The Rules for Disappearing, Ashley Elston

There are times that I must read a book in pretty much one sitting. I can't physically tear myself away from it without knowing what's going to happen to the characters I've grown to love. And then, once I finish, I immediately need someone else to read it, too, so we can talk about it! The Rules for Disappearing was this kind of book.

A glimpse from Amazon:
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 of 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.

My opinions...
This book begins making you wonder what's going on. After a while, you think you've figured it out, and then that's turned inside out. I felt like Meg/Anna was easy to relate to even though I've never found myself in her situation. Somehow, through all she's endured, she is still a fairly normal teenager, grappling with making new friendships, pursuing a relationship, and dealing with parents that get on her nerves. Her story is different in many ways, but not so far-fetched that you can't identify with her. At times, I felt myself mourn for her and at other times, I thought my own heart would beat out of my chest as I cheered her on. The ending does leave some things up in the air, but in a good way.

I would definitely recommend this to my students to like mystery, thrillers, and romance. It was a neat combination!