Unraveling Isobel

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Isobel has such a tough life, but I love how she didn't let it get to her too much. And did I mention how annoying her step-dad was? Props to Isobel for not doing anything drastic to him! I would have had a hard time holding back. Isobel's relationship with Nate is so sweet. At first, Nate is very cold and aloof, but Isobel is slowly able to pull back the layers and see that Nate is pretty amazing.

I just loved every scene they had together. Their moments with each other range from hilarious to down-right steamy! Cook knows how to write a good romance. I can't wait for more from Cook! Aug 17, A Canadian Girl rated it really liked it Shelves: As a result, it kind of felt more like a plot device to me. A good choice to pick up if you want a fun contemporary with a bit of paranormal and mystery!

Feb 17, Paradoxical rated it did not like it Shelves: I just couldn't get into this book. There's nothing different about Unraveling Isobel. That's okay, I don't need different. I do need a compelling story or at least one that doesn't make me skim over pages in boredom and characters that don't aggravate me. Unfortunately that didn't happen here, where I pretty much just read the book and paused every few pages to say, "Yeah, yeah, your life is unfair and you're upset. I just don I just couldn't get into this book. I just don't care that she's going through typical teenage angst about moving and how her mother is controlling her life.

Or how powerless she is, and how hard it is to start over in a new place. Which, yeah, I get. I would probably even feel sorry for her if she didn't keep mentioning how unfair her life is every other page or so.

Self pity holds no interest for me, sorry. The romance was lackluster at best why does the male lead like the main character? I just didn't feel any chemistry and it was all rather yawn inducing. Which seems to be the refrain for this book. The plot plodded along almost achingly slow. When I thought of a summary of everything that happened, I could sum it up in about five sentences. Isobel's mother marries a jerk of a guy, moves them into jerk-face's house, and she suddenly has a hot new stepbrother. Cue sexual tension or lack of. Isobel runs into the popular crowd and tries desperately to fit in, even if she has no real interest in said popular crowd.

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Isobel's real father was declared crazy a while ago and now Isobel is afraid that she's crazy as well because strange, ghostly things have been happening in the house where jerk-face's dead daughter seems to be haunting. Oh, and I can't forget about Isobel bemoaning the unfairness of her life. The only somewhat interesting parts, the ghost bits, aren't too frequent and most of the book is swallowed up by Isobel's crap life.

At least the ending picked up a bit, but Obviously this book did not mesh well with me. It was unforgivably dull. I couldn't stand Isobel whining any more. Feb 07, Mingwei rated it really liked it Shelves: Just when Isobel thought she was going to have the best senior year with her best friend, all of a sudden, her mom decides to marry someone from the internet, someone who she's only known for 3 months. So she has to say goodbye to her old life in Seattle and instead hello to the ports of Nairne Island.

Richard Wickham or otherwise known as "Dick" is the widowed mansion owner who managed not only to turn Isobel's life upside down, but it seems like he is purposely trying to wreck it. As if there Just when Isobel thought she was going to have the best senior year with her best friend, all of a sudden, her mom decides to marry someone from the internet, someone who she's only known for 3 months. As if there wasn't enough drama already, Isobel has to deal with her new step-brother Nathaniel, and the people from school.

When she starts hearing rumours about the mansion that she is currently living in, she begins to suspect that there is more to Richard Wickham than she thought. I decided to read this book because Anna recommended it to me, she said it was a must-read and that it was filled with mystery and suspense throughout the entire book. I finished reading this book because I really wanted to know if the rumours were true and also if Isobel was actually going crazy or was someone purposely trying to destroy her life.

I have to say though, the ending was not what I expected at all and that's what made me love this book even more. I would recommend this book to Joyce because I think she would really enjoy it. It keeps you guessing throughout the entire book, there are many twists and turns, and at the end, the outcome may not be what you thought. Nov 13, Shanyn Chick Loves Lit rated it really liked it. I should pay more attention to the blurbs of books, honestly. Lisa McMann calls Unraveling Isobel creepy? How could I not listen to that?

I went into this book assuming it was generally about Isobel and her possible mental illness, not knowing that I was going to be so scared that I would only read this in the daytime. Yes, the summary does mention ghosts, but there are different ways for ghosts to be written about. Eileen Cook knows how to scare the pants off of you. Or that's I should pay more attention to the blurbs of books, honestly.

Or that's true if you're a wuss like me, at least. There's a reason I don't read much in the thriller genre. Overall, minus the feeling scared bits, I did enjoy Unraveling Isobel. I enjoyed Cook's writing style, and the plot kept moving along at a nice pace. It's a mix of thriller and mystery, so as you work your way through the book as a reader you get to work out clues and coincidences with Isobel. I fully intend on picking up Cook's first novel now, as I know I enjoy her writing style.

I also intend on paying more attention to obvious references to creepy in the future. Or everyone could make it easier on me and make the titles very obvious.

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Like Anna Dressed in Blood. Isobel's life starts to unravel after her Mom marries a man she met Online Add a hunky, but Untouchable step brother.. Her natural father , the schizophrenic artist, is both a source of fear and regret That being said, I see this as a story, not so much of Isobel unraveling, as the fabric of her life being shredded by forces, and people, beyond her control.. That she survives with her sense of humor intact can be chalked up to moxie The best Coming-of-Age stories don't preach This is one of the best I've read in quite a while I hope there are many Isobels out there.

A finished unsolicited copy was provided by the publisher for review. Isobel is quite a witty character. She likes doing things her own way, no matter who or what stands in her way. Her relationship with her mom sounded as dysfunctional as anyone's is. Although, her mom was scared her own daughter could be as crazy as her ex husband seemed real. Her concern for her daughter was real. Can Nathinel get any more sexy? His favorite place in his estate is the library. I like characters who like to rea A finished unsolicited copy was provided by the publisher for review. I like characters who like to read.

I also admired that Nate did not care if he was popular or not. He proceeded to go about his business and ignore Nicole and her cheerleading squad. Overall this was a great intense mystery filled with paranormal activity, sprinkled with a bit of romance and the cliche high school bullies. I quite enjoyed it. What wasn't explained was how Isobel could see and talk to the ghosts and why no one else could. Apr 14, Sarah rated it it was ok Shelves: I just read this book for the second time.

I was hoping that my rating would increase but alas. Whilst I do appreciate Isobel's sense of humor, everything else felt flat. I dont know, I think it could have been better. The book focuses more on Isobel's crush on her step brother than on the ghost haunting her home. I was more intrigued by the whole haunted mansion thingy, missing girls and mysterious deaths surrounding the home than by the silly high school drama or high crush.

But thats jus Edit: But thats just me. I usually like supernatural stories but I was easily annoyed by this book for some reason. I think it was the mother who cared more about her new husband then her daughters feelings or the whole 'mean girl' blah blah and of course there was the deranged step father. Still, I liked Nate and I like Isobel and the history and mystery of it all. Didn't love it, but it had it's moments. View all 12 comments. Jul 04, Donna Jaevenstar rated it it was amazing Shelves: So this book grabbed me from the first page and held my attention to the very end.

It is an awesome ghost story that kept me guessing until the very end! I love Eileen's gift for writing in such a way that kept me second guessing throughout the whole story. Aunque era obvio quien era el malo de la historia e. Nov 18, Aparajitabasu rated it it was amazing Shelves: You are looking to read a light paranormal psycho-thriller Here is the summary of the book: Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbeli You are looking to read a light paranormal psycho-thriller A great cover, a great and fitting synopsis that gripped me from the beginning, ghosts, haunted houses, peculiar murders and the best of all hunky step brother The protagonist Isobel is like every other teenager today.

She is also not without her problems, her dad has Schizophrenia, her mom married some guy she just met off the Internet, and she is forced to leave her only home and high school during her senior year.

Unraveling Isobel

If you are thinking that is horrible When she moves in with her step family step-dad and that hunky step-brother in a haunted house and starts seeing ghosts of a haunted looking girl she fears she has inherited Schizophrenia from her father. But what is worst Can the situation get any worse? All these ghostly sightings has Isobel thinking that there must be something wrong with her step-dad Richard whom she calls Dick Wickham's family or himself because well he is a creeper but also due to all the strange deaths that surround the family and that haunted house were they live.

Isobel is determined to figure it all out, because she knows something is going on in this house. It doesn't all add up. Isobel's new step-dad is catching on and starts telling her and her mother that she needs help. So Isobel does all she can to solve this mystery as fast as she can before it is too late. Aptly named 'Unraveling Isobel' - the book does that in a great way by peeling away layer over layer about her character at each step without it all being a hassle.

Isobel is a typical teenager and like every other teenager she goes through a phase where she questions herself, typically when she starts seeing those ghosts and tries to deny but she knows in her subconscious mind that denying wont do any good and that those really are ghosts. She is an amazing artists, and she is a fighter. Her mother on the other hand is an idiot.

She goes off and marries a guy she met on the internet after only three months, she moves to some place she doesn't know when she perfectly knows that Isobel is absolutely not willing to move where she is from. There should be some compromise, and it should be something that should be discussed. Then she starts believing her new husband whom she only met three months before over her own daughter who she knows much better than that Dick.

Then comes that new husband Also he seems like he can manipulate people to his will Isobel's mom to be exact and is a attention seeker. He doesn't care for any other human being but himself and this house haunted house. Last but not the least is that hot and hunky step-brother Nate. He is sweet, caring and the perfect boyfriend material. He seems to be the perfect fit for Isobel. Although at first it seems like he hates her and Isobel also tries to deny her feeling for him but gradually they open up to one another and things start to head up between them but they are not blood related so its good enough conditions and situations apply.

Nate is also a good listener and later becomes Isobel's only confident in that haunted house.

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As far as the writing is considered - that is very well done, the plot literally flows through the pages and not a break in any of it all. It starts out slow and gradually gains momentum and will make you want to read through till the end in one go. There is humor, reality, paranormality, seriousness, a murder mystery that needs to be solved, a burgeoning romance and an every day teenage high school life expertly woven through these pages.

I am so getting a copy of it when it releases in January next year. Nov 12, Ann rated it it was amazing. I was really shocked with how good this book was. I had seen it around, but hadn't really thought anything of it until I got it in the mail from Simon Pulse. Isobel is a teenager whose mother just married some guy she met on the internet three months ago.

Isobel and her mother pack up and move to this guy's old mansion on some island. Isobel is told she can pick any bedroom she wants. And she happens to pick the bedroom of her dead step-sister. The first night she is there, she sees a ghost.

I th I was really shocked with how good this book was. I think in her mind she really knows who it was. But she begins to tell herself that it wasn't really there. It must have been the wind and her curtains or something. From then on, weird things keep happening in this house. Isobel's mother starts to believe it and considers having Isobel committed. A date is set for Isobel to leave, and she realizes that she needs to solve this mystery fast if she wants to avoid being committed. I really liked the characters in this story. Isobel is a typical teenager. Who would like moving away from your whole life to a place where you know you won't fit in and will be living with people you barely know!?

I didn't like that she started questioning herself about seeing the ghost, but I think deep down she knew that she really did see a ghost. She just didn't want to admit it. However, she knew the alternative was that she was going crazy, which she knew was absolutely not true. She is a fighter. She says things how they are. And she is determined. Isobel's mother is an idiot. First of all, she marries some guy she met on the internet after knowing him for only 3 months. Second of all, she moves to some place she doesn't know when he is absolutely not willing to move where she is from.

Like maybe everyone should decide what the best place would be for everybody, but this new guy gets everything he wants I guess. And finally, she begins believing her new husband over her own daughter! She has known her daughter since she was born, and this guy for 3 months! She should have seen that her daughter wasn't going crazy. The things that were happening weren't even things that would get a person committed.

So she was listening to her new husband too much. Isobel's new stepbrother is sweet, caring, and perfect boyfriend material. At first, Isobel fights her feelings for him. Then they start making out and saying it is ok because they aren't blood related. Okay, I can understand that See full terms and conditions and this month's choices. Tell us what you like, so we can send you books you'll love. Sign up and get a free eBook! Unraveling Isobel By Eileen Cook. Price may vary by retailer.

Add to Cart Add to Cart. But, with her birth father having given up his career to become an artist her own passion, though stifled by her mom and suffering from schizophrenia which is known to have a genetic component , Isobel starts worrying that the unraveling means she's going crazy. She'd like to turn to someone, so she tries calling her best friend, Anita, but she seems pretty busy with new friends. Her mother is too gaga over her wealthy, new husband to do anything except chastise Isobel for not appreciating their new life.

Although her step-brother, Nathaniel, tries to be available to her, he is just a little too attractive for comfort.

At school, though, Isobel is taken under the wing of popular alpha-girl, Nicole, and her entourage of cheerleaders, and starts to feel like she's settling in a bit even if Nicole insists she join the cheer leading squad. Given time, Isobel probably would have worked things out for herself, but with Dick and her mom insisting that she see a therapist, and Nicole's gossip and machinations making life just a bit more difficult, and Nathaniel starting to share his feelings with her while continuing to be so good-looking, everything just works against her.

Luckily her humour and nerve help Isobel unravel appropriately while keeping her whole. Her snarky comebacks to the comments of others continued to keep me laughing and cheering for her, pleased with her strength of character.

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