This book was a very easy read. It was heavier on melodrama than substance, but the fast pace, beach setting and 80's nostalgia make it an ideal summer read.

This book! This will be the book I'm jealous that people get to read for the first time. The writing was magic, the character development was so good and real, and the setting felt like I could hop in the car and go visit.

I had such a hard time getting through this book because I just didn't like it. For a big part of this book it just felt messy. It was a bit all over the place when it came to the paranormal stuff and character explenation, which just made everything so confusing. By the ending things became more clear but I still had SO MANY questions left that just weren't really explained at all. The mystery element was fine but it was just put so much on the background that I had such a hard time caring about it. The paranormal aspect made everything just super confusing and I didn't really like it. I think this book could have benefited SO MUCH from taking out the paranormal stuff and just focussed more on these characters and their past and recovering from trauma and just being a dark contemporary. I don't know. Those scenes from this book were just the most interesting ones and I was very engaged during those moments.

3.75/5 stars

Plot: when Mayhem'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 Mayhems 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.

I flew this book in three days and I have many a thought.

First, the things I enjoyed:

The Setting: As the kids say these days, the vibes in this books were immaculate. Very eerie and magical. i loved the beach setting, the late-night dips in the lake, and magical farmhouse. I

Mother-daughter relationship. Mayhem and her mother Roxy have one of the best and most real relationships I've seen in terms of coming from an abusive household. They cling onto each other and care so so deeply for each other but there is always some mild friction between the two. I teared up when they fought for the first time and was thoroughly impressed by the portrayal.

The lore: I loved the history of the Brayburn family and their love for epistolary communication. Elle keeps a diary full of letters written by and two women of Brayburn past and it was such a cool concept. I loved how the whole town knows about them and how they are casually revered. It was just super cool and interesting.

Now for some things that didn't sit right with me:

The resolution was rushed: so much happened at the last 50-100 pages and it felt like whiplash. I wanted a deeper dive into a lot of things and was honestly very saddened. They go after a serial rapist and murderer and all of that very cool plot is begun and ended in like 50 pages. This book needs to be at least 100 pages longer to be well fleshed out.

Neeve- Neeve is arguably one of the most interesting characters in this book and I was so pissed off we didn't get to see enough about her. Her past was mentioned for like two lines, and she somehow realizes all of her faults in like two pages when the whole time she is developed initially she is painted as a very stubborn unapologetic individual. it just made no sense and I deeply wish we got more of her.


Overall I highly recommend this for fans of Stranger Things, The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake, or The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert. This also feels like a really good book to read in the fall.

Mayhem Brayburn has sat back and watched her stepfather, Lyle, physically and mentally abuse her mother, Roxy, for years, until one day Roxy snaps and she and Mayhem flee to Roxy’s childhood home in Santa Maria, the place to which she once said she’d never return. Mayhem hasn’t been in Santa Maria since she was three-years-old, when her father committed suicide, and upon her return she discovers Roxy has been keeping a lot of secrets about her family’s history.

I love the idea behind Mayhem and I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy reading it, but for the sake of ending on a high note I’m going to get what I wasn’t so keen on out the way with first.

That this novel essentially explores witchcraft as a way for women, or anyone who isn’t in a position of power, to seek justice for wrongs that have been done to them and to others is something I liked and something I’ve seen many times before, so we know it works. Witchcraft in fiction is inherently a metaphor for seeking power within ourselves rather than from outside forces, but Mayhem did something I’ve seen before where the magic in the Brayburn family stems from a woman seeking revenge after being sexually assaulted.

That idea of magic, though I completely understand where it comes from and I think is timely considering we’re now having much more open conversations about assault and abuse, never quite works for me personally. I don’t like the idea that a woman – or anyone – has to go through an ordeal like that to access the kind of power that the Brayburn women wield. That said, I did really appreciate that Mayhem herself questions the ethics of the Brayburns’ idea of justice. Yes people sometimes do awful things and they deserve to be punished for it, but are the Brayburn women who turn vigilante and murder threats to the people of Santa Maria really any better than the people they’re killing?

I wish I’d had a little more time with the magic system, and a little more time with this story in general. Mayhem moves incredibly quickly, and while that makes it a brilliantly fast and easy read for a hot summer day, it did also mean that I didn’t feel like I spent enough time with it. The storyline involving the missing girls wraps up in a flash, there’s a case of instalove between Mayhem and a boy named Jason who’s living with her aunt with two other girls, and I’d’ve liked to have known the secondary characters much better than I did.

In a way, though, I did like how the fast-paced nature of this story echoed the long summers of my own childhood and teens, when those weeks away from school seemed endless and the long summer days were full of possibility. So much could happen in a day when you’re 17, and I loved that Mayhem grabs life by the horns once she’s in Santa Maria and she’s allowed to be a teenager, instead of a young woman who needs to sleep in the same bed as her mother to prevent her stepfather’s abuse.

It’s a very filmic novel, which makes sense considering its comparison to The Lost Boys and The Craft. I haven’t seen The Craft but Mayhem definitely has a Lost Boys vibe and I’ve seen some reviewers say they’re too similar, but if you’re someone like me, who’s only seen The Lost Boys once or hasn’t seen it at all, I don’t think the similarities will bother you. Other than the setting I honestly couldn’t tell you anything else that I recognised from The Lost Boys.

That filmic vibe does mean Mayhem is an ideal summer read, though, especially if you want to spend a day on the beach and read a whole book while you’re there. I really enjoyed Laure’s writing—from the first page I was sucked in and loved Mayhem’s narrative voice, and I really enjoyed her mother, Roxy, too. Their relationship was my favourite thing about this novel, so if Laure wanted to write me a spin-off all about Roxy I’d have no problems with that at all.

I actually found this novel a lot of fun to read aloud, which I wasn’t expecting, and I imagine the audiobook would be fantastic.

Personally I think the best way to think of Mayhem is not as a fantasy novel, but as a Gothic novel. This is a summery Gothic tale set against a 1980s backdrop, complete with family secrets and young women coming of age, so if you’re a fan of stories about families, womanhood and first love, you should give Mayhem a try.

Based on the description, I thought I would like this book more. But it kind of felt that something was missing. Yes, there's some magical element to it, but it doesn't seem to be used in a good way. And while I wanted to know all the mysteries surrounding the family, at some points it felt a little bit too forced. But basically Mayhem and her mother move to her mother's hometown to escape her mother's abusive father / Mayhem's stepdad. When she is back she learns her family has a long history of superpowers, and she needs to drink some type of water to get to feel other people's thoughts. And then she tries to use her new powers to try to find a serial killer that is attacking in the city she just moved to. Nice premise, but kind of just okay execution.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC. This does not affect my review in any way.*

This was a pain and a chore for me to read. I was excited to read this since the premise seemed interesting and promising. But I was only met with slow-paced and uneventful story. It had so much potential in terms of the magic system and the issues it was trying to bring to the table like getting over the grief of losing someone you truly love, escaping an abuser, and uber complicated family dynamics.
This just didn’t work for me.

3.5

*Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review*

TW/CW: abuse, drugs, alcohol, death, kidnapping, mention of rape

Mayhem is a young girl that with her mother left his abusive stepfather and return in her family's home in Santa Maria. Mayhem have to check out her mother, because she use drugs and valium "to escape from reality". In Santa Maria, Mayhem and Roxy will live with Elle (Roxy sister) and her three adopted children, Neve, Jason, and Kidd. But there's a mysterious disappearance of teen girls in town and this group of children have to put an end to this situation.
Mayhem will discover the curse that weighs on her family, and what means be a Brayburn lady.

Brayburn lady coming for you.
Take your man and curse you, too.
Brayburn lady knows your sins.
Reads your mind and kills your friends.

I have liked the diary entries that explain the family history and how we could learn (with Mayhem) the curse and the feels of these women. Every woman in her family is attracted by this cave where a magical water is found that can give them the strength to see the dark side of people. But then the addiction to the water starts and they can't live without drink it. But, if a non Brayburn drinks the water? What would happen?
I'd like to see more developement between Neve, Jason, and Kidd. I've loved them so much!
I hate to admit but at first I didn't have a great feeling about the story. It seems to me confused and there was something that won't fix in... I also thought the group of children were too young for these "situation".

A fun book. This book reminded me of a female led ‘The Lost Boys’, which made for a nostalgic read. The characters were unique and definitely had their own personalities. The plot was well-developed and thoughtful. I liked the author’s writing style and attention to detail.

This title is marketed as feminist mashup of the lost boys and the craft. I'd throw in a dash of practical magic. The 80s vibes with the witchy side. The powerful Matrilineal line. I admire the female bonds between the Brayburn family. How messy but still caring family can be. The story starts when the Roxy and Mayhem Brayburn flee from Mayhem's stepdad. He physically abused her mom since Mayhem was little. They flee from Texas to Santa Maria, California.

After kidnappings happen in Santa Maria, Mayhem makes it her goal to use gifts to seek revenge and save the girls.

Mayhem screams Kristen Stewart. Mayhem comes of cold and Stewart would do great. I stand by it Stewart is talented AF. Go watch Speak and Personal Shopper. Mayhem has a silent rage and needs someone like Stewart.

I really enjoyed the writing but the pacing is slower burn. You really have to like or read about Mayhem as character to read forward. Seeing other review I see where they are coming from. One thing to add this book is weird. We're sliding in to Fabulism territory. What I really enjoyed. Mayhem is part Brazilian, her dad died when she was young. No one knows if it was really suicide. Even though I like her as a character it feels more like a white person painted biracial. I side eyed it a couple of times

This is a personal reason but I can't stand that the lead ,Mayhem calls her mom and aunt by their first names in her narration and dialogue. It's a constant eyesore. I know that the Brayburn see each others as sisters but it was annoying and felt White. Us south Americans would not dare to speak to our parents that way. This also a reason why it didn't feel real. I finished this book feeling a 3 out of 5. Great writing with a interesting lead but why what feels like a painted over white character.

This book gave me really strong Practical Magic vibes. But in a YA format. Other people have said Lost Boys, but I'm not sure I've ever actually watched that movie. I honestly thought it was a bit flat. I'm not sure what I expected, but I'm not sure I got whatever it was trying to sell me.

This was ... meh. I found that with the last Estelle Laure book I read too, so I think perhaps this author just isn't suited to me. This felt like a knock off of the titles it is compared to; there wasn't much originality and the characters weren't convincing, so I was let down by this.

I have never heard of Estelle Laure or read any of her books, so I went into "Mayhem" without much expectation. She immediately starts off with a bit of a trigger warning/author's note. It was beautifully written and I really appreciated her candidness and words that really spoke to me: "...I know I'm not the only one who clings to stories as salve to smooth over burnt skin..."

And so, I started reading Mayhem. The book starts off with titular character Mayhem coming back to her hometown in California for the first time since she was three years old. Her mother, Roxy, has been in an abusive relationship for the past 13 years and has finally decided that enough is enough. Mayhem finds that she belongs to the celebrity family in town, and that she has a lot to learn about her family history. As the reader, we get short time-lined diary entries of Mayhem's great-great grandmother and up to her mother. These diary entries explain the family history, and of course are perfectly placed into the story to move the story forward. My problem with it though is that nothing would stop Mayhem from reading the whole thing in one go when she first discovered the diaries--- meaning that she should have learned a lot more of her family history in the beginning, thus answering so many of her questions earlier on.

"Mayhem" is a short, fun story. Not only does it take place in the 80s, but it is written like a 90s YA novel- mostly with its two dimensional characterization and obvious coupling. It reminded me of being in middle school and high school, reading Christopher Pike, RL Stine, and the Roswell series by Melinda Metz. Fun, but so contrived.

I have to admit, I didn't watch "The Lost Boys" before reading this book. Knowing that it was similar though, I decided to wait to watch until after I read the book-- kind of hoping that by reading "Mayhem" first, I would enjoy it more. And I did. If you haven't seen "The Lost Boys," and you are looking for the feel of a teenage summer in the late 80s, this book is probably for you. If you have seen "The Lost Boys" though, this book will come off as a rip-off. So many details are the same that it hurts to see- the boardwalk setting, the small Californian town, the video store, the vampire-fighting brothers (even with the same name!). I think that Laure could have made so much of this story more 'hers' without blatantly copying the movie. I would have enjoyed a bit more creativity out of her story-telling.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Estelle Laure is a skillful writer (that author's note in the beginning was AMAZING), and I look forward to seeing more of her work!

"The Lost Boys meets Wilder Girls in this supernatural feminist YA novel.

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.

From the acclaimed author of This Raging Light and But Then I Came Back, Estelle Laure offers a riveting and complex story with magical elements about a family of women contending with what appears to be an irreversible destiny, taking control and saying when enough is enough."

I'm all about the nostalgia factor of the 80s and summertime!

Thank you so much to net galley and Wednesday books for sending me a copy of this book! I loved her other book this raging light so much so I was very excited to read this book. I was definitely not disappointed. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat as well as making you fall deep in love with the characters. I can not wait to read more from this author.

Thank you Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book for an honest review.

This book follows Mayhem and her mother Roxy who recently left her abusive husband back to her hometown where secrets lay. There Roxy will really find out what being a female Brayburn means.

I really wanted to like this. I liked maybe the first 2 chapters and then it all fell apart for me. I found it slow and not exciting at all. I felt like nothing was happening. The writing was really bland and I wanted something more from this story. It is compared to the outsiders meets The Craft. Two movies that I have never watched so who knows.

I enjoyed this book. I never found myself not wanting to finish it and was surprised at some of the negative reviews.
I do believe the book is geared for YA and I can see why and I thought the supernatural aspect was really neat.

i received an ARC of this story from netgalley for my honest review.

The premise of this book looked very well: feminism, youth, and supernatural abilities. Unfortunately, the slow development and the feeling that not much is happening are totally against him.

I liked the message that the author transmits of not keeping silence and being zero tolerant of violence (there is no justification for it) and even more so knowing that things lived by the writer are placed on it. Even something that is commonly judged is portrayed and that is why the victim refuses to report or do something, the very effect of abuse and its psychological repercussions.

This novel astonished me from the start. From the twisted relationship between Mayhem and her family, to the winding magic that grips the whole book, everything about it was a fun read. Mayhem plays with reality and un-reality at the same time, teetering on the edge of confusion but balancing fabulism in exactly the right way.

The strongest thing about the book for me was Mayhem herself. We learn about her almost symbiotic relationship with her mother, and the abuse they’ve suffered by her step-father, Lyle, at the same time as Mayhem discovers who she really wants to be on the coast of California. I liked narration from her point of view because she was both new to the world and moved about it with ease, making the pacing feel super smooth.

As far as worldbuilding goes… magic abounds in Santa Maria, and of course the Brayburns are at the center of it all. For fear of spoilers, I won’t share exactly what’s involved, but if you’ve seen The Lost Boys you can probably guess (minus the vampires). This was used as a tool to help Mayhem become close to the rest of her family, and I quite liked her relationship with her aunt Elle, Roxy’s sister. There’s also a smidge of romance, as each of the Brayburn women have one true love. I liked Mayhem’s relationship, but I do think the book would have been fine without it.

A couple of other readers have noted direct similarities to The Lost Boys, a movie I haven’t seen but know enough about. I personally don’t have a super one-sided opinion on this, as the book is supposed to be a feminist retelling of sorts focused on matriarchal family lines and the power of women. I forgive any transgressions, but you’ll have to read and form your own opinion.

Overall, an enjoyable reading experience! I finished the book in only a couple of days, as I was desperately invested in Mayhem’s journey and exploring Santa Maria. 4/5 stars.

I have honestly only seen The Lost Boys once so maybe that is why I enjoyed this book so much more than other reviewers. I loved the karmic justice of this book even though to actually be the vehicle of it would be daunting and a moral gray area. Since Mayhem is touted as a feminist retelling of The Lost Boys I would actually like to re-watch it to see the similarities between the two.

Estelle Laure did an amazing job bringing Santa Maria circa 1987 to life. Writing it into a living breathing world that houses magic, the ocean, frivolity, some not quite legal extracurricular activities, danger and a fair share of hard hitting aspects of life. Mayhem is a shining example of not only a coming of age story but also coming into, and to terms with, oneself. The conclusion to the "Sand Snatcher" felt like it should have been... more... after all the build up and the same could be said with the confrontation between Mayhem and her step-father Lyle.

Throughout the book Mayhem struggles to accept her family's legacy, the consequences and the gifts. In her short number of years Mayhem has had to age beyond her years to keep an eye on her mother as well as herself. Once in Santa Maria she slowly discovers what it's like to be a part of something larger than herself as well as a biological and adopted family. I do wish that more time was spent on the background of the Brayburn family other than the diary flashbacks, I think it would help tie in the magical aspects of the book. The other characters could also go for a little more life breathed into them - we get a little bit of an explanation of sorts but not a lot.

If you happen to be a super fan of The Lost Boys you might struggle with this book. There are also several heavy subjects featured in this book - rape, physical & verbal abuse of a minor and adults, suicide and drug use/addiction. I encourage you to read the author's heartfelt note below regarding several of those subjects. I would highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy magic, retellings, coming of age, young adult and urban fantasy. If some of the content bothers you even after reading the author note, you may not enjoy Mayhem. A big thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC copy of Mayhem.