Review: So Close to You by Rachel Carter

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 313

Received: Received from Harper Collins Canada in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: July 10, 2012
Buy From Amazon.ca / Buy From Chapters.ca

Goodreads Synopsis:

Lydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the strange things that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who've disappeared over the years. Stories about people like her own great-grandfather.

When Lydia stumbles into a portal that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, she discovers that all the stories she's ever heard about the Montauk Project are true, and that she's in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history.

Alongside a darkly mysterious boy she is wary to trust, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the Project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices--and if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them . . . and herself.

My Review:

I love books that deal with time travel, add in a government conspiracy and I am definitely hooked. SO CLOSE TO YOU was a great mixture of these two, with an added bit of romance (not that it takes over the story). This story reminded me so much of BACK TO THE FUTURE (which is one of my favourite movies!).

I found this book a lot different than other YA books out there lately, because there is a large focus on family. Lydia's family is a huge part of the story, her parents are in the picture and she spends time with her grandfather. It's nice to see a character close with her family, and the focus of the book more on family relationships rather than boys.

I did find that in the beginning the story moved a little slow for my liking, but it picks up quickly as Lydia starts discovering many of the secrets and begins to investigate the Montauk Project more.  Carter adds in a little bit of science to make the idea probable, which was really interesting. I really enjoy the science fiction and conspiracy theory plot of the book, it gives readers something different.

The characters throughout were very well written. I really loved Mary, a character who is so full of life in a time of war. She always had fun with whatever she was doing and could always lighten up a dark mood. It's great to see characters who are so happy even in the worst of times, it always makes for an uplifting read. Lydia was a very inquisitive character, and was always searching for answers, I liked that she didn't let the romance get in her way. She is a character that really fought for what she wanted.

The ending really took me for surprise and I can't even imagine where Carter will take the next book. This was a really fun and enjoyable read. If you liked the BACK TO THE FUTURE movies you will definitely enjoy this one!

You can find more information on SO CLOSE TO YOU and Rachel Carter at the Harper Collins Canada's Page.