Review: Made For You by Melissa Marr

December 29, 2014 4 stars, Book Review 21 ★★★★

Review: Made For You by Melissa MarrMade For You by Melissa Marr
Published by HarperCollins on September 16, 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Thriller, Young Adult
Pages: 356
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
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*This book was provided by the Publisher for review. No compensation was provided and all opinions are strictly my own.

Bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely books Melissa Marr’s first contemporary YA novel is a twisted southern gothic tale of obsession, romance, and murder. A killer is obsessed with Eva Tilling. Can she stop him, or will he claim her?

When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she’s confused—who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why? But before she can consider the question, she finds that she’s awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people’s deaths when they touch her. While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva’s power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva.

For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr has applied her extraordinary talent to contemporary realism. Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive this Gothic, racy thriller—a story of small-town oppression and salvation. Melissa’s fans, and every YA reader, will find its wild ride enthralling.

four-stars

Made For You was a combination of Thriller and Paranormal Romance that worked extremely well for me. The paranormal aspect comes in after Eva survives the hit and run murder attempt on her life and she starts seeing visions of how people are going to die when they touch her. The mystery thriller part of it deals with the killer who is obsessed with her starts targeting people that Eva knows. Then of course the romance, you have to be wondering – how can it possibly fit in and not make you want to roll your eyes – it’s just too much for this type of plot you say? Wrong – it works! But oddly enough in this case it worked for me where so many other YA romances have not. The romance fits in as a perfect piece of the storyline.

Eva – is one of Them – the upper class privileged

In the little town of Jessup, North Carolina where this takes place social classes matter a lot and Eva is one of the elite. Though she doesn’t seem to let it get to her head she also doesn’t stray outside of what is considered expected and acceptable behavior from one of her social standing. Still she is a nice girl and I found myself liking her which helped me get behind the story. She has her boyfriend Robert and her circle of friends with whom she goes about the normal life of a Junior in highschool. Her only oddity is that she is best friends with Grace, a girl that did not grow up in Jessup. But wait lets not forget the torch she holds for her childhood friend Nate (wink wink) who hasn’t spoken to her in years. But so many things change when a boy who has become obsessed with her attempts to kill her because he’s developed this sick twisted love of her and it’s gotten to be too much for him to handle.

Grace – a friend anyone would be lucky to have

Seriously everyone should have a friend as amazing as Grace. She is an outsider in Jessup because not only was she NOT born and raised in Jessup so she has no social standing but she’s Asian. However, because she’s Eva’s best friend all of the upper crustity crowd tolerates her. It was a refreshing treat to get the occasional chapter from Grace’s point of view. I have to hand it to the author, in the first chunk of the book I thought she was going to pull one of those “absentee parental figures” as a major part of the book because of how she set up the storyline for Eva’s parents being gone so frequently and Grace’s mom always stepping in to save the day. But I was very happy when Eva’s parents appear and aren’t completely absent as is the case with so many other YA books I’ve read in the past.

Judge – isn’t that what all fanatic sickos do?

The villain of this story is one twisted young man. He calls himself Judge and we get to read a few chapters from his point of view. These short bits give us an inside look into the workings of his mind and just how obsessed he is with Eva. He has some warped view of the social classes and thinks that Eva shares his opinions of them but when he thinks she’s become one of “Them” he thinks God has told him that he must kill her. When his attempt on her life fails he sees it as another sign from God that she is worthy to be with him and that he must ‘teach’ her lessons. Hence the systematic killings of Eva’s friends begin.

Nate – the wrong boy can be oh so right

He’s the estranged childhood friend from the wrong social class. Eva isn’t opposed to being friends with whomever she likes but for some reason several years ago Nate and Eva stop being friends. Something which she’s always been sad about. You can tell she still has a thing for him by the way she watches him but he’s built quite the bad reputation for himself the past few years of being a drinking one night stand man slut. But Eva learns things with Nate aren’t completely what they seem after he runs into her in the activity lounge of the hospital where she is recovering from her accident. While we don’t get to read from Nate’s perspective that didn’t bother me at all. He still came across as a fully fleshed out character whenever he was on page and being seen from one of the other’s POV’s.

Made For You was a very engrossing read that I devoured in a day. Possibly because it was a nice change of pace from some of the other YA books I’ve read lately but either way I think I would have found it just as enjoyable. At first this book wasn’t on my radar but I’m so glad I decided to read it. I used to enjoy a few thrillers with serial killers about ten years ago but haven’t been reading many of them lately because I’ve been sticking to fantasy and science fiction. As this mixed both elements of thriller and paranormal it hit just the right spot for me.

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Tabitha (Pabkins)

When I'm in the zone I can flip book pages faster than the eye can see - screaming "More Input!" I'm a book, yarn, & art supply hoarding goblin who loves to draw, make toys and craft all sorts of creepy cute things. My current habit is to listen to audio books while I'm arting it up!
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21 Responses to “Review: Made For You by Melissa Marr”

  2. Ramona

    Awesome review, Tabitha. I have to say, this wasn’t even on my radar, but your review propelled it to the very top of my (towering) TBR pile. Thanks for posting! xx

  5. Melliane

    I’m so in love with this cover! I haven’t tried a Marr book that I really loved for now but I should try more. I wasn’t sure about this one because the reviews are really different but maybe I should get into it to have my own opinion.
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  9. Cait @ Paper Fury

    I loved loved this one to! IT WAS SICKENING AND AMAZING. I just couldn’t stop reading. 0.0 Judge freaked me out 1000% although I almost wished it hadn’t of had the paranormal elements because it would’ve made just a fine average plain thriller on it’s own. 😉 And there aren’t enough plain thrillers in YA I reckon! lol I also have severe cover love for this one…both UK and US. XD
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    • Tabitha (Pabkins)

      I agree that it could have made a perfectly fine Thriller without the paranormal elements. For me they worked especially since if it were just a Thriller it likely never would have wound up in my TBR. lol I guess you’ll have to school me on those contemps that I absolutely MUST read since I only read like 2 of them a year lol.
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