Book Review: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston (Rules for Disapearing #1) (no spoilers)

Book: The Rules for Disappearing
Author: Ashley Elston
Publication: May 14th, 2013
Series: Rules for Disappearing #1
Source: Local Library
Read: June 21st-June 24th, 2014
Summary (from Goodreads):

She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.

 Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.

 But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival

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My Thoughts:

The Rules for Disappearing was my random read pick for April, but it wasn't totally random because I knew my sister had already read and loved this book. The other great thing was the sequel just came out and since this is a doulogy that means I can finish the whole series without waiting. After reading The Rules for Disappearing I don't want to wait.

This book is so mysterious. We know that Teeny and Sissy have moved from place to place changing their names because they are in the witness protection program. With a dad that is hiding secrets, a mom that is passed out drunk it is up to Meg to figure out why they are in the Witness Protection Program and how does she get them out. Moving has been hard on her family especially her little sister Teeny (Mary), who is pretty close to shutting down completely. Meg knows if they have to move one more time their whole family is going to fall apart.

Meg has a plan for Liousiana. She isn't going to get to know anybody at school, be friendly to anybody, or get involved in any school activity. Then she meets Ethan Landry who despite Meg's best efforts just won't leave her alone. I liked how Ethan and Meg's relationship was built slowly in this book. Meg didn't just look at Ethan and be like oh I'm in love with him. It took both of them time to get to know each other and for Ethan to discover Meg's secrets that she tried so hard to keep hidden. I really liked Ethan as a character. He was charming yet not afraid to speak his mind and get dirty. I also loved the way that he helped Teeny come out of her shell so much. Meg was a hard character to figure out. After so many moves she is always afraid of getting too close to somebody and then having to leave without telling them. She tries to push Ethan away, but Ethan likes Meg too much to be pushed aside.

When it matters most Ethan is there for Meg as she spills all the secrets about her life and they go on a daring road trip to save her family. A lot is resolved in 50 pages, but of course not everything because there is still one more book to read. I grew attached to these characters and I can't wait to read more.

This book was mysterious and action packed. It left me wanting to read the second book, which I'm going to start now.