EVERYTHING YOU WANT ME TO BE by Mindy Mejia has certainly be receiving some stellar reviews. It received a starred review from Booklist along with accolades and Best of lists from People Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, BookBub, and Bustle. I was extremely excited to read this novel because it sounded like a book I'd enjoy... and I'm happy to say that I did like this one quite a bit.

EVERYTHING YOU WANT ME TO BE tells the story of Hattie Hoffman, a teenage girl who lives in a small town in Minnesota. Hattie is nearing graduation and she can't wait to leave her hometown for New York City and Broadway. Hattie has always been an actress (and quite an impressive one at that), but she feels trapped because she's always been playing parts -- the ambitious student, the attentive daughter, the doting girlfriend, and so on.

On the opening night of her high school play (which she, of course, stars in!), Hattie is found dead in a barn. The local sheriff Del Goodman, a close Hoffman family friend, is determined to find her killer; however, it's not as cut and dry as he hoped. The most obvious suspect is Hattie's married, high school English teacher with whom she has been having an affair. But as Goodman digs into the investigation, he uncovers more and more secrets... and more and more questions.

Hattie is far from the teenager that the local folks thought they knew and loved. She is an extremely complex teen who had her sights set on something more... and her ambitions just might be the reason she ended up dead.

EVERYTHING YOU WANT ME TO BE is a very readable thriller. I enjoyed the characters and story, and I thought the mystery was well constructed. I admit that I didn't like Hattie at all (I don't think I was supposed to!), but that didn't change my opinion of the novel. She wasn't a very nice girl; and as the novel progressed, she became more and more manipulative. I also didn't exactly like her love interest, a married high school teacher -- yuck!, but I found him much more human... and maybe even forgivable because he did have guilt and remorse. Hattie, on the other hand, was all about Hattie.

I did liked the sheriff, Del Goodman, though. He was a good man (no pun intended), and he really wanted to get to the bottom of Hattie's death so her parents could have some closure. As he learned the truth about Hattie's last few months of her life, he was kind of between a rock and a hard place because of his closeness to the family. He also had some complexity because of his past; however, I feel as if the author could have developed him a bit more. Maybe that's because I actually liked him and wasn't fond of the other main characters.

I found EVERYTHING YOU WANT ME TO BE to be a true page-turner, and I definitely appreciated the twists and turns! One thing I felt made this novel special was how the author decided to tell the story. The story was told in alternating chapters by Hattie, Goodman and the teacher; and as a result, the reader gets an inside view into all of their characters. The book also had flashbacks to events during Hattie's senior year, so we can see how her murder and the events surrounding it occurred.

I did appreciate the murder mystery aspect of the story, and it definitely kept me guessing. There were a few twists and turns, and I have to say that I thought the culprit was somebody else entirely. I'm not sure that all readers will be surprised, but I liked that I was.

Overall, EVERYTHING YOU WANT ME TO BE is a strong suspense novel with some interesting characters. Highly recommended to fans of literary suspense.

Rating: 4.5/5 Penguins

Quick Reasons: this is a haunting merry-go-round of mystery; I LOVELOVELOVE all the different viewpoints we're treated to; the plot is deliciously dramatic and angsty; I honestly didn't see that ending coming; this was a treat of a read!

Huge thanks to Mindy Mejia, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and Netgalley for granting me free digital access to this title in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.


---"You say you're just acting, but you're fracturing yourself into a thousand pieces, and every time I see another piece, you're gone again. You turn into someone else, a crowd of someone elses, and it makes me wonder if there's any such thing as Hattie Hoffman.---


This was SUCH a delicious dramatic, angsty treat to read, penguins! So let's start with that--the plot. The plot for this is action-packed, laced through with tension, and unbelievably mysterious all at once. For someone who often figures out the ending long before the halfway mark....this book caught me up in a whirlwind of visceral emotions and total surprise. From page one, I was drawn in--to Hattie's story, to the wonderful lure of the unknown. This book was an exciting, captivating journey!

The characters are wholly realistic, believably flawed, and so complex you'll feel as if they're in the same room with you instead of written down on a page. I really enjoyed that we were given several different viewpoints to fight through and learn from--and that the plot is not necessarily linear, but written in a series of present times and back-flashes. This helped to both bring the entire story together, and keep the mystery at a high par. I also really enjoyed how Mindy Mejia handled each of these perspectives; it's clear, from the beginning, that she knew where she wanted this story to take readers...and she knew EXACTLY how to get us there without giving the important details away too soon.


---Go to New York...

Although it was my handwriting, the words were hers, whispered in the air all around me, breathing in the land rushing past, and they filled my chest with a buoyant kind of pain, a lover's keepsake that I would carry for the rest of my life, guiding me toward an impossible atonement.

...Know that I loved you.---


This is the type of book you pick up expecting to read only a few chapters of at a time...and instead find yourself devouring. The pacing was spot-on, the tension was high and heart-pounding, and the characters all played their roles and brought readers closer to the answer without actually spoiling the journey. There were several moments I thought I knew EXACTLY where this story was headed...only to turn around and be proven totally wrong, and I love books (and authors) who manage to do that.

Overall, this was a treat to read from start to finish! The characters and plot were believable, the action was full of drama and angst, and I absolutely adored the multiple perspectives we were given insight to. I recommend this to lovers of murder mysteries, star-crossed lovers, and flawed but endearing personalities. If you like gritty stories with a ton of twists, you should pick this one up! As for me, I cannot WAIT to see what Mindy Mejia writes next!

Compelling. Dark. Absorbing. Mejia weaves together a story of love, lies, betrayal, deception, and angst through completely evocative prose. The honesty and grit of the story propel the dark and twisted nature of this tale forward as the reader unravels the mystery in front of them.

There is nothing about this book I didn't like. Correction. I didn't like when it was finished because that meant that it was over. If I could, I would give it 6 stars instead of 5. From beginning to end, this story completely grabbed a hold of me. This book will leave you clamoring for more by this author. I cannot wait to read what is next.

Audio Book Note: I had the opportunity to revisit this book in audio version after reading it a few months before. The narration was engrossing and moved really well. Also, having the separate narrators enhanced the story even more rather than confusing it.

Riveting! Immediately starts off with a "Twin Peaks" like feel to it with the opening chapters. Don't plan on getting anything done once you pick this up! I was truly thrown by the red herrings the author had in place and couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Cleverly written and will stick with you long after you've finished reading.

I absolutely loved this book! The mystery of the murder mixed with a romance that kept you wondering what would happen next, along with the ethical dilemmas going on - how could you possibly put this down?

Reminded me a little of Everything I Never Told You. Really liked this book and thought the characters were well drawn with a carefully constructed plot line.

While I wasn't sure going into this book how much I would enjoy it, I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. The characters and plot were entertaining, and the writing was engaging.

This is the story about Hattie Hoffman and her murder. It is told in the voices of Hattie herself, the Sheriff who is a family friend and Peter, Hattie’s new English teacher who has moved to Pine Valley with his wife and is not happy. Hattie had a way about her. She was an actress through and through. She knew how to be exactly what everyone wanted her to be. Del, the sheriff, has to determine who would kill her and not only that but slice up her face in such a violent way. The main suspect seems to be her boyfriend Tommy but then a light is shown on Peter. Peter and Hattie had a special relationship that is examined as the story goes further. It is interesting to have the three different points of view throughout the story. I think that it really develops it strongly and gives us a birds eye view of what’s really going on. Hattie is not very likable but she is also a young kid who thinks she knows more than she really does. She is a manipulator but she ends up manipulating the wrong person. As the story unfolds, we really get to know the three main characters and what makes them tick.

Great storytelling with lots of twists and turns. I thought I knew for sure who the killer was but alas, I was wrong. Love that! This is a very good psychological thriller looking into what makes every character do what they do. It’s also a page turner from the very start. You won’t be disappointed.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a great psychological thriller and had great character development. This story was told from three different points of view, Del, the sherif who is investigating the murder, Hattie the high school senior who has been murdered and Peter, the English teacher who was married and involved with Hattie. Be prepared for an emotional ride and lots of twists and turns! The ending was quite a surprise! Throughout this story, I wondered if only these characters had made different choices things could have turned out differently. Putting the mystery of this book aside, this is a story about the consequences of our actions and the affect it has not only our lives but those who we love. I would highly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I didnt get to read this book at all. I thought I had downloaded it in time to read and review it on the Kobo. but guess not.

The following review appeared on my blog (www.blogginboutbooks.com) on January 31, 2017:

High school senior Hattie Hoffman appears to have it all. She's beautiful, popular, smart, and a talented actress. Maybe too talented. Hattie is hiding a lot more under her innocent, girl-next-door facade than anyone would ever guess. When the 18-year-old is found murdered in an abandoned barn, one question hovers the whole sad affair: Who was Hattie Hoffman? The answers are plentiful. What's the truth?

County sheriff Del Goodman is tasked with finding Hattie's killer. A close friend of the Hoffmans, he's baffled by what he's finding out about their daughter. Did anyone really know Hattie? He's beginning to think not. There's only one thing he knows for sure: He will find her killer. No matter what it takes.

Peter Lund, Hattie's English teacher, is hiding an incriminating secret—from his wife, from his colleagues, from the police. What will happen when the truth comes out? Will he find himself accused of killing his favorite student? Did he?

Told from three perspectives—the victim, her English teacher, and the policeman investigating them both—Everything You Want Me to Be by Mindy Mejia is a compelling psychological thriller. The story twists and turns all over the place, making for a tense, engrossing read. Hattie and Peter are complex characters, neither of whom is very likable. The former is a manipulative brat (who seems WAY older than 18) while the latter is a selfish wimp. Despite these less-than-desirable qualities, I did want to know what happened to them. The ending of this one frustrated me, so in the end, I'm not sure quite what I thought of Everything You Want Me to Be. It's an intriguing page turner for sure, but I can't say I really liked it. Overall, it didn't leave me feeling very satisfied.

(Readalikes: Reminded me a little of The Secret Place by Tana French)

Grade: B-

If this were a movie, it would be rated: R for strong language, violence, blood/gore, and sexual content

To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Everything You Want Me to Be from the generous folks at Atria Books (a division of Simon & Schuster) via those at NetGalley. Thank you!

Wonderful story. It really nails the restlessness you have as a high schooler ready to get out and start your life. The characters were incredibly relatable.

WOW! This book is BRILLIANT!

This is one of those rare books that captivates, gets its hooks into you and refuses to let go. One of those books which causes you to snarl and growl like a rabid dog if anyone dares to try and interrupt your reading. Mindy Mejia is an outstanding author.

Hattie is a good girl. She has lots of friends, she is an excellent student, a model daughter, an accomplished amateur actress. Her brother Greg has been deployed to Afghanistan. Her parents have hardened their hearts to the probability that he may never return. They focus on Hattie; make her the centre of their lives. Then she is murdered............and the true Hattie slowly emerges.

Told from three points of view— the local sheriff, Hattie herself, and her new English teacher —Everything You Want Me to Be weaves the story of Hattie’s last school year and the events that drew her ever closer to her death.

This is a story that twists and turns. It is entirely plausible, realistic. It is breath-taking, stunning and haunting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing a digital ARC of Everything You Want Me To Be by Mindy Mejia for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. This book is about the murder of Hattie Hoffman, a high school senior less than two months from graduation who is found murdered in an abandoned barn near a lake in her very small town. The whole town is rocked by this grisly murder, and fearing that there is now a psychotic murder somewhere in their midst the town is demanding answers. Del is the sheriff, and although the mayor is putting a lot of pressure on him to find out what happened Del's real motivation is his best friend Bud, Hattie's father. Del is desperate to find out what happened to his friend's sweet daughter, who he thought he knew well. But it turns out everyone can hide secrets if they're dark enough, and Hattie's secret is a doozy. The reader knows that it somehow involves Peter Lund, a teacher from Hattie's school, before the book even gets going since he has such an important role in the book. And Peter is in fact somehow involved, but the ending, and the murderer, is something that the reader won't see coming.
Overall this book rocked. I loved the way that the story was presented, with the three separate points of view. The story line itself was riveting and I loved the way the author wrote this book, there were so many passages that stood out to me and really just made me stop and think about how wonderfully this book was written. Hattie as a character jumps off the page and really just comes so alive for the reader. And the murderer really is just not someone that I would have expected at all, I loved the way the ending was done because it keeps the reader guessing until the last minute. The whole thing was just overwhelmingly sad but I loved that the author didn't shy away from this either. The book includes not only the suspense of what happened and trying to resolve the mystery but also deals with the raw grief that comes from losing a child and of the community that is left to deal with the aftermath of the murder. I loved this book and I would highly recommend it!

Everything You Want Me To Be by Mindy Mejia is everything I love in a book. I also received this book from Net Galley for an honest review. The story is told by three points of view: Hattie Hoffman, Del Goodman, the local Sheriff of Pine Valley, and Peter Straub, the new high school English teacher. Thru their point of views we learn more about Hattie and the people in her life.. Bud and Mona are 'prepared' that their oldest child, Greg may not come from overseas as he enlisted in the military and is serving overseas. So when a knock on the door tells that their youngest child, their daughter is dead and that she was brutally murdered, their world is turned upside down. Del is shaken and mad when dealing with a murder of Hattie, a teenager full of promise and a bright future. But as he pulls at the strings to unravel what happened to her the more about Hattie unravels to reveal that there is more to Hattie than meets the eye and the people who surround themselves in her life. From the very first page, I was hooked and kept me going for more. I loved the pace, how many more were considered their usual suspects, and full of twists and turns. There a few moments when I thought to myself, "I never saw that coming, let alone thought about it that way." Truly a great read, and looking for another Mindy Mejia book.

4 stars, maybe 4.5. Very well-written...murder mystery? Psychological drama? Both of those, told from 3 different POVs. I really like character-driven books like this, where you really get into the characters and what makes them tick. And if 'character-driven' makes you think 'boring'--it's the opposite: exciting, suspenseful, and fast-paced. The only reason I didn't give it more stars is that while the main characters were developed so thoroughly that I could understand and empathize with them, I didn't exactly like them or admire them.

Note: Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book.

4.5 stars. I now realize that it's been a while since I have read a really good thriller, and then this book shows up. I did not want this one to end! It's like being on a runaway train that you don't want to get off of. Just when you think you have it all figured out...you don't. I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys suspense and will be anxiously awaiting Mindy Mejia's next book.

Henrietta Hoffman (better known as Hattie in her small town) wears a lot of hats. Whether it's honor's student near the top of her senior class, the loving daughter of her parents or the dutiful girlfriend. But does anyone really know the REAL Hattie Hoffman?

Mindy Mejia's Everything You Want Me to Be examines a year in the life of Hattie Hoffman as she struggles to find out the role she really wants to play in life. The big problem is that just as Hattie is figuring out who she wants to be, she meets an untimely end under suspicious circumstances.

A fascinating character study mystery, Everything You Want Me to Be moves forward and back from the discovery of Hattie's body in a dilapidated barn. Told from multiple points of view including Hattie herself, the local sheriff who is friend to Hattie's family and the English teacher who doesn't want to be part of the small town life, the story of just who Hattie is and how she met her untimely end unfolds at a satisfying pace with multiple suspects and potential motives. Mejia drops in details to throw suspicion onto several characters, including one of our point of view narrators as the novel moves towards it inevitable conclusion.

The character-driven mystery includes multiple red herrings and challenges the reader (and the sheriff) to figure out who the real culprit is. The novel gets major points for having the culprit being kept under wraps until the big reveal of his or her guilt without feeling like the solution is earned.

A compelling, page-turning mystery Everything You Want Me to Be is one of the more entertaining mystery novels I've read in quite some time.

I started this book in the airport on the way home from our trip, and while I tend to be a nervous flyer, it got me through several gate changes and a parked-on-the-tarmac delay with no deep breathing or meditation required. In my best Nicholas Cage voice, “That’s high praise.”

A teenage girl is dead. The story is told from three perspectives: the girl, the sheriff investigating her murder, and her English teacher. I had several theories as to who the culprit was, but there were some great twists and turns before I found out for sure if I was right. Main character Hattie is incredibly compelling and felt very real to me--she’s constantly acting, constantly stepping outside herself to see how others see her. Some people might say teenage girls aren’t this manipulative, but they probably haven’t spent much time with one recently. Because UM YES THEY ARE. Dark, twisted, one-more-chapter-before-bed goodness right here.

(B-T-Dubs, props to Atria and NetGalley for the review copy of this one. It’s on sale now!)

This is an awesome mystery that will keep you hooked by alternating between past and present and various view points. Just when you think you have it all figured out, a new piece of the puzzle is discovered.