Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout Review + Giveaway

Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Publisher: Disney Hyperion; 384 pages

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend.

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

This review is going to be vague because I do not want to spoil anything. This book is not one where you can go in to it knowing something ahead of time because it may ruin your reaction for the end. Yes, it's one of those books. You will doubt yourself throughout the whole thing. You will think you have it figured out and then something happens, you question your suspicions so then you start thinking about someone else but then something happens where you go back to original suspect and this happens more times than I could've counted. I can guess you will have the same main suspect as myself and my friend did (we decided to read this book together). I will not tell you if you are right or not. One thing that is true is his nickname totally fits.

Another thing I will warn you about . . . I cried like there was no tomorrow. I was not expecting the waterworks to be turned on like they were during this book but let me tell you, what the main character goes through, it breaks something inside of you. All of this, the whole book, the whole story, it feels so real and you just break for her. You break because of her. I have never had this with any book. I will admit, I've cried while reading books but it's usually when a main character gets killed or there are two characters saying goodbye to each other because they may never see each other again. But that's it. I cry for a few minutes and go on my merry way. I had a headache after reading this book because of the amount of crying that came with it. I wouldn't trade the headache for anything but that just shows you how fabulous of a writer Jen is. She's able to reel you, get your emotions all of the place and make you feel like you're a part of this mystery.

I cannot stress to you how much I loved this book. I was afraid of it because it's a standalone and I don't do well with those because I have attachment issues and I can't let go of characters. I'm not ashamed to admit I'm clinging to these fictional characters. While I am sad that there will be no more with some of these characters, I'm satisfied, you know? I'm not feeling like I need more (don't get me wrong, I'd totally take more).

A HUGE thank you to Disney Hyperion for sending me a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review!

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