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kberry513's review against another edition
4.0
***thoughts while reading
I think the killer is either Louis or Ted, although they could be red herrings the way Mac was in the last one. For Allie's sake I hope it's not Louis because she actually trusts him and she's finally getting better. Also I'm relieved to know that she's not the one who killed animals when she was a child. I'm really rooting for her. I hope she ditches Hannah - that girl is the worst. Ooo, or Johnny her semi bf from the beginning may be the killer.
***
So I now feel slightly bad about Hannah since she was brutally murdered, vindicated that Louis is the killer, and still a bit in shock that Louis is Miss Bitty's son and Allie's father! I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes...a little concerned that the main characters are hearing voices and seeing things
I think the killer is either Louis or Ted, although they could be red herrings the way Mac was in the last one. For Allie's sake I hope it's not Louis because she actually trusts him and she's finally getting better. Also I'm relieved to know that she's not the one who killed animals when she was a child. I'm really rooting for her. I hope she ditches Hannah - that girl is the worst. Ooo, or Johnny her semi bf from the beginning may be the killer.
***
So I now feel slightly bad about Hannah since she was brutally murdered, vindicated that Louis is the killer, and still a bit in shock that Louis is Miss Bitty's son and Allie's father! I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes...a little concerned that the main characters are hearing voices and seeing things
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
Jennifer Jaynes returns with UGLY YOUNG THING, (Grand Trespass #2) a "killer" followup --an intense psychological suspense thriller, a sizzling page-turner, for a continuation of Allie we met in Never Smile at Strangers (Grand Trespass #1).
Allie, sixteen-years-old, is beautiful; however, after being a victim of her abusive mom, telling her she is ugly, she sees a different face, a reflection, when looking into the mirror. She has experienced a traumatic childhood, a lifetime of horror; her mom was a prostitute, a psychotic murderer.
Her older brother tried his best; however, he also suffered from mental illness, and in the end a murderer, ending his life and misery by killing himself before Allie’s eyes. With no family left, she is on the run to Texas, hitchhiking, trying to survive with one trucker after another.
Allie’s home had been one of horror; her father abandoned the family early on, her mother a prostitute, dumping bodies in the pond behind their house, as well as abusing her brother; thereby screwing up his mind. After he finally killed their mother, he ended up taking care of Allie, by paying the bills and putting food on the table; ultimately was sick and began hurting people, as well.
Currently, she is on the run, tired of trying to survive by selling her body, and when her boyfriend Johnny has to leave, she realizes everyone has abandoned her. Now, nine months later without her brother or her boyfriend Johnny, she met along the way, she sees no point in life. The world to Allie is a frightening place, and she never seemed to belong. In a lonely motel, she tried to end her own life with pills unsuccessfully. She feels like such a loser and couldn’t even manage to kill herself.
After being attacked while hitchhiking, she decides to return to Grand Trespass, Louisiana to her childhood home to rest and figure out what to do next. She just wants normal. She wants to be wanted and loved, but all the pain has worn her down, and she wants to escape.
Finally she ends up in foster care and placed with Miss Bitty. Her home is beautiful, and Miss Bitty, even though eccentric, everyone seems to love her. She is an older, kind, and a giving person. Allie wants to be like her and does not want to disappoint her and lose this opportunity. However, can she trust her? After all, her mom said never to trust anyone nice. Can she possibly have a normal life and a fresh start without her past haunting her? Sometimes she wonders if she will become crazy like the rest of her family.
However, not long after moving in with Miss Bitty in Louisiana, near her old home, Allie begins to feel someone is watching her. Miss Bitty is a wellness coach, making sure her home environment is in alignment with health goals from nutritious foods and positive thoughts--from meditation, yoga, and energy work, helping everyone around her. She had been caring for foster children for almost sixteen years and Allie grows to like her. Miss Bitty helps her pick out new clothes and makeup, to give her a classier look and assists with her lower self-esteem issues. Allie just wants to be accepted and have friends.
Miss Bitty is kind to her and supportive in every way. Their household is not the norm. Louis comes and goes, a guy which home schools her in preparation for her GED, and later college courses. Joe is a client of Miss Bitty’s from California, living in their guesthouse, and she meets a new friend, Hannah. Hannah’s stepfather, Ted, and mother, Claire are weird and he also does maintenance and yard work for Miss Bitty. So a variety of men coming and going.
Allie tries working at the supermarket part-time; however, it turns into a disaster when people find out she was the murderer’s daughter and sister. The job is short lived.
Now, if things could not get any worse, there is a killer on the loose in the nearby town and he is targeting young women, stabbing them multiple times – he is on the hunt and nothing satisfies his itch except killing. He has tried to keep in under control however he stalks, watches, and hides in waiting for the kill.
Since the murders have been occurring, Miss Bitty brings home a dog for Allie, and now seems worried and overly protective. Miss Bitty seems distant, Allie sees someone watching her, hears voices, and she wonders if death and pain will continue following her.
UGLY YOUNG THING keeps you on the edge-of-your-seat, switching back and forth between Allie, Bitty, and the sick mind of a killer. As a reader, you have no idea the identity of the killer and are holding your breath to learn the killer’s next move. What a shocker!
Jennifer does an outstanding job of keeping the suspense high, as one minute you think you have the mystery figured out, and then you begin suspecting another. You are never certain how Miss Bitty is connected to the players and the motives behind the killing until towards the very end. With intense twists and turns, as all the pieces come together from the first and second book.
Well-developed characters and vivid settings with heart-pounding scenes awaiting the sick and twisted killer’s next move. So many suspects!
Wow, I really enjoyed this riveting psychological mystery thriller, leaving you anxiously awaiting the next book, to discover what is coming next. Highly recommend this series, and this talented new found author!
A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
Allie, sixteen-years-old, is beautiful; however, after being a victim of her abusive mom, telling her she is ugly, she sees a different face, a reflection, when looking into the mirror. She has experienced a traumatic childhood, a lifetime of horror; her mom was a prostitute, a psychotic murderer.
Her older brother tried his best; however, he also suffered from mental illness, and in the end a murderer, ending his life and misery by killing himself before Allie’s eyes. With no family left, she is on the run to Texas, hitchhiking, trying to survive with one trucker after another.
Allie’s home had been one of horror; her father abandoned the family early on, her mother a prostitute, dumping bodies in the pond behind their house, as well as abusing her brother; thereby screwing up his mind. After he finally killed their mother, he ended up taking care of Allie, by paying the bills and putting food on the table; ultimately was sick and began hurting people, as well.
Currently, she is on the run, tired of trying to survive by selling her body, and when her boyfriend Johnny has to leave, she realizes everyone has abandoned her. Now, nine months later without her brother or her boyfriend Johnny, she met along the way, she sees no point in life. The world to Allie is a frightening place, and she never seemed to belong. In a lonely motel, she tried to end her own life with pills unsuccessfully. She feels like such a loser and couldn’t even manage to kill herself.
After being attacked while hitchhiking, she decides to return to Grand Trespass, Louisiana to her childhood home to rest and figure out what to do next. She just wants normal. She wants to be wanted and loved, but all the pain has worn her down, and she wants to escape.
Finally she ends up in foster care and placed with Miss Bitty. Her home is beautiful, and Miss Bitty, even though eccentric, everyone seems to love her. She is an older, kind, and a giving person. Allie wants to be like her and does not want to disappoint her and lose this opportunity. However, can she trust her? After all, her mom said never to trust anyone nice. Can she possibly have a normal life and a fresh start without her past haunting her? Sometimes she wonders if she will become crazy like the rest of her family.
However, not long after moving in with Miss Bitty in Louisiana, near her old home, Allie begins to feel someone is watching her. Miss Bitty is a wellness coach, making sure her home environment is in alignment with health goals from nutritious foods and positive thoughts--from meditation, yoga, and energy work, helping everyone around her. She had been caring for foster children for almost sixteen years and Allie grows to like her. Miss Bitty helps her pick out new clothes and makeup, to give her a classier look and assists with her lower self-esteem issues. Allie just wants to be accepted and have friends.
Miss Bitty is kind to her and supportive in every way. Their household is not the norm. Louis comes and goes, a guy which home schools her in preparation for her GED, and later college courses. Joe is a client of Miss Bitty’s from California, living in their guesthouse, and she meets a new friend, Hannah. Hannah’s stepfather, Ted, and mother, Claire are weird and he also does maintenance and yard work for Miss Bitty. So a variety of men coming and going.
Allie tries working at the supermarket part-time; however, it turns into a disaster when people find out she was the murderer’s daughter and sister. The job is short lived.
Now, if things could not get any worse, there is a killer on the loose in the nearby town and he is targeting young women, stabbing them multiple times – he is on the hunt and nothing satisfies his itch except killing. He has tried to keep in under control however he stalks, watches, and hides in waiting for the kill.
Since the murders have been occurring, Miss Bitty brings home a dog for Allie, and now seems worried and overly protective. Miss Bitty seems distant, Allie sees someone watching her, hears voices, and she wonders if death and pain will continue following her.
UGLY YOUNG THING keeps you on the edge-of-your-seat, switching back and forth between Allie, Bitty, and the sick mind of a killer. As a reader, you have no idea the identity of the killer and are holding your breath to learn the killer’s next move. What a shocker!
Jennifer does an outstanding job of keeping the suspense high, as one minute you think you have the mystery figured out, and then you begin suspecting another. You are never certain how Miss Bitty is connected to the players and the motives behind the killing until towards the very end. With intense twists and turns, as all the pieces come together from the first and second book.
Well-developed characters and vivid settings with heart-pounding scenes awaiting the sick and twisted killer’s next move. So many suspects!
Wow, I really enjoyed this riveting psychological mystery thriller, leaving you anxiously awaiting the next book, to discover what is coming next. Highly recommend this series, and this talented new found author!
A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
whaney's review against another edition
5.0
Another one I couldn't put down. It's pretty dark, but a good read.
katieeliza's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to TheBookClub for the copy to review.
This is a dark, psychological thriller - heavy emphasis on the dark.
Massive strength lies in the creation of the main character - I really cared for her and wanted to help her, becoming increasingly frustrated when she wouldn't do what I wanted her to!
A fab read - well done :)
This is a dark, psychological thriller - heavy emphasis on the dark.
Massive strength lies in the creation of the main character - I really cared for her and wanted to help her, becoming increasingly frustrated when she wouldn't do what I wanted her to!
A fab read - well done :)
kylieeason's review against another edition
5.0
This continuation of Never Smile at Strangers by Jennifer Janes is fabulous for so many reasons!
First, while this is a continuation it also could easily be classified as a stand alone.
You learn about Allie in NSAS, though not towards the end of the book. Her role is minor, but the impact is huge.
When growing with Allie in Ugly Young Thing you hope that the evils that haunted her in the past are gone. As time continues on girls begin dying, at the hands of a vicious murderer. She feels she's to blame for this reoccurring evil, but is she?
Throughout this book I was dying to know more. In the chapters alternating between Allie, Miss Bitty, and "him" you find yourself truly captivated while trying to figure out who is really to blame here.
Jennifer does a wonderful job of misleading the readers, letting their minds wonder to characters who may or may not be guilty. No matter how you feel throughout the book, you are definitely going to be shocked at the ending. It finally pieces everything together.
There was even one point where I was babysitting alone, (the child was already sleeping) and my heart is racing. While I know it's just fiction I feel like it's real, and it's happening to me. Kinda creeped out, but in the best way.
I have to speculate there will be another book coming, hopefully soon! She definitely leaves you wanting more!
First, while this is a continuation it also could easily be classified as a stand alone.
You learn about Allie in NSAS, though not towards the end of the book. Her role is minor, but the impact is huge.
When growing with Allie in Ugly Young Thing you hope that the evils that haunted her in the past are gone. As time continues on girls begin dying, at the hands of a vicious murderer. She feels she's to blame for this reoccurring evil, but is she?
Throughout this book I was dying to know more. In the chapters alternating between Allie, Miss Bitty, and "him" you find yourself truly captivated while trying to figure out who is really to blame here.
Jennifer does a wonderful job of misleading the readers, letting their minds wonder to characters who may or may not be guilty. No matter how you feel throughout the book, you are definitely going to be shocked at the ending. It finally pieces everything together.
There was even one point where I was babysitting alone, (the child was already sleeping) and my heart is racing. While I know it's just fiction I feel like it's real, and it's happening to me. Kinda creeped out, but in the best way.
I have to speculate there will be another book coming, hopefully soon! She definitely leaves you wanting more!
witandsin's review against another edition
4.0
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2015/02/review-ugly-young-thing-by-jennifer.html
Ugly Young Thing is a dark psychological thriller tinged with sadness. Author Jennifer Jaynes has a strong, compelling voice that had me reading late into the night.
Allie’s life has been filled with trauma, abuse, and murder from day one. After the death of her mother and brother (both serial killers), Allie finds herself utterly alone and without resources. When a second chance with a kind foster mother presents itself, Allie’s suspicious. My heart broke for Allie; she’s emotionally scarred, has a distorted sense of herself, and is simply so painfully young to have been through all she has. I wanted to see her get the help she needed to start the healing process. Even as she finds that with Bitty, her foster mother, things take a turn. Another serial killer is on the loose and it seems like Allie will never be able to find peace.
To say much more about the plot of Ugly Young Thing would be spoiling the story, for the fun of a mystery or thriller is watching events unfold. We get several points of view, though Allie and the killer are our primary storytellers. Ms. Jaynes does a fantastic job of fleshing out both of them even as she keeps you guessing as to who the killer is. I love a thriller that keeps me on the edge of my seat, and the suspense is definitely high in Ugly Young Thing. The only real niggle I had about the story was the ending. I was left with questions that continue to bother me, yet at the same time I have to admit that the ending was effectively haunting.
Ugly Young Thing is the sequel to Never Smile at Strangers, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t yet read Never Smile at Strangers, but even knowing major plot points of that story I’ll still be picking it up. Ms. Jaynes knows how to write an edgy, compelling thriller that will have your heart pounding. I can’t wait to come back for more!
FTC Disclosure: 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.
Ugly Young Thing is a dark psychological thriller tinged with sadness. Author Jennifer Jaynes has a strong, compelling voice that had me reading late into the night.
Allie’s life has been filled with trauma, abuse, and murder from day one. After the death of her mother and brother (both serial killers), Allie finds herself utterly alone and without resources. When a second chance with a kind foster mother presents itself, Allie’s suspicious. My heart broke for Allie; she’s emotionally scarred, has a distorted sense of herself, and is simply so painfully young to have been through all she has. I wanted to see her get the help she needed to start the healing process. Even as she finds that with Bitty, her foster mother, things take a turn. Another serial killer is on the loose and it seems like Allie will never be able to find peace.
To say much more about the plot of Ugly Young Thing would be spoiling the story, for the fun of a mystery or thriller is watching events unfold. We get several points of view, though Allie and the killer are our primary storytellers. Ms. Jaynes does a fantastic job of fleshing out both of them even as she keeps you guessing as to who the killer is. I love a thriller that keeps me on the edge of my seat, and the suspense is definitely high in Ugly Young Thing. The only real niggle I had about the story was the ending. I was left with questions that continue to bother me, yet at the same time I have to admit that the ending was effectively haunting.
Ugly Young Thing is the sequel to Never Smile at Strangers, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t yet read Never Smile at Strangers, but even knowing major plot points of that story I’ll still be picking it up. Ms. Jaynes knows how to write an edgy, compelling thriller that will have your heart pounding. I can’t wait to come back for more!
FTC Disclosure: 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.
aly36's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it!! This was another great book from Jennifer Jaynes! I am so grateful I found such a great author. This book had everything for me in it. It has serial killer and a little girl trying to find her place in this world. Such a great book! * This book was given to me from netgalley in exchange for a honest review*