Publisher's Weekly Review
Spoiled rotten 16-year-old Tamara Goodwin has everything and appreciates nothing-until her gilded lifestyle shatters with her bankrupt father's suicide at the start of this magic-infused suspense novel from Irish author Ahern (P.S. I Love You). Almost overnight Tamara and the shell of what used to be her mother have to vacate their foreclosed Dublin mansion, relocating to her aunt and uncle's modest digs in the depths of the countryside. But there's more going on in County Meath than meets the eye, as the bored girl discovers while exploring the nearby castle ruins. Then danger lands on her doorstep in the form of the locked leather-bound volume she borrows from the local lending library. It proves to be a diary that appears to write itself-one day before the events described. As Tamara starts to tap the book's powers, exposing some painful family secrets in the process, Ahern's tale-spinning prowess keeps the reader riveted. If only her characters were equally satisfying. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Library Journal Review
New York Times best-selling author Ahern (PS, I Love You) adds a dash of the paranormal to this family drama centering on teenager Tamara Goodwin, whose privileged life comes to an abrupt end when she relocates with her mother to a small country town. There, Tamara questions who she is and what her future may hold, discovering clues in an unusual journal found on a traveling bookmobile that reveals details of the day to come written in her own handwriting. Narrated effectively by Ali Coffey, this book is sure to delight both older teens and adults generally, who will find that the magic of this story lies not within the strange journal but within the surprisingly likable protagonist. [The "buildup.falls slightly flat; still, "Ahern has fans from her PS, I Love You days, so purchase accordingly," read the review of the Harper hc, LJ 11/1/10.-Ed.]-Theresa Horn, St. Joseph Cty. P.L., South Bend, IN (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.