Review: Finding Paris by Joy Preble

Finding Paris by Joy Preble
272 Pages
Release Date: April 21st, 2015
Publisher: Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: 4 STARS

Goodreads Summary:

An evocative and compelling story of two sisters who would do anything for each other--perfect for fans of Thirteen Reasons Why and Speak. Joy Preble's stirring new novel explores the lengths to which sisters go to protect each other, and the winding road that brings two strangers into each other's lives.

Sisters Leo and Paris Hollings have only ever had each other to rely on. They can't trust their mother, who hops from city to city and from guy to guy, or their gambler stepfather, who's moved them all to Las Vegas. It's just the two of them: Paris, who's always been the dreamer, and Leo, who has a real future in mind--going to Stanford, becoming a doctor, falling in love. But Leo isn't going anywhere right now, except driving around Vegas all night with her sister.

Until Paris ditches Leo at the Heartbreak Hotel Diner, where moments before they had been talking with physics student Max Sullivan. Outside, Leo finds a cryptic note from Paris--a clue. Is it some kind of game? Where is Paris, and why has she disappeared? When Leo reluctantly accepts Max's offer of help, the two find themselves following a string of clues through Vegas and beyond. But the search for the truth is not a straight line. And neither is the path to secrets Leo and Max hold inside.

Finding Paris is like a crazy hybrid between a mystery and a road trip novel.  Leo and Max go on this scavenger hunt (basically) that Paris has sent them on through the city of Las Vegas and they have to figure out these cryptic clues that have been left behind so they can find Paris. Throughout the book you don't ever really know why Paris has had Leo going all over the place or why Max tags along. Honestly the mystery is very constant throughout the book whether it be people's motives, the clues, or even this other really big thing that I'm not gonna talk about except to say that shit goes DOWN. Throughout most of Finding Paris everything is kind of confusing but "it's just something Paris would do" so there isn't a lot of "OH MY GOSH HOLY SHIT WHAT" until the very end. (and then theres A LOT of it) Finding Paris is a good read if you're looking for a book that wont emotionally rip you in two but still entertain you and be completely surprising. I seriously did not see what was going to happen AT ALL, the ending sort of blindsided me. XD

So Leo. Leo is the rock to all of Paris' crazy. Paris thinks of an insane idea and Leo takes it, looks at it logically, and (if its something Paris and Leo actually wants) tries to make it happen in the best way she can. Leo is really smart and quirky and nerdy and kind of adorable with it. AND SHES REALLY CYNICAL IN THIS AMAZING WAY THAT I CANT REALLY DESCRIBE TO YOU BUT ITS GREAT! But then she has a HUGE blind spot for Paris. For example, paris sends her on a wild goose chase across the city of Las Vegas and Leo doesn't question it. She just assumes its Paris being Paris. You don't see a lot of Paris and Leo's relationship before you are thrown into the main story but its so cute. They seem to totally balance each other out. (at first I thought they were twins but *cough* they aren't Paris is a year older) Where one is crazy the other is reserved, where one is a dreamer the other is very realistic. They honestly are each other's best friend and closest confidant and its a really great sister relationship between the two. <3

Now Max. What can I say about Max? I like him. He's just as nerdy (if not more) than Leo and yet he brings out this more outgoing side of her its really nice. As the story goes on you learn a lot more about Max and his actual life story. Max is...I CAN'T SAY WHAT I WANT TO SAY ABOUT MAX BECAUSE SPOILERS! But he's a good guy and he's sweet to Leo which is all anyone could want. He and Leo are SO CUTE BTW! They are both super nerdy and great together. Max is pretty social honestly but he totally breaks Leo out of her shell and she helps him have more fun. So there. That's all I can say without talking about the ending (which I really want to but out of courtesy to you, I wont) 

SO! Finding Paris is a really great book, especially if you want a to read something that is like a road trip but with ~mystery~. (and yes that was necessary) And has cool, quirky character. And Las Vegas. And frozen yogurt ;) you'll get that when you read the book. Aaaaaaaannnnnnnndddd yeah, I wish I had more to say because this book totally deserves it but I don't so...GO READ! You'll like it! ....yeah. HAPPY READING BYYYYYEEEEE!!!!!!!