12 April 2015

Review - Two Truths and a Lie (PRG Investigations, #1) By: Ashley Stoyanoff

Title: Two Truths and a Lie (PRG Investigations, #1)
Author: Ashley Stoyanoff
Publisher: (February 28th 2015)
From: the Author
Format: eARC
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Add to: Goodreads
Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Amazon UK, Smashwords, Kobo, iBooks, Amazon CA, Amazon AU

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: One year ago, I became a missing person. I left everything behind—family, friends, school. It seemed like a good idea at the time. My only option, really, until I realized running from a police officer isn’t as easy as I thought it would be.

It’s been exactly three-hundred and sixty-five days since I left home, but I’m finally ready to take the step I should have taken a year ago. I’m done hiding. I’m done running. I’m going to take my life back.

It was supposed to be easy. A meeting with Jason Pierce, a private investigator, was set up for me. All I had to do was go to him, let him do his thing, and then I could go home, or so I thought.

That is, until I met Jason and things got … complicated.

Review: 2.5 Stars - Two Truths and a Lie is the first book in the PRG Investigations series by Ansley Stoyanoff. The synopsis hooked me and the cover sealed the deal and I couldn’t wait to jump in and get started.

Yet, the actual book fell flat. Horribly flat. The writing was decent at time, yet the story wasn’t fluid so I was confused often from beginning to end. There were too many holes in the story that just didn’t add up and if I’m honest, that first meeting with Jason Pierce, I thought he was an old man. I didn’t expect him to be young. So didn’t get that until way later in the book.

The idea behind the story is extremely intriguing and I wanted to like the characters. I wanted to find out what the heck happened to send this girl – Elena on the run. Again I liked the idea and wanted to know more.

And there were a couple of times I did seriously enjoy the book. I think the best parts were when all the guys were around and they were playing the two truths and a lie game and having that whole conversation. To say that made the book for me wouldn’t be a lie, I just wish there were more scenes in the book like this one/these to make the book so much more well rounded and whole.

Sometimes a book doesn’t work for me, yet I’m still intrigued to finish it to find out the resolution, which is exactly what I did here.

So while I had high hopes for this one there was only a small amount that I enjoyed due to the holes in the story which disrupted the flow for me. And I so wanted to love it. I wanted to like these characters’ enough for them to leave a mark.

It’s really frustrating for me when this happens.

In the end, it was okay. It has its faults and problems that left this reader often confused and disappointed. I don’t know if I’d recommend it or not, but I will say that if you like the idea that the author gives you from the synopsis you should give it a try. I might not have found a hit with this one, but you just might.

About the Author:

Ashley Stoyanoff is an author of paranormal romance books for young adults, including The Soul's Mark series and the Deadly Trilogy. She lives in Southern Ontario with her husband, Jordan, and two cats: Tanzy and Trinity.

In July 2012, Ashley published her first novel, The Soul's Mark: FOUND, and shortly thereafter, she was honored with The Royal Dragonfly Book Award for both young adult and newbie fiction categories.

An avid reader, Ashley enjoys anything with a bit of romance and a paranormal twist. When she's not writing or devouring her latest read, she can be found spending time with her family, watching cheesy chick flicks or buying far too many clothes.

Ashley loves hearing from her readers, so feel free to connect with her online.