Synopsis:
Oliana knows that every family has a secret, but she never expected hers to come from the grave.
High school senior Oliana Mercer dreams of attending the prestigious Reyersen Drama Academy and pursuing her acting career. But when tragedy strikes, Oliana discovers secrets hidden from her by her adopted parents, dimming the lights on her perfect world. As the sins of the past surface, Oliana finds herself caught up in a tug-of-war between two families while the love for her boyfriend is tested. Determined to find some form of happiness in life, Oliana becomes student director in the high school’s senior play. When her best friend, Devin Worthy, dies during dress rehearsal, Oliana is re-cast as the lead. Everyone thinks the death was a suicide, except Oliana, whose search for clues may be enough motive for the killer to murder again.
My Thoughts:
The drama nerd in me definitely loved the scenes and plot around the play and the fact that Oliana was accepted to a Drama academy. I also appreciated the added elements of adoption and the mystery and secrets about her bio family and the reason for her adoption. I did feel at times that the author sped through some of the more intense moments like Devin's death and even the police investigation, it definitely kept the plot moving, but I would have liked to see a bit more depth in those moments.
Overall, it is a well-written, fast-paced YA that is filled with secrets and deception and is sure to hold a reader's interest from beginning to end! Thanks to Giselle at Xpresso Tours for including me in this awesome tour! Check out the other stops by visiting: https://xpressobooktours.com/2022/12/15/tour-sign-up-shadowed-seats-by-marguerite-ashton/
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Author:
When Marguerite Ashton was in her twenties, she took up acting but realized she preferred to work behind the camera, writing crime fiction. A few years later, she married an IT Geek and settled down with her role as wife, mom, and writer!Her blog, Criminal Lines: Settled Writer Past 40 is her outlet while building dollhouses and plotting out her next book.