Title: The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Length: 400 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Hawthorn wasn’t trying to insert herself into a missing person’s investigation. Or maybe she was. But that’s only because Lizzie Lovett’s disappearance is the one fascinating mystery their sleepy town has ever had. Bad things don’t happen to popular girls like Lizzie Lovett, and Hawthorn is convinced she’ll turn up at any moment-which means the time for speculation is now.
So Hawthorn comes up with her own theory for Lizzie’s disappearance. A theory way too absurd to take seriously…at first. The more Hawthorn talks, the more she believes. And what better way to collect evidence than to immerse herself in Lizzie’s life? Like getting a job at the diner where Lizzie worked and hanging out with Lizzie’s boyfriend. After all, it’s not as if he killed her-or did he?
Told with a unique voice that is both hilarious and heart-wrenching, Hawthorn’s quest for proof may uncover the greatest truth is within herself.
Review:
The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti is a unique young adult novel with an intriguing mystery and a flawed but likable main protagonist.
Hawthorn Creely is initially indifferent to the shocking news that former cheerleader Lizzie Lovett vanished during on a camping trip with her boyfriend, Lorenzo Calvetti. When the numerous searches for Lizzie turn up no new information, Hawthorn becomes obsessed with finding the missing young woman. With an outrageous theory about the possible reason for Lizzie’s disappearance, she begins waitressing at the diner where Lizzie worked and she quickly befriends Lorenzo. With surprising ease, Hawthorn convinces Lorenzo to help her look for clues and evidence that will back up her theory about what happened to Lizzie and hopefully find the missing young woman.
Hawthorn is initially a difficult character to like. She is rather self-absorbed, tactless and immature. Her insecurities are endearing and as someone who is always on the outside looking in, she is often a target of her mean-spirited classmates. Hawthorn had a passing acquaintance with Lizzie years earlier that ended in disappointment and she is surprised by her obsession with the seemingly perfect woman’s disappearance. Her quest for proof that her speculation about what happened to Lizzie is correct leads to a startling friendship and romance that provides Hawthorn with unexpected insight about herself and her classmates.
The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti is a surprising journey of self-discovery for Hawthorn as she tries to uncover the truth about Lizzie’s disappearance. The storyline is rather unusual and although Hawthorn’s theory about the reason Lizzie vanished is a tad far-fetched, it is quite fun watching her try to find the missing woman. Her friendship with Lorenzo is enjoyable but their relationship does venture into somewhat uncomfortable territory considering their ages. Hawthorn grows and matures as the story progresses and she soon turns into a character that is easy to like and root for. An enjoyable, insightful young adult novel that I recommend to readers of all ages.
