The Cousins Paperback – November 8, 2022

The premise of this book sounded interesting to me - 3 cousins who don’t really know each other are offered jobs at their grandmother’s New England resort. The same grandmother who disinherited their parents. The same parents who did something (they don’t remember doing) to be disinherited and don’t give the cousins an option to NOT work at the resort. Secrets are exposed; identities are questioned; murderers are revealed; and the cousins risk everything for the sake of a family fortune.But they soon realize that fortune - and family, for that matter - aren’t anything they promise to be.This book is identified as a “young adult” novel but I didn’t know that until AFTER I ordered it. So I read it, cautiously, thinking I’m either going to enjoy it or I’ll end up feeling like the creepy uncle peering into young peoples’ lives. Good news: I enjoyed it! Quite a bit, actually. And except for the ages of the three cousins, this book did not read like a YA novel. The other characters’ ages probably rang from 40-80 so there’s something for everyone.I liked this book so much I ordered two more from this author. Knowing they’re also YA novels, here’s hoping I enjoy them as much as “The Cousins” and the “creepy uncle” feeling doesn’t come up lol.

Family can be terrifying and McManus proves this in her latest release, COUSINS. This book was a pure JOY to read. Not only because I was shocked at the twist and turn of events towards the end but because I was able to DEVOUR this book at warp speed. You guys, I have had the HARDEST time when it comes to being able to read a book in a day (I used to be able to, but the past few months has changed this). With this one, it was NO TROUBLE AT ALL. That’s how good it is; the novel is intriguing, mysterious, and downright FRIGHTENING when it comes to what is actually happening. AH! I loved it. If you’re a fan of young adult mysteries (yes, this book is more of a mystery instead of thriller like her other books), then this is the book for you! Sometimes readers can be turned off by the age of the characters but trust me, you really don’t notice that these kids are teens in this one. You’re so sucked into a story of secrets, shame, and lies that you forget how old they are!Alright, so now we’re getting into my specific likes and dislikes for the novel (this is a fairly new thing I’m doing so I hope it helps potential readers who want something a bit more specific in reviews they read). You can read them below. I’ll keep spoilers out of it as no one wants to know a plot twist before they read a mystery like this one!𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞📝 Despite the beachy setting, this book has some dark undertones. Normally a setting can set the tone for a story but with this one that’s not the case. What seems like an idyllic location to spend the summer is actually a mask for the crazy things that go down in the story. It’s as if the scenery itself is HIDING all the lies behind it. I loved this so much! I don’t always need to read about a gothic setting when it comes to dark family secrets and issues (although that type of setting always works and sets the tone) and that’s proven here.📝 The way the story is presented through 3 POV’s works so well for this story. Usually, I prefer the POV’s stay at 2 because I get confused when too many characters are talking to me (LOL) but I think Jonah, Milly, and Aubrie’s POV was NEEDED to bring this one full circle.📝 The twist at the end was EPIC. I love an EPIC TWIST especially when I don’t figure it out before it happens and that’s what we get here. I was SHOOK. It’s also what freaked me out to be honest because I didn’t see it coming and I could only IMAGINE that being real life **shudders*📝 The book is compulsively readable. It’s so intriguing and you WANT to know the answers so bad that you continue reading despite the time. I love a book that can take over and this one did that! When my son gets a little older, I’m going to have him read these books because I KNOW he’ll find them to be awesome!𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞📝 We know that there is something seriously wrong within the Story family (you can literally FEEL it though her writing) but things don’t really present themselves until the end. AS I’ve mentioned in other reviews, I am not a big fan of slow-moving mysteries or suspense and that’s what this book is. I did enjoy how the story unfolded but it was a tad slow getting there.📝 The kids parents were all morons. I hate seeing the parents of children act so childish and horrible and you see a lot of that in this book. A LOT.𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗧 𝗨𝗣In McManus’s latest release, readers are going to uncover that not all families are perfect. The Cousins is one heck of a young adult thriller and reading it in one sitting won’t be difficult at all. If you’re like me then you won’t be able to stop! It’s compulsively readable, engaging, mysterious, and TWISTED. I very much recommend it!𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Let me sum up this book in one word: fun!Yes it was a "thriller" in a very loose definition if you know what I mean. But if I had to equate how much I liked this book to how thrilling it was, it would get some flack. Instead of being as thrilling or demented as I expected, it was pretty tame.And though the mystery was interesting to say the least, it wasn't that grand in the story. The book was character driven and I really enjoyed that.I mean sure, not everyone will like a book just because it's fun but it's worth the try.Sidenote: I almost flung the book when two of the main character (cousins!!!!!) started showing attraction and had heavy romantic tension. 🙅🏿‍♀️ but it is nicely explained away, so no book flinging necessary.

I am a big Karen Mcmanus fan and I’ve read all her books. This one is by far her worst. It felt like it was written in a month and not read over by an editor: there are large plot holes that could have easily been fixed by adding a couple paragraphs throughout the book. I know that she must have put a lot of work into, it just didn’t feel like it when it came to the ending. I usually love the way she writes endings but this one was unrealistic and unsatisfying to say the least. The beginning was very engaging which is why I am still giving it 3 stars instead of 1. The setting was cool and the change in style from some of her other books was refreshing.TLDR: only read this if you are a big fan and have read all of her other books first, otherwise read any of her other books instead (All the rest are great!)