AUTHOR: Dawn Ius
PUBLISHER: Simon Pulse
PUBLISHING DATE: April 10, 2018
FROM GOODREADS: Seventeen-year-old Lizzie Borden has never been kissed. Polite but painfully shy, Lizzie prefers to stay in the kitchen, where she can dream of becoming a chef and escape her reality. With tyrannical parents who force her to work at the family’s B&B and her blackout episodes—a medical condition that has plagued her since her first menstrual cycle—Lizzie longs for a life of freedom, the time and space to just figure out who she is and what she wants.
Enter the effervescent, unpredictable Bridget Sullivan. Bridget has joined the B&B’s staff as the new maid, and Lizzie is instantly drawn to her artistic style and free spirit—even her Star Wars obsession is kind of cute. The two of them forge bonds that quickly turn into something that’s maybe more than friendship.
But when her parents try to restrain Lizzie from living the life she wants, it sparks something in her that she can’t quite figure out. Her blackout episodes start getting worse, her instincts less and less reliable. Lizzie is angry, certainly, but she also feels like she’s going mad…''
MY THOUGHTS: Anyone who has followed my blog for any length of time knows I have a small obsession with Lizzie Borden. So when I saw a new YA book coming out about her, I knew I'd have to grab it. A lot of us already know the tale of Lizzie and this one is basically the same. However, it's an updated version and Ius added some modern flair. For example, Lizzie wants nothing more desperately to be the next Emeril Lagasse and is always cooking and creating new dishes for her father and step-father's bed and breakfast. Also, while the relationship with her sister Em is explored, it isn't as much in the forefront as some of the other retellings I've read.
It's no real secret that many believe Lizzie went on in her life to have relationships with other women. And I know a lot of people were excited to see Ius openly explore Lizzie this. However, there is a twist involved and to be honest, I saw it coming early on in the book which was kind of a letdown. Also, considering we know Lizzie's parents end up dead (if I spoiled this, I'm sorry but I figure everyone who wants to read this book knows the song and the tale), it takes FOREVER for this to happen. Then once it does, it all resolves itself in the next 3 chapters.
Lizzie Borden clearly suffered from abuse and mental health issues. I don't doubt for a minute that she killed her parents but I think were it to occur now, she would be found not guilty by reason of insanity. Ius follows a lot of the actual facts of the incident, while also adding her own spin which makes it an entertaining read for a new generation.
RATING: 3 Paws
