Ugly Young Thing by Jennifer Jaynes

4 "Wickedly Disturbing" Stars

Back Cover Blurb -

 

Sixteen-year-old Allie has already experienced a lifetime of horror, having lost her mother and serial killer brother to mental illness.

Returning to her childhood home in Louisiana, Allie ends up in foster care and is placed with Miss Bitty, an eccentric but kindly older woman who shows her a new direction and brighter future.

But Allie's new life takes a devastating turn when young women in the area start turning up dead, and she discovers someone lurking outside her bedroom. As Miss Bitty grows inexplicably distant, Allie begins to wonder if death has found her yet again...or if it never really left her at all.

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What a deliciously dark read! Ugly Young Thing is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. Filled with intrigue, darkness and suspense, it takes you inside the mind of a serial killer and disturbed teen and opens your eyes to the horrors of both.

Allie is a young girl, who's self image and self worth are convoluted by years of abuse from her sick mother and by experiencing devastation and horrors that no one should have to endure. Is mental illness genetic? Or, is there any truth behind the ramblings of a crazy person? Ugly Young Thing takes the reader on an uncomfortable journey through mental illness and depravity, all the while spinning a tale cloaked in mystery, terror and deception.

While reading this book, I found myself disgusted, yet completely captivated by the story and characters. My heart broke for Allie and the things that she has endured and the struggles she faced. This is not a light read and there are some scenes and subject matter that might turn the stomach of some readers, so beware. As for me, I loved the fact that Ms. Jaynes toed the line on what is acceptable in societies standards and didn't shy away from making her reader uncomfortable. I was grossed out and engrossed at the same time.

My disappointment in this book came from how the book ended and the questions that I was left with. I feel unsatisfied and I hate feeling that after reading a book. Overall, I would recommend to those that love suspenseful and shocking reads. This ain't for the faint of heart though, so be warned.

Happy Reading, until next time...

I would like to thank Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.