Review: Celia On The Run- Sarah Mandell

Goodreads book description:

"Nick Novaczek is a cautious soul, a 17-year old with a boring life, a predictable future, and a quiet thirst for danger. On the eve of his beloved grandmother's funeral, danger finds him by the motel swimming pool. Her name is Celia and she's everything he's not. This foul-mouthed beauty is hitchhiking across the country to make amends with her estranged father and doesn't carry an ounce of fear or hesitation in her tattered suitcase. She's bad news all around, but for a rule-follower like Nick, she's intoxicating.

Twenty-four hours after speaking to Celia for the very first time, following one extremely lucky night, Nick is hopelessly hooked and "borrows" his parents' car to join her cross-country mission, even though her story is full of holes. It's the mistake he's been waiting his whole life to make. Together, they dodge a train, jump off a bridge, and scam everyone in their path. Nick is blossoming into a teenage fugitive, just like Celia, and he's never been happier. She may not be who she says she is, but she's got his vulnerable heart.

After weeks of detours, with hundreds of miles left to go, their wild adventure starts to unravel. The money dries up, Celia's dark secrets begin to surface, and it's clear they both want vastly different things out of this partnership. Celia is all about no strings attached and severing whatever they may have between them once they reach their destination, while Nick is head over heels in love and wanting a future with the girl in his passenger seat. They seem to reach a new low on a daily basis, but she won't turn back, no matter how desperate things get. After all, this is her trip and Nick is just the driver. Celia's got a charming smile to pay her way, a willing accomplice, a hidden agenda, and an endless supply of lies. Not to mention a gun."

SPOILERS PRESENT IN THIS REVIEW. HUGE MASSIVE SPOILERS!!!!!!


My review(with major spoilers):


I don't know how to properly describe this book. It's very gritty and goes to some dark places. It's also exciting, fun and wild. It's full of drama and passion. It honestly made me afraid to go to sleep last night. (I actually had to watch The Glee Project afterwards, in an attempt to feel less freaked out!)

I was kind of led to believe this was a Y.A book. I can see how it would be considered Y.A, in some ways but in others, this is pretty crazy stuff. I definitely think this is a book most parents wouldn't approve of their kids reading(but aren't those the funnest books?! V.C Andrews was my guilty pleasure as a pre-teen/teen.)

It's so raw and it sent daggers through me at least a few times. It definitely made my emotions go all over the place. I have to say I really enjoyed the rollercoaster of craziness present in this one book.

First off, the characters are so flawed but they get under your skin. Even when they do risky things or fight with each other, you can't help but get sucked into their dysfuntional relationship.

The basic plot: Nick is 17 when he meets a hitchhiker named Celia. Within a day, he's under her spell and he steals his parents car and offers to drive her across the county to visit her father. He just wants to experience life before he heads to college and he is completely infatuated with Celia.

Celia is such a crazy character. The things she does and the experiences she's had in her life are all both terrifying and enthralling to read about. I just never knew what she was going to do or say next and I absolutely loved that about her.

I loved the road trip aspect (I just love books about road trips or travelling). I found it was extremely interesting to read about. I also loved the cons and scams. And the list of things that Nick wanted to do before heading to college (destroying something valuable, knowing what its like to almost drown, playing russian roulette, etc.)

Celia and Nick always seemed to be putting themselves in danger and I admit I was constantly worried for them. The part that made me not able to sleep well was a horrible gang rape. It tore my heart out and made me feel sick. It's the part that really made it seem too intense for a Y.A novel but that's just my opinion.

There were a few things that were a little un-pc but I didn't take any of it too seriously. I'm assuming they weren't meant to be taken seriously. I know some people will likely bash the book because of the dysfunctional relationship but I actually enjoyed that aspect of the book.

The thing that seemed weird and out of character for the book was the way they both become religious at the end. I just didn't expect it and didn't understand why it worked out that way. Also, I was sort of finding it hard to believe that Celia got away with killing her father. I just assume that someone would analyze the scene and know that it wasn't a suicide. I really had to suspend my belief when it came to that.

Even though I had an issue or two with the book, I still really liked it. I really believe this author shows great promise and I will be reading other books by her. I found it so edgy, gritty and absorbing. It did mess with my mind and make me scared to sleep but I think that's a great accomplishment.

I'm giving it four stars because I "really liked it", plus it's one of the most entertaining ebooks I've ever read. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something really edgy. It has sex, cursing, scams and tons of dysfuntion!

(Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.)

Lisa x