by Lisa Unger
Genres: Mystery, Suspense Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Love hurts … Sometimes it even kills. Darkness has a way of creeping up when Ian is with Priss. Even when they were kids, playing in the woods of their small Upstate New York town, he could feel it. Still, Priss was his best friend, his salvation from the bullies who called him “loser” and “fatboy”…and from his family’s deadly secrets. Now that they’ve both escaped to New York City, Ian no longer inhabits the tortured shell of his childhood. He is a talented and successful graphic novelist, and Priss…Priss is still trouble. The booze, the drugs, the sex—Ian is growing tired of late nights together trying to keep the past at bay. Especially now that he’s met sweet, beautiful Megan, whose love makes him want to change for the better. But Priss doesn’t like change. Change makes her angry. And when Priss is angry, terrible things begin to happen…
Crazy Love You by Lisa Unger had so many elements I love from an unreliable narrator to a twisted thriller with a dash of mystery and romance that kept me flipping the pages. Brilliantly paced with depth, suspense and an underlying paranormal element Crazy Love You delivered.
Ian Paine had a painful childhood growing up in the Hollows, a small rural town in Upstate New York. He found solace with his friend Priss and his love of comic books. Bullied and accused of crimes he did not commit he sought escape to New York City. He becomes a successful graphic novelist and through it all Priss remains his friend and confidant. Priss has a whirlwind personality filled with booze, drugs and sex. She is very protective of Ian, and their relationship is quite toxic. Ian is growing weary and is ready for something more when he meets and falls for Megan. For the first time in forever, his life is falling into place perfectly, but Priss is not happy and the tale that unfolds sends their lives spiraling out of control.
Unger weaved such an incredible tale from Ian’s childhood to his wildly successful Fatboy graphic novels. I love how she kept me as the reader on edge as I tried to discern fact and fiction. A subtle paranormal thread and side characters took me further down the rabbit hole. Ian while not entirely likable is a character the reader comes to care for even as we question everything. Megan is sweet, and their romance is sprinkled throughout the book. The focus if Crazy Love You, is on Ian and his relationship with Priss. It was brilliantly done.
The synopsis of Crazy Love You is vague, and I make it a point never to reveal more. I think that with this book in particular the joy is in the discovery. I went into this with nothing more than the synopsis and loved how Unger allowed the tale to unfold, weaving the past into the present and connecting the dots. The characters are fleshed out, the story is vivid and the tension and danger increase as the story progresses.
If psychological thrillers and unreliable narrators are your thing, Crazy Love You will knock your socks off. I cannot wait to explore more of Lisa Unger’s work.
Bookworm Brandee
This sounds fascinating. I’ve always wanted to read Unger (having shelved lots of her books at B&N 🙂 but haven’t yet. This one sounds like a good place to start!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, she was new to me too Brandee and I started with a novella..but this was cool
Benish K
Yes, I love twisted thrillers! I’ve read Lisa’s work before, her books easily grab you in her stories. I’ve been meaning to check this one out for a while now, glad you enjoyed it!
kimbacaffeinate
She does spin a great thriller
Terri
I’ve read Lisa before and she’s very good at sucking you into a story! Really enjoyed your review, but this one might be a little too twisted for me. Plus, unreliable narrators sometimes drive me nuts! :p
kimbacaffeinate
She does grab you from the onset Terri..I consumed this one
Mary
I tend to have a hard time with unreliable narrators because I really do want to believe that what they’re telling me is true. Don’t ruin my innocence and lie to me!! Heh.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, it is a different type of unreliable and it will keep you on edge.
Olivia
It seems like that in the end it was good that the synopsis was so vague. I never expected this kind of story to have a paranormal element to it either, so that will be interesting to see how it is incorporated. But still not sure whether or not this one is for me.
Check out my review and giveaway: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2015/02/city-center-review-giveaway.html
kimbacaffeinate
I really enjoyed it from the characters to the different settings
Ramona
Wow, this wasn’t anywhere near my radar, but I’m adding it to my pile right now. It’s definitely the typeof story that begs for my attention 🙂 Codependency is such a fascinating thing to write/ read about, isn’t it? Thanks for posting this one, Kimba, I would’ve totally missed it otherwise!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed and Unger’s take on it is certainly a unique one
Lorna
I think you could read anything by Lisa Unger and be entertained. I have never not liked something by her, and I think I have read most of her work. I need to read this one. Thanks for sharing-great review!
kimbacaffeinate
That is good to hear Lorna, and I was certainly entertained 🙂
Faye
Wow, the premise somehow reminds me of Wild Games, I think – a YA thriller that was filled with batshit insanity. I’m kinda tempted to try out this one to see if it is as disturbing and thrilling as the other one. Priss sounds scary already D:
kimbacaffeinate
Interesting, this was good and Priss was a little scary 🙂
Ann Noser
Okay, you’ve convinced me.
Yet another good read to end to my never ending tower of TBRs.
Sounds awesome!
🙂
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, don’t let them fall on you. Unger is a recently new to me author, and her tales are quite clever.
Angela Adams
“The characters are fleshed out, the story is vivid and the tension and danger increase as the story progresses” — which are all the makings of a great suspense novel! Thanks for the post!!
blodeuedd
It does sound suspenseful
Anna
Yes, this is the book for me. Thanks for the heads up. 🙂
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
Stacy (StacyHgg)
You always find the most intriguing books! I’m in the mood for a good Psychological Thriller, but you reviewed a different one recently that really caught my eye. I’ll have to go look at my TBR to find it, LOL
Great Review!
Sarah
This sounds great! Priss sounds like a lot of work, but sometimes characters are more intriguing when they are. 😀
Candace
This does sound really good! Very twisty!
Heidi
Oh yes! I love a good twisty psychological thriller with an unreliable narrator. I need to try this one.
Braine Talk Supe
I’ll be sure to earmark Unger’s work for me to read in the future. Hopefully this year. I am trying to broaden my reading horizon and I do love thrillers.
Katherine
This sounds interesting and I love an unreliable narrator. They seem to be very in right now which I like. I’ll have to look for this book and this author.
sherry fundin
MMM, this sounds like a good one. LOL I will have to check out this author. Thanks for sharing her with me.
kimbacaffeinate
She is recently new to me and I quite enjoy her characters and the twists in her plots
Laurel-Rain Snow
I got my e-book copy today! I feel as though I have been waiting forever…so I am so glad you loved this one. Can’t wait to dive in. Thanks for sharing….
kimbacaffeinate
I remember you saying it was pre-ordered. Enjoy! I look forward to your take on it
Jenny
It just so happens that psychological thrillers and unreliable narrators absolutely ARE my thing Kim! I love a good unreliable narrator, it’s just so much fun to constantly question them and wonder if we can trust their account of things. Definitely adding this to my list!
kimbacaffeinate
We should totally be besties. You will enjoy this Jenny 🙂
Debbie Haupt
OMG, YIKES! Kim what a scary, scary premise. Wow this may have to go on my list for that in between too sweet romances that I review when I need that kick in the gut read.
thanks
deb
kimbacaffeinate
Perfect to cleanse the palate after a sweet romance
tonyalee
I loved the sound of this book. I saw it somewhere a few ago and just knew that it would be something I would enjoy – your review seals the deal. <3
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, this is a recently new to me author, and I love her characters.
kindlemom1
Yay for a good mystery that delivers!
I love that the narrator was unreliable, giving you just enough hint to doubt everything! This sounds wonderful Kim and like one I totally need to add to the pile.
kimbacaffeinate
It was cool, loved the comic book twist and paranormal element
Nick
I enjoy books with twisted and unhealthy relationships! This sounds really good, and you’ve intrigued me, Kim!
Great review as always!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I think you would love this Nick. I slid right into this twisted tale
Red Iza
I love a good psychological thriller, and the subject is original 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It was , I loved how the author weaved the graphic art into the tale
Cynthia
Oh this one sounds so intriguing! I love it. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Right..and the twists kept me intrigued.
Melliane
The idea of the book is originaln, I don’t think I’v eread a thriller about this topic but it’s intriguing. I’m glad you had a good time. I’m sure I knew about this one. thanks for the review!
kimbacaffeinate
This was twisted Melliane 🙂