The Rules for Disappearing

Book:  The Rules for Disappearing

Author:  Ashley Elston

Publisher:

Date:  Available now

Source:  Publisher via Netgalley

My grade:  A

She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.

Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.

But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival. (Cover and description from www.goodreads.com)

Initial Impression

I have no idea why this book has gotten negative reviews.  This book rocked!

Cover Story

I like it!  There are no people kissing and the cover actually seems to go with the story.  Win! 

What’s the Story?

So Meg (not her real name) and her family are part of the Witness Protection Plan.  She has no idea why, but she thinks it’s something her dad did.  She thinks that he must have been caught and he’s going to exchange testimony for his freedom.  But she doesn’t know that for sure.  What she does know for sure is that she is tired of moving.  She has already moved 4 times and the story opens with the 5^th move that the family is making.  To somewhere in the middle of Nowhere, Louisiana.

I really, really liked this story.  At first, Meg seemed a little jaded, but really, who wouldn’t be if you had been through what she has been through?  As I read more and more of her story, I liked her more and more because I realized just what a horrible situation this would be for anyone, but especially for kids.

This time around, Meg decides that she isn’t going to interact with anyone or get to know anyone because she’ll just have to move again in a month anyhow.  Of course, things don’t go as planned and these kids in Louisiana are just too friendly.  (Which, btw, is actually the way it is in small towns in the South.)  She ends up getting involved with a boy named Ethan, who is the cutest redneck ever.  Now, I have to say that Ethan gives Tucker Avery a run for his money in the most swoon worthy country boy contest.  And Ethan has a Louisiana accent to boot!

In any case, as the novel progresses, things get worse and Meg feels as if she is being followed and watched.  She also finds out why they are in the Witness Protection Program and then ALL. HELL. BREAKS. LOOSE!!!!

I can’t go into any details because I don’t want to spoil this book for you.  But let it suffice to say that this one was a real nail biter.  I was sitting on the edge of my seat just wondering what was going to happen next.  And then the ending!!  GAH!!!  The ending almost had me screaming in frustration until I remembered seeing a second book in the series.  I ran to Goodreads to make sure, and I breathed a little sigh of relief when I saw it.

The Soundtrack

The Great Escape by Boys Like Girls

Dirty Little Secret by The All-American Rejects

I’m Like a Bird by Nelly Furtado

Secret Agent Man by Blues Traveler

Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap

Strong Enough by Sheryl Crow

Secret by Maroon 5

I may have gone a little overboard with this one on the soundtrack. : )

The Final Grade

My final grade for this one is an A.  I really enjoyed this book.  It kept me interested and had me hanging on the edge of my seat, unable to wait and see what would happen next!  And there’s a sequel!  Hooray!!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.  I received no money or other compensation for my review.  Not even a hot guy with a sweet Southern accent.