The Adjustment (The Program #3) by Suzanne Young

The Adjustment (The Program #3)

by Suzanne Young

Source: eARC provided for review.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads/ Amazon/ TBD

Summary:

Tatum Masterson never went through The Program. She never had her memory stripped, never had to fight to remain herself. But when Weston, her longtime boyfriend and love of her life, was taken by handlers, she hoped he’d remember her somehow—that their love would be strong enough.

It wasn’t.

Like all returners, Weston came back a blank canvas. The years he and Tatum spent together were forgotten, as well as the week when he mysteriously disappeared before The Program came for him.

Regardless of his memory loss, Tatum fights to get Weston to remember her. And just as they start to build a new love, they hear about the Adjustment—a new therapy that implants memories from a donor. Despite the risks, Tatum and Weston agree to go through the process. Tatum donates her memories from their time together.

But the problem with memories is that they are all a matter of perspective. So although Weston can now remember dating Tatum, his emotions don’t match the experiences. And this discrepancy is slowly starting to unravel him, worse than anything The Program could have done.

And as the truth of their life together becomes clear, Tatum will have to decide if she loves Weston enough to let him go, or to continue to live the lie they’d build together.

Prepare for your Adjustment.

 

 

*****

 

****TW: This book is about suicide. If you have any triggers or don’t like to read about suicide. Do NOT read this book.

I don’t have words to describe how much I love this series. Suzanne Young is a genius and while each set of duologues are from different characters’ perspectives, the plots are so intractably connected that it will leave you wanting to read every one of these books. The Adjustment is The Program #3, it takes places in the world after The Treatment, but it was released after the prequel (The Epidemic). It seems a little confusing sometimes, but in The Adjustment we have cameos or mentions of the characters presented in the others books and Tate’s story is linked to them in a very interesting way. Before I keep going I think it’s best to list the exact reading order: Duology 1.The ProgramThe Treatment
Duology 2. The RemedyThe Epidemic
Duology 3The AdjustmentThe Complication (2018)You can read the first and the second duology separated, but I don’t think you can read The Adjustment if you haven’t read The Program and The Treatment.
That being said, The Adjustment is a deeply moving book about lost and trust. Tate never went to the program, but she was left behind to suffer the loss of her boyfriend (who was taken to the program) and lived in constant fear of being taken. When Wes, Tate’s boyfriend comes back, he doesn’t remember her. He might not be the same Wes she fell in love with, but she’ll do anything to get him back.This was actually a very complicated storyline because Tate, deep in grief doesn’t seem to notice how much she’s hurting herself and Wes trying to get back to a relationship that doesn’t exist anymore. This was a troubling relationship, they keep hurting each other, and they keep fighting for his memories and their love story. All while around them the world is falling apart; returners (people who went to the program) are still dying and the consequences of the program are destroying lives. This was an emotionally draining read.
Suzanne Young’s writing is amazing and fast paced. The characters are well created and it’s impossible not to connect with them. This book had some amazing twists and turns I wasn’t expecting and while the epilogue was a little confusing for me, it left me dying to read the final installment of this awesome series.
So, if you like intricate storylines, dark and heartbreaking plots and amazing characters, then you’re going to love this series! 

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ARC Review: The Epidemic by Suzanne Young

The Epidemic

Series: The Program 0.6

Author: Suzanne Young

Source: eARC provided by Publisher

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD/ B&N

Summary:

In a world before The Program…

Quinlan McKee has spent her life acting as other people. She was a closer—a person hired to play the role of the recently deceased in order to give their families closure. Through this process, Quinn learned to read people and situations, even losing a bit of herself to do so. But she couldn’t have guessed how her last case would bring down her entire world.

The only person Quinn trusts is Deacon, her best friend and the love of her life. Except Deacon’s been keeping secrets of his one, so Quinn must set out alone to find Arthur Pritchard, the doctor who’s been trying to control her life. The journey brings Quinn to Arthur’s daughter, Virginia, who tells Quinn the truth about Pritchard’s motives. The former closer will start to see that she is the first step in fighting an epidemic.

But Quinlan doesn’t want to be a cure. And with all the lies surrounding her, she realizes she has no one left to rely on but herself—even if she doesn’t know who that is anymore.

****

The Epidemic by Suzanne Young is the prequel to The Program (The Program #1) and the sequel to The Remedy (The Program #0.5).

While in the first book of these prequels we knew about the world before The Program, The Remedy was basically the story of Quinn, as a closer. There wasn’t much about the suicide epidemic; it was centered in the closers’ world and Quinn’s fight for identity.

In this second prequel, after a few chocking revelations, Quinn is on the run.

In the beginning it felt a little like The Treatment, when Sloane and James are also on the run, but after a few pages I realized it was completely different. Quinn wasn’t as passive as Sloane; she was a dynamic character, always looking for answers.

I don’t think The Program lacked of answers when it came to the world-building, but I always wanted to know more about the suicide epidemic and how it started. I’m so glad to say that I have now all the answers I was looking for.

The Epidemic has both: an amazing conclusion to Quinn’s journey, and a perfect view of the world before The Program and the suicide epidemic.

I have to say, once again, that Suzanne Young has an amazing ability to write grief. She makes readers connect emotionally with her characters and The Epidemic was just another proof of that.

While I already knew Quinn so well from the previous book, in this book we have a deeper view of Deacon and Aaron, plus a few closers that made their way to my heart easily.

You see, I really enjoyed The Epidemic; I was over the moon when the publisher approved my review request.  I reached THE END with a big smile on my face. But why not five stars then?  Because while I understood the hell Quinn went through, I found her character a little contradictory. There were moments I couldn’t quite catch up with her emotions and decisions, particularly when it was about Deacon, and that really annoyed me. I wish her relationship with him was easier to follow.

Aside from that, The Epidemic is a wonderful read! Suzanne Young’s writing is addictive and the plot was perfectly done.

If you are a fan of The Program duology, then you need to read its prequels soon! 

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ARC Review: Hotel Ruby by Suzanne Young

Hotel Ruby 

by Suzanne Young 

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

ARC provided for review. Thank you!

My rating: 4 stars

Summary:

When Audrey Casella arrives for an unplanned stay at the grand Hotel Ruby, she’s grateful for the detour. Just months after their mother’s death, Audrey and her brother, Daniel, are on their way to live with their grandmother, dumped on the doorstep of a DNA-matched stranger because their father is drowning in his grief.
Audrey and her family only plan to stay the night, but life in the Ruby can be intoxicating, extending their stay as it provides endless distractions—including handsome guest Elias Lange, who sends Audrey’s pulse racing. However, the hotel proves to be as strange as it is beautiful. Nightly fancy affairs in the ballroom are invitation only, and Audrey seems to be the one guest who doesn't have an invite. Instead, she joins the hotel staff on the rooftop, catching whispers about the hotel’s dark past.
The more Audrey learns about the new people she's met, the more her curiosity grows. She’s torn in different directions—the pull of her past with its overwhelming loss, the promise of a future that holds little joy, and an in-between life in a place that is so much more than it seems…

****

I’ve read many books by Suzanne Young, and so I can tell she has an amazing talent to write heartache. I don’t think I’ve ever read one of her books without crying. HOTEL RUBY is not the exception.

The book starts with Audrey and her broken family going away after her mother’s death. In the way to her grandmother’s house, they find the Hotel Ruby, a majestic hotel in the middle of nowhere.

The hotel seems like the distraction they were looking for. There, Audrey meets Elias, a mysterious and handsome boy, and his friends from the hotel staff. She’s soon drawn to them, to the stories behind the hotel.

The first half of the book is mostly dedicated to create the atmosphere and built the relationships, and while I enjoyed it and started to feel curious, it felt a little flat.

However, the second half of the book is filled with intrigue and mysteries. It’s impossible to put it down.

The plot twist is so well done that even if you expected it, you’ll still be astonished.

I was impressed with Suzanne Young’s ability to describe some creepy and graphic scenes, it was shocking.

The dynamics among the characters were realistic. I enjoyed reading about Audrey, her family, her new friends, but the hotel itself felt like the main character.

HOTEL RUBY is one of the best thrillers I’ve read so far. There’s no doubt Suzanne Young is one of the best authors out there.

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ARC Review: The Remedy by Suzanne Young

The Remedy 

Author: Suzanne Young

Source: eARC provided for review. Thanks!

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

 My Rating: 5 stars

Summary:

In a world before The Program…

Quinlan McKee is a closer. Since the age of seven, Quinn has held the responsibility of providing closure to grieving families with a special skill—she can “become” anyone.

Recommended by grief counselors, Quinn is hired by families to take on the short-term role of a deceased loved one between the ages of fifteen and twenty. She’s not an exact copy, of course, but she wears their clothes and changes her hair, studies them through pictures and videos, and soon, Quinn can act like them, smell like them, and be them for all intents and purposes. But to do her job successfully, she can’t get attached.

Now seventeen, Quinn is deft at recreating herself, sometimes confusing her own past with those of the people she’s portrayed. When she’s given her longest assignment, playing the role of Catalina Barnes, Quinn begins to bond with the deceased girl’s boyfriend. But that’s only the beginning of the complications, especially when Quinn finds out the truth about Catalina’s death. And the epidemic it could start.

*****

I’ve read a lot of different worlds since I became a reader. It’s one of the things a love the most about reading: finding things I never dared to imagine.

The Remedy is one of those books. 

I loved to read about the journey of Quinn, how she manages to became different people and put a piece of her heart in every one of them.

The world before The Program was just as messed up as the world of Sloan and James. And that was brilliant!

I’m not going to lie. There were times when I felt sick reading some chapters and picturing the worst.

What made me feel uneasy was the relationship between Quinn and Isaac, the dead girl’s boyfriend.

I was so afraid to see Quinn losing herself. I was afraid that relationship would never change.

I was afraid about a lot of things in this book. But once again, Suzanne Young did not disappoint.

I don’t know if I should say that there’s a love triangle. Because I felt the only real relationship is between Quinn and Deacon. But one of the things I liked the most was that the romance is not main topic in this book. 

Suzanne Young has a wonderful talent to write about sadness and grief. Her writing is so addictive, it'll let you desperate for more.

Every character was interesting to read, and easy to like. The plot is phenomenal and the world building is fascinating.

Believe me when I say that The Remedy feels real. It feels awfully real.

So, of you want to read a book that will have you on the edge of your seat. You have to read The Remedy.

              

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Waiting on Wednesday: The Remedy by Suzanne Young

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine

I lovelovelovelove The Program series. So, when I read there was going to be a new book set in this world, I couldn't be any happier. 
The Remedy will be published on April, 2015. Check it out!

 

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

In a world before The Program…

Quinlan McKee is a closer. Since the age of seven, Quinn has held the responsibility of providing closure to grieving families with a special skill—she can “become” anyone.

Recommended by grief counselors, Quinn is hired by families to take on the short-term role of a deceased loved one between the ages of fifteen and twenty. She’s not an exact copy, of course, but she wears their clothes and changes her hair, studies them through pictures and videos, and soon, Quinn can act like them, smell like them, and be them for all intents and purposes. But to do her job successfully, she can’t get attached.

Now seventeen, Quinn is deft at recreating herself, sometimes confusing her own past with those of the people she’s portrayed. When she’s given her longest assignment, playing the role of Catalina Barnes, Quinn begins to bond with the deceased girl’s boyfriend. But that’s only the beginning of the complications, especially when Quinn finds out the truth about Catalina’s death. And the epidemic it could start.

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My Fic Boyfriend #21: James Murphy

 

 My fic boyfriend is a weekly segment or a follow up to "My book boyfriend" that was hosted by Missie at The Unread reader. Sadly, that meme stopped but I loved it enough to follow it here at The reader lines.

I had a lot of "My Fic Boyfriend" posts saved in my computer, but somehow I always forgot to post them. So, I decided today was the day to come back to my book boyfriend obsessions.

My Fictional Boyfriend of this week is James Murphy from The Program and The Treatment by Suzanne Young. 

Sloane always said James was hot and cold, but he also was funny and sweet. And you know, it's really hard for someone to try to be funny when there's depression everywhere, maybe that's why I loved him more.
If you haven't read this amazing duology I hope you do, just because of him.

I introduce you... James.

“He's tender and defenseless, as if every part of him is exposed. He's not the asshole I thought he was, not even close. What I see is someone broken and fierce. Someone loyal and hardened. Someone who could belong to me completely, and me to him.”

“I look back at James one last time, and he gives me his signature smile, wide and cocky. but it's not real. Sometimes I think it's never real. James is the best at hiding his pain, disgusing the feelings. He knows what it takes to stay out of the Program. He'll keep us safe.
He promised.” 

“You know I'm never going to be able to not kiss you again, right?" he said. "For the rest of my life, every time I look at you, I'll have to kiss you.” 

“Don’t ruin it.”

“I’m the one who’s ruined.”

“Shut up, James.”

“I’m like… corrupted”

“You are not”

“I think you have to marry me now”

James put his hand over his heart, anguish on his face that nearly kills me. “Because I can feel it here, and I could have read it in my words. I was protecting you, I would have died to protect you had they not stopped me. We’re fucking mental for each other –but maybe that’s how we survive from here. We just have to be crazier than The Program”

THE BOOK

 

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

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