Thursday, March 8, 2018

Never Missing, Never Found by Amanda Panitch-- Best Setting Ever.

Never Missing, Never Found

Scarlett was one of the lucky ones.  She was kidnapped as a child but returned to her family years later.  Now, she's happy to have a fresh start with a new job and maybe even actual friends??

Right away though, things don't go as planned.  On her first day, a girl goes missing-- which brings back all her unwanted memories.  Then, a girl shows up saying things that trigger all of Scarlett's warning bells.  Why does this girl know sayings and phrases from her time in captivity??  And why does this girl seem to always be at the center of everything bad that happens to her??













Hooked from page 1.  The setting, the writing, the secrets & twists!!!  It was everything I wanted and more.

First off, I think I'm in love with amusement park settings for YA books.  Lauren Oliver's Vanishing Girls also featured a character that worked at an amusement park, and I loved it there.  This book has not only a girl working in the amusement park, but it has the girl working in an amusement park based on a comic book w/ badass female hero/villain stars.  Everything about Five Banners made this book better.

Also, there was Connor.  He's the guy Scarlett meets on her first day, and he's the type of YA boy I love to see.  He's funny and charismatic without trying to be.  He wants to do the right thing, but obviously, there are obstacles and forks in the road.  Who I didn't like?? Cady.  UGH.  She's Connors sort-of ex-girlfriend, and I'm pretty sure she was a stock character out of the WORST GIRL EVER handbook.  She knew the girl that was missing from the park-- which okay, I feel for you--but she seemed to like the drama and attention of it all.  Getting attention because your friend is kidnapped and maybe dead is gross.

The heartbreaking sister relationship in this book made me all kinds of sad/mad.  Scarlett was gone for years and years and instead of her sister being protectful of her, or just like thankful to have a sister again, she was SO MEAN to her.  It was enraging for me.  It was a good part of the book though, and I'm honestly thankful that Ms. Panitch gave me such conflicting feelings.  It was entertaining.

Now, the ending.  It was twisty as hell, but it didn't really surprise me.  I feel like it's been done before (maybe a few too many times), and it's something that you kind of have to suspend disbelief to actually believe.

OVERALL: YES!!  After liking Damage Done okay, I wasn't sure what to expect from this book.  It was so much better than that!!  I was hooked on the amusement park setting, the not very nice sister relationship, and the mystery of it all.  It was twisty and dark at times, but also sweet and adorable at others.  I so recommend!!

Date Published: 6/28/2016
How I got this book: YAY Library!!
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers



Add it to your To-Read List!!


My Rating: 5/5








Character: Scarlett Contreras
Book: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

  • I was going to go with Vanishing Girls because it's got the sisters, and the amusement park, and the boy, but I think that what Scarlett needs to read about are family and safety.




13 comments:

  1. Oh this sounds so freaking amazing. I love amusement park settings too. Well I love any unique setting. I have this on my tbr but it kind of got lost. Now I must go and find it so I can read it

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    1. Yes!! It's so good. The setting MADE this book, so if you like that type of setting, you'll like this :)

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  2. Oooh, yes to all these things. The setting sounds awesome, and I love a good book boyfriend. Great review! (and now I am thinking about Vanishing Girls, which I 5-starred)

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    1. YAY to VANISHING GIRLS!! I really liked that one too!! Lauren Oliver is my jam though.

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  3. Never Missing, Never Found is a pretty good book. I remember that twist!!

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    1. Haha, the twist kind of confused me because it's like do you not know what people look like?? But leaving that aside, it was entertaining!!

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  4. This sounds pretty good!! I’m glad you enjoyed this one. 😊😊

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    1. It was definitely one of the good YA Mysteries!! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  5. I read her first book and not sure how I didn't know about this one. Love the idea of the amusement park setting!
    Jen Ryland Reviews

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    1. It was awesome!! I made me want to go back in time and work at one!

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  6. Sounds like an interesting book. I'll have to give it a look-see next time I'm seeking out new books to add to my shelf. ;) Thanks for the review, Michelle!

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