2.5 rounded up. This is unfortunately one of those sequels that just didn’t need to be made. It was fine but I also found myself bored through most of it, the mystery was not captivating enough to hold a novel. The resolution to it was also very underwhelming. It felt like the mystery existed just as a vehicle to further visit these characters and give them an “ending,” but I don’t think we even needed it?

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The Other Lola" is another great YA read from Ripley Jones. Readers will enjoy the return of some familiar characters and the twists and turns. Recommended for teens who enjoy slow-building mysteries and more in depth characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I read <i>Missing Clarissa</i> last week and RAN to see if I could get an ARC of this one. I was delighted to find it was just as good as the first, in my opinion. It subverts so much of what you expect it to do--Blair and Cam aren't investigating a murder, there's no podcast element, some character dyanmics are reversed, and I just found that so smart and delightful. But it still keeps all the things that made the first one so refreshing! These characters feel vivid and real and funny despite the the danger they find themselves in at times, and it was so heartwarming to see their little found family grow with new characters in this book. I inhaled this in less than 24 hours, and if Ripley Jones kept writing these forever, I would keep picking them up. I've already recommended this series to multiple teens at my library, and glad the sequel will live up to the hype I'm building for them.

I was surprised I was offered an arc, considering I roasted the first one (in a constructive manner, if I do say so myself), but hey, props to the author/publisher for giving an arc to someone who was vocally against the first one. I'll start with the positives then work to the negatives. I'm going to divide this into three sections: plot, characters, and overall writing.

The Plot
Cam and Blair are back at it again (unwillingly. Well, kind of). A fellow student at their school has asked them to look into the disappearance and subsequent reappearance of their sister, who Mattie insists isn't the same person. Add in some teen angst, and you've got yourself The Other Lola.
Stories like this tend to leave something desired. Either the person is who they say they are, or they aren't. Either way, some people are going to be disappointed. There isn't much of a whodunit? to speak of, and it ends up tedious after awhile. The alternate chapters of letters from Lola to Mattie add no intrigue and in fact, make the mystery easier to solve. I will say, I had no real vested interest in this case, as it's pretty obvious from the beginning what the result will be, it's the details that are missing. I didn't quite see the twist coming, but it also felt incomplete, in a way. We barely meet new characters outside of Mattie, who was one of the only saving graces of this book, and I didn't feel like I was rooting for, well, anyone.
There are some issues with timelines. Unfortunately, I have to give some spoilers. I'm also assuming that this takes place in the modern day, (so, 2023/2024 as of my arc reading and the subsequent published date) as there is no indication of the contrary. Lola is said to have gone missing in 2014, at the age of 15 (this would make her born in 1999 ish). It says she came back five years later, which would make this 2o19 when the book is taking place, however, in Missing Clarissa, it's been OVER 20 years since 1999, so that would make it post 2019. The timelines here don't match up. Also, this makes Lola and her twin Luke 20. This will come into play later.
The POVs are still messy and switch without warning, which makes it hard to follow and resulted in me rereading passages just to figure out who we're seeing things from. Granted, there isn't much difference between the two girls' POVs outside of the archetypes they're shoehorned into (and subsequently abandoned after the first book).
The Characters
Somehow they're worse. Blair and Cam are worse. Everyone else is cardboard, either good, quality cardboard or soggy cardboard. (aka good or evil).
Blair has lost all semblance of sense and personality (not that there was much to begin with) and has gone from the down-to-earth half of the duo to fame-obsessed aspiring writer who still thinks she's terrible. It was actually interesting getting to see things from her perspective in her emails. But I hated the emails (more on that in a minute). Blair is only shown when she's writing to her literary agent (knowing nothing of what a book proposal is--wouldn't Meredith tell her after the first ramble-y email where she essentially recounts her day that that's not a book proposal?). Any attempt to make Blair more dimensional comes across as vapid and unoriginal. Blair also starts up a relationship with a 20 year old (Luke, Lola's twin and Mattie's brother) when she is 17 or 18 max. She is in high school, he has graduated. This is a problematic age gap, 20 and 17 are worlds apart, and 18 and 20 is not much better. In fact, when he kisses her, she describes it as: "light and easy, the way you'd kiss a child. Except he kissed [her] on the lips" SHE IS POTENTIALLY A MINOR. This relationship is never addressed in how it's a weird age gap with an unequal power dynamic. This description is just gross.
Cam is still tactless, hypocritical, brash, and annoying. Now all she does is quote Sophie, talk about going to MIT because she's a genius, and how traumatized she is after the events of the last book. I won't make light of that, but the portrayal of PTSD seems okay (panic attacks were depicted accurately, but that is as far as my experience goes). Cam is incredibly dismissive of Mattie's case, and after time this is somewhat warranted, but in the last book Cam harped on the inefficiency of the police department and the way they dismiss cases without much evidence, but she does the exact same thing here. Cam still doesn't face consequences for her actions--we're told there's a lawsuit, but it barely comes up and serves as a "Cam learned her lesson and feels guilty," while she literally continues to act the same way as before. The only person to call Cam out is Irene at the very end. So Cam can do whatever she wants, nearly getting her mom fired, but it's all okay because she has trauma and doesn't want to lose anyone else. I'm sorry, what???

Overall:
The writing flowed a little better. But a lot of this book felt performative. Ironic, considering that's a minor theme. Cam mentions how people only cared about Clarissa because she's white, but then proceeds to take on another case of a white girl going missing (and reappearing... or did she?). I do not argue the point that the media pays more attention to white women/girls who go missing, but the fact that she's mentioning this while perpetuating that very thing was so frustrating. Also, Blair and Cam plan to write an article on the American fascination with true crime to the detriment of the victims stories, but we never see much of it come to fruition, and it's completely moot because the girls are investigating possible foul play. They aren't exempt from the critical lens they are trying to put on the true crime genre. Just another instance of hypocrisy.
Everyone in this book is either solidly bad or solidly good. 2 adults are specifically boiled down to stereotypes: transphobic mom and right-winger former detective. YIKES. These people exist (and should definitely be called out for their harmful views), but the way that the book is so heavy-handed in saying "THESE PEOPLE ARE TERRIBLE AND YOU SHOULD HATE THEM" is like beating a dead horse. Let the reader make their own conclusions. By the time you get to this part, Mattie has been established as nonbinary and Cam is blatantly said to be a lesbian--the people who need to see these people and reevaluate themselves have already dnfed the book. I agree they suck, but have some faith in your audience that they can and will see transphobia and alt-right wing agendas for what they are. There was no need for the detective character at all, really, he added nothing and the attempt at creating a funny situation by pretending to be alt-right was cringe-y and hard to read. Again, I do not disagree with the sentiment, I disagree with how the characters were established and executed. It ruined the flow in these spots because the discussions of transphobia were not brought up naturally. There were other points where it was handled well, when Mattie corrected the use of she/her to they/them. Casual, simple, and effective.
Thankfully, there was no add-on podcast this go round, but instead we got emails from Blair! That I hated. I had to find out action through Blair's recounting of it in an email when we see everything else on the page. I wouldn't have minded seeing things from Blair and Cam's perspectives like we saw in the emails because it gave them a bit more depth, but the only point of the letters was to make the argument that Blair was trying to tell someone else's story and that's wrong.
Since there isn't much of a mystery, there isn't much to piece together. This felt so drawn out and boring. Again, it takes guts to give another book to a reader who so blatantly disliked the first one, and I respect it. I do think this was better. But I don't think it was very good.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!:)

I really enjoyed this book. At first it was way too slow for me, but good, I loved Ridley Jones’s Missing Clarissa, So I was in a way exited to see Blair and Cam again. This book got me hooked, thanks net galley for this wonderful read!

Coming off the success of their high school project and popular podcast, Cam and Blair have sworn off ever doing another podcast, yet alone getting involved in any more mysterious disappearances. That is until Mattie comes to them about the mysterious reappearance of their sister Lola, who went missing five years ago under questionable circumstances. Mattie is convinced this person who showed up is not the sister that disappeared years ago, even though the rest of their family is convinced this is Lola and has done nothing but open their arms and their house, welcoming her back. Mattie invites Cam and Blair to a welcome home party, to come and see for themselves. When one of Lola's good friends shows up at the party and loses her mind upon seeing Lola, Cam and Blair find it hard not to get involved. Is this Lola or is this an imposter? What truly happened the night that Lola disappeared?

I was excited to see Ripley Jones continue this series. The Other Lola is another page turner with the return of characters we grew to really like in the first book featuring Cam and Blair. Written with modern characters and a smart storyline, you'll want to put this on your to-read list and catch up on the first book, if it's not on your TBR yet! Readers will find themselves caring for the characters, rooting for the underdog and questioning what they believe happened until the last page of the story!

I definitely enjoyed the first book more, but this was not a bad follow up by any means. I am not sure where the author will go with this series, but I would absolutely read more.

Blair and Cam are back!
I felt like the first 70% of this book was too slow. I knew the ending would be great, (and it was) but it took a while to get really good.
Mattie comes to Blair and Cam because they believe they are the only ones that can help them. Mattie's sister went missing 5 years ago and she's back. But she's not Mattie's sister. Blair and Cam begin to investigate, although not through a podcast this time. What happened to Lola? Is that person really Lola and Mattie just doesn't recognizer her?

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 3.5 stars.

I thought this was a decent read although I did not enjoy it as much as the first book in the series. I also didn't remember the first book in any great detail, which was a bit frustrating given that a lot of this story deals with the fallout from the last novel/case.

Again, I did like the relationship between the two main characters and the enlightened way in which they perceive the world. The story was somewhat surprising in the way it unfolded but it was ultimately pretty satisfying.

This was a wonderful book. A great Thor ill er that kept me guessing the whole time. I would recommend this to all thriller lovers!

I loved Missing Clarissa so was very excited for a sequel. I enjoy Blair and Cam. they are so much fun getting into trouble but also solving mysteries.. i highly recommend this one!

This is the sequel to the initial work of the author, which I did not have the opportunity to read. Nonetheless, I was able to follow the characters' activities from the previous book through flashbacks of the past. The Other Lola begins with Mattie looking for help from Cam and Blair with her missing sister, who has returned after missing for five years. She believes that this new Lola is not her sister.

This book is a page-turner and an interesting mystery that will captivate its intended audience. Overall, I look forward to reading more books Ripely Jones writes. 4/5 rating.

Thank you Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this eARC.

Another book about Cam and Blair, solving mysteries and getting into trouble! I love their friendship and seeing the supporting characters developed more was really fun! I enjoyed this and hope we get more!

Thank you Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Another great mystery by Ripley Jones! Cam and Blair have faced a lot since they solved Clarissa’s mystery and each of them feel differently about it. Blair wants to use the fame to further her writing career, but Cam is struggling and having panic attacks after everything that happened. But when Mattie shows up at Cam’s door with a new mystery Blair talks her into it. Nobody believes what Mattie has to say. Mattie’s sister Lola disappeared 5 years ago, and then one day she shows up again with some crazy story of what happened to her. The thing is Mattie swears that the girl who returned is not her sister Lola. But when she looks just like her will anyone believe her? Is there something more going on or is Mattie just trying to make sense of a horrible situation? Are Cam and Blair safe to investigate? Just like Missing Clarissa this had me on the edge of my seat and I didn’t want to put it down! I loved that there were two mysteries here, what really happened to Lola and if the Lola who came back was really Lola! Intriguing, thrilling, and unpredictable! Can’t wait to read it again!

Just another interesting read and I just have so many thoughts but worry everything will be a spoiler. I just have to say read this book and jump in for a ride.

Yay! I’m so happy Blair and Cam are back!

Five years ago, Mattie’s sister, Lola disappeared without a trace. Now, she’s suddenly back and not the same. Mattie tries to tell her family and friends that the girl who came back is not her sister, however no one believes her.

She turns to now famous podcasters, Cam and Blair for help. Unfortunately, they’ve hung up their detective hats. Blair and Cam are both hiding secrets from each other, afraid to upset the other. Desperate, Mattie convinces Cam and Blair to come to a welcome home party for the new Lola. Taking in their terrible mother and the house that feels cold and heinous, Blair and Cam agree to take the case, against Cam’s better judgement. No podcast this time, no lawsuits. The least they can do is try to help this person who is convinced their sister is still missing. But when it turns dangerous, how far will they have to go to find out the truth?

This was just as fast paced and intriguing as the first Cam and Blair mystery! I was fully invested and it kept me on my toes until the very end. I loved Mattie’s character and seeing her grow, standing up for herself. Irene and Brad are perfect together and I’m glad he was back for this one.

If you loved Missing Clarissa, this is a must read!

My heart is still pounding

What just happened ? I’m an adult, how did a YA book shake me to my core ? Well, when you are Ripley Jones, you know how to skillfully craft a book that will consume and frighten even the coldest of folks.

I know I know. This is crazy . I can read Stephen King and not even bat an eye but I tell ya, this one is good, real good .

It might have been the whole legendary missing girl stories or maybe it was the secrets and twists that just kept on coming .

I think you should find out for yourself …

Teaser :

What happens when the people you love the most are the people you can trust the least?

In the months after Cam and Blair broke their small hometown’s legendary missing-girl story and catapulted to accidental fame, they vowed never to do it again. No more mysteries, no more podcasts, and no more sticking their heads where they don’t belong.

Until Mattie Brosillard, a freshman at their high school, shows up on their doorstep, begging Cam and Blair for help. Mattie's sister Lola disappeared mysteriously five years ago. No trace of her was ever found. Now, she's back--but Mattie is convinced the girl who returned is an impostor. Nobody believes Mattie's wild story--not Mattie's brother, not Mattie's mother, and not even Cam and Blair. But something is definitely wrong in the Brosillard family. And Blair has her own reasons for wanting to know what really happened to Lola while she was gone.

With Cam and Blair still struggling with the aftermath of their first mystery―and with new secrets swirling between them―the stakes are higher than ever in this can’t-miss sequel to Missing Clarissa.

3.75 stars


I really enjoyed this book, however I found that overall it wasn't as engaging or compelling as the first one. I think one of the main reasons is that I found the mystery predictable and it didn't keep me on my toes or want to keep reading. What I did enjoy was the characters (both new and old) and how the dynamics have changed since the first between Cam and Blair. I also enjoyed that there was an honest conversation about how diving into true crime and inserting oneself into another's story has consequences even if the intentions are good. I also liked that we saw Cam and Blair dealing with the fallout of Missing Clarissa in their own ways. And I really liked Mattie as a character and would like to see them again in future books.

Overall, this was still an enjoyable read, that I thinks fans of YA mysteries will eat up and I can't wait to see what Ripley Jones does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an eArC in exchange for an honest review.

How can last years blockbuster hit, MIssing Clarissa, be followed up? By another blockbuster book with the same characters, plus new ones.

I loved this book. The mystery of who is Lola had me enthralled.
The story was a bit of a drag, in some places, the rehashing of is this the REAL Lola or not, did get a bit boring at times.

However, overall the author did it again, with more caution. I liked that Cam and Blair did not immediately go right out and try to SOLVE this case. IT was more of a natural progression.

The characters felt natural, having anxiety, PTSD, doubts about what they were doing/going through.

I felt that the author has hit their stride and I can't wait to see what else the author has in store for the characters.

Thank you to the publisher for the arc.

I absolutely loved this. We pick up right where we left off with Missing Clarissa but new characters and a new story and so much character development with Cam and Blair! I loved it so much. Plus the found family aspect and the ending made me cry.