{Book Review} Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten

Rating: 3.5/5; Liked it but not necessarily re-readable. Still it was quite entertaining.

Age R: 13+/PG-13

Release Date: February 2009

Synopsis:
Nina was beautiful, wild, and adored by her younger sister, Ellie. But one day, Nina disappeared. 2 years later, everyone has given up hope that Nina will return, but Ellie knows her sister is out there. If only Ellie had a clue where to look.Then she gets one, in the form of a mysterious drawing. Determined to find Nina, Ellie takes off on a crazy, sexy cross-country road trip with the only person who believes she's got a chance - her hot, adventurous new crush. Along the way, Ellie finds a few things she wasn't planning on. Like love. Lies. And the most shocking thing of all: the truth.
The book contains interior black-and-white illustrations, since the sister's drawings play a crucial role in the story.

Thoughts:
As I began reading this book I kept getting more and more engrossed in it and just wanted to know what was going to happen. Thing is, after a while, maybe half way through the book, I started getting this weird feeling. I felt as if I was going to hate the ending. I did. That feeling was the fact that it seemed as if the last part of the book was done quickly and not well thought out like the first half. I didn't just hate the other half of the book for the crappy mystery but also because everything was wrapped up to quickly and messily. The story was getting predicatble to me and I hate that in a story. I did not find the mystery angle to be that interesting since it wasn't done that well. I've seen that storyline before and it was done so much better and it was much more convincing.
I still hugely enjoyed the part involving the road trip and everything leading up to it. Like I said, the beginning of the book started out great and was extremely adorable in some parts so at least that was worth it. Another thing I actually loved about the book was the sisters and their relationship. Nina was such a great character and so fun to read about! I felt so sad for the poor little sister Ellie. I did hate the reason for why Nina left without saying anything. I just can't get over that. I'm really close to my sister and if something like that happened to me I would tell her and not run away. Or if anything let her know what happened then run away if I feel the need to do so. I despised the ending for many reasons some of which include many of the characters' actions but I shant say anything for fear of giving out spoilers.

By the way, the illustrations did nothing for me. I know I'm awful, but I like art a lot and... anyway. Ignore me.

My favorite part in the book includes the following quote:
(they just met and these are part of their first words to each other)

"You're here"-him
"Do I know you?" -her
"Well...no"- him
(a few lines later)
"...it was fated that we should meet, written in the stars...Clearly I was right in deciding to come, although now that I'm here talking to you I'm really wishing I'd gotten you that sixty-four ounce travel mug, or at the very least that classy lighter that was shaped like a pair or legs. Sorry, I promise I'll make it up to you." -him

It's much, much cuter when you read the whole scene going on but I don't want to give away all that cuteness. You'll have to read it for yourself.

Related:
-Lynn Weingarten ----really cute site
-mystery
-psychology
-charming guys
-Wherever Nina Lies -- buy it!