or another chapter. The story never reached a satisfying climax or resolution. Maybe we'll get a sequel one day.

I did enjoy This Golden State enough that I'm off to check out Marit Weisenberg's backlist.


*Thank you to Flatiron books and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy.*

I'm grateful to Flatiron books for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give an honest review.
Unfortunately, I got 60% in before I gave up.
Why I requested to read it: interesting plot with secrets. I do love a plot with secrets, especially one I cannot figure out. One with little clues all the way through that keep me guessing.
Why I stopped reading: this book is not that. Unfortunately, even by 60% I had no idea what was going on. Perhaps had I gotten to the end I would have seen there were clues all along, but nothing made me want to stay focused enough to do that. I put the book down for a week or two hoping I would pick it back up and see more to it. But I was wrong.
The pace: a little slow for me but the chapters did go by quick enough once I sat to read it.
The characters: they all came across as flat to me. I did not see any characteristics that truly set one out from the other. This was especially true of the narrator who just did not have any development for me even 60% through the book.
The plot: how many times must the narrator say she doesn't know the secret. Overt and over again and still there was nothing to make me want to truly learn what it was. There was not enough movement for me from point A to point B by over half way through the book. Maybe if there were some thrilling scenes where you were kept in suspense I would have been more likely to want to keep reading to see what that secret was.
The writing: it was not horrible but not the best. I found it a bit young (yes, I know it's a young adult book but the narration was definitely not high school level for me, more like middle school).
Overall I just could not force myself to like this one, despite the intriguing blurb.

Bonnie + Clyde + 2 daughters = The Winslow family. There are five principles to live by:
No using your real name.
No staying in one place too long.
If something's weird, take one thing and run to the meeting spot.
Keeping our family together is everything.
Don't ask about the past. For your own safety.
Poppy and her family has been on the run in all her seventeen years. So whatever happened was eighteen years ago. To this point, it's been new locations every few months, new social security numbers and names, new schools and cash-under-the-table jobs. The only constant is family poker night with Poppy, her little sister and parents. She's now restless and begins searching for the truth, starting with a DNA test. Soon her parent's real identities become clear. Unraveling the truth has dire consequences.

The best way to describe This Golden State is a slow burn. It starts off really slow and is dull in the middle. I wanted to stop reading a few times but then a chapter comes along just in time for me to continue reading. It really didn't get interesting until Chapter Thirty-Eight (38). With only 30% left in the book, I finally got to a point where I read nonstop. A little background story upfront would have helped tremendously!

Far as YA thrillers, This Golden State fits the genre perfectly. I just wish it was written in a different style to grab my attention early on. Less mundane details, more suspense building. The romance was a nice surprise along with an open ending. I almost missed out on what became a good read.

Happy Pub Day, Marit Weisenberg! This Golden State is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.

~LiteraryMarie

This book had a very interesting plot! I was so intrigued by the family that keeps their identity a secret. I needed to know what Poppy's parents were hiding! Overall, I enjoyed the mystery of this one, and I liked the way the story played out!

This is probably one of the best YA thrillers I’ve ever read. I know that seems like a big statement but I was so hooked I literally read this book in 3 hours. We follow Poppy, who has lived her entire life on the run with her family. They move from state to state, town to town and her parents refuse to tell her why. When they move to California things seem different, and Poppy decides to go searching for answers. The thing about this book is that there are so few hints about the big “secret” that you’re constantly trying to figure out what’s happening but when it’s finally revealed it actually makes sense. I mean of course we’re suspending our disbelief a little bit but within the parameters of the story, it makes sense. I was on the edge of my seat until the very last page. I can’t recommend this one enough!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions my own!

This is a YA thriller, with a contemporary romance feel. Quite a fun read. Poppy is about to turn 18, and her family has been on the run her whole life. No one can know who they are, or what is in their past, including Poppy. They often change their identities, and Poppy doesn't really know who they are. She is not supposed to build close relationships, or get very close to people, as they cannot destroy all the hard work they've done to keep their lives hidden. When they move to California, Poppy becomes close to a boy, and she wants to build a life of her own. She wants to know what her parents could be hiding. She sneaks taking a DNA test. When she gets the results, everything she's known changes.

This was an entertaining book, I wanted to know what Poppys parents were keeping hidden and would Poppy be able to build the relationship she wanted with this boy. I had guessed what the reveal was, but overall I still really enjoyed this one.

4.5 stars

Poppy knows not to get too close to anyone, it only makes it harder to leave when the time comes—and the time will come. As long as she can remember, Poppy and her family have been on the move—sometimes leaving at the drop of a hat with only enough time to grab their own special item. However, this next move feels different. Set up in a large California home, Poppy's mother is acting strange and there seems to be a sense of familiarity in the air. When given the opportunity to take a summer course at the local high school, Poppy jumps at the chance. She starts to feel like a normal kid and even starts to fall in love.

Poppy knows her parents love her and her little sister—at the end of the day, they only have each other. However, she knows they keep her at a distance. She doesn't even know their real names! The mysteries of her family lead her to spontaneously mail in a DNA test. Who knew this would cause cataclysmic repercussions. As she begins to learn more, the family that she thought she knew feel more like strangers. She must reconcile with what she learns about her parents with the people who really raised her.

This was beautifully written. I have another one of Marit Weisenberg's books on my shelf, but haven't got around to it yet. Clocking in at around 400 pages, this coming-of-age story flows beautifully and never drags. Poppy was such an authentic character—I just loved her. Even though we are spending only the summer with Poppy and her family, the connection between her and Harrison was palpable. I loved how the story slowly unraveled as Poppy learns more about her parents. I was with her every step of the way, on the edge of my seat. The tension was steadily building, I couldn't stop reading. She must make the choice to leave her family and finally live for herself, or never escape the endless cycle of being on the run.

This gripping and compelling story is the perfect combination of hard-hitting contemporary romance with a hint of mystery thriller. I really hopes it gets the audience it deserves.

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

I have not read a YA book that has captured my attention so much in a long time, and I'm no where near a YA (almost 50 years old!). This Golden State involves a family with an almost 18 year old (Poppy) and an 8 year old (Emma), who are hiding from something. The children don't know what they're hiding from, but they do know they cannot use their real names, they won't stay anywhere for very long, and there are strict rules on what you can do and not so, particularly in regards to other people. Poppy has been really good at following the rules, until the family make a quick move to California. What happens in California sets off Poppy's true coming-of-age as an almost hidden figure.
I was not expecting to be so very engaged in this book. I finished it in two settings, only because I finally had to go to bed at 2 am, but finished it by noon the next day. The entire story is captivating. I'm really hoping there's a sequel, because I'm already ready for one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron books for an eARC!

Suspense, truth, and page turning mystery is what readers will find in this story. I was so pulled in I could not put it down. I loved the characters and the feel. The pacing was wonderful and I just loved the mystery surrounding the story at large.

**Thank you to Flatiron Books, the author, and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will release March 1, 2022.**

This was extremely well done. Somehow the author, Marit Weisenberg, managed to write a young adult thriller that also integrates a romance and is focused on what I personally feel is one of the most difficult parts of coming of age: realizing your parents aren’t infallible, and taking your first steps to be your own person. Of course, this is all greatly complicated in Poppy’s case, considering that she, her parents, and her little sister have been on the run for her entire life, and she doesn’t even know their real last name—they’re all she’s ever consistently had. But now they’re in California, Poppy’s parents are slipping up, and all that is about to change.

I really enjoyed the little hints throughout the book that all built towards the reveal, even if I wasn’t able to guess the truth ahead of time. I also, shockingly (to me) loved the romance with Harry, and the ways in which he could relate to Poppy. This might honestly be the first time in a non-romance-oriented book where I thought the romance might even be necessary, or at the very least that I didn’t mind when it took away from the main plot. I also hadn’t yet read anything where DNA was used as a plot device in a similar way to its real-life applications, so that was neat.

I was a little more iffy on things like the pacing—everything flows very smoothly here, and though I did read the book in two days, it reads a little more on the slow side for what I’m used to in a thriller, although that might be because it’s very much character-driven. And that’s great, actually, because I don’t think the book would work as well if we as readers weren’t so deeply connected to Poppy and her desire for a more normal life, even if she can only get it in snatches. However, that did also impact the tension for me a bit; since I didn’t really know what the stakes were, I wasn’t actually as worried about the family’s discovery—perhaps mimicking Poppy’s line of thinking—but as a result, I didn’t quite devour this book as I normally would have.

Overall, though, THIS GOLDEN STATE is fascinating and feels like it takes on an original tack for YA thrillers. Despite being a tad bit surprised by the ending, I think that Weisenberg has crafted an excellent creeping thriller that also encompasses fundamental questions of how much children owe their parents and when to choose yourself, even when it means leaving everything you know behind.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

I started this and ended up staying up WAY past my bedtime to finish it in one sitting. Moved pretty fast for me and was hard to put down.

I adored this book and finding one's place in the world. She has been on the run all of her life . she finds love and a math class. She also finds out more about her family and family tree. Loved the family and even her boyfriend. Great story .

Overall I enjoyed this multi genre YA story. It’s a mystery/thriller with some romance thrown in.

Eighteen-year-old Poppy has never had a stable life. She, along with her parents and 8-year-old sister, have been on the run/under the radar/off the grid her whole life. Why? She has no idea, but she needs to find out.

At its barebones, it is a story about growing up, finding yourself (literally) and coming to terms with your future, which may or may not match other’s expectations. And while yes, it had its unbelievable moments, and I didn’t feel the chemistry from Poppy and Harry (a rich, sometimes bad-boy she meets), I did feel the closeness of this family (sometimes almost to a smothering degree). I felt Poppy’s need for answers and her push/pull with her family dynamics. The ending was a bit of a surprise to me, but it also made sense as well.

So while not perfect, it was a solid, suspenseful, and ultimately hopeful read.

My sincere thanks to #NetGalley and #FlatironBooks for providing me the free early arc of #ThisGoldenState for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

Aren't you just intrigued by that premise? As soon as I read those five principles included in the summary, I knew that this was a book that I wanted to read. And I jumped at the chance to read this one not even realizing that this book was young adult which I don't usually read. Books like this could definitely change that though! I started this one on a Friday night only expecting to read a chapter or two. Before I knew it though, I was almost 35% in. This book was such a page turner (well I was swiping pages since I was reading on my e-reader). From the very beginning, I found myself completely intrigued by the premise. I kept trying to guess what her parents were running from and why. It just made for such a compelling read. I'm going to be honest that the budding romance was an element of the book that I could take or leave. I don't mean that in a bad way - it just wasn't what kept me reading and pulled me into the story. I'm also not the intended audience for this book - and I can guarantee that my daughter would be completely behind the romance that was developing. I'm actually planning on handing my copy of this book off to her because I'm absolutely sure that she would enjoy it. The one that I loved most about this book was that even with all of the unknowns and questions - the love that Poppy's family had for one another was strong and present throughout the pages of this book. It was so nice to see the love that they had for one another. I just really enjoyed this book and definitely plan on reading more by this author in the future.

Readers who enjoy young adult mysteries, suspenseful and page turning reads, or those who just want a plain good read should pick this book up!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher. Honest thoughts are my own.

A life on the run is the only life Poppy has ever known. The unknowns swirl around as her family moves from place to place, constantly uprooting their lives. Who are her parents? Why are they on the run? Who are they running from?

𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘 explores familial bonds and the desire to live a life of freedom in a fresh way. Poppy’s inner turmoil and desire to carve out a life for herself was thought-provoking.

I don't typically gravitate towards YA novels because of the teenage angst and insta-love—BUT, this book really worked for me. Poppy’s angst and urgency was plausible and incredibly valid. @maritweisenberg has created fully-developed characters with nuance and intention that non-YA readers will appreciate.

I can’t help but compare this novel to Cheryl Diamond’s memoir, 𝙉𝙤𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡 which I also enjoyed. These reads would make for an excellent fiction/nonfiction pairing; the similarities are striking!

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 4/5 ⭐️
𝗣𝗨𝗕 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: March 1, 2022

A big thank you to @netgalley and @flatiron_books for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.