Book Review: Shimmer by Elena Dillon (@ElenaDillon)

Shimmer (Breathe #2) by Elena Dillon
Publication Date: August 28, 2014
Published: Smashwords
Source: Mark My Words Book Publicity

My Rating:

Chandler Raines and her “dad” are on the run. Never staying in one place for very long. It’s just not safe. When they arrive in Lafayette, Louisiana, Chandler quickly realizes this is the place she wants to call home. Friends, a cute boy, and competitive cheerleading have her taking dangerous risks to have the life she always wanted. Risks she promised she wouldn’t take.
When her lies catch up to her, a decision has to be made. Stay or run? Will the evil that’s chased them for the last four years catch up to them? When Chandler’s past comes screeching into the present she’ll have to sacrifice everything to keep what she loves safe. But will it be enough?

Thanks to Mark My Words Book Publicity for providing this title in exchange for an honest review.

Part two of a series, Shimmer picks up a few years after Breathe with "Chandler" and her "dad" moving to the same town that Jasmine and her family escaped to, after four years on the run.

I have to say, Lafayette, Louisiana, sounds like one dangerous town. Everyone stops there while trying to run from their sordid past, but of course, it always catches up to them.

A couple of chapters into Shimmer, I found that it read very similarly to Breathe. Despite the differences in their stories, there was an extreme likeness between Chandler and Jasmine. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. I think the author found a formula that worked for her, and really, it works for these mysteries, as well.

What was most refreshing was Caeden. He wasn't nearly as perfect as the first male love interest, Easton. He was a sheep in wolves clothing - a bad boy, but not. Much more my type. In fact, in this story, I loved all of Elena Dillon's male characters. Chandler's dad was perfectly (and hotly) geeky. Finn made the perfect best friend, not to mention he dons his lifelong crush well.

There is very little to complain about in Shimmer. The writing style was simple, it entertained, and kept me hooked fromShi page one. There was an ongoing mystery, that toned down the romance aspect and gave the plot balance. Straight forward storytelling makes me happy, and I think this book read a bit more maturely than the first. It's still perfectly fitting for young adults, but entertaining enough for adults, who love the YA genre.

While, yes, it read very much like book one. I loved seeing where the characters I got so attached to in Breathe ended up and now know what to expect from my next Elena Dillon read.