Terri's Review: Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski

We weren't always like this. We used to be average New York City high school sophomores. Until our homeroom went for flu shots. We were prepared for some side effects. Maybe a headache. Maybe a sore arm. We definitely didn't expect to get telepathic powers. But suddenly we could hear what everyone was thinking. Our friends. Our parents. Our crushes. Now we all know that Tess is in love with her best friend, Teddy. That Mackenzie cheated on Cooper. That, um, Nurse Carmichael used to be a stripper.

Since we've kept our freakish skill a secret, we can sit next to the class brainiac and ace our tests. We can dump our boyfriends right before they dump us. We know what our friends really think of our jeans, our breath, our new bangs. We always know what's coming. Some of us will thrive. Some of us will crack. None of us will ever be the same.
So stop obsessing about your ex. We're always listening.

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: March 11th 2014 by Random House Children's Books

 

Terri's Thoughts:

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  The expected release date is March 11 2014.

I will start by saying that this is a YA novel and I am definitely past the YA age however I still enjoy books within this genre.  The premise of this story was interesting exploring what would happen if a bunch of high school students suddenly had the ability to read everyone's minds.

Thinking back to my days in high school I found that this book was very realistic in what would have occurred if it were to happen in real life.  To be given such a "gift" when you are at such a socially vulnerable stage in your life.  The thoughts and reactions of the students seemed to stay true to the priorities and  interests that are on the forefront at that age.  The inability to keep secrets and the fallout also rang true.  It made me think about what would have been like if it happened in my school.  I imagine the outcome would have been very similar.

Random thought - There was mention in the story of strange Canadian words.  One of these words was washroom.  As a Canadian I use this word all the time and didn't think it was strange.  I am assuming this is not a word used commonly elsewhere?  I never knew....it made me laugh.  I digress...

Overall this was an interesting read with an interesting ending (no spoilers here!).  There were characters I enjoyed more than others (Olivia & Cooper) and I wonder if the story of this group of students will carry on in future installments?  I guess I will have to keep watching to see!

 

 

About the Author

 

Sarah is the author of BRAS & BROOMSTICKS, FROGS & FRENCH KISSES, SPELLS & SLEEPING BAGS and PARTIES & POTIONS—all in the YA ‘Magic in Manhattan’ series, as well as GIMME A CALL and the upcoming TEN THINGS WE DID (AND PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE). Along with Lauren Myracle and E. Lockhart, she also wrote HOW TO BE BAD.

Sarah’s five novels for adults, MILKRUN, FISHBOWL, AS SEEN ON TV, MONKEY BUSINESS and ME VS. ME, were published by Red Dress Ink. She also co-wrote a guide to writing chick lit (SEE JANE WRITE), co-edited two bestselling charity collections (GIRLS' NIGHT IN and GIRLS' NIGHT OUT), and contributed to various anthologies (AMERICAN GIRLS ABOUT TOWN, SIXTEEN: STORIES ABOUT THAT SWEET AND BITTER BIRTHDAY, 21 PROMS, FIRST KISS (THEN TELL), FIREWORKS and VACATIONS FROM HELL).

Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-one languages. Originally from Montreal, she now lives and writes in New York City.


Website:  http://www.sarahm.com