Blog Tour- See Jane Run by Hannah Jayne
Review by Lauren
copy from publisher, via netgalley, but all opinions are still my own
Official Summary: I know who you are.
When Riley first gets the postcard tucked into her bag, she thinks it’s a joke. Then she finds a birth certificate for a girl named Jane Elizabeth O’Leary hidden inside her baby book.
Riley’s parents have always been pretty overprotective. What if it wasn’t for her safety…but fear of her finding out their secret? What have they been hiding? The more Riley digs for answers, the more questions she has.
The only way to know the truth? Find out what happened to Jane O’Leary.
Review: See Jane Run was definitely an interesting mystery and it kept me reading until the end. I just had to know what was going on. I liked that there were a mix of surprises, so even if you were to figure something out, there should be at least a surprise or two in store!
When Riley and her best friend, Shelby, accidently come across a birth certificate for another girl in Riley’s baby book, they instantly assume that there are secrets. Shelby jokes about Riley being kidnapped, but as she keeps on insisting that it could be true, Riley’s anxiety grows until she starts to believe that maybe Shelby is right.
While I did enjoy Riley and the fact that her character is proactive, working through her anxiety and panic attacks to find answers, she could be a bit frustrating at times. There were moments where Riley really should have talked to her parents. The fact that she’s worried about their lies gives her an out for asking too many questions. However, when Riley begins to suspect she’s being followed and someone has been in her house, then this is obviously a moment most people would go to the police or find another trusted adult to talk with. Granted, she does confide in her friend Shelby somewhat, and a lot more in this guy from school, J.D., but nobody thinks to get Riley outside help.
All of this leads to some scary moments for Riley, where again, I appreciated her courage and her ability to try and think of ways to save herself, but sometimes she just didn’t use enough common sense. Regardless, you can assume that Riley’s anxiety and the pile-up of secrets and lies she uncovers is reason enough for her to keep some things to herself. I definitely wasn’t sure what the truth was for awhile, so I understood Riley’s hesitation to a point.
Regardless, I think the characters are interesting throughout and I loved that I found myself questioning almost all of them as to their motives. There is a bit of a blooming romance, but it never overtakes the mystery and suspense of the story, which I appreciated. This is my first book by Hannah Jayne but I am curious to read more from her in the future. Sometimes you just have to suspend disbelief and let yourself be taken on a thrilling ride!
This sounds like it is just up my street although I'll bear in mind what you say about suspending belief. If I can stay in the zone I'm ok but once I start questioning things I sometimes disconnect with the story… Great review, thank you!
Sounds like a great story! Have a terrific weekend.
I always struggle with heroines who make frustrating decisions. I tend to steer clear of them, but I've seen several reviews of this and they've all intrigued me.
This sounds interesting, although it seems like panic attacks are rarely done well in stories.
I have issues with characters who frustrate me, but I'm always up for a interesting mystery 🙂 I'm glad you enjoyed the story. Great review!
Janina @ Synchronized Reading
When I find characters frustrating, I know they're well written. This sounds good!
I love that the mystery and suspense was the primary focus and that the romance etc where side threads. Despite some frustration this does sound interesting. Lovely review!
Sounds like an interesting premise, even if Riley could be a bit frustrating at times! Surprised that no one thought to go to the police or one of the other parents, but teenagers can hornery sometimes. Great review!
I love thrillers! They are my go to when I need a book pick me up. I will definitely check this one out. 😉
This looks like an interesting one!!
xx
Riley sounds like a fantastic character, despite how frustrating she came across at times. I hate when characters refuse to seek help from others who obviously will be able to help them, and unless there's another reason why, I'm always baffled (like how Pretty Little Liars is set up sometimes). But I'm glad that overall you enjoyed this one and what it offered <3 I want to try to read a few more mystery books come 2013, so I'm going to have to see about this one 🙂
I liked Jayne's book Truly, Madly, Deadly, and wish I could've taken this for review. I really like how she writes mystery and suspense.
I'm glad you liked See Jane Run!
This really does sound like an interesting story. I'll have to check it out. Great review.
I remember seeing this book quite awhile ago and I'm glad you enjoyed it overall! I should check it out soon!
Ohh I hadnt heard of this book before! This sounds great though I'll have to add this to my tbr pile (: great review hun!