Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

Simon Pulse, February 8, 2011

Summary from Goodreads:

The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad. Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history. Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

In case you couldn't tell from the widget on the sidebar, or from this post here, I have been anxiously waiting for this book release, so you can imagine my squeals of joy when I was accepted into Simon & Schuster's Galley Grab and this was the first title they sent me!

I have to say, Cryer's Cross lived up to my expectations. I love a good story, and McMann provided a GREAT one here. I thinks he did a great job describing the issues Kendall deals with as a result of her OCD, and I love the idea of living in a tiny town like Cryer's Cross. I grew up in a small town, but not 212 small. While I like being able to get in my car and drive to Mickey D's if  I want (one of the luxuries Kendall doesn't have), the nostalgic part of me pines for small-town living.

And of course the story is really intriguing...I'm just always afraid of revealing too much. I got completely sucked into it and couldn't wait to find out what happened next--I love when that happens! Yes, the book is on the short side, but I suspect that's because it's one of those books you need to dedicate an evening to. Trust me, you're not going to want to put it down til it's done.

eGalley received from publisher.

Enjoy your reading!
Christi