Release Day Review: Wicked Little Secrets

Author: Kara Taylor

Publication Date: March 4, 2014

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Series: Prep School Confidential # 2

Anne Dowling becomes entangled in a web of secrets involving a missing student and a conspiracy at Wheatley Prep in this fast-paced, juicy follow-up to Prep School Confidential

Anne Dowling—a fresh, original, and funny new YA heroine whose knowing, irreverent voice will remind readers of Pretty Little Liars and Private—is back for her second semester at Wheatley Prep. Although things have settled (somewhat) since her roommate Isabella’s death, Anne's still kind of obsessed with the disappearance of Wheatley student Matthew Weaver thirty years ago, since she found a picture of him and his crewmates with the words “they killed him” scrawled on the back among Isabella’s things.

When Anne learns that her boyfriend Brent’s dad is one of the now-powerful Wheatley alumni who rowed crew with Matthew, and that the crew team continues to induct new members with a creepy-sounding ritual called “The Drop,” she knows further investigation could put her relationship with Brent in danger. Determined to discover the truth, she reaches out to Anthony, Isabella’s townie brother, who helps her delve deeper into the secrets in Wheatley’s past. Secrets someone would kill to keep hidden. As the school’s Spring Formal—and its notorious afterparty—approaches, Anne sees the perfect opportunity to do some off-campus digging into the lives of Wheatley’s VIPs in this thrilling, unputdownable read—but if she’s not careful, she’ll be the next student who never comes back.

They say only the good die young. At least that’s what they used to say about Isabella Fernandez.

I’ve been expelled from my beloved Manhattan school, questioned as a person of interest in a murder investigation, and nearly shot to death in the woods, but I’m convinced Monday morning is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.

Matt Weaver saw himself as Adam. So what did he do to get himself kicked out of Paradise?

I think of all the Wheatley School students who have wound up dead (or presumably, at least): Isabella Fernandez. Matthew Weaver. Cynthia Durham. I’ve never believed in curses or any of that garbage. But I will admit it: I’m starting to worry that if I stay at Wheatley School, I might be next.

I have to wait for the next book in this series, really? I cannot even contain my excitement for this author, her characters, and this series. I received this book on Friday and I finished it in one day! This story/new mystery picks up not long after the last one left off. I do not want to give anything away in this book, but I was glad that this book focused on the disappearance of Matt Weaver. I was so anxious all the way through to find out what happened to him. Both books in this series have kept me on the edge of my seat the entire way through. I wanted so badly to get to the bottom of these mysteries, but I dreaded finishing the books and having to say goodbye to the characters for a little while.

I love Anne Dowling, our fearless heroine and detective extraordinaire! I tried to stay away from reviews that discredited her because I, on the other hand, think she gets better and better with time. I can hear her voice, picture her as she hunts for clues, and I can feel her fear and her anticipation as she narrows in on her next target. Kara Taylor has defined her characters and made them so believable. Anne has flaws, but I still love her and hang on her every word. She knows she is not perfect and never admits to being so. Many bloggers have made comments about the decisions she makes, and all I have to say is, she is a teenage girl what do you expect?! She is growing and maturing, and I think that will only continue with each installment.

I might just be gullible or not reading closely enough but these mysteries have both been a shock to me in the end. And not to mention the way this book ended…OMG! I almost screamed with frustration. Kara Taylor, you cannot end it like that making me wait for the next book! Kara writes in the style of Pretty Little Liars; every scene makes you anticipate what will come next. Not a single chapter ended in a boring manner. I was anxious to flip the next page and keep going. There were NO parts of this book that I would cut out because I found them unnecessary either. This is a solid series and is slowly climbing the charts as one of my most favorites! I am hearing rumors that the next book will be out in August of this year!!

***A copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at St. Martin’s Griffin in exchange for my honest review***