Made For You ~ Melissa Marr (earc) Tour Review + Giveaway [@harperteen @melissa_marr]

Made For You
HarperCollins
September 16, 2014
368 pages
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Bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely books Melissa Marr’s first contemporary YA novel is a twisted southern gothic tale of obsession, romance, and murder. A killer is obsessed with Eva Tilling. Can she stop him, or will he claim her?

When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she’s confused—who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why? But before she can consider the question, she finds that she’s awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people’s deaths when they touch her. While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva’s power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva.

For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr has applied her extraordinary talent to contemporary realism. Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive this Gothic, racy thriller—a story of small-town oppression and salvation. Melissa’s fans, and every YA reader, will find its wild ride enthralling.

Review:

Made for You was even more enjoyable than I was expecting. I was drawn to it because of the author and (let's be honest) that really fantastic cover. I was also curious about Melissa Marr writing a 'contemporary' novel. While I do think it bears mentioning that Made for You contains some paranormal elements (as I know some who are not comfortable reading any paranormal/supernatural), it is mostly a contemporary, realistic novel.

One I enjoyed even more than I expected. Eva is the 'It Girl' of Jessup, North Carolina. Her family pedigree - that is vitally important in Jessup - is the best of the best. With good looks, a nice boyfriend and good grades, Eva has it all. Including someone obsessed with her - and willing to kill.

After Eva is hit in a hit-and-run, she finds herself in the hospital, injured and unsure of what has happened, much less why it would happen, While she's recovering Eva discovers a new, confusing ability: the ability to foresee someone's death when they touch her.

If her new found ability can be believed, Eva is going to have to work to keep herself and her friends safe.

I loved that we were introduced to Eva prior to the accident. We see who she is with her friends, how she acts and how they act around her. It was a nice contrast for latter parts of the story, with both Eva's character development and how her friends behaved.

Both the characters and the story use the setting to its full advantage. Jessup is a small Southern town where who your family is - present and past - affects your reputation and how others view you. Definitely teh 'It Girl' of her high school, Eva's friends check with her before deciding what the (publicly) think about something and she knows that everyone is aware of the family she comes from - and what they then expect.

The idea that there are 'right' kinds of girls and guys, that even in high school you have to date someone from the right family, could feel dated. Yet, because of the way the characters approach it as well as how it impacts the story, it not only works but works well. It also plays in very well with the obsessed character and how they see things.

Some of my favorite parts of Made for You have to do with the friendships and the romance, both involving Eva. Who she chose to spend her time with, who she kept close and loved, said a lot about Eva and it's really enjoyable to see some of the growth her character achieves during the story.

The romance in Made for You was really great. It is a great support for Eva, while still causing some debate and concern. Fan of Colleen Hoover's Hopeless books should find in Made for You a couple they will love reading about. I really, actually, wish there was going to be more story about the two of them, in a novella or spin-off. Their chemistry is great.

With suspense, intrigue, a perfect small town setting, and really well done characters and relationships, Made for You is one to read.




Melissa Marr Bio:


Hmm, I’m never good at the bio bit. I used to teach college & bartend, now I write novels. I love to meet new people, to hear their stories, to walk through new streets and see new vistas. I enjoy art in all its guises–graffiti, surrealist paintings, classic sculptures, tattoos, interesting buildings, Renoir, photography . . . Art & nature, they feed my soul & thus my muse.

Website/Goodreads/Facebook/Twitter

Check out the rest of the tour: Tour Schedule & Links

US/Canada Only

Ends October 7th

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Prizes:

• All 5 of Melissa's Wicked Lovely books (paperback), 
• The Desert Tale - Wicked Lovely companion book (paperback), 
• A hardcover copy of Made For You

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