Ohh, she's trouble alright... The best kind of trouble

Check out my review for Trust Me, I'm Lying

Trust Me, I'm Trouble Trust Me Book Two
Written By Mary Elizabeth Summer
Mystery, Crime
Published December 1st 2015
368 Pages
Thank you to Random House Australia
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★★★★
Staying out of trouble isn't possible for Julep Dupree. She has managed not to get kicked out of her private school, even though everyone knows she's responsible for taking down a human trafficking mob boss, and getting St. Agatha's golden boy Tyler killed in the process. Running cons holds her guilty conscience at bay, but unfortunately, someone wants Julep to pay for her mistakes... With her life.

Against her better judgment, Julep takes a shady case that requires her to infiltrate a secretive organization that her long gone mother and the enigmatic blue fairy may be connected to. Her best friend, Sam, isn't around to stop her, and Dani, her one true confidante, happens to be a nineteen year old mob enforcer whose moral compass is as questionable as Julep's. But there's not much time to worry about right and wrong, or to save your falling heart, when there's a contract on your head.

Murders, heists, secrets and lies, hit men and hidden identities... If Julep doesn't watch her back, it's her funeral. No lie.
Julep now finds herself living with her foster parents, while running her own detective agency. After the ordeal of the human trafficking ring, Julep still lives in the shadow of Tyler's memory while carrying the guilt of his death on her slight shoulders. Along with Murphy and their new associate Lily, Julep's latest case is to infiltrate The New World Initiative, founded by a fellow grifter and suspected of links to fraud and embezzlement. Never having felt more alone since Sam left, Julep finds herself leaning on Dani, the Ukrainian enforcer who was once contracted to take her life. But Petrov's imprisonment doesn't mean that Julep's life isn't in danger as a contract is taken out on the black market. Not only to end Julep's life, but to make her suffer as a consequence.

Just when J. D Investigations is struggling to find evidence against The New World Initiative, a brazen murder will reveal a link between her latest case, the institute and the infamous Blue Fairy, a link to Julep's missing mother. But as her life hangs in the balance, fighting her feelings for a girl that sees her as nothing more a child who needs protecting and finding her mother becoming her main priority, something has to give. Julep hopes that this time, she won't lose anyone else that she loves.

Kelly's Thoughts

I absolutely love this series, It's sassy, clever and incredibly entertaining. Our young heroine in sixteen year old Julep is a grifter, or con artist if you will. After her mother left her and her father behind, she followed in her father's footsteps, running schemes through her private school and fleecing wealthy teens of their spare change. In Trust Me, I'm Lying, Julep was involved in finding clues her father had left her, stumbling into a Ukrainian organised crime ring that was trafficking young girls. She's now known as the patron saint of lost girls, a title that doesn't sit well with the teen grifter. What makes this series so incredibly engaging is Julep. She's confronting, sassy and multi layered despite her calm and collected facade. What sets Julep apart from other lesser protagonists is that she isn't pretentious or vain, and certainly couldn't care less about how she's perceived by her peers.

The romance was heart achingly beautiful and unexpected. Julep feels so deeply but in a rare moment of vulnerability is afraid to take a chance. It added such a likability to her character and also allowed her to bond with her new foster mother, Mike's wife Angela. As the story unravels, Julep goes undercover to infiltrate what seems to be a cult organisation, linked not only to the famed Blue Fairy, but also to her mother who had abandoned her. Unlike the first installment, I found Trust Me, I'm Trouble to be far less predictable and really enjoyed the strong focus on Julep's personal life. I feel readers can now begin to understand why she attempts to remain emotionally detached from those around her. Julep has faced abandonment, the death of Tyler, losing Sam, the incarceration of her father and all while her life had been in jeopardy, not once but twice. Fans of Ally Carter will adore this series.

The Final Verdict

Sassy, intense and wonderfully written, The Trust Me series is an engaging and entertaining blend of contemporary, mystery and adventure with a surprising and bittersweet romantic storyline. Readers will enjoy Julep's character development from ruthless grifter to a girl who now isn't afraid to let others past her emotional walls. With an ending that broke my heart, I can't wait to see what's in store for Julep... Hopefully the happy ending this sassy, snarky teen deserves.

Kelly is a part time crime fighter, a dairy connoisseur and possibly the best dancer the world has ever seen.


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20 comments

  1. I never finished reading Trust Me, I'm Lying and I've always hated that. I checked it out from the library and I had to return it. I was halfway through with it too!! I'm glad you liked this and you just reminded me why I have to go check it out from the library again. I love a good spy novel and a sassy and clever mc.

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    1. Me too Taylor and I really hope you can pick up where you left off. I absolutely love this series and thought this was a much more well rounded installment that really concentrated on amazing character development. I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  2. Sounds like a fantastic mix of story and strong-writing! Glad you enjoyed this one, Kelly! <3

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    1. Thanks lovely. It really was. Julep as a character is incredible, I don't usually instantly connect with a character, but she's so sassy that it's hard not to like her.

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  3. Ooh sounds like a fun narrator! I've heard of these but never read any of them. I really like the titles too. haha

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    1. They're so much fun Lauren! I really hope you can pick up a copy soon, I'd love to see what you think of it.

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  4. I am SO EXCITED for all con artist girls, tbh. Her character development sounds super cool, and THOSE TITLES THOUGH. And good bonding with foster parents = the BEST. I am genuinely tired of vilifying stepmothers.

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    1. It's really getting old isn't it Alyssa. The only thing worse is absent guardians or parents without reason, but luckily the series is all about families, the positive and negative aspects. They're so much fun, but this one I found much more emotional. Bring on book three!

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  5. I hadn't heard much about this one, Kelly, but I'm in! I love the sound of the heroine and especially the achingly beautiful romance. :)
    And the plot of course sounds great too. Sassy characters are always a delight to read.
    Wonderful review, Kelly!

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    1. Thanks Nick and I can alost guarantee that you'll love this series too. It's just so fun and entertaining, but this one really stepped it up and was even better than the first. I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  6. This sounds amazing Kelly! I love the way it sounds like it balances contemporary and mystery without one overwhelming the other. Definitely going to have to pick this up. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! ♥

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    1. Thanks Zoe. I absolutely love this series, it's a thrilled mystery but without being too intense and still keeps that sense of fun throughout.

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  7. You had me at heart achingly beautiful romance, Kelly. Why have I not heard much about this one?

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    1. I think it's been one of those underrated reads that is yet to be discovered by a lot of reviewers. I loved the romance. It was unexpected and a lovely change from the usual tropes. It does end on a bit of an emotional cliffhanger though which almost tore my heart out.

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  8. This sounds like a great read Kelly :) I think I will definitely have to check out the first book! I love stories about grifters to be honest, and there isn't enough of them around (well, that I'm aware of anyway!)

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    1. There really isn't Wattle. I love the whole con artist / Russian mafia aspect in the series, it really sets it apart from most other young adult thrillers. I'd love to see what you think of it.

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  9. I haven’t heard about this series before, Kelly. Do I need to read previous book first? I think you sold this one to me. Though I’m a little bit worried about the heartbreaking ending.

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  10. I always enjoy a sassy, snarky character and it really does sound like Julep delivers in this respect! After your pushing I picked up the first book at the bookfest, so now I can read them both :) thanks for the review Kelly!

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  11. When I first heard of Trust Me I'm Lying, I wasn't exactly sure I wanted to read it. I kind of put it on the back burner, especially since reviews were so mixed, but this review of Trust Me, I'm Trouble really makes me want to read this series! Great review Kelly, you know I love me a good criminal lol ;D

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  12. I loved this book and its sequel! I agree. This book was so much more emotionally raw because of Julep trying to deal with everything that was happening to her. Lovely review!

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