Thank you to Wednesday Books & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Set in 1987 and described as a YA feminist mash-up inspired by The Lost Boys and The Craft, Laure's latest novel centers around Mayhem Brayburn, a young girl who's always felt there was something off about her, and whose mother, Roxy, inexplicably ran away with her when she was just a baby. MAYHEM picks up with Roxy and her daughter moving back to their hometown of Santa Maria, California, unintentionally setting Mayhem on the path to uncover her family's deepest secret.

I'd never read anything by Laure before, but this was a fun and quick read. I think the best parts of this book were in the first half -- the character relationships were solidly established and interesting to watch as they played out, and the mystery behind Mayhem's family secret (combined with a kidnapper loose on the town) made for some very intriguing chapters. Personally, I didn't have an issue with the supposed similarities to The Lost Boys screenplay since I'm not that familiar with it, hence the magical elements embedded into MAYHEM read as interesting and original. However, the main reason I'm giving this a 3-star rating and not 4-stars is because I do think the second half leans a bit too heavily on magical realism, causing the characters and their relationships to take a backseat in the main storyline. Nonetheless, this has more to do with my preference when it comes to genre mashups in novels, so if you're a big fan of magical realism and mythology, then this is definitely the book for you. My favorite aspect of the book is its focus on feminine power and its feminist message -- I wish books like these were more widely written when I was a teenager.

I started Mayhem with anticipation.. I love a good YA horror story and comparison to The Lost Boys definitely had me intrigued. I'll admit there was a lot to like in this book: woman empowerment and strength, mystical powers, mysterious lineage, soul mates, reunited twin sisters and much more. That said, I felt like there could have been more background and build up. I also wasn't a fan of the ending, but that's my personal preference. For these reasons, the story lacked that special something that would have made it remarkable for me. It was still an enjoyable read and one I would recommend to those who enjoy somewhat scary young adult books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars (release date July 14, 2020)

You can read all of my reviews at https://nerdgirllovesbooks.com/.

This is a fun YA fantasy book that is marketed as being "inspired" by the movie The Lost Boys. It's a quick and easy read, however the book follows much too closely the the movie and doesn't contain many original concepts. (It is also mentioned that the book is inspired by the movie The Craft, but I don't really see it).

The story is set in 1987 and revolves around sixteen-year-old Mayhem Brayburn. Her mother Roxy is addicted to drugs and alcohol. Mayhem lives with Roxy in a small town in Texas with her abusive step-dad. Mayhem and Roxy eventually flee Texas and return to Roxy's hometown in California. They move in with Roxy's twin sister Elle, and three kids that Elle is fostering. Right away, Mayhem notices that something is "off" about Elle and the children.

Santa Maria is a small coastal town that has an unexpectedly high crime rate and is currently being stalked by a serial kidnapper that is taking young teenage girls from the beach at night. So far, none of the girls have been found and no one knows if they are alive or dead.

It turns out that Roxy fled Santa Maria to escape the magic that runs through the female lineage of her family and to save Mayhem from it, however Mayhem discovers it anyway and embraces the power. Her family is considered the caretakers of Santa Maria and exact a form of vigilante justice when someone from the town has been harmed. With this new power, Mayhem starts to look for the serial kidnapper to bring him to justice.

As I said before, the book is a fun, easy read and if it didn't copy the movie quite so much, I would have enjoyed it more. That said, if you don't know the plot of The Lost Boys movie, you will enjoy the book and it probably won't bug you. There was only one aspect that I thought was similar to the movie The Craft, so that isn't a problem.

Other than Mayhem, there is very little character development. A couple character's story lines are begun, but are just left hanging and never developed or resolved. This is annoying. The book is unevenly paced and dragged until roughly the middle. It improved after that and the story moved along nicely. The book is pretty grim, but there are moments of humor here and there.

Overall, the book is a fun, enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.

Whenever a book is described as “a beguiling, lyrical, beach-gothic page-turner,” you can pretty much sign me up as interested. I was super excited about Estelle Laure’s Mayhem from the time I read the synopsis on Goodreads. Not only did the book turn out to be exactly the whimsical 1980s fantasy that I hoped it would be, but it’s also a lot more than just that.

Mayhem promises a lot in that short synopsis — the 1980s and beachy vibes and supernatural-esque fantasy AND the power of women and family. Not only did Mayhem follow through on each of these elements, but it provided a lot of realistic and relatable characters in a beautifully picturesque setting in the California of the 1980s. The character relationships are the real stand-out of this story, and the interactions between May and her mother were complicated and sincere and really special. While the fantasy and mystery of the story were also important and well-done, I can’t downplay how important the characters are in Mayhem.

I do feel the need to note that Mayhem deals with a lot of really important and sensitive topics – including physical and sexual abuse. The author notes her reasons and explanation for her use of these topics in a note at the beginning of the story, but it’s worth keeping these elements in mind when deciding whether or not Mayhem is a good book for you!

In short, if you’re in the mood for a family driven story with a focus on women finding their voice and discovering their past — combined with heavy doses of Stranger Things and Stephen King — definitely give Mayhem a try.

Super special thanks to the author, the publisher, and to Netgalley for providing me a copy of the book for review!

Thank you St. Martin Press for providing me with a review copy.

Synopsis from Goodreads: It's 1987 and unfortunately it's not all Madonna and cherry lip balm. Mayhem Brayburn has always known there was something off about her and her mother, Roxy. Maybe it has to do with Roxy's constant physical pain, or maybe with Mayhem's own irresistible pull to water. Either way, she knows they aren't like everyone else. But when May's stepfather finally goes too far, Roxy and Mayhem flee to Santa Maria, California, the coastal beach town that holds the answers to all of Mayhem's questions about who her mother is, her estranged family, and the mysteries of her own self. There she meets the kids who live with her aunt, and it opens the door to the magic that runs through the female lineage in her family, the very magic Mayhem is next in line to inherit and which will change her life for good. But when she gets wrapped up in the search for the man who has been kidnapping girls from the beach, her life takes another dangerous turn and she is forced to face the price of vigilante justice and to ask herself whether revenge is worth the cost.

What I enjoyed most about this book was the 80's vibe I got while reading this. I wanted to just jump into the California scene. This was such a unique book, filled with adventure, angst, and even a touch of magic.

The relationship between Mayhem and her mother stood out to me and while the stories are different, the relationship with my own father was an anchor in being able to relate to Mayhem.

Another element I enjoyed while reading the book was the diary entries throughout the book. The entries made me feel closer to Mayhem if that makes any sense.

I know that some people will say that the book mirrors The Lost Boys. And while I can see that, the book holds its own originality.

When I first got the email about Mayhem, I wasn’t entirely sure I was going to read it. It has a lot of elements that I love (I mean magic and murder? Count me in) but I wasn’t sure if I was going to find the time to read it. I’m so glad I did. I probably binge read the second half in two days which if you know me is very fast- especially when I’m reading an ebook.

I liked it. I didn’t love it - that’s why it didn’t get four stars or five - but I liked it. I don’t feel strongly about any of the characters except for Lyle who is a piece of trash. When you read the book, you’ll see what I mean. I liked Elle. I also liked Mayhem. Neve is probably the most interesting character. I can’t say why because I believe I would be spoiling the book so I’ll mention that in the spoiler section.

I’m gonna be honest- I was pretty much neutral about everything. Although I have not experienced it myself, I thought the domestic abuse was portrayed well. I genuinely felt for Roxie and Mayhem. I also didn’t mind the romance between Mayhem and Jason. I was skeptical about it in the beginning because romance usually dilutes the main plot but I thought it was a cute add on. I like Jason. There’s one more thing I liked but it counts as a spoiler so I’ll talk about it in a minute.

Before I move on though - what kind of person names a character Boner?? He was a good character but that name was questionable. I couldn’t take any scenes with him seriously because of the name. Now...onto the spoilers.

My favorite scenes were when Mayhem was reading the diary and when she was using her powers. It was during those parts that I wanted to keep on reading. The whole book is well written- those scenes just had something extra about them.

And why is Neve the most interesting character? I will say I didn’t understand the whole “water makes non Brayburns crazy sort of thing” but I liked how Neve was an example of it. I think that alone would have made the book very interesting especially since the Sand Snatcher (at least I think that’s what he’s called) took a backseat after he was killed. Unfortunately the plot didn’t take the dark turn I wanted it too. It ended with a lot of loose strings. Like why and how did Neve suddenly become not crazy? Did they all just live happily ever after? Even after all that magic stuff?

Like I said. Good, but not great. If you’re interested in reading it, I would still recommend Mayhem to you; it just wasn’t exactly a top ten read for me.

Superhuman knowledge and powers sound super useful, both to the individuals who have them, and the community which benefits. Hopefully everyone can agree to use those powers for good.

Mayhem’s story is all about girl power! Braeburn women are special. Once they have the water from the secret cave, they’re unstoppable. They’ve taken it upon themselves to use their powers to stop those who want to do evil in Santa Maria.

When Mayhem arrives in Santa Maria, there are already a few kids who live with her aunt and regularly imbibe the water. It gives them powers, but their powers look like a soft breeze compared to the howling wind that the water brings about in Mayhem. Together they can keep Santa Maria safe for all the mere mortals, and the mortals are grateful for their interventions.

This story was emotionally satisfying, as Mayhem and her cohorts got revenge on behalf of the defenseless. Overall, I’d give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. The 80s vibe was fun and familiar, and watching a battle between good and evil turn out right is always rewarding.

Domestic Violence, Abuse, and a Serial Killer

Roxy, Mayhem’s mother, married poorly the second time. Lyle, a pastor, seemed like a good choice when he rescued them from a shelter, but he rapidly turned to violence. When things get too bad, Mayhem and Roxy head for Santa Maria where Roxy’s twin sister, Elle, runs the family home, Brayburn Farm.

In Santa Maria, Mayhem learns that her family are local celebrities, having started the town. She also learns that something is different about her. She befriends the children staying with Elle and together they discover a serial killer taking girls like Mayhem from the local beach.

The book has some good prose, but it also has flaws. The pace is slow and there are lots of supernatural stories. Mayhem is trying to figure out who she is and as the narrator, her personality infuses the narrative.

The setting in California in the 80’s is accurate. Kids were into beach parties and taking risks that perhaps they shouldn’t have. I found the descriptions well done and added substance to the novel.

One of the hard parts of the book is the description of abuse and violence. It provides the impetus for Mayhem’s personality and her searching for identity. The way she sticks with her mother although Roxy is addicted to pain killers and alcohol and has to detox is positive. However, in some ways the description of her life before Santa Maria is a bit over the top with violence and fear.

I received this book from St Martin's Press for this review.

This book was right up my alley! I loved the family drama and the secrets and the mystery. It did leave me wanting to learn more about the Brayburn women, though.

I really enjoyed the experience of reading this book, the promise is wonderful, and when I see was for fans of The Craft, I knew it would resonate with me. Super grateful for being able to read the ARC and it’s a story worth giving it a try. What I liked the most was the way in which super sensitive subjects are touched, I think that even when it’s a book with a magical plot, its real and raw side stands out more. I also like how despite being a fairly intense plot in terms of topics, it can be read super easily and I liked the author’s style, simple but profound at the same time.

This story takes place in the ’80s, and we follow Mayhem who has always felt that there’s something different with her and her mother, but she really discovers what it is once they return to Roxy’s childhood home, her mother, in Santa Maria, after that she escapes from her husband, a cruel and violent man. Once there, Mayhem is looking forward to learning more about her parents, especially about her father’s suicide, where she really came from, and why her mother escaped out of there in the first place. Once there, Mayhem meets her cousins ​​and her aunt and begins a journey of self-discovery, where she’ll discover that she comes from a family lineage of women who possess magic. The boys are seen searching for a kidnapper who’s terrorizing Santa Maria, and in the process, unknown powers, and sources of dangerous magic will be uncovered, and Mayhem wonders if revenge is actually the right call to her.

I have to be honest here, as I always try to be. I liked the book and I really had a great time with it, but I don’t think it had the impact I was looking for in this story. From the beginning, hard-hitting topics such as domestic violence, suicide, rape, and drug use, among others, are touched, and you know it will be a heavy and emotional plot. I liked how this side was touched, although the rest of the story was the one that seemed most incomplete to me, and that’s the magical realism side, and all that witchcraft that the story promises. I think this magical side is superficially explored and when the characters begin to develop their abilities and powers, it falls a bit short. I felt that although the author’s idea is good and I think that the origin of the magic itself is very interesting, it’s not well developed and everything feels very rush and simple, which is a shame. I would have liked a slower transition, and I know it sounds strange, because I love fast-paced plots, but when there’s so much information it seems to me that a 300-page book couldn’t give it the intensity and depth that each topic deserves.

I liked the writing style quite a bit and I think the author’s prose is lyrical and makes it feel atmospheric, which you know I love, plus the place where the story unfolds, Santa Maria, California, is really beautiful and I feel It was the perfect place for this witchy/mystery story. The descriptions of the place are brief but very good, and I think they’re successful. The characters spend time in a cave which is a great protagonist of the story, and I loved those scenes: they agreed the perfect atmosphere with the perfect dialogues and I think they were the most solid scenes in the book, they even give it a touch of mystery and makes the characters related in an honest way. Plus, we see a hint of very clever magic happening in the cave.

I want to highlight how the mother-daughter relationship is, in fact, the main relationship of the story, which I appreciate very much, I found it very well achieved and filled with feelings, I enjoyed to see the development and growth between Mayhem and Roxy, and how they grow later to survive such sad and cruel situations. We also have a romance going on, and surprisingly I liked it! I think it’s super insta-love, but even so, the chemistry between the characters is amazing and I adore both of them, so I think that’s why I liked that they were together.

The characters are fine, again I think a lot of development is missing, I’d have liked in general to know more about each one of their past and manage to establish a more sentimental connection. Although I wasn’t able to completely love anyone, I do have some that resonated more with me and I’ll talk a little about them. First, we have Mayhem, our main character, she comes from living in a home with a lot of violence and mistreatment by her stepfather, so we see a very submissive and scared girl at first, and I must say that her evolution surprised me so much. As the book is short, all this takes place in just a couple of chapters, but I could see the evolution, and the fact that it has become stronger and more determined made me feel proud of her. Roxy is her mother, and this is a complicated character and difficult to empathize with at first, but after she overcomes all the demons she battles with internally and sits down to finally talk to her daughter, I think she shows a wonderful side, of a mother who’s seriously concerned and considerate. My favorite character has to be Jason, he’s a super-intelligent guy and I also love how he cares about his sister, Kidd, and how much he protects her, I also think he has the best dialogues. Nevie is like the rebellious witch of the story and although I didn’t like her personally, because her attitude is too much for me, she’s a well-thought-out character and it shows & finally, Elle, Mayhem’s aunt, is great, she reminded me a bit of a character from Practical Magic or Charmed, and that vibe is everything, especially when it comes to her relationship with her sister.

The author wanted to add a side of mystery to the plot which I didn’t like very much. There’s a man “kidnapping” girls on the beach and that’s super creepy, but I expected much more from this sub-plotline, the outcome is super expected and everything is solved conveniently and easily, so I don’t think it’s a remarkable factor, but that was there to give another vibe to the plot.

One factor that I did like and enjoyed, was that there are some chapters that are told in the form of letters from the women of the Brayburn lineage, and they all talk about their life experiences with magic and their abilities, and that was a very nice touch. It gives you depth and for a moment you can feel everything reading it, it’s great. Still, I repeat, I would have loved to know more about this family in depth.

In summary, I quite liked the book, I also liked the ending even when it’s quite open, I think that fact gives it a more realistic side. I think it’s fun and easy to read, even when it touches on difficult topics, so be careful about it. I like the idea of ​​the author to tell the story of a lineage of powerful women, and put a little magic there, in a very unique way, I liked that, BUT I think that each and every aspect deserved a little more depth and development, so the reader can enjoy and feel more committed to the story itself. The characters are fine, and it also has very solid scenes with very deep dialogues, so if that’s something you like then you should give it a chance. It also has a very beautiful atmosphere and the magic-realism is played in a very interesting way. Although I was expecting a little more, I can say that it was a great read!

I am here for so much campy witchy magical revenge goodness. However, I will say that this story didn't *quite* meet my expectations. When I saw the comparison to Lost Boys, I was immediately in. But then I discovered it's not just *like* Lost Boys, it's apparently in the same universe? Which is cool! But mildly odd. I felt like there were a LOT of heavy themes going on at the same time, and some of those were handled better than others in different scenes. It's good for a spookier read, but I found it a little lacking.

This book was quite a unique take on contemporary fantasy. I enjoyed it aside from a few minor qualms, so why don't we break it down into what I loved versus what worked a bit less for me, yeah?

What I Loved:

►Such a focus on family and friendships! I loved how much the book centered on Mayhem's family. We know Mayhem's mother loves her quite a bit, but she's deep into fighting her own major demons, including an abusive husband (and stepfather of Mayhem) that they've just escaped from. They flee to Mayhem's aunt's home, which is also their childhood home, and Mayhem gets to learn a lot of stuff about her family for the first time. Her aunt also has kids she's taken under her wing who immediately become part of Mayhem's new circle of people. It's great to watch all these relationships blossom and change and grow.

►Always here for an '80s setting. Mayhem pulls out a Kissing Kooler at one point. A Kissing. Kooler. I lived and died by those things, I won't lie. (Apparently, according to the search I did above, you can still buy them on eBay. I do not recommend this, as we're talking 30 year old makeup, but you do you.) Anyway, I think the author did a great job using the beach/ocean backdrop with the nostalgic era, too. For whatever reason, mysteries set pre-cell phone era gives me the extra willies and I like it.

►It deals with some pretty heavy subject matter. The author has put a note in the final copy of the book (including some content warning), and you can find it here. But we know there is abuse from Mayhem's stepfather out of the gate, but the mystery that Mayhem finds herself a part of also includes some pretty heinous crimes. But I liked the way that some of the choices that Mayhem and the others had to make fell into a very gray moral area, and Mayhem really had to decide how she wanted to use the power she'd inherited.

►I didn't have trouble figuring out the magic. I mean, it isn't explored super in-depth, but I think that is purposeful. Like, it doesn't really matter where it came from because it's here and now Mayhem needs to decide how she wants to use it. I also liked that it's a female familial connection, and we even get glimpses of journal entries from her ancestors describing how they handled the realization that they possessed magic.

What I Didn't:

►The pacing felt a bit off to me. Parts of it, especially the first half, felt a little draggy to me, but then by the end I had felt like perhaps some of the resolution was a bit rushed. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting, especially if you get irked by slower pacing.

►This is maybe a little spoilery, so I am going to do some tags, but I'll say it's a bit of a character complaint. (view spoiler)

Bottom Line: Super atmospheric and wonderfully mysterious, I was pulled into Mayhem's world of family and magic.

I’d like to give a huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an eARC of Mayhem in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As a person who loves reading about dysfunctional and estranged families but has not read enough of them, I was drawn to this book. The gorgeous cover also helped its case because just look at its beauty! However, this book wasn’t exactly what I expected.

After her abusive stepfather, Lyle, takes it too far, Mayhem Brayburn and her mother, Roxy, flee to Santa Maria, California. Mayhem has always known there was something different about her and her mother, how she’s always had a weird pull to water. But now that she’s returned to her family home, the answers are slowly coming to her. There, she meets three kids who live with her aunt, who help her become a true Brayburn woman, introduces her to the magic that every female in her family has inherited, one that’ll change her life forever.

But that isn’t all. There’s a man who is kidnapping girls from the beach, called the Sand Snatcher, and May finds herself tangled in the dangerous mess as she wants justice for the girls and wants to find the truth of who she really is.

Mayhem was inspired by The Lost Boys and The Craft. I have not watched either film so I do not know how similar or different this novel is to them, however I have heard that there are several factors and easter eggs from The Lost Boys in Mayhem. But I have not read a book quite like this one. Estelle Laure weaves a coming-of-age and overcoming abuse story with mystery and a fantastical/supernatural theme, a combination I didn’t realize I would like. I love what Laure was trying to do in this novel.

You dive into the story immediately, it took me a couple chapter to really grasp what was happening but I was never once left confused in this book. I love how important family made in this novel, and the struggles with domestic violence and drug addiction. The relationship between Mayhem and Roxy wasn’t that strong in the beginning, but it strengthens throughout the book as they try to heal together. I also appreciate that even though there was a bit of romance in this book, it didn’t overlap the story and wasn’t the main focus. Friendship was also a large part of this novel. Mayhem never really had any friends and never felt like she belonged, but in Santa Maria, it felt right.

Mayhem Brayburn was the central point of view, but there were a few short chapters told from the perspective of past Brayburns and told their stories. Mayhem was a believable character, her actions and emotions were justified and are how you'd believe a girl who lived in an abusive household for most of her life. She was also very likeable, I don’t think I got annoyed with her at all. Other characters, however, I did. The three children who lived with May’s aunt are Neve, Jason, and Kidd. I was fond of Jason and Kidd but Neve kept getting on my nerves. I found her selfish and she usually got her way by guilting others because that’s what it felt like she was doing. It didn't feel like her friendship with Mayhem was real for her, more like another way into the Brayburn family so I did not like her. I liked Roxy, May’s mother, but sometimes she also got on my nerves. There were some things she did which I did NOT agree with but I understand that her life hasn’t been easy and it’s her way of coping with it. But I think she could have used a bit more character development.

I really liked the way Estelle Laure wrote Mayhem. The writing was lyrical and gothic, making the novel beautifully dark. It was perfect for this type of story. Although I did not adore Mayhem as much as I thought I would, it did keep me captivated. I haven’t read any of Laure’s other novels but now I’m going to check them out and see what they’re about.

Now comes the part where I say what I wasn’t fond of in this book. As I said before, Mayhem is much more than a coming-of-age book, it has magical themes in at as well. There was a secret cave known only to Brayburns’ with water that had magical properties. This wasn’t a concept I was familiar with but kept an open mind while reading. However, I was not a fan of it at first, it was a bit unusual and I couldn’t quite grasp what it even was. I was fine with it later on in the story and after I got over it, it became more interesting to read about it. Especially with the effects it has on people who drank the water and weren’t a Brayburn by blood.

Another thing is the mystery. I was super excited to read about teenagers trying to figure out who the Sand Snatcher was. But that particular mystery wasn’t a big deal in the greater scheme of things, it didn’t have depth to it and was really just something going in the back for half the story. When more light was shined on it, it was clear that the whole missing girls’ mystery was more for the development of the main characters than important to the plot. I was a bit disappointed about this but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of it by a lot.

In conclusion, I recommend this book. It was a beautiful story that everyone should give a chance. Overall rate this book 3/5 stars.

First things first, anyone who knows me knows that The Lost Boys has been one of my favourite movies since I first watched it at 8 yrs old. In fact, I’ll admit that it’s probably my favourite vampire movie ever. And you know there have been a lot of movies made about those alluring bloodsuckers. Having stated that, it was a total no brainer for me to want to join the book tour for this novel as it had been marketed as a cross between The Lost Boys and The Craft. What I hadn’t expected was to find actual characters from The Lost Boys in the novel! What does that mean? It means that we run into the Frog Brothers (notorious for being vampire slayers) and we even get to witness a sax solo by Sax Man (if you’ve seen the movie then you know exactly who I’m referring to). If seeing characters from the movie wasn’t enough, we’re also treated with the exploration of the infamous cave from the movie.

The book is filled with so much 80’s nostalgia that I don’t know if the author was aiming to win the hearts of 30-yrs olds who lived during the ’80s or to make today’s teens (after all this is a YA novel and supposedly teens are the targeted audience) yearn for a time they never got to live through the experience.

I didn’t mind the movie references too much, because like I said I LOVE The Lost Boys. I also liked the protagonist Mayhem a lot. She managed to talk her mom into leaving her abusive step-dad and return to her hometown of Santa Maria. Now if you think that this novel is about vampires, well you’re only halfway right. The novel offers a different perspective on the supernatural, where, much like in the Anne Rice Werewolf series, the supernatural entity uses its powers for the good of the community rather than for evil. But even when you’re ridding the town of evil people, the question that looms over Mayhem’s head is, is it moral to decide who gets to live or die, even if the person they’re killing has done terrible things? The novel tries to grapple with that along with the question of, can one break free from one’s lineage and familial curse? Or does one embrace the curse and view as a gift?

For the vast majority, I enjoyed the novel although I feel as though it moved a bit too slow at first, to truly escalate towards the end. Overall, I felt as though this novel deserved more in regards to delving into the mythology of the Brayburn family and to perhaps do more into depth about the curse that spanned generations of Brayburn women.

Again, because I love The Lost Boys so much, I adored being part of this universe yet again, albeit in a different form. But if you take all the homages to The Lost Boys away, the overall plot is pretty flimsy. That’s not to say that this book isn’t worth your time. It is enjoyable, but it just lacked in certain areas.

PICK THIS BOOK UP IF YOU WISH TO TAKE A DIVE INTO THE 80’S NOSTALGIA, OR LIKE ME, YOU’RE A HUGE FAN OF THE LOST BOYS.
*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Mayhem Brayburn and her mother Roxy have fled to Santa Maria, California circa 1987 to escape her stepfather's abuse. Her cousins are odd, staying up most of the night and sleeping through the day, and there is a diary written by past Brayburns that makes reference to special powers that may soon be at Mayhem's fingertips. While Roxy's mom clings to her meds and wine to knock out the pain of abuse, Mayhem delves deeper into her heritage and the mystery of girls in town being kidnapped at the beach. Unfortunately, as she climbs down the rabbit hole, Mayhem begins to realize she may be in over her head, and to make matters worse, her abusive stepfather keeps calling. What will Mayhem do with her power in order to protect herself, to protect her mother, and to find justice? How far is too far?⁣
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I enjoyed many aspects of this story about female empowerment, healing from abuse, and discovering who you are. Mayhem is an interesting, if angry, character, and the overarching story is like a mashup of Practical Magic and The Lost Boys (Full disclosure: I have not watched The Lost Boys). The supernatural aspects are intriguing, and Mayhem's inheritance keeps the story moving, and in the second half of the book everything really heats up. I would have liked even more detail concerning Mayhem's abilities, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. This is a story about a young girl coming into her own and overcoming her past to become strong, capable, and in control. What's not to like?⁣

Books that make you go hmm... what a uniquely wild ride! OK so this book is marketed as a feminist mash up of The Lost Boys and The Craft. I saw The Lost Boys in 1987 when it came out. In all honesty I don’t remember much other than I really liked the soundtrack and there was some kind of supernatural element going on. In reading other reviews it appears as though a lot of this book has been A little too much like the original for peoples liking, but I can’t remember the original so that was completely lost on me. Never saw The Craft, so I have no idea if it’s anything like that at all. So now on to what I do know... Chloe Cannon narrates the audiobook and does a spectacular job! I’m going to be honest I’m not certain this book would’ve held my attention if it weren’t for the wonderful narration of Chloe. It’s not that I did not like this book, it is that occasionally I was a little lost and confused.It was kind of like reading a book through a bank of fog. Mayhem and her mom flea mom’s abusive boyfriend and return home to California. Mom is not crazy about returning home, but her sister is glad to welcome them back. Mayhem soon befriends her aunt’s foster children, but there are secrets brewing. A necklace with a bird charm, magical water, N soon the teens are attempting to save the town from a serial killer. Mayhem was a likable and unusual character. The other characters were interesting, but I always felt like there was a layer of haze between me and them. An interesting premise that didn’t necessarily work for me, but I think will work for others. Now I’m going to go listen to my Lost Boys soundtrack on cassette, of course I need to go find a cassette player.

This book in emojis 🦇 🌫 💦 🏖

*** Big thank you to Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

Mayhem was a book that had my opinion changing left and right! Initially, I was quite apprehensive about the book, being that it's themes and overall genre had a level of magical realism while addressing quite dark topics. 

*Trigger warnings for domestic and child abuse, serial kidnapping, drug use, murder and a non-depicted suicide. Full trigger warnings on her website. This book is not necessarily for the faint of heart, though if you can read through these themes, the intensity of the novel is definitely reached in an incredible way. 

I personally sell this as Peter Pan/the lost boys meets Outer Banks meets Lord of the Flies with an added level of magical realism. The role acceptance from each of the characters, the Brayburn family line intensifying with their presence, and quite the thrilling tale as we learn more with Mayhem. The book not only is quite easy to get through, but you can get more and more invested with the characters as you continue on. This is also where my hesitation to give it five stars comes in because I wanted more a little bit quicker.

Otherwise, a PHENOMENAL standalone!

Mayhem Brayburn never felt like she fit into the small town in Texas that her mother, Roxy, took her to when she was very small, running away from California. Part of not fitting in is the toxic culture of us against them that can poison small town life, but far worse is the abusive stepfather whose violence has finally turned away from May’s mother onto May—which finally enables with her mother, Roxy, to flee again—back to Roxy’s home town, Santa Maria, California.

The choice of town, and the setting with the boardwalk and nighttime carnival atmosphere, calls up THE LOST BOYS. The author plays with that image deliberately as she lays down the character threads. Everything hums with realism, both good and bad emotions: May’s teenage alienation, resonating with fear and anger—an early insight is May realizing that her stepfather’s abuse has been turning her into a hateful person, and she doesn’t want to be that person.

Then, when we have met all the main characters, including May’s strong, complex Aunt Elle, and the three very mysterious kids Elle is in the process of adopting, the story slips in the fantasy element, beautifully realized.

As one might expect from a story riffing off of THE LOST BOYS, there is darkness here: domestic violence, serial killers, drug addiction. Suicide. No actual vampires, though the implied power play in vampirism gets explored in a fascinating way as the story races toward the end.

Woven between May’s chapters are excerpts from diaries kept by her ancestors, all women. We begin to discover that the Brayburn women are powerful, that they have secrets, that they walk a very dangerous path. Power can be addictive, and the belief that one is using power for good.

I loved the women in this book. The fantasy element enhances a story that resonates with insight into family lines, emotional complexity, all kinds of love. Including the toxic possession that is the dark mirror to love.

The writing is so vivid and strong, so well-crafted that I didn’t even notice the present tense until more than halfway through—though I have come to resist the current fad for present tense, as I keep finding it so awkwardly done. Not here. Present tense, done well, underscores immediacy, and boy howdy does it work here.

I wanted to love this book, but there was something missing for me. I don't hate it. I liked what the author was trying to do however. I've seen the comparison to certain movies such as 'The craft' and "The Lost Boys'. I haven't seen The Craft but, I've seen snippets of The lost Boys and the similarities are there...ALOT...so I guess that turned me off because I felt it wasn't authentic enough. Roxy and her mother decide to escape Santa Monica, California and the abusive ways of Roxy's dad... Lyle. However, Roxy's mom did a 360 and started relying on alcohol and drugs to escape the bad memories. Big mistake. Lyle's abusive ways have gone unhinged even further.

Mayhem has the opportunity to learn more about the family she never knew about. At the same time she's learning about her family's history. There's another thing brewing in their quiet little town. A serial killer is on the loose and hurting young women. It's freaking everyone out, especially Mayhem and her mother. Leaving them wondering if all it is really worth it, especially going after the killer. Thanks to Wednesday Books, Netgalley, and Harlequin Blog Tours for an opportunity to obtain a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the dark themes combined with the youthful vibes all set in the backdrop of a beach town with 80’s nostalgia. I went into this book blind and was pleasantly surprised with the unique magic system. It was eerie yet believable. I didn’t have to suspend belief in order to enjoy it. It was woven so well into the lineage of the Brayburn women and really added depth to the story as the diary revealed how the ancient water provides the power to see other’s deepest secrets. I, myself, felt an irresistible pull to uncover the darkness within the story.

I loved Mayhem and her brokenness, her struggle to find herself and her journey as a Brayburn woman. I loved how her relationship with her mom evolved and how even the deepest pain can result in a new found freedom. All the secondary characters were fleshed out well and played a pivotal role in the story which I always admire. Overall I would highly recommend this book to YA fantasy lovers.