Deception (Haunting Emma, #1) by Lee Nichols

Title: Deception

Author: Lee Nichols

Series: 1st in planned series

Published: June 2010 by Bloomsbury

Pages: 310

ISBN: 9781599903088 

Source: Won ARC in contest

 

Description: When Emma Vaile's parents leave on mysterious business trip, it gives her the perfect excuse to be a rebellious teen. Throw some parties, get a tattoo (or maybe just a piercing), and enjoy the first few weeks of her junior year. Then her best friend stops talking to her, the cops crash her party, and Emma finds herself in the hands of a new guardian—her college-age "knight in J.Crew armor," Bennett Stern—and on a plane to his museum-like mansion in New England.  After enrolling at Thatcher Academy, Emma settles in by making friends with the popular legacy crowd. But she can't shake the strange visions that are haunting her. She has memories of Thatcher she can't explain, as if she's returning home to a place she's never been. Emma doesn't trust anyone anymore—except maybe Bennett. But he's about to reveal a ghostly secret to Emma. One that will explain the visions . . . and make Emma fear for her life.

I Give This ...

 

I have to admit this book didn't make much of a blip on my radar.  I liked the cover, but the description didn't do much to make me want to add it to my to-read list.  But, I was intrigued enough to enter a contest for an ARC.  I was shocked that I won, but more than happy to read the book.

I was extremely surprised by this one.  After the rocky start where I had no idea what was going, Emma moves to New England.  While, I still don't understand anything, and neither does Emma, I thoroughly enjoyed how the book developed.  I thought Emma's visions were down right creepy, especially in light of what she learns they're really about.  It gives the book a slight feel of a horror novel and manages to pull it off nicely.  The setting just adds to the mystery.  

I thought what's truly happening to Emma was interesting.  I liked how Bennett was able to gradually explain things to her, even though she demanded answers every time she saw him.  It seemed like something would be revealed, but something else major would happen.  I'm not sure I liked the ending, but I'm not sure any other outcome would have worked.  I did feel sorry for Emma at the end because it looked like she was finally going to be able to have it all.

So, I really enjoyed this book and will be looking forward to the next in the series!