The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

The Truth About Alice

by Jennifer Mathieu

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Published by: Macmillan on June 3, 2014
Genres: YA, Teens, Bullying, Sex, 
Pages: 208
Source: ARC from Publisher
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars

NOTICE: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Everyone knows Alice slept with two guys at one party. When Healy High star quarterback, Brandon Fitzsimmons, dies in a car crash, it was because he was sexting with Alice. Ask anybody.  Rumor has it Alice Franklin is a slut. It's written all over the "slut stall" in the girls' bathroom: "Alice had sex in exchange for math test answers" and "Alice got an abortion last semester." After Brandon dies, the rumors start to spiral out of control. In this remarkable debut novel, four Healy High students tell all they "know" about Alice--and in doing so reveal their own secrets and motivations, painting a raw look at the realities of teen life. But in this novel from Jennifer Mathieu, exactly what is the truth about Alice? In the end there's only one person to ask: Alice herself. 

What do we know about Alice Franklin?
She slept with 2 guys in one night at a party. She had an abortion. She caused the death of star quarterback Brandon Fitzsimmons. Basically, she's a slut and a killer.

Who is Elaine?
The popular girl who hosted the party when Alice Franklin slept with 2 guys in one night.

Who is Brandon?
One of the guys Alice Franklin slept with at the party. He's also dead.

Who is Josh?
Brandon's really good friend who did not sleep with Alice Franklin at the party.

Who is Kelsie?
Alice Franklin's former best friend who has many secrets of her own.

Who is Alice Franklin really?
Alice obviously knows the truth, but truly finds out who she is and what she's made of by the end of the book.

I really enjoyed this book! It was extremely well-written and engaging the entire way through. The alternating chapters with different POV's was easy to follow and essential to reveal not only the truth about Alice, but the motivation behind each main character. It's more of an ensemble cast of characters which I found refreshing. It has a wonderful flow. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA books with a hint of mystery and would read it again. My only "complaint" is the ending. I thought that Alice's final line could have been more powerful, or meant something stronger than it did. The intensity and the resolution just kind of fell off on that last statement of hers. That's the only change I would recommend.

I want to give a shout-out to the cover design. After you read the book, you'll realize what the writing on the wall is and appreciate the cover's artistry.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jennifer Mathieu started writing stories when she was in kindergarten and now teaches English to middle and high schoolers. She lives in Texas with her husband, her son, her dog, and two cats. Nothing bad has ever been written on the bathroom stall about Jennifer. At least she doesn't think so.