With Malice

Another thriller clearly influenced by the Amanda Knox trial. It was short and easy to read, which is exactly what I need right now as I'm unwell and struggling with anything that requires any concentration or focus. So I was glad to be able to read this, but I can't shower it with praises. Full of petty teenage drama, some irritating stereotypes (particularly of Italians), that too frequent amnesia trope, and a laughable reveal at the end. Just because it's what I needed doesn't mean I loved this or will remember it all.

Not as good as Dangerous Girls, which is one of my favorite YA thrillers that covers similar ground, but still pretty good! It kept me turning the pages and played with reader sympathies. 3.5 Italy tourism facts out of 5.

I am having a hard time deciding how I feel about this book and the way it ended. I was definitely not expecting it to end the way it did and honestly after getting to know the characters all throughout the book the way it ended just doesn't really fit, it doesn't make since that I would end the way it did. Jills dad drove me crazy. I couldn't stand his character to it came across as he didn't want to be there and that he didn't really think she was innocent. Yes he was the one that got her the lawyer but it just felt like he did all that just to be going through the motions because it was expected of him as her father. I wish Jill would have said something to her dad because the way he talked to her and treated her is not how a parent is supposed to treat their kid in my opinion. I loved the friendship between Jill and her roommate Anna at the rehab facility. They just seemed to click immediately and it felt right. As a reader Anna always came across as trustworthy. I wish there would have been more of that friendship in the book. I do have to say that I really enjoyed reading this book and I would definitely recommend you read it if you haven't already.