Book Review: The Detour by S.A. Bodeen

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The Detour
Author: S.A. Bodeen
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Mystery
Released: October 6th 2015
Review Source: Feiwel & Friends | ReadingTeen

  

On her way to a writer’s conference, a bestselling teenage author takes a detour that has been deliberately set up by her biggest fans—a mother and daughter who kidnap her.

Livvy Flynn is a big deal—she’s a New York Times-bestselling author whose YA fiction has sold all over the world. She’s rich, she’s famous, she’s gorgeous, and she’s full of herself.

When she’s invited to an A-list writer’s conference, she decides to accept so she can have some time to herself. She’s on a tight deadline for her next book, and she has no intention of socializing with the other industry people at the conference.

And then she hits the detour. Before she knows it, her brand new car is wrecked, she’s hurt, and she’s tied to a bed in a nondescript shack in the middle of nowhere. A woman and her apparently manic daughter have kidnapped her. And they have no intention of letting her go.

The Detour is about a Young Adult author who happens to think she is better than everyone. As a young and successful lady, Livvy is a very stuck up character. She is the perfect character to dislike. On her way to a writer’s conference, Livvy gets into a car accident and is injured. She sees a creepy and weird girl on the road and little does she knows this girl will make her life miserable.

So let’s talk about Livvy. This story goes back and forth between her present and past. It tells us how Livvy became successful and what her YA book is about. If you pay attention to the details, then you will figure out the outcome from the very first flashback. Now, although the story was predictable, it was engaging. However, my issue with this story is how short it is. All you read is how annoying Livvy is. I mean this girl thinks the world revolves around her! Sure, she is successful at a young age. But come on, at least be grateful. I honestly believed I would get to read more of her being sorry and redeemed herself, however we get very little of this.

The Detour is short, a very quick read, which is good. Although I’d wished it would’ve been a bit longer to provide us more of the “good” Livvy. The story does contain a mystery, but if you pay attention to the details, then you know what will happen.

Overall, I liked The Detour. I hated Livvy, seriously, I wanted to slap her so many times! Which is great because that is the purpose of the story. To hate the character only to like her at the end. Although, I somewhat kind of liked her. It has a creepy vibe, perfect for Fall!

Thank you, Andye for the copy!