Monday, January 2

Unraveling Isobel by Eileen Cook

Unraveling Isobel by Eileen Cook
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: Young Adult Pages: 304


Summary: Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother.
But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

My Thoughts: I loved this book so much! We are introduced to Isobel who has just moved to a new home with her mother! Her mother just got remarried, and now Iosbel has a new stepfather named Richard aka Dick and a new step brother named Nathaniel. Problem is, she really dislikes her stepfather, and moving of course, and to top it off her brother is a babe!  She doesn't know this boy very well but she thinks he's gorgeous! Richards' former wife and daughter died a while ago so Iosbel and her mother fit in perfectly to take their roles.

Isobel starts a new school and starts to befriend the cheerleader. She is the complete opposite of Isobel. Isobel is the kind of girl who is more gothy than anything else.

Iosbel's dad has Schizophrenia and when Isobel starts seeing ghosts, she starts to get worried. She wonders if she's really seeing ghosts or if she's sick like her father.

Iosbel is her own person, she sticks up for herself, she loves art. She is one of a kind.

This book was magically wonderful. I loved it, every word of it and I read it in one sitting. I loved the chemistry between her and her stepbrother. Yes, this is kind of wrong here, but it's also kind of funny and a little bit romantic (smack me now.) Of course, Isobel also has some competition. The leader of the cheerleaders also wants to dig her hooks into Nate.

Iosbel starts to do some research on the family home, and discovers a lot of stories about it. There are ghost stories, there are stories with no endings. Are these rumors or did this stuff really happen at some point? She meets some great characters throughout the novel too, including her librarian friend.

I loved the ghost aspect and I was on edge my seat all the way through. I loved how this story went. I loved the conclusion. It was perfect. By the end of the book, I was all smiley and happy. The step siblings thing was pretty awesome too. I knew from the first page, I would be laughing at Isobel's reaction to the hotness of Nate, especially when she sees him in his boxers!

This is a great wonderful suspenseful story with a tad bit of romance sparkled in. It is just what I was in the mood for.

Overall: I loved it! Wonderful story with a wonderful setting. It was a little paranormal but mostly contemporary. I loved Iosbel and Nate. I loved how easy they got a long once they got past the whole hating each other thing.

Cover: Love it! Since she's an artist and she's drawing, it fits perfectly! I also like how the colors go together and it is an overall awesome cover!

What I'd Give It:  

15 comments:

Alexa said...

Wow I didn't expect this one to be so awesome. Considering I just read Forbidden, where a brother and sister fall in love, I doubt this step brother and sister thing would bother me.

Thanks for the great review I'm going to have to add this one to my wish list :)

Anonymous said...

I'm sooo glad you liked this one! I've been wanting to read it for such a long time! I might get a little weirded out by the step brother/sister falling in love but I'm sure I'll get over it!

Unknown said...

I absolutely loved this one as well! It was one I received out of the blue and although I wasn't too sure about it when I got it, I am so glad I read it! I think the step brother/sister thing was fine. It actually didn't bother me in this book.

Jaskirat@SeeitORreadit said...

I've heard so much about this one and it is totally on my TBR list! I can't wait to read it :) Love the purple cover and the romance and ghost aspects sound so unique! Thanks for the fabulous review :)

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed Unraveling Isobel a lot! The step-bro/sister aspect kind of..bugged me. I loved Forbidden a lot, so it's not that..I think it was just the way it was done. But I really enjoyed the book once I start ignoring that.

Amanda @ Letters Inside Out

BookBreather said...

I want to read this one so badly. I have heard it's creepy and it just sounds super fabulous. And don't worry, the relationsip between Isobel and her step-brother is what originally drew me to the book. Great review! Niw I just want to read the book even more. :)

Unknown said...

I've been wondering about this one. I'll have to check it out!

Michelle @ Book Briefs said...

Im so glad that you liked this book so much! I have not read too many YA ghost books that have been really good. I will have to give this one a look.

Great review!

Vivien said...

Awesome! I'm really intrigued by this book. It's definitely going on my wishlist!

Tiff @ Mostly YA Lit said...

I stopped on this review because of the gorgeous cover - it totally got me. The actual book sounds a little weird, but I'm intrigued. Definitely willing to give it a try. Really appreciate your review!

Sophia said...

Yay! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed this book. I've had my eye on it for awhile. The incest-y part of it is a little strange, but I don't think I'll mind too much.

ansindt said...

Love the cover! I will add it to my to-read list as well=)

Maji Bookshelf said...

i love love love it when our protagonists move to a new school, its like a whole new fresh start that begins as soon as we start reading! i love the cover of this book and I'm adding it to my TBR pile right now!

glad you loved it!

- juhina

Unknown said...

This one looks so good. I cannot wait to get my hands on it :] Thanks for sharing.

Sandra Stiles said...

I've had this on my TBR list for a while. I need to get around to reading it.

 

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