Everything You Want Me to Be: A Novel

Will the real Hattie Hoffman please stand up!!

Hattie, multifaceted and complex character who really is a master manipulator whose skills match her acting ability. A senior in high school, she's determined to blow town after she graduates. Her problem is she is killed before she gets that chance.

The story is masterfully told via three characters, Del town sheriff and friend of Hattie's parents, Peter the English professor who finds himself in a place he never thought he'd be and Hattie herself. Whoever Hattie is. All that remains to be seen.

This book is masterpiece of excellent writing, superb character development and an insightful mind bending look into one young girls head. I can't think of any other book I have read that compares to this one. So well done and lures you right into the story. No hook needed.
The book had it all, from the what the ???, through the twists and just when you think... yeah, no.

Mindy Mejia, well done and I can't wait to read another book written by you.

**arc provided by NetGalley and Atria Publishing in exchange for a fair review**

A strong book, this one surprised me. It's well put together, and the story line plays out along side one of Shakespeare's plays, Macbeth. As the fire burns, so does the life of Katie Hoffman. Her body is found in an old barn, gone the dreams of the big stage after getting out of her small town life. This book has three main characters, and their points of view. It's intertwined around life, and death and the mystery of who killed Katie. It reaches deep in places, and yet can be very easy to read for the most part. Do you fake who you are, or do you allow the real you to show?

My copy came from Net Galley. I leave this review of my choosing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

This books revolves around the murder of a senior high school girl from a small Minnesota town. She is bright, witty and a very good manipulator. Her dream is to move to New York City and become an actress. The chapters vary in point of view of which there are three. Hattie, Mr. Lund(her English teacher) and Del(the sheriff and a family friend) who is tracking down who murdered her.

Hattie is proud of the fact that she can be what anyone wants her to be. She figures out what people want or need from her and she adapts to their perception. All her acquaintances really know a different side of her. Her body is found murdered in a dilapidated barn in a flooded area. The reader goes on the journey with each character's point of view to come to their conclusion as to what happened. I thought I knew pretty strongly during the narrative who murdered Hattie but then it changed several times. The book held my interest and the mystery was good.

I was hoping the hype would be true and this would be the next “Gone Girl”. Instead I found it trite and rather boring. I struggled to finish it, hoping that there would be some twist or redeeming passage that would make it worth my time. There wasn’t. Without giving away any spoilers, it was not too hard to figure out. Minor spoiler - there was a pretty unrealistic part at the end that involved someone saving a video tape. That made me wish I had quit when I first wanted to do so.

A community is left reeling after a beloved high school senior (Hattie) is found murdered. Who killed Hattie and why?

This book kept me guessing, and I thoroughly enjoyed trying to figure out who killed Hattie and why. The story is told from 3 points of view: (1) Hattie (2) Sheriff Del, who is also a close friend of Hattie's father, and (3) Peter, Hattie's English teacher.

Hattie spent most of her life acting, both on and off the stage. Just like the title, she tried very hard to be "everything you want me to be." She enjoyed figuring out what behavior was expected from each person in her life and acting accordingly. After her death, her fellow drama club members tried to blame it on the Macbeth curse, which added even more intrigue to the story. This one kept me guessing until the very last page, and I will be recommending it to everyone that enjoys a great thriller!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Hattie Hoffman was found murdered after the opening night of a school play she held a major role in. In addition to her performances on stage, many parts of Hattie's real life are all an act - best friend, girlfriend, student, actress, daughter... Who is the true Hattie Hoffman? It's difficult for Hattie herself to answer this question.

The events leading to Hattie's death and the identity of her killer are told in alternating views (Hattie; Peter, a teacher at her high school; and Del, the sheriff investigating her death) between the past and present. There aren't many options as to who Hattie's killer could be, but I thought I had it figured out and was wrong.

This book wasn't just about finding out who killed Hattie, it also dove into the complex world of a teenage girl, the pain of loss, difficult decisions, and dealing with the results of our actions.

Should this title be compared to Gone Girl? Nah, but it was still a good read.

This book led me on a crazy ride! The characters are so interesting, especially the character of Hattie. She is a chameleon that alters her behavior to suit her audience at any given time. The character of Peter mirrors the Macbeth play that he directs as he grapples with his own morality and allows understanding of right and wrong. The story winds itself in so many directions and even when you think you are done with this novel and have learned the end of the story, there are even more twists and turns around the corner. Parts of the story are a teeny bit predictable but the majority of the story is not predictable, at all. This was a very fast reading novel for me (I read the last 310 pages in one day, broken down into two sittings) and I really enjoyed it. I will definitely be looking forward to reading Mejia's other novels in the future. I think readers who enjoy books written by Mary Kubica and Paula Hawkins will enjoy this novel.

The story on the news often starts with “a most despicable crime” or some similar attention grabbing announcement. I agree, but when an educator has an affair with a student, a sexual liaison, is it necessarily sexual assault? The student being of the age of consent and a consensual participant. Put the setting in small town rural America, where the younger generation seems hell bent on leaving for the bright lights and more excitement. Always greener over there. This story combines these elements and more to make a well written heart racing plot, of the tragedy and loss suffered by loved ones, there are no winners, only losers and the lost. While the story does end, the reader surely knows there will be no ending for a long time to come for those close to the victims. Sure, it is only a story, fiction, but as the reader I cannot help but wonder if it is based on a real-life event. All of five stars for this well-crafted story.

Compelling. Dark. Absorbing. Mejia weaves together a story of love, lies, betrayal, deception, and angst through completely evocative prose. The honesty and grit of the story propel the dark and twisted nature of this tale forward as the reader unravels the mystery in front of them.

There is nothing about this book I didn't like. Correction. I didn't like when it was finished because that meant that it was over. If I could, I would give it 6 stars instead of 5. From beginning to end, this story completely grabbed a hold of me. This book will leave you clamoring for more by this author. I cannot wait to read what is next.

Audio Book Note: I had the opportunity to revisit this book in audio version after reading it a few months before. The narration was engrossing and moved really well. Also, having the separate narrators enhanced the story even more rather than confusing it.

"I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed this book and this is my honest review."

Wow, what a thrilling mystery filled with such complex characters that keep you on the edge of your seat. It is a story that is so well written it is really hard to put down.

I really enjoyed the way the author told the story through the eyes of the three main characters. Hattie, the murdered high school student; Del, the sheriff investigating her murder and Peter the high school teacher who has crossed the line. Each chapter is told from a different characters perspective which gives the reader an inside look into the emotions driving the storyline.

I would highly recommend this novel from Mindy Mejia to anybody who enjoys thrilling mysteries with plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.

Mejia. I would highly recommend this book as an intriguing mystery with many twists and turns. The author starts the story with a murder of an 18 year old senior(one of the main characters) who has met with a gruesome death.The other two main characters are the Sheriff of the town, and the English teacher of the school where the victim went. In this novel, there are other complex characters. The victim is a talented young lady who loved drama and acting, and was conflicted about her future after finishing high school. Mindy Mejia writes about 18 year old students, their families , friends, teachers, and neighbors in a small town. There is jealousy, betrayal,and anger. Some of the characters are quirky and not likeable. There are suspects, and one has to follow carefully to come to a conclusion. Not only is this suspenseful story, but there is also romance.

This is an AMAZING book. It's the first one I've read in a few weeks that I couldn't put down---as evidenced by the fact I read over 200 pages of it in three hours last night, and finished it this afternoon. I have to admit that even though I felt bad for the murder victim's family and friends, I never really liked the character herself...she is far too manipulative and fake for my tastes. The mystery of who killed her, and why, however, makes the entire book. I had three suspects as the story progressed, and I wound up ruling out the person who turned out to be the actual killer, so I felt like an idiot when the truth came out.

If you're a fan of stories full of emotion and suspense that keep you guessing till the very end, this is definitely the book for you!

If there is any book you should read in 2017 - this is it!!

This book literally had me on the edge of my seat, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The twists and turns that it took... had me second guessing everything.

Hattie is a senior. She has spent her whole life being everything she thought others wanted her to be - the good daughter, the great student, the best actress. But then she is murdered.

Solving this case opens up many dark secrets in this small communal town.; and often is leaving you with more questions than answers.

This story is told in three parts (Hattie's, the sheriff trying to solve who murdered her and the new English teacher). Trust me when I say, you won't be able to put this down.

Definitely get to one clickin' now!!

"Every book changes you in some way, whether it's your perspective on the world or how you define yourself in relation to the world."

This psychological thriller is brimming with just the right amount of suspense and even a touch sensuality that will leave the reader guessing what secrets the main characters are hiding at the turn of every page. When a small-town girl winds up dead, everyone panics -- and rightfully so because Hattie, the victim, has everything going for her. The pacing is a bit slow but I loved it for this story - you kind of need to slowly fall into these characters and feel your way around their words and actions. Such a great read - I devoured it in one sitting! 10/10 would recommend if you're looking for to start reading psychological thrillers!

I love a mystery that keeps you on your toes with each page you turn you change your mind with who is good and who is evil. I've heard a lot of critics talked about how they don't like the present/past intertwined together but to me that's the best part about a mystery. Ms. Mejia presents you with what happened and then gives you the pieces you need that leads up to the murder. I also enjoyed the 3 different views of the events. I wasn't sure if it could work but I can't imagine any other way for this story to be told. I really enjoyed this book and never saw the ending coming. Ms. Mejia definitely surprised me at every turn, just how a perfect mystery should be.
Hattie was absolutely a girl that would fit the role of "Everything You Want Me To Be."

I couldn't put this book down! It took me just two days to read it. There were so many red herrings and twists and turns in the plot. The characters were complex with their dark sides hidden from the world. Hattie especially had a dark side to her. I admire the sheriff, Del. He tried to be compassionate and fair. The only issue which had me scratching my head was why the murderer kept the evidence. The murderer should have gotten rid of it! I guess the murderer wasn't too smart. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Mejia.

Who killed Hattie? Is Hattie as innocent as people think? Most importantly, who is Hattie Hoffman?

I totally get all the positive reviews that this book is getting. Everything You Want Me to Be is a compulsively readable book that keeps you engrossed until the very last page.

The three points of view and the time jumps work so perfectly for this book. It all helps the story unfold in way that keeps you wanting more. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong. Perfect ending to a brilliant story.

One thing I'd like to add, I see many people liked Hattie. I'm not so sure I did. She's one of those unlikeable heroines for me. Definitely fascinating, but ultimately the cause of her own demise.

How do you measure culpability when you own actions cost you the ultimate price? Teenager Hattie Hoffman, high school student, falls in love with her English teacher and a married man. Young, inexperienced and willful, she sets about getting what she wants with no consideration of consequences. Too self-centered to see beyond her own desires she manipulates people in her efforts to succeed in her heart's desire. Who is Hattie, what is Hattie? Is she naive, foolish and unaware, or is she evil?

Mindy Majia uses her extensive talent to weave a psychological tale of mystery, love, hate and choices. She takes us on a journey of twists and turns to its inevitable conclusion. But who brings Hattie's conclusion?

Wow. Just wow.

The characters in this book are so real. They are flawed living breathing humans. They grow and change as the books goes through time. The author just blows me away. The plot is definitely character driven, but it has twists and turn and is such a psychological thriller that you get sucked in and become so invested in these people. This is a book that is going to stick with you after you read the last page.

*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and have given an honest an unbiased review *

OMG, this book was PHENOMENAL!!! So, the premise of the story is about this high school girl who is constantly altering her personality to meet others' expectations of her. She is found murdered, and then the problem becomes finding out who did it. Come to find out, she has some major secrets she's been keeping from everybody, and she's not the goody two shoes everyone thinks she is.

I literally could NOT put this book down. Shh, don't tell, but I even brought it to work with me. That's how good it was! The writing was stellar and the story was amazing.

P.S. When you find out her secret-she's living the fantasy of every high school girl in America, am I right????

This is one of those stories that picks up the more you listen to the book. It's told through multiple points of view the main being Hattie, an eighteen year old who was found stabbed to death. You also hear Peter, a teacher at the high school Hattie is having an affair with and the police chief investigating her murder. I didn't guess ahead of time who the murderer was so the story did keep my invested. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes murder mysteries.

A gripping murder mystery told by three viewpoints - - Hattie Hoffman (a senior at Pine Valley High School and also the victim.), Del (Pine Valley's chief of police) and Peter (an English teacher at Pine Valley High). Hattie's mutilated body is found near a pond outside the small town of Pine Valley .

The solution to the crime takes many twists and turns and you find yourself reading late into the night to learn the outcome.

Very well written with excellent character development which makes one care about all the main characters in the book.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for sending me the ARC for this book. It was very enjoyable and I recommend it highly.

Whenever you read a book where you know right off the bat that one of the main characters is dead, you know you're going to be taken on a path that examines the hows and whys of that death. I enjoyed how well-balanced the story was in showing how important the "why" was in leading to the "how."

What surprised me was that the characters were so interesting that despite knowing that Hattie was dead, I kept hoping that somehow it would be a ruse, another clever role she managed to finagle in order to get the life she truly wanted.

The ending packed quite a punch, wrapping up the "whodunnit" aspect in ways I hadn't expected, and then there was a kind of insight and grace in the final moments that felt wholly natural and yet completed unexpected. More than any other part of the book the ending mirrored the Shakespearean ideas peppered through the book, leaving two men in the aftermath of tragedy, witnesses who would be responsible for keeping or telling their stories.

Thanks to publisher in conjunction with Netgalley for allowing me the read this book.

Excellent!! I received an early copy of this book through the publisher and NetGalley and loved it!!! Debut? If this is a debut, I am highly impressed and cannot wait to see future work from this author!! I will be looking for all future books from her. The book left me saying "wow" over and over!. It was fast paced, well written and an easy enjoyable read. I enjoyed Hattie's character. Who killed her and why? I was tearing through the pages to find out. Wow, just wow!

I would give this book 10 stars if it was possible! I devoured this entire book today. Loved everything about it. The characters, the pacing, the plotline, the twists... I loved how the author made me root for a situation I would never typically root for in real life. She made me FEEL what the characters were feeling and going through. Awesome, awesome, book! I can't say it enough. I'll look for more of this author's work.

And, let me just add this, I have a backlist of reviews to post, but I just had to post this one ASAP!

4.5 Stars
This is the most unconventional whodunit story-telling I have ever read. It's so unique and spell-binding, I couldn't put this book down. I honestly didn't want it to end!

I freaking love Hattie. With all of her flaws and manipulation, she is one of those characters I can't help but to love. In truth, I should despise her. I should say she got what she deserved. But the truth is, I can't.

This story is told from three different point of views. You get Hattie's side, Peter's side and Del's side. Who are these Peter and Del characters? They are people who are very important to this story. Without their side of the story, there really wouldn't be a story. Plus, I don't think we would want Hattie to tell you all of her story. It wouldn't necessarily be correct.

The twists and turns in this book had my mind on overdrive. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another wrench was thrown in and threw me into a tailspin. This happened over and over. Then I knew FOR SURE I was on the right track, until I wasn't. I was correct on a few things, just not in the ways I had assumed.

Hands down, this is a book I recommend for all of you psychological thriller junkies like me. You will devour this book. You might get to the end and be a little conflicted on how you feel, but after a long period of mulling over everything, I bet you would agree with my assessment of this book!

I received an ARC of Everything You Want Me To Be from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This book is everything you want a psychological thriller to be! It is engrossing, twisty, and suspenseful. I was pretty confident I knew who the killer was but the author had surprised me when the murderer was revealed. The writing in Everything You Want Me To Be is flawless and brilliant. This book was very hard to put down and by far exceeded my expectations. It probably is one of the best in the genre and a must read. Run, don't walk to a bookstore to get your hands on this twisted beauty!

Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings

Hattie Hoffman was a good girl and not the girl her family would have predicted would be found stabbed to death, so when the investigation starts into her murder they are blindsided by the truth left and right.

With twists and turns that I predicted and came out of nowhere, I don't want to say too much about this one. It is in the middle of the pack in the who dun it genre, it didn't stand out of the pack, but I would definitely read another from this author.

Five stars, no question! The plot moved along swiftly, with no boring bits, and plenty of surprises. Because they were so well written, I fell in love with all the characters, even the ones that weren’t that likeable. The writing style was engaging right from the first paragraph, and I particularly enjoyed the subtle humour included in characters thoughts and dialogue. The small Minnesota farming community was so richly described that I really felt like I lived there. I hope the author writes more in this vein, as she did an excellent job.

As thrillers go, this book hit all the right notes and I was sucked in, guessing the ending until the last pages. I'd also give Mejia pretty high marks for character development. I felt as if I had a good grasp on their inner lives and motivations. There were interesting themes to ponder on love and family. Still, straight up thrillers are just not my go-to. I'd give it a solid three stars, and would highly recommend if you are looking for a good whodunit.

Just when I thought I knew what happened to Hattie Hoffman, the story surprised me. Turning herself into what others want and/or need has gotten Hattie what she thinks she's always wanted. When she learns better, she decides to stop acting and be true to herself. Only her boyfriend, her lover, her friends and her family didn't know how to account for her sudden change. The supporting characters were interesting and layered as well as the characters whose voices we heard.

3.5 stars

There are two questions this story will demand you find an answer to - who is the real Hattie Hoffman and why would anyone want her dead? To her best friend, parents, boyfriend and fellow-classmates; Hattie is a great listener, a wholesome girl, a top-notch student and an aspiring actress. So how did she end up brutally stabbed in an abandoned old barn?

Hattie is the epitome of a master manipulator. As the reader, you’re made privy to the inside scoop, the true reality, the girl behind the many roles she chooses to take on. Is it all for fun or just a interesting way for her to pass the time? Hattie is a girl dead set on blowing out of the small Minnesota town she calls home, in search of a bigger life and maybe even her greatest role of all. That’s until her lies and deception come back to bite her in the ass.

“I’m good at being what people want me to be.”

I have to hand it to the author, she did a great job of masking the truth until the very end. In the midst of the story, it seems obvious were things are headed, but don’t be so sure. Being told from three very distinct perspectives - Del, the cynical old sheriff in town that’s happens to be best friends with Hattie’s parents, Peter, the English professor who finds himself trapped in a life he never wanted and Hattie herself, makes for a nice flow. I found myself constantly questioning, even after her bouts of self reflection, did I ever truly glimpse the real Hattie?

Will I go so far to say this is a highly complex or uniquely crafted tale - no way. Was it entertaining - absolutely. It’s an easy read that kept my interest, but honestly it’s not one that I would consider a standout, especially among some of the other suspense novels I’ve read.

This was an okay read for me. I liked the murder mystery angle and I liked that we got different points of view about what had happened with Hattie. My main issue was I didn't like any of the characters. I tried to connect with them but I couldn't it and I found myself not as invested in the outcome. The writing was sharp, but the plot was just not my cup of tea.

Though it says novel on the cover, I'd classify it as a mystery--it has all the right elements--a murder, and several suspects--and a great twist at the end. Best though is how well the author portrays what is going on in the teenage heroine's head--her thoughts and feelings are realistic. This is a true page turner, and we get to see what's going on not only in her head but also the sheriff who is handling the case, and the main suspect. A compelling story. I was given this book by the publisher

A small town where everyone feel safe and know each other. A new teacher whose marriage is in trouble. An aspiring young actress in high school who's a manipulator. A grisly murder that left everyone in shock and a police detective who will stop at nothing to find the killer. This book is told from three point of views-a student, a teacher, and a detective, as the story leads from the discovery of a body at the beginning to solving the murder at the end.

It was an enjoyable and fast-paced read, and the storyline executed well. The main character, Hattie, may be unlikable, but I find her fascinating with how she easily manipulated others into doing what she wanted.

There were moments in this book that did stand out as good writing, thoughtful and creative use of language and metaphors but they only stood out because they were so rare. Overall neither the characters nor the plot enthralled me. The audiobook version highlighted some very weak dialogue. The premise that Hattie is always playing parts depending on who she was with was interesting. I think all teenagers do this to some extent and very often adults too but we rarely think of our behavior as "playing parts". The fact that Hattie had recorded pointers on how to be each different version of herself seemed unnatural. In the audiobook version there are three narrators. The narrator for the sheriff was good and I enjoyed his chapters the most. The other narrators did not do much to draw me into the story. And not one of them was consistent when trying to give a voice to Tommy. It was very hard to sympathize with Hattie and perhaps the author does not want us to sympathize with her but it was still disappointing that she never showed any vulnerabilities. She never showed any fear or remorse for any of her actions. Yes, 18-year-olds are often self-centered but to me this would have been a more interesting story if she had shown more fear of the repercussions of her actions. There wasn't even a sense that she got a rebellious thrill out of lying to her parents and her official boyfriend. It was all just cold calculation. I stuck with this to the end but only to see what the final twist was. I would not recommend it.

Everything You Want Me to Be has a Law & Order: SVU vibe that immediately hooks you into the story, uses a timeline to keep track of each characters' flashbacks and findings, and has readers constantly guessing who killed Hattie. But like any SVU episode, the suspect at minute twenty-six is very rarely the culprit. Mejia's "last act" will surprise readers; the Macbeth framework she uses adds an extra dimension to this teenage-girl-gets-mysteriously-killed sub-genre.

Hattie Hoffman reminded me a bit of a teenage Amy Dunne (Gone Girl) in that Hoffman is never really herself but rather constantly morphing into the person someone else wants, needs, or expects her to be. She hates everything about her small town and is planning on moving immediately after her high school graduation but something changes that will forever keep her in her hometown. Chances are you won’t see the twist coming.

I'm not usually a mystery fan. The attractive cover drew me in. Hattie Hoffman is an interesting character, bright and full of life. I like her name; the alliteration works well.

I can see why LitGeek fell for her. They have so much in common. The way they got to know each other so well makes sense as well. By the time they each realized who the other person was, they were both hooked.

I guessed the wrong bad guy, but then I usually do with mysteries. The book is pretty hard to put down. I read it in a few days.

Hattie Hoffman is dead. Pretty, talented, brilliant Hattie has somehow gone from a lively eighteen year old hell-bent on moving to New York to nothing but a memory. Who would want to kill the girl who seemingly had no enemies? Everyone loved her. She was a promising young actress with an easy charm. Everyone liked her without her even trying... or was she more manipulative than she seemed, playing parts even when she wasn't on stage? She could be everything anyone wanted her to be... whether that was a loving daughter, a sweet and shy girlfriend, or attentive student. Figure out what someone wants and it's easy to get what you want out of them... and they're none the wiser. Is that wrong, or just clever?

The story is told from three perspectives: the sheriff, Hattie, and her English teacher. Sheriff Del has been a family friend of the Hoffmans for years and watched young Hattie grow up. Teacher Peter is new in town, having followed his wife there to care for her ailing mother, which is putting a major strain on their marriage.

We don't begin the story by knowing for sure the identity of the murderer, but for me the book wasn't about finding that out. It was more about getting there... discovering what happened in the year in Hattie's life before it was cut brutally short. Well written book of a good length. I read in two sittings and had a hard time putting it down the first time. If only we didn't need sleep! Easy to read and follow, but very addicting. My first introduction to this author, and very promising. I look forward to more by Mindy Mejia.

I was permitted to read an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

Hattie, the main character is an adolescent on the verge of young adulthood. She is smart, strong and determined to leave her small farm town for the bright lights of New York City and she will do whatever it takes to get there, even if it kills her. The story of adolescent hormones and forbidden love run amuck, that leaves behind a path of destruction and broken lives.

Wow, this book is incredible. The author masterfully tells this story from the points of view of three main characters, the murdered high-school student Hattie; A new-to-town teacher named Peter; and the Sheriff, Dell. I like how the author smoothly moved from the past to present to tell this story about love, deceit, and manipulation. Plenty of twists and surprises prevented me from putting this book down.

I usually figure out the whodunit half way through the book and was pretty sure I nailed this one, so was pleasantly surprised with the twist at the end. Told from 3 POV, the characters were all incredibly developed. I wouldn't categorize this book as YA and nearly didn't read it because I wasn't interested in teenage drama. Other than the main character and setting being in high school, I didn't feel this was YA at all; in fact there were very adult issues/relationships. I was engaged through the entire book and left with a sense of peace at the last word. Even though I know the outcome, this will be a book I read again.

I loved this book. From the moment I opened it until three days later when I finished reading it, I was captivated. It goes back and forth between the previous year and what happened. It is seamless once you figure it out. The suspense is dragged out just exactly enough. You should read this book!

​Everything You Want Me to Be by Mindy Mejia is a coming of age story wrapped inside a mystery. The mystery keeps the reader guessing. Everything You Want Me to Be keeps you turning the pages to see what happened. Ms Mejia does an excellent job of describing the scenery and characters, putting the reader into the pages. I was given an early copy to review.

What an exceptionally good book. A well written story with interesting characters that are fleshed out and believable. I love how it was told using several viewpoints. I totally recommend this book.

Riveting! Immediately starts off with a "Twin Peaks" like feel to it with the opening chapters. Don't plan on getting anything done once you pick this up! I was truly thrown by the red herrings the author had in place and couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Cleverly written and will stick with you long after you've finished reading.

Interesting story, not a full blown mystery in that there were a small pool of suspects for the murder. The story is well told and the ending, while surprising, was not out of the realm of believability.

Wow. I started and finished this in one day... that's how you know it's a book that really held my attention. As a mother of teen girls myself, it maybe hit a little too close to home -- makes you think about the lives our children have that we don't even touch. Still a really great read.

Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Everything You Want Me to Be. This is my honest opinion of the book.

High school senior Hattie Hoffman is found stabbed to death on the opening night of her high school play. Sheriff Del Goodman, a family friend, vows to find her killer, but quickly discovers a convoluted web to untangle. Written from the perspectives of Hattie, Del, and Peter, the English teacher, Everything You Want Me to Be gives reader a look back at Hattie's last year.

Although the story was written in multiple points of view, it strangely was not disjointed. The plot unfolded, with the final reveal somewhat telegraphed, yet still interesting. Hattie Hoffman is a hard character to like, but the author does a good job of painting the picture of a teenager who does not think things through clearly and implodes her life as a result. Readers who like YA mystery/thrillers will enjoy how the story is spooled out, a little at a time, in order to build the suspense and mystery.

This was such a good novel. It was full of twists and turns that kept me guessing. I thought I knew how it was going to go only to be wrong. It was deep and thought provoking. The characters tugged at my heart. I found myself really feeling sympathy for some characters. It was well worth the time to read it.

Interesting study in human behavior. Main characters were both selfish in their own desires but the reader can also see how their desires were greater than their self restraint. Bit of a twist towards the end kept this reader very interested. Well done.

I kept reading and reading and reading and....3/4 of the way into the book I just gave up and went to the end to find out who did it. No big surprised. The book was just tooooo damn slow and boring! Blah, blah, blah......never again a book by this author.

Couldn't put this one down-read it in three days. Told from several key characters perspectives the story unfolds of a young misguided girl in a small town. A murder mystery to boot. Character development that makes the reader feel as if she (or he) knows them well.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I worried that it would end up cliche but in the end I was surprised. It was an engaging read which made it a quick read for me. If you're a fan of mystery/thrillers, then I would definitely suggest it.

I really loved this story, and it was a great choice for the first book ever read on my cell via my library's app/ Kindle.
The characterization was awesome, and I related to Hattie immediately.
Great twist ending, lots of red herrings!

This book had me on my toes. I loved the various points of view. Each one gives us a look into the past and present.

I was never sure which way the story was going to go. I thought I had things figured out only to be wrong. I’d try again and be wrong. I loved that this book kept me guessing.

Mejia did a fantastic job of showing us the life of the three main characters. You feel for each of them, even when what they are doing is questionable. The ages of Hattie, Del and Peter are different and she did a fascinating job of putting the reader into each of their shoes.

I don’t want to say too much because it would be spoilery, but this book is definitely one you’ll want to pick up. The characterizations, plot and mystery will have you flipping the pages as fast as you can.

I was waiting to finally get and read this book, with high expectations I was not being let down! It was a great read! I love that the story is being told out if three perspectives. It gave you a better feel of getting to know the characters so much better. I absolutely recommend this book.

Heartbreaking. This story probably happens more often than not. I was mad at first but at the end I found myself rooting for someone I never thought I would. I found myself crying at the end, suprising myself. Read it. Trust me.

Wow, wow, wow -- I happened to have a quiet day and settled in with a cup of coffee, and then wham, I hoovered this down in a sitting or two! This thriller is page-turning and dark, but with great little lines of humor or descriptions that caught my eye. Hattie, Peter, and the sheriff are terrific nuanced characters and the author weaves their points of view together nicely. I kept thinking I knew what had happened and was proved wrong over and over, so the ending was satisfying.

Highly recommend! Everyone should read this!

This is a very well done story, tho a bit confusing at first until all the players begin to fit and mesh. The ending comes as a series of shocks to the reader yet each one makes perfect sense. A must read for mystery fans!

Enough already. The Gone Girl genre is tired, predictable and insulting to women. The book is decently written, but it's an age old story of cheating being bad, leading to all kinds of awful things. Blech! Spend your time reading something more interesting than this.

This book has great reviews so I expected a lot better. Overall I found it rather boring as there was no excitement until the last very end, the book is told from three different perspectives however it is difficult to connect with any of the characters.

I actually give this book 3 1/2 Stars. I already knew what was going to happen to most of this story right at the beginning. I did continue to read because it did keep my attention. There is a little twist at the end but not much. This book is about the story of Hattie and the last year of her life. I did like that each chapter was a different character's point of view. I also like how the story went from the present to the past year and back again. This story was still good to read.

*Thanks NetGalley for letting me read this book for my honest opinion.*

Holy cats! This author can write. And plot. This is one of the better mysteries I've read this year. And I've read a few ... Kruger, Sandford, et. al. Ms. Mejia is definitely in the same stratosphere, and I look forward to her next project. Huge congratulations.

Three stars because it was a page turner, however I really was dissatisfied by the ending. Two of the three main characters were also unsympathetic and unlikable. Unlikable characters aside, I found the plot point that drives this whole story to be frivolous and juvenile.

This was a can't put it down story with characters that you will begin to have feelings for- you want everything to be right, but you know that so much is wrong it never can be. The ending is developed with great skill. This book has been shared with many friends and I have not heard anything but good comments. Buy this book now and prepare yourself for a great read.

This book was okay. I found all of the characters to be really likeable and easy to root for. Unfortunately, I found myself getting pretty bored half way through but did continue on until the end. I'm glad I did because there is a decent twist at the end.

Say goodbye to sleep and productivity because once you pick this book up, you will not want put it down. Best loss of sleep I've ever had. Thank you, Mindy Mejia for a job well done! Your descriptions, detail, and depth kept me interested and my heart racing for each character's account of the days that lead up to and followed this murder mystery.

I'm in the minority here, but I really disliked this book. The characters are under-developed, with the only developed parts being unlikeable and unsympathetic. This book differs from the oft compared Girl on the Train/Gone Girl because of if its utter lack of wit and suspense. This book is humorless and depressing; at least the Girl on the Train showed some self-depreciating humor. There was hardly any useful background on Hattie and I couldn't have cared less what happened to her. Plot didn't work for me, and I've already started forgetting what happened although I finished this a few days ago.