Blog Tour & Giveaway: As You Lay Sleeping by Katlyn Duncan

As You Lay Sleeping
Katlyn Duncan
Published by: HQ Digital
Publication date: February 22nd 2017
Genres: Thriller, Young Adult

I did it all for you…

Cara’s boyfriend is dead.

When fingers start pointing at her, she knows she’s in more trouble than she originally thought. Because Cara can see that something isn’t right.

As her carefully constructed life begins to crumble, Cara isn’t sure who she is anymore.

But maybe that’s exactly what someone wants her to think…

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My review:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Mystery, Teen--

Cara goes through the motions of being with her boyfriend, but is counting down the days until they are no longer together. When he calls her and tells her to meet him, she has no idea that she will find him dead, or that she will become a suspect in his murder. Cara just wants her life back, but something is coming and she needs to face the truth.

I picked up the book one night to just read a few chapters and was incredibly surprised to find myself at the end of the story within the same evening. I literally blew through the book, so engrossed in the story that I did not realize time passed. The author used the format of short chapters which always suckers me into reading “just one more” until I have finished the story, just like I did here. This was a teen murder mystery with some surprising plot twists as well as interesting characters.

I can honestly say that I did not really care for Cara when the story began. She seemed like a self involved snob who cared only for her social standing, not how she treated people. There were a few moments where I found myself literally cringing when she practically begged to be friends with the evil popular girl Kat, it was so uncomfortable. But as the story progressed, she completely evolved as a character and I liked who she became. Cara came to the realization of what she was doing, how she had treated people and what really mattered to her. She was even self-sacrificing, something I never would have expected when the novel began.

The mystery aspect of the book had a slow start, in my opinion. Sure, the murder happened in the first chapter or so, but then the first half of the book was more about the drama of Cara’s life and her trying to figure out her priorities. (And don’t forget Ryan, sigh, I hearted him, but I refuse to have a tangent). The second half was focused on the twists and turns of the mystery and it kept me on my toes. Some things I saw coming but I still appreciated how it played out.

I want to say the story wrapped up, and this mystery did, but the author dropped a huge bombshell the last page (which I loved!), so I don’t know if this is a standalone novel or the first in a series. Either way, I want to read more from this author.

I received this title from the author in return for my honest review.

Author Bio:

Katlyn Duncan was born and raised in a small town in western Massachusetts. Her overactive imagination involved invisible friends, wanting to be a Disney Princess and making up her own stories. Her bibliophile mom always encouraged her love of reading and that stayed with her ever since. Even though she works full time in the medical field Katlyn has always made time for books, whether she is reading or writing them.

Katlyn now lives in southern Connecticut with her husband and adorable Wheaten Terrier and she is thrilled to finally share her stories with the world.

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