Burying Eva Flores

This audiobook was a 3.75 for me. I really enjoyed the multiple POVs and multiple narrators. My favorite parts of this story were when the kids were being interviewed by the detectives. It was easy to follow the characters, and I thought the way the characters interacted was incredibly authentic. I felt the characters were well developed and interesting.

I did get a little lost with respect to the magic notebook storyline - where everything Sophia wrote down started coming true. I thought it was a very unique way to plan out the book, but there were a few things that I still had questions about after I finished. The story was overall enjoyable and creative.

This book could very easily be a bingeable Netflix series. I enjoyed listening and will read more by this author.

TW: Brief references to underage SA/grooming, nothing on page.

Gripping read. The high school will suck you in easily and the moral of the novel about how social media fame effects children is enough to spark deeper thoughts on the topic.

I wanted to read Burying Eva Flores because It seemed close to "The Good Girl's Guide to Murder". In some aspects of this book were reminiscent of the series by Holly Jackson. I have recently began to venture into the YA genre and found this book a pleasant surprise. The book kept me on the edge of my seat and I found myself wanting to rush through just to get to the ending. I like the exploration of the effects of social media on our society particularly on young adults. Well done.

This was such a fun, engaging YA suspense! I read this in one sitting.

The story is told by flipping between a past timeline detailing events leading up to the disappearance of TikTok star Eva Flores, and a post-disappearance timeline told in the format of interviews with various characters. We primarily follow the story of Sophia, who is locally suspected of being involved in the disappearance, but we also get points of view from other characters including Sophia's best friends.

The most striking aspect of this story is the character development - and not just of Sophia, but also several other characters. The narrative structure and the writing are so compelling and the characters are well-developed and behave in believable ways in the face of the various issues that arise. Several characters have backstories that really shape their choices and personalities. The story also explores the effect of social media fame and how this kind of success impacts a person as well as their relationships with others.

This is perfect for fans of messy, dramatic stories, magical realism, character development, and small-town suspense.

I listened to this as an audiobook, which was particularly effective. The audiobook has multiple narrators, making it easy to distinguish the various points of view. I think this would also make an excellent TV/film adaptation.

I was pleasantly surprised by this novel! I love audiobooks with a full cast, and combine that with a YA thriller and mini mystery, I was sold at first glance.

It did start a bit slow for me though, which left me wondering when the actual plot would start. But around the 25-30% mark, when Sophia starts to write in her journal, the pace picked up quickly and it became a quick and fun read.

I liked that Sophia and Eva aren't likeable characters, though their flaws are relatable. The side characters are developed enough that they're not just there to propel the plot along. It's refreshing to see them actually act as foils to the MC and help her in her character development.

The main villain can come off as slightly tropey at times, but in the end, he's also believable. Predatory men like him are all too common.

Some of the text messages and police reports and interviews can be a hit or miss though. Since they're included in a nonlinear fashion, it was a bit hard to discern the present from the past.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial Audio and NetGalley for this audio arc.

This was so amazing! I loved every word and OMG the narrators were perfect. The kids were so evil and irresponsible. I wanted to lock them in the house and take away their journals.
It was fun.
The end was so perfect for the characters.
My favorite part was the sibling relationship.

So based on the description, I wasn't sure if this was going to be my cup of tea, but I have to say that I was kind of wrong! I am here for this bizarre-o cursed world with journal writing, social media mavens, and crazy parents who both go with the flow and have legit psychotic breaks. I mean, of the adults out there today, who hasn't had a legit psychotic break, gone through a quarter-life crisis, a third-of-a-life crisis, a mid-life crisis and beyond???

We learn so much about ourselves and others when they receive the slightest bit of power. The truth inside some people comes out in odd ways when confronted with power over others and power to try and control their own destinies. I get it, we're all the heroes in our own stories, but it's so fascinating to see a hero interacting with those around them as they try and navigate their paths.

This was a fun little spin-off of a modern coming of age story. The narration was excellent and really helped to build the cast of characters bringing a bit more flavor to the telling.

Thanks to BooksGoSocial Audio for the audiobook ARC via NetGalley!

4.5 stars
This was definitely the *craziest* book I’ve ever listened to. I’m still not quite sure how to describe it. It was Podcast style format about a missing high school girl, with a touch of magical realism and fairy tale. I think that sums it up. I can’t go into too much detail without spoilers. You should go into this blind anyway! Kudos to the full cast audio! 👏
*Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for this audiobook.

There’s a new girl in town who wants everyone to follow and do everything she wants to do. However Sophia refuses to follow Eva’s lead blind. Sophia starts writing in a journal and believes that her stories are coming to life.

I enjoyed the story telling of this book because it was told in several different characters perspectives plus there were interviews that were done as well.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy

What a thrilling read! Burying Eva Flores kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire story. I devoured this audiobook in one sitting and really enjoyed it. I loved how deep and human each character felt. The author really hit the young adult mark with the personalities and motivations of the characters. The plot was constantly twisting and turning, leaving me wondering what would be coming next. It was refreshing to not see the ending coming. I only wish there had been more research into the magic journal. I'm a sucker for magic and would have loved to know more. I highly recommend for fans of ya thrillers.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the variety of narrators on this book. It made it very clear to know who was speaking and when, even via text messages. The story is about a girl in high school who is down in her luck and being bullied. Her friend gives her a journal from her Grandma that she discovers to be magical and everything she writes down comes true, though not always in the way she intended. It was an interesting and quick read and most teens/young adults would enjoy this, as I’m sure many have dreamed that something of this nature would happen to them!

This was an engaging YA thriller. I like the characters, especially the fact that they were unlikable. I know it doesn't make sense, but it works. A reader goes into the story, not rooting for anyone and wanting to unravel the mystery. Sophia is supposed to be a likable girl while Eva is this mean girl. I think that juxtaposition stayed until the end, but their character traits switch and we learn that Eva is not that bad and similarly Sophia is not that good.

If you like the genre, you will enjoy this book.

The audiobook was good with several cast members.

This one almost lost me… almost.

It starts pretty strong with a back and forth timeline with some mixed media in there. It’s where the book goes from reality to magical realism somewhere in the middle that it threw me off! That’s where the book almost lost me. But, I quickly just let the book take me where it was going to take me and ultimately really enjoyed this one.

Did I roll my eyes quite a bit? Yes.
Did the feud between Ava and Sophia seem over the top? Maybe.
Did this book villainize the only plus size character? Seems like it.

All in all, this was a really fun listening experience. It was a little out there, but it was full of drama and it kept me guessing. I adored the full cast production.