Confessions, by Heather Lucinda

BOOK REVIEW 
[no spoilers]
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Confessions, by Heather Lucinda
★ ★ ★ Worth reading!
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I love supporting self-published authors, but I especially love supporting self-published authors that write thrillers and suspense! This one had me flying through the pages.
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Confessions, by Heather Lucinda, is similar to the stories that Lisa Jewell and B. A. Paris write. There’s an extremely twisted villain, some very brave women, and a what-is-going-to-happen! sense of urgency. 
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Theo, Bradley, and Stevie are the three typical best friends finding their way through the murky waters of high school. From the outside, their group gets along with everyone, they’re fun and friendly. Ben, a shy kid with a book and a sense of loyalty to his friends rounds out the dynamic of the group. But things are rarely as they appear from the outside. One of the girls is in danger and her friends are about to prove just how far they’ll go to protect each other. 
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This novel shifts back and forth between the past and present, which cultivates suspense as the reader and the characters are simultaneously building up to a truth that hasn’t been revealed since they were teenagers. Fifteen years ago, one night changed everything, and none of them have been able to shake those events. Now, after all these years, the past is threatening to drag them all down. Secrets have a way of always revealing themselves.
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I loved the complex dynamic between three young girls. Their fierce loyalty and support for one another pushes against self-preservation and made me want to know all of them. They drifted apart in ways that they never could've predicted as young adults and their complicated relationship, which was burdened with a secret was layered and believable.
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My favorite character was Ben, who was protective and loyal despite everything. My favorite quote: “Real monsters, they trick you with love and take your hand gently while guiding you into the darkness, and you will go willingly because you will trust them.” 
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A note on the formatting, I wish the chapters were labeled with character names, just so the perspective was clear right away, but otherwise, well formatted and intriguing cover. 
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This story has some very dark elements and the following trigger warnings should be considered: heavy drug and alcohol abuse and sexual abuse.
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Click here to purchase Confessions, by Heather Lucinda.