Jennifer Mathieu

From the author of Moxie, soon to be a major Netflix production Fans of THIRTEEN REASONS WHY will love this powerful book about stereotypes, secrets and standing up for gender equality, from the author of Zoella Book Club book MOXIE. There are all sorts of rumours about Alice Franklin. And after star quarterback Brandon Fitzsimmons dies in a car accident, the rumours start to spiral out of control blaming Alice for Brandon's death. In this remarkable novel, four Healy High students - the party girl, the car accident survivor, the ex best friend and the boy next door - tell all they know. But exactly what is the truth about Alice? In the end there's only one person to ask: Alice herself. Zoella on Moxie: 'I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH ... a really empowering book that I wish I had read when I was younger.' 'Should be required reading for anyone in high school' Bustle

From the author of Moxie

The Truth About Alice

"When ugly rumors and lies about Alice Franklin start after one of the guys she allegedly slept with at a party dies in a car accident, questions about truth arise in her small town"--

Melissa Palmer

Book #66 Read in 2014
The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu (YA)

This was a great, gritty, realistic young adult read. Alice supposedly sleeps with two guys in the same night. The talk about it spreads through the little Texan town and Alice becomes the high school pariah. Girls in her class start the "slut stall" where they write tales about what Alice has supposedly done...she's had an abortion, she has slept with this one and that one. On top of that, shortly after the party the star quarterback (and one of the two guys that Alice supposedly slept with) dies in a car accident and his friend who was in the car with him tells adults that the quarterback was distracted because Alice was constantly texting him. Alice retreats within herself and isolates herself from her peers. The geek of the class, Kurt, reaches out to her to help her with her Math homework. But will it make a difference?

This book shows how cruel teenagers can be to each other and how vicious gossip and rumors can be and what effect they can have on people's lives. Alice, while not a perfect character by any means, was treated cruelly. An all too true and all too sad accounting of what can happen when people believe whatever they hear, this was a book I could not put down.

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Jeannette Ordas

A topical novel about slut shaming and rumours that is quick to read and throughly enjoyable. I really loved the multiple voices that tell the story of Alice and it addresses all kinds of truths.

Nicole Goldstein

More like 4.5 stars. I wasn't expecting to like this book at all. However, from the beginning I knew that this was something different than I ever read before. The multiple view points was actually not a hindrance on my reading experience. It gave me a more rounded view of the world that they came from. But what blew me away the most was these characters sounded like teenagers and acted in ways that felt believable. Another thing that felt believable was that none of these characters were full villains or pure saints. It is easy to say that these kids were horrible people, but they knew that what they were doing were wrong. That upset me a lot until I realized that it is true. They were old enough to know right from wrong and none of them were sociopaths. This book showed bullying and the way rumors could spread like wild fire if left alone.

Jen Estrella

There is one thing I've learned about people: they don't get that mean and nasty overnight. It's not human nature. But if you give people enough time, eventually they'll do the most heartbreaking stuff in the world.

3.5/5 I liked and didn't like the ending. Nonetheless, this was a good read.

Annelies Van Rossen

Pro: een goede representatie van het middelbare schoolleven, toffe verhaallijn, meerdere goede perspectieven en personages

Con: het boek is wat kort en ik had graag wat meer van enkele personages gehoord

Dit boek las heel vlot en was zeker de moeite waard.

As seen on Caity Reads.

My first words of wisdom for this review, give this book a chance.

This is a book chalk full of bullying and characters you want to punch in the face. This book is all about stereotypes, it covers an array of them, and does an amazing job of putting them in a completely different light. The characters at a first look may look like your cliche school slut, jock, popular girl, nerd, etc. But they are all a lot deeper than that. Does that somehow negate that they were assholes to Alice? No. Not even a little bit. But in my opinion, it helps the reader put them into a different perspective. It takes each of these stereotypes, lays it all out, and then makes them human. This is a big reason why I would recommend this book to just about anyone.

The way that people act is not excusable, in no way is it okay for someone to go around and make up lie after lie about another person. But when you take those facts and add to it the information you know about a person, it can help you see them in a different light. I want to make it clear that this still (in my opinion) does not negate what this person did. However, it may help you to understand why the person did what they did. In my experiences, that can do wonders for a person when it comes to moving past something. I think this novel does a wonderful job of showing you that you may not know the full story. You do not know what every person is going through, has gone through, or may go through in the future.

I think this would be a wonderful book for teenagers in high school to read. People who are struggling, and even people who are not. I think it could do wonders to help them not only understand that it may not (and more than likely is not) them that is the problem. I also think it could help those who maybe do not think before they speak, before they spread a rumor, or even before they start one. It may help them put into perspective that what they are doing could directly affect someone in a serious way.

Dani Pesayco

"The Truth About Alice" by Jennifer Mathieu: Book Review

Rating: 5 stars (Actually, I think it's more of an n raised to infinity where n is equal to any natural number idk you get the point)

Let me get to the fangirling aspect of all this for a moment like HOW THIS BOOK IS JUST SO AMAZING AND GAAAAH KAZHAJXNKSXSNX EVERYONE I MEAN EVERYONE IN THE WORLD SHOULD READ THIS DAMN BOOK I SWEAR TO GOD.

But let's get to business. I found this book on my Goodreads newsletter and of course it intrigued me because it had this "Thirteen Reasons Why" vibe with how a girl was getting all the shit in her life because of goddamned rumors. It was a perfect setup because it seemed like it would give me more insight like into how bullying is and how rumors get out of hand and yeah you get the point.

When I finally got my hands on it, of course I read the first few pages. I was absolutely NOT planning on reading it right away bc of my huge tbr list but after the first page, THE FIRST PAGE, I was immediately hooked. Like really, really, really hooked. That was one of the first things that caught my attention. It grabs your attention even if you didn't want to, like you just HAD to continue and know more to find out how Alice Franklin became a slut because she had sex with two guys in one night and how Alice Franklin was very much responsible for the death of Brandon Fitzsimmons, Healy's star quarterback and Healy High's King Bee.

So basically we have four main viewpoints, Elaine O'Dea the popular Queen Bee bitch, Josh Waverly the jock best friend of the dead quarterback, Kelsie Sanders the very...weird best friend with issues turned popular bitch, and Kurt Morelli the very introverted and anti-social genius who embraces his peculiarity with such a flair that can only be described as Kurt Morelli. All the while I was reading, it was like I could hear them talking to me, as if they were just a few inches away in front of me. Their voices were real, as if they were the ones who wrote this book, as if they were real live people who experienced this first-hand. Out of all the books I've read, this might be the one with most true and raw voices speaking out at me I swear.

But what I loved the most was the story like WOW. It really took my breath away. It's a cliché that's not a cliché, if you can understand that. Each character had a story to tell, their own viewpoints as to how everything that transpired even from way back when they were fifth graders led up to this whole disaster. There were twists that I never saw coming, each twist giving more insight on these characters motives. Then as the story neared its ending, I found myself rooting for Alice, because the way I saw it, there were only two possible endings to this book. And I was so glad it ended the way it ended.

This book taught me that everyone has their own demons. Not everyone is perfect, of course, but you realize that when you idolize someone, you see them as perfection, unreachable, but it turns out that they have secrets of their own, secrets that when released may turn the events a whole 360 degrees--for the better, in my opinion. It also reminded me that rumors are nasty little buggers that can eat someone out alive. And it made me realize that, no offense, if schools in America were really in actuality like that in real life, I don't know how people survived it. Like really how in the world.

Tldr; you can skip the next part haha.

I love Alice Franklin. I admired her strength. Despite all the shit she was being forced upon, she held strong. I honestly wouldn't know what to do if I were in her place. If others were in her shoes, they would have either resulted in self-harm and, of course, worst case scenario, suicide. But she did none of those. I dunno it was different, a good different. And of course, Alice had a light to guide her in the form of Kurt Morelli, the guy always thought of as the social outcast. So basically they became social outcasts together.

I honestly fell in love with Kurt. He was unrealistically realistic. Who knew his longtime crush could turn into his closest, probably even best, friend? Despite his status in the school hierarchy, he embraced what he was and I love that about him. He was cool and uncool at the same time lol. So much oxymorons to describe this guy and so much love I can feel for him I can't even begin to describe how amazing he is :)))) romanticizing a nerd, I know, but it's true. He gives me hope that there can actually be pure and real goodness in people from those you least expect and even never notice ever.

But gosh, how much social discrimination can this book point out it irritates me that it even happens in real life.

I tried looking for flaws but I don't think there are any. Maybe if you'd ask me, I would want to know what happened to the characters after the ending, but of course that's how you're supposed to feel after finishing a book that's supposed to leave you wanting more and keep asking questions and fantasizing about what could've been.

All in all, I believe everyone in the world should read this. Literally. This says so much about how one statement can affect a whole town, one move and you will be judged. Society will always be like that, but this book also reminds me that there is, and will always be, hope.

Samantha

IS THAT REALLY HOW IT JUST ENDS??

I need to know what happens now :/ 

This is the first book I've read that had more than two POVs, and honestly I really liked it. I liked that each character was so different. 
I liked how real the book was. 

I just don't like how abruptly the book ends.

Tiffany Engler

I really disliked this book. This book is not a healthy book. It doesn't shed positive light on women and their sexuality. Even if the rumors about Alice were true, this is not the way a woman's sexuality should be judged. It should NOT be judged. It's nobody else's business. Jennifer Mathieu did not execute this book good. This book seems like it's supposed to shed positive light about slut shaming and how it's not good to do it. There were no repercussions for the students. They all basically got away with bullying a girl. I really hope Jennifer's other books are nothing like this. If they are, you can guarantee I will never pick up another book by her again.

The only reason this book is getting two stars is because of Kurt. He may not have been the best character ever, but he did step up and befriended Alice when she had nobody.

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads
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What a powerful book. The multiple POV was pulled off very well. Each character had a clear, distinct voice. The characters were so self-absorbed and shallow (except for Kurt and Alice), but they were believable. Their inner dialogue and their actions revealed so much about them and I found myself pitying them for being the way they were. I was so excited to get one chapter from Alice at the end. I'd like to be greedy and ask for more, but I truly think it was near perfect as-is. 

I can't say much about the majority of the characters beyond this... Elaine and Kelsie are mean girls. Elaine's shallow enough that I can almost disregard her behavior as that of a vapid teenager. Kelsie, on the other hand, I can't excuse in any way. She knows what it's like to be unpopular. She's far less than perfect herself. She and Alice were friends. Best friends. Her betrayal is worse than the others. Josh was just a stupid guy who was dealing with his own issues – and the loss of his friend – and it was easier for him to blame Alice than to take a minute and think how his actions led to the accident. Of course, that's not the only thing Josh was hiding as far as I'm concerned, but I'll let you draw your own conclusions. (I do wish this had been flushed out more, honestly. But maybe I was just reading too much into things.) Kurt was the only character who I can say anything positive about. An observer, he knows more than what he admits to, but honestly, who would've believed him anyhow? It wasn't right for him to keep the truth from Alice, but I can understand why he did. It's really hard to get a feel about Alice because we learn so much about her through the eyes (and lies) of others, and only get one short chapter from her at the end. I do commend her for how she handled everything she was going through. She stayed as tough as possible and I respect her for that. 

Bullying sucks. The Truth About Alice had a very strong message about bullying, but did it from the POV of the bullies and that's what makes it stand out most to me. We frequently see (or read) bullying from the perspective of the bullied. We know how it affects them. It's rare to see it from the eyes of the aggressor, to see what pushes them to treat someone else in such a way. Of course, there's never an excuse for it and these characters don't even try to truly excuse their behavior. They're just jerks. 

The Truth About Alice was a super quick read. It wasn't necessarily an easy read if bullying or slutshaming is a trigger for you as it is me, but it was relatable and well-written. One of the things I liked most about this book is that it was messy and, unlike a lot of YA novels, everything wasn't wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end. There was some serious damage done by these characters and I think this ending was more fitting than a "they all lived happily ever after" would have been. I shed a few tears during this book, but that's probably not a great surprise to anyone. It wasn't to me. 

This is a book that will stick with me for quite awhile. The Truth About Alice is a fantastic debut novel for Jennifer Mathieu. I look forward to more incredible books from her in the future. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

Life can be cruel, arbitrary even.

Life can definitely be cruel. Especially when you’re a teenager and your classmates spread rumors about you that ruin your life. The Truth About Alice is a harshly realistic look at bullying and stereotypes as they exist today.

Told through the POV’s of 4 separate teenagers (not including the victim herself.), this story is a scary web of lies that creates total chaos for one young girl. At first I wasn’t sure I would like having so many different points of view. I feared I would get confused on characters and personalities. But I didn’t have any trouble at all. Jennifer Mathieu did a wonderful job of telling not just one story, but several stories all at once.

There was more than just bullying in this story. Mathieu tackled quite a few sensitive topics, including homosexuality, sex, and even touched lightly on other disorders. Real life issues that our teens face today. This story really makes you think. You can’t always believe what you hear, no matter how drama-filled and laughable it seems. And it doesn’t matter your social status at school or who your friends are… once rumors get started, they are very difficult to put an end to. Experiencing the affect they have on the victim will rip your heart out. Not hearing Alice’s voice until the bitter end really made the torture even worse. Hearing how much it affected her through the voice of others was sad… but hearing it from her personally was so much worse.

How much did it hurt? It was like a million paper cuts on my heart.

This is one of those books that I think every teenager could benefit from reading. It’s a tough one to swallow, that’s for sure. I was mad at what these teens were doing and saying, yet I completely believed in the story and knew that this kind of stuff exists in our world currently. It’s sad, but it’s true.

(Thanks to Roaring Brook Press and Netgalley for the review copy!)

Find this review and others like it at Lost in Literature!

Jeremy Cote

This book was a bit of a surprise.

It definitely wasn't one that I would have picked up at the store. Truthfully, I began to read it due to the fact that they were giving away copies on NetGalley. I was accepted to have the book, and so I decided to read it for a while. I wasn't planning for it to intrigue me the way that it did.

In many ways, this book is filled with clichés. The whole high school life in this town seems to be based on that, due to the fact that at least 80% of what happens in that town does not happen in mine. Still, I enjoyed reading it.

The most interesting aspect of the novel, though, is how Mathieu tells the story. It is told in the point of view of multiple characters, all who share some sort of connection with Alice. The different characters are engaging, and they represent each a different slice of the town's kids. I loved how each character each had their own truth about Alice, but none of them had everything, and so they all believed something different.

I also enjoyed the rapidity of the novel. It was a pretty quick read, and I enjoyed that there weren't too many parts that felt like Mathieu (the author) was just stretching the novel for nothing. Overall, I really enjoyed a novel like this, particularly due to the fact that it wouldn't be one that I would have chosen on my own.

Kristen Savage

Karla<3

Kate

Ana Hein

Kelly Cotton

Moon

Ruth Lykins 

Theodora Dimitrova

Tiffany Robinson

Winner of the Children's Choice Book Awards' Teen Choice Debut Author Award Everyone knows Alice slept with two guys at one party. When Healy High star quarterback Brandon Fitzsimmons dies in a car crash, it was because he was sexting with Alice. Ask anybody. Rumor has it Alice Franklin is a slut. It's written all over the "slut stall" in the girls' bathroom: "Alice had sex in exchange for math test answers" and "Alice got an abortion last semester." After Brandon dies, the rumors start to spiral out of control. In this remarkable debut novel, four Healy High students tell all they "know" about Alice-and in doing so reveal their own secrets and motivations, painting a raw look at the realities of teen life. But in this novel from Jennifer Mathieu, exactly what is the truth about Alice? In the end there's only one person to ask: Alice herself. This title has Common Core connections.

The Truth About Alice From the author of Moxie

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