Don't Understand the Hype

 

TITLE: The Cousins

AUTHOR: Karen M. McManus

PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press

PUBLISING DATE: December 1, 2020

PAGES: 337

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: 

Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story are cousins, but they barely know each another, and they've never even met their grandmother. Rich and reclusive, she disinherited their parents before they were born. So when they each receive a letter inviting them to work at her island resort for the summer, they're surprised... and curious. 

Their parents are all clear on one point—not going is not an option. This could be the opportunity to get back into Grandmother's good graces. But when the cousins arrive on the island, it's immediately clear that she has different plans for them. And the longer they stay, the more they realize how mysterious—and dark—their family's past is. 

The entire Story family has secrets. Whatever pulled them apart years ago isn't over—and this summer, the cousins will learn everything.

MY THOUGHTS: I was really excited to finally get my hands on this book as it seemed to be quite popular at my local library. I've heard people rave about the author and finally wanted to give one of her books a go.  While I didn't exactly hate this book, I just don't understand all the hype.

Milly, Aubrey and Jonah are summoned by their estranged Grandmother to spend the summer at an exclusive island getaway working at her prestigious resort.  Many years ago Grandmother ceased all contact with her children and no one has spoken to her for years.  Her final contact included a letter simply stating "You know what you did."  The parents encourage (force) their children to go seeing it as a chance to get back in their mother's good graces and reclaim what they feel is their rightful inheritance.  However, when the teens arrive, the more time they spend there the stranger things seem to be.  Grandmother doesn't really want to have anything to do with them and they find themselves trying to unravel what happened so many years ago.

I know this is going to sound strange but the majority of the time I was reading this book I couldn't shake the feeling that this was a mystery without a mystery.  If I can clarify, and don't hold out hope, I knew there was a mystery present but just wasn't sure what it was.  There were a few surprise twists that I didn't see coming which is probably what actually raised my overall rating a bit.  Most of the action and reveals come in the last 20% and by then, I just wanted to book to be over.  I didn't mind Milly, Aubrey and Jonah as characters but as far as entitled, spoiled teenagers go, they didn't really stand out from others I've read.

If you love this author then I'm sure you'll want to grab The Cousins.  And I'm sure a lot of people will enjoy this book because I've seen tons of good reviews/hype. I just found it kind of middle of the line though.

RATING: 3 Paws