Review: THE TRUTH ABOUT ALICE by Jennifer Mathieu

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Everyone has a lot to say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie, and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep – Alice down.

This book is stupid good! So, so, SO well written. I love how all the tiny details and habits and interests Mathieu gives each character made them completely distinct in my mind, which is not easy with a five person point of view (though really four person, because we don't get the fifth until the last chapter). More than anything, this book just felt so real and it was really interesting to see how things just spiraled out of control.

What started as a horrible rumor piled on and yet it felt completely possible and fluid to the story. Each character truly thought she or he was justified in her or his actions (even while acknowledging they were wrong) and that was what was most heartbreaking of all. And REAL! I never felt preached to and yet the message came across so clearly. This is one that will stick with me!!

-Jen