Meredith Tate

When Autumn Casterly goes missing after a drug deal gone wrong, her estranged younger sister, Ivy, searches for her, uncovering dark secrets along the way.

The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly

Emily C Peterson

Makena Whitaker

Very heartfelt and warming 
Mystery thriller, loved it. Trigger warnings!!

Kate

A poignant and hard hitting exploration of rape culture and sisterhood.
 
Sensitively but candidly tackling topics such as the nuances of consent, victim blaming, gaslighting, this fast paced thriller had me on the edge of my seat wanting answers but terrified for Autumn as to what those answers might entail. 

Despite the somewhat large cast of characters, each of them had their place in the story. They were given backstories and complexities and by the end of the book, I really felt like I knew each of them. I also loved how diverse the cast was (there's an f/f relationship, an aro-ace character, a Filipino American character, a Korean American, a Jewish character and the MC self identifies as fat.) 

Personally, I really enjoyed the representation Ivy gave as a fat teen girl. I loved that she owned it and, although it was discussed, being fat wasn't her whole personality. It was simply a fact and one she didn't look at negatively or reflect on all too often. (I'm also totally here for her Hufflepuff nerdiness.)

The twist on the way Autumns chapters were told is something I've not seen before but I thought it added such a brilliant depth and view to her own story and the plot overall.

Having previously know anything about this book and having very much picked it up on a whim, I'm so glad to say that this surprised me in the best of ways. 

It's also been a while since the conclusion to a YA thriller/mystery caught me off guard, so yay for not guessing the plot twist after two pages!

TW: rape

If I Stay meets One of Us is Lying in this gripping contemporary thriller. When band-geek Ivy and her friends get together, things start with a rousing board game and end with arguments about Star Wars. Her older sister Autumn is a different story. Enigmatic, aloof, and tough as nails, Autumn hasn't had real friends--or trusted anyone--in years. Even Ivy. But Autumn might not be tough enough. After a drug deal gone wrong, Autumn is beaten, bound, and held hostage. Now, trapped between life and death, she leaves her body, seeking help. No one can sense her presence--except her sister. When Autumn doesn't come home, Ivy just knows she's in trouble. Unable to escape the chilling feeling that something isn't right, Ivy follows a string of clues that bring her closer to rescuing her sister... and closer to danger. Autumn needs Ivy to find her before time runs out. But soon, both sisters realize that finding her also means untangling the secrets that lead to the truth--about where they're hiding Autumn, and what Autumn has been hiding.

The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly

Reviews