The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston – a Review

Links to order The Rules for Disappearing:
Amazon / Barnies & Noble / The Book Depository

Description:
She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.

Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.

But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.

Review:
The Rules of Disappearing by Ashley Elston is her first book in this new YA series.  I wasn’t sure this was a series or standalone, but after finishing it, now I am sure this will continue.  This is a totally different YA book, and an outstanding one at that.  I am totally impressed with Ashley Elston, and her wonderful writing. Imagine a YA book in modern world, no dystopian, no worldbuilding, no real teen angst, but with suspense, drama, somewhat of a thriller, a cute romance, and done so flawlessly.

The Rules of Disappearing held my attention from start to finish, as I could not put the book down.  The book begins with our heroine, choosing her new first name, Meg.  Why you ask?  She and her family are in the Witness Protection program, and once again for the 6^th time, they are being relocated.  Meg, and her family; her younger sister Mary (Teeny is her real nickname), her mother and her farther are being sent to a hick town in Louisiana.  Before she goes, the Feds help Meg dye her, with new contact lens, new papers, and a write up of who they now are to study, before arriving to their new home. 

Meg is bitter, and hates this life. She left behind friends, and doesn’t understand what really happened to force them into this life.  Her father and the ‘Suits’ (the Feds she nicknames), refuse to tell her anything.  Her mother has become an alcoholic with this change in their lives.  So Meg is determined not to get close to people in her new environment and only worry about Teeny, who is not handling the constant changes very well.

When Meg begins to attend school, she tries to avoid people.  But it is harder then she anticipated, as she finds herself liking Ethan.  No matter what she does, he will not go away, and he also suspects she is not who she says she is.  Ethan is our young hero in this book and he is just awesome.  He is the perfect young man any parent would want for their daughter. Ethan is very independent, but so sweet, fun, caring, and very handsome.  This was slow to build, due to Meg’s hesitation, but it was such a cute romance.  You found yourself rooting for them both. 

Elston has created some great characters in this book, from Meg, Ethan, Mary (Teeny), Pearl, the high school friends or enemies, as well as some of the ‘Suits”, and her parents.  Very well done. 

This is also a mystery, as the story unfolds, Meg will discover more then she bargained for, as there are so many twists along the way.  Her determination to find out the truth, puts her life, and even that of Ethan in danger. With no spoilers, Meg wants her life back, her family back, and will let nothing stop her from finding the truth.  The last third of the book, as revelations are made, is so exciting and enjoyable to read.  Meg is an awesome heroine, strong, smart, street savvy, stubborn, and loyal. 

Each chapter begins with a quote from the rules of disappearing, which for the most part Meg ends up not following.  This was a great read, exciting, interesting, and a story that does not let you stop reading.  A wonderful debut for Ashley Elston, as I cannot wait for the sequel to this book. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher