Review: Made For You

Made For You by Melissa Marr

Publication Date: 09/16/2014
Publisher: Harper Collins
Imprint: Harper
Genre: YA Paranormal Suspense
Pages: 368
ISBN-10: 0062911197
ISBN-13: 978-0062011190

(Received for an honest review from Harper)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound

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Excerpt from, Made For You, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

Thrilling contemporary romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr. Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital to discover an attempt has been made on her life. But who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why? Before she can consider the question, she finds that she's awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people's deaths when they touch her. While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva's power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive this southern Gothic, racy thriller—a story of small-town oppression and salvation. Melissa's fans and every YA reader will find its wild ride enthralling.

Thoughts:

Melissa Marr returns to her YA roots with her latest book, Made For You. This book is at it's core a great mystery, while also incorporating paranormal elements, romance and some serious suspense. If you are looking for a book that will not only make you smile, but also make bite your nails, have goosebumps and stay up way too late, this is it! Marr's excellent character development and eerie villain make this a YA must read!

What I liked:

Melissa Marr is very well known in YA paranormal circles for her highly successful Wicked Lovely series. When I heard she was writing a new YA novel I was really excited. This is an author who knows how to write paranormal elements. What I wasn't expecting was that this book would have that, but so much more. This book is mysterious and creepy and will the reader sitting on the edge of their seat. To say it is spine-tingling is probably an understatement. The villain alone will give you the heebie-geebies in the worst way. 

With alternating points of view, the reader not only gets to learn more about the heroine and the hero, but also the inner workings of the mind of a very disturbed villain. I mean if this guy doesn't give you the creeps there is something wrong. I am not usually a fan of books where the villain has 'religious' reasons for his actions, but I do realize that, that is sometimes the case and in this book, it really works. Marr has created a serial killer that could be the student you are sitting next to in class and that's what makes it so terrifying. He is just a normal guy on the outside, it's the inside that is disturbing and readers get to see a lot of the story through his very demented eyes. *shiver*

The heroine, Eva is totally not what I expected. She was billed as a debutante, one of the elite from a small southern town, where tradition and popularity mean everything. What would you expect? Snotty, little rich girl? Me too! So, not the case with Eva. She might be town royalty, but she is very down to earth and doesn't seem to care at all what a person's standing is. She is sassy and smart and she's got a very sick stalker. What I loved about her the most was the fact that once she learns she has a paranormal gift, she doesn't shy away from it. She uses it to fight back against this sadistic killer. Touching people allows Eva to experience and foresee the day of their death. A pretty handy ability with a killer on the loose. Marr has given readers a wonderful young woman, who has been through a lot and comes somehow finds a way to come out on top.

Nate is an old friend, ex-boyfriend to be exact, that has had some very bad decisions, turning to alcohol, drugs and girls to fill the voids in his life. But eventually he gets it under control and turns his life around. Now that he and Eva have reconnected after her accident, it looks like they might have a second chance at love. The added romantic edge to this book was the perfect way to alleviate some of the darkness that pervades the book. Marr shows us a boy that figures out what he really wants is something he left behind and now he has to figure out how to get it back. Just an all around great character.

Grace is Eva's best friend and a true friend indeed. One of the great things about this book was that deep bond that Eva and Grace share. There were a lot of themes going on in this book, and strong friendship was one of them. Marr allows the reader to be a part of it and it's very endearing. It was a part of the book that made me wish I had that soul mate kind of friendship. When an author can make you want something from reading their book, they are someone to take note of.

What I didn't like:

The pace of this book was not frantic. I think Marr took the time to really develop her characters and relationships and sometimes that's good. But it does make you wonder when things are going to pick. When they do get going... Wow!

Bottom Line:

Another excellent book from Melissa Marr. I think readers who are looking for something a little more meaningful than most YA paranormal books will really enjoy this one. You not only get the paranormal elements with Eva's ability, but you get romance, mystery, suspense and the creeps!

Made for You is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Melissa Marr is the author of the bestselling Wicked Lovely series as well as the adult fantasy novels Graveminder and The Arrivals. When not writing, editing, or traveling, Melissa is buried under a plethora of books, dogs, and children in Virginia or online at www.melissa-marr.com.