Review of Riley's Secret and International Giveaway

I'm so excited to introduce another promising indie writer, Christina Smith! Just so you know, the first book was really good, but the second is even BETTER! So get your hands on both books as soon as possible!

Goodreads Book Description: Megan Banks feels like an imposter in her own life; she doesn’t belong with her friends or with her parents, who ignore her. After a fire she’s indirectly involved with, she finds herself with two hundred hours of community service. It’s the charity she volunteers at that finally makes her feel like she belongs. These people, with whom she has nothing in common, mean more to her than her rich, selfish friends.

But for some reason her supervisor, Nate Green, doesn’t want her there. He thinks she’s a self-centered rich girl who deserves to be in jail. After she’s threatened by the kids who started the fire, Nate and Megan form a strange friendship, built only for her protection. But the more she feels for him, the more he pushes her away.

As they become closer, Megan knows Nate is attracted to her as well, but she also believes that he is hiding something. But she could never guess what he really is. Before she realizes what is happening, she becomes involved in a world she didn't know existed.

In this strange new reality, can she finally find a place where she belongs?

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My Review: I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Riley's Secret by Christina Smith is about a teenager, Megan, who seems to have everything-- her family is rich, she is part of the popular group at school, and she has all the clothes and material things that she could ever want. Problem is, she just wants a real family and a sense of real purpose-- neither of which she has. She has a huge crush on Nate, a hot guy at school who wants nothing to do with her, but when her popular group of friends burns down a house, she has to make a decision-- to do what's right, or to once again go along with her friends. Her decision and her connection with Nate, who has more than a few secrets of his own, change the course of her life forever.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are great, and Megan, in particular, is a very likeable protagonist. She was your "poor little rich girl," but quickly sets everyone's view of her straight-- she is a good person at heart and brave enough to do the right thing even if it's not the popular one. Nate is less likeable, but he has a reason for being gruff. The plot has some great twists, and a paranormal aspect, which makes it very entertaining to read.

A couple of issues I had with this book have to do with Megan's reaction to Nate's secrets. I just couldn't understand why she wasn't bothered by certain things, and why she was SO bothered by other things, which I thought to be less important. Also, some of the plot twists seemed almost too convenient.

Overall, a wonderful and entertaining first novel in a trilogy. I will definitely be picking up the next installment!

Stay tuned for my review of the second book, an interview with Christina Smith, the author, and an interview with the main character of Riley's Secret, Megan! Now enter this great giveaway!  a Rafflecopter giveaway