Title: BustedAuthor: Gina Ciocca
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: January 2, 2018
Rating:
Catching cheaters and liars is a lucrative hobby—until you fall for one of the suspects. Perfect for fans of Veronica Mars, this new novel from the author of Last Year's Mistake will steal your heart!
Marisa never planned to be a snoop for hire. It wasn't like she wanted to catch her best friend's boyfriend making out with another girl. But as her reputation for sniffing out cheaters spreads all over school, Marisa finds herself the reluctant queen of busting two-timing boys.
And her next case? It's for ex-frenemy Kendall. She's convinced her boyfriend, TJ, has feelings for someone else and persuades Marissa to start spying on him. But the more Marisa gets to know sincere and artistic TJ, the more she starts to fall for him. Worse yet, the feelings seem to be mutual. Marisa knows she needs to give up her investigation—and the spoken-for guy who may just be the love of her life. Then she uncovers new secrets about Kendall and TJ, secrets that take "cheater" to a whole new level...
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Busted by Gina Ciocca
Busted by Gina Ciocca is a super cute novel with a hint of mystery. It is all about a girl who spies on her clients’ boyfriends to catch them cheating. I enjoyed the main characters, but there was not enough action, and the book falls a bit flat.
❀ Intriguing Concept
This book has a very intriguing concept. It tells the story of a girl who works to catch cheating boyfriends in the act. However, Marisa and one of the accused cheaters start to fall for each other, creating a world of drama. I enjoyed the big theme of friendship and girls supporting girls in this one. It is a pretty light read with some super cute moments, and I would definitely recommend it to those looking for a more subtle mystery.
❀ Likeable Main Character
Marisa is a pretty likeable character. What she does is good and helps her friends out, even if it is borderline stalking. She is very compassionate, and I loved how she gives each person she helps a heart pin. The fact that she is willing to help out complete strangers is so caring, even if she had no say in starting up the business. I also enjoyed TJ’s character, since he is also so thoughtful. He makes accessories out of leather, which I’ve never read in a book before. The two make a great pair, and their interactions are so natural.
❀ Slow-Paced
My main issue with Busted is the pacing. To me, it is very slow paced, and I was expecting more action from a book with a “spy” concept. The book also strays from the original concept, and Marisa trying to find out who is helping others cheat on tests just isn’t as interesting as her busting cheating boyfriends. I feel like all the extra drama is unnecessary, and the story should have stuck to one kind of cheater.
Busted by Gina Ciocca is the story of a girl who helps other girls catch their boyfriends cheating. I enjoyed the slight mystery and the kind main characters. However, the story was too slow paced for me, and I would have appreciated more excitement.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
It does sound like a fun read, too bad about the slow pace though. Glad you still enjoyed It though. Great review.
It definitely was a fun book. I am sure it will appeal to many. 🙂
I love a good spy book. It sounds like this one was almost up to par. If you’re looking for another spy book maybe look into Endangered by Lamar Giles. In that book, a girl is a “spy” working under a pseudonym, but she gets found out and blackmailed. I LOVED it. P.S. I don’t work for the author or anything I just love the book.
Happy New Year.
Oooh! Thanks for the recommendation. I will have to look for this one. 🙂
This sounds like an interesting read! I’m sorry it didn’t meet your expectations. I’m not fan of slow paced books either. Anyways, I hope you enjoy your next read! 🙂
I loved when TJ and Marissa were making Jewelry together. It was an interesting hobby and I liked observing it.
I really enjoyed that aspect of the book as well. 😉
This sounds like a cute & fun read. I like the spying aspect.
This just sounds cute…. Really, really cute. And I think it would be a good, fun story for the new year.
Sounds like an interesting example of the snooping genre!
This sounds like it would be a cute movie! Makes me think of Clueless or something.
Dianna
I totally agree with you on that! 🙂
It sounds to me like this character should be a private investigator in the future. 😉
Would love to read this!
I can’t wait to read this book, it sounds absolutely beautiful and interesting!
I hope that you enjoy it! 🙂
interesting premise
An intriguing review – makes me want to read the book. Thanks! Another one to add to my TBR list.
Thank you for your honest review. It doesn’t sound like my kind of read as I want a fast paced mystery that keeps me on the edge of my seat.