You Will Be Mine

Gr 9 Up—The author's latest keeps readers on edge as they are immersed into the daily activities of a group of college students who are dealing with social life, relationships, and a murderer on the loose. The story opens two weeks before Valentine's Day—a holiday Lylah hates because it marks the anniversary of her parents' death. Lylah, Chace, Sienna, Charlotte, Isaac, and Sonny are second-year college housemates who start to receive mysterious letters addressed to certain members of their group. Within a few chapters, two of the friends have been targeted and killed, while the remaining three are fearful for their lives. Lylah is convinced that the murderer is a former spurned lover of hers, and works with her housemates and the police to lure him into a trap. As the murderer becomes more bold, another character is dispatched, prompting Lylah to do whatever it takes to confront the killer. As the story concludes, a final twist wraps up the plot nicely, and readers will be satisfied with the results. The characters in this accessible and engaging read do not disappoint; Preston's thriller vibe throughout is excellently sustained.