Jennifer L. Armentrout

Don't Look Back

2.5 of 5 stars

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I'm pretty sure Samantha was one of the most frustrating characters I've ever read. She was so unlikable and she was making it hard for me to sympathize with her. All of her actions were so eye-roll worthy and it took a lot of will power not to throw my phone across the room because of so much frustration.
Imagine, her best friend was missing (and eventually turned up dead/murdered), she was almost killed herself with all her injuries and thought someone was going to harm her again, her 'friends' and basically everyone in the school (and even her parents) thought she killed her best friend, she was on the verge of insanity (all in just a span of few days/week!) but...BUT the only thing that can take all those disturbing thoughts away was her desperate desire to kiss a boy and drool over him. WHAT THE HELL?? Is it just me or it was just too unbelievable? Yeah, I know, she was just a teenager, she was supposed to be hot-blooded. Teenagers tend to do stupid and ridiculous things. MY GOD! That was the reason I'm so picky with YA books! I want to steer clear of those kinds of characters. I simply have no extra patience for them.

AND! Speaking of unbelievable, the sudden turn of her attitude when she was found after missing for a few days and suffered amnesia? I just couldn't buy it. I mean it was a full 180 degree turn and it made my head spin. Yeah, maybe it was her 'real' and 'old' attitude even before Cassie came into her life, but for six long years, she was one of the bitchiest ever known in her school. She was so spiteful you just wanted to punch her in the throat. Yet, with her memories gone, her unpleasant attitude decided to take a vacation, too? I know I am not an expert but is that how it supposed to work? I don't think so. Uuuuuggghh! She was just so exasperating!

Good thing, the characters of Scott and Carson were quite okay for me. Not really my favorite but acceptable enough compared to Samantha. I think both of them, and Julie, were the real foundation of the story for me. Not a good thing considering that they were not really who the readers were supposed to follow.

As for the plot, I was mostly disappointed. I picked this book up expecting at least a good mystery. A lot of reviews said it was decent enough. No it was not! It was so predictable for me. The plot twists were so obvious I can see it from a thousand miles away. Nothing new or extraordinary. Maybe I read enough mysteries that this ended up one of those, plain and simple AND AGITATING, and maybe it was my fault for expecting too much, but I'm just simply not impressed. The romance within the story felt so forced, too, especially in Samantha's part. Bummer.

Overall, I can't say I enjoyed reading this book. I wanted to give this a flat 2 rating, but I want to be at least generous after bashing it so much. My second JLA book but so far, I'm underwhelmed.

Sara

Estefany 

Lo disfruté muchísimo, como todo lo que escribe Jenn. Si que es verdad que, el final no fue tan impredecible por lo que se desinfló un poquito para mi. No obstante, la historia, la trama, y los personajes me gustaron mucho, en especial el desarrollo de Samantha. Es un libro que no me importaría volver a leer, y que obviamente recomiendo.

Victoria

I was seriously hoping and expecting for a much bigger revelation. And when it happened, I was just like, "meh". I was waiting for that WOAH moment but it never came. I wasn't that impressed.

M.G Derio 

** spoiler alert **
           Yes it´s a book that I will remember, I love the final, the note I can´t believe she has written them it

Natasha Bree

what did I think of the book? well first let's start off with the simple fact that I stayed up till 2:22 AM because I couldn't put the darn book down. This book was amazing and it had my heart doing all sorts of things and my stomach was upside down and my brain was throbbing. this book was amazing start to finish. I'm really glad that things happened the way they did. at the end there was this extreme plot twist that I honestly did not see coming and I had to take a minute to breathe. It was absolutely amazing, and i recommend this to literally everyone. It has romance (which was just so damn adorable), suspense, action, thrill. it was just amazing. amazing. amazing. amazing. I advice all to read this book, like right now.

dorah luxieux

i really loved how it was mystery and romance. those are like my favorite genres and both in one bool. it was bliss. the ending was lowkey unexpected like her dad was mostly the reason everything happened. it really be you own blood. i don't know that was kind effed up how he thought the decision was the best and then he ended murdering someone.

 I didn't expect that I love this so much. I didn't expect JLA to write a thriller THAT GOOD. I mean everyone loves her for her way of writing fantasy but thriller books? OMG I LOVE THIS SO MUCH.  I WANT MORE.🫀🫀🫀

Marié 

Five stars for me. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 I didn't expect that I love this so much. I didn't expect JLA to write a thriller THAT GOOD. I mean everyone loves her for her way of writing fantasy but thriller books? OMG I LOVE THIS SO MUCH.  I WANT MORE.🫀🫀🫀

freya.nightwolf

5 stars. a milion stars for this wonderful book

I absolutely love this book. It captured me from the first chapters and I couldn't let it go. It's my first thriller and it did not disappoint. I'm a big fan of fantasy books and taking a little break [but not from one of my favorite authors] and choosing this book was the best thing. Jennifer is a Queen. 

I love books full of action, mystery, suspense, and the ones with great worlds building. This book may not be a fantasy one, but the mystery and the suspense behind it, the way you naturally put your mind to work so you could solve the case is breathtaking. I love this book and I recommend it to everyone, no matter what style of book you normally read, this one will not disappoint you.

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all???popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend. Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her???even if the old Sam treated him like trash. But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory???someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

Noelia Abreu

This reminded me to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Before I Fall and Pretty Little Liars. I liked it, I don't think it brings anything new but overall it's an enjoyable read. It kept me interested in the story and wondering what actually happened. I would give it 3.5 stars, because I feel like certain things got dragged for too long and other things were just predictable.

JoLee

Spoil Free Review

Wow! Only Jennifer L. Armentrout can get me to read a Young Adult Suspense. The only Young Adult I like to read every now and then is Paranormal Romance. Don't Look Back was a page turner. I was right there with Samantha trying to figure out what happened that night her and Cassie disappeared. The layers were perfectly placed through out the novel.

"Don't look back. You won't like what you find."

That is exactly what Samantha is dealing with. She was not a good person. Loved that she wanted to be a better person. That she did not like the old her. 

I had a few people in mind who was the bad person. One of them I was right about but once revealed it did blow my mind about that person. JLA did an amazing work on who was bad. The only reason I had a clue was because my brain was working non stop trying to figure it out.

Zoe Ivie 

This is my all time favorite mystery book. I’ve read this book once a year for the past 5 years. The plot twist is amazing, and the whole concept is so good. Definitely recommend reading it. 10/10!! 

Jaclyn

"Don't look back, you won't like what you find."   

That was so much fun!! I loved this book! I flew through it and I couldn't put it down. The plot was fast paced, very mysterious and had me at the edge of my seat. But I mean, it's Jennifer Armentrout, OF COURSE it was fantastic.

So this story follows Samantha who has absolutely no memory. We meet her coming out of the woods of a horrific event in which she's been missing alongside her best friend Cassie who is missing. With no memory, she stumbles into this life where she had a rich family, and what seemed to be perfect friends and boyfriend. But she ends up hating the life she made for herself and changes her personality and slowly starts to fall for her childhood best friend. In the mean time she's trying to solve what happened to Cassie and piece together her old life and what exactly happened that day she was found with no memory. 

  "I was stuck in a life I didn't remember, squeezed into the shell of this girl-this Samantha Joe Franco- and the more I learned about her, the more I was starting to hate her."   

Sam was a strong main character and very likable. She was easy to relate to and sympathize with. We're right there with her the whole time, since it's her point of view, wondering what happened and why she became such a bitch to everyone before her accident. It definitely had kind of a Mean Girls vibe and it was just super fun to read. 

I loved her relationship with her brother, Scott and how she slowly started to get back to who she was before her life became a mess. She has such a great brother who was so loyal to her no matter what and it was definitely touching to read. Her family was pretty screwed up but I loved how the two of them defended each other and stick together. 

Then Carson. Ahhhh!! I want a Carson!!! He was so SWEET! And honest! And perfect! And so gorgeous. I loved how they rebuilt their friendship and the trust they had with one another. Their relationship was hot and full of sexual tension!! Jennifer Armentrout just KNOWS how to do romance where she brings so much tension that I was literally frustrated whenever they'd get interrupted or were so close! Definitely one of those ships where you're like "JUST KISS ALREADY!" But Carson is such a good guy that he wanted to make sure she was completely ready before going into a relationship and I really appreciated that aspect. 

  "I can't believe that you're actually here. That you're actually with me."
"I can't believe it took me this long to be here with you."   

The whole mystery element kept on trading. It was so suspenseful but never felt over the top. I loved the characters that I just wanted to find out what happened so I had to keep reading! And at one point EVERYONE was a suspect. The twist at the end! Wow! Outstanding! Now I KNOW what the covers all about! Just ahhhh!! Fantastic plot twist and totally worth all the build up! 

Overall I loved this book and you really should pick it up! This was my 10th Jennifer Armentrout book and she's done it again! One of my all time favorite author. Absolutely LOVED and devoured this one! Go read it! 

  "Things weren't perfect. They were far, far from it, but they were getting there, and I wasn't looking back. Not when there were so many good things in the future."

Nicki

Actual rating 4.5

I was very apprehensive about reading this book just because I felt like I've read the cliched girl gets second chance to be good again, but it was free at the library so I said what the hell. OMG I do not regret this. (I could be high off finishing it) I really enjoyed this book and the only reason why it didn't get a five was because it didn't tug at my emotion and I reserve five stars for books that absolutely wreck me and make me cry. 

I will say though that Carson and Sammy were beyond cute. Scott is fucking awesome and I want a brother like that. Her mom for all her shadiness is a BAMF. I always thought she was being so cold and distant, but in reality she went hard for her baby. Maybe when I get to thoroughly sit and think, my thoughts will change, but I dunno. I definitely enjoyed this especially after reading so many duds.

You go Jennifer Armentrout! You haven't disappointed me. Yet (Maybe I'll read Wait For You)

Camila 

De veras le daría como un 4.25 ya que lo disfrute mucho y estuve creando teorías todo el tiempo. 
Mis sospechosos eran Scott y Carson y en un momento estuvo cerca de ser cierto pero luego las cosas tomaron un giro inesperado. Una de mis teorías fue cierta y fue la que le dio el giro argumental vida. 
En un principio el libro me recordaba mucho a Before I Fall de Lauren Oliver pero a diferencia de ese libro lleno de clichés este libro si supo tomar un buen rumbo. 
Amo a Jennifer, pude escuchar su voz en el libro pero no era su misma forma de escribir de siempre, de veras ja progresado mucho y espero más libros como este de ella.

Aayusma Aryal

I loved every single second of reading this. The suspense kept me on edge throughout the entire thing.

laura

Such a strong mystery. I must read more by her. I did not see the ending coming and i really loved it. I really loved so many elements of this read like the main character who had no memory of the event but also their life. I also love the blast from the pace romance and also friendship stuff as well. It was super fast pace read and still held up on read. I def need to read more by this author in the future.

Such a strong mystery. I must read more by her. I did not see the ending coming and i really loved it.

Jane The Bookaholic

Mary Graham

Absolutely amazing! So thrilling and suspenseful. The whole time reading it you never actually know who the killer is. Definitely one of my favorite books I've read this year.

Emily

*4.5 stars*

For fans of Riverdale and Here Lies Daniel Tate, Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the perfect book for anyone in a reading slump. 

This was exactly the kind of book I was hoping it to be: an exciting thriller that I wouldn't want to put down.

The only reason for the minus half star is because of how rushed the ending felt. I just felt like the mystery could have unfolded a little slower rather than it all being exposed at once. 

However, overall an entertaining read with a great underlying message!

Anastaciya

2.75 stars

It was fine. But really, I read better books in this genre and with a similar plot...

Rebeca 

2 stars 

This book was addictive to where I actually enjoyed it and read it quickly, but it was super cliché and I felt nothing about the ending. I know people’s reviews kept saying that there were many plot twists and that it was so good, but honestly like more than halfway through the book I had slowly lost interest and it felt like the last chapter where we find out the truth was so rushed. I feel like there was more detail on the whole prom day than the whole point of the book. Slightly disappointed but it was alright.

Zoe Smolen

Eh, it was ok. The ending did surprise me - it was none of the outcomes I expected, but I still just wasn't that impressed with the overall product.

Don't Look Back

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