Casting Shadows by Sophie McKenzie

Flynn and I sat at the table by the window, waiting. We were still at Cafe Yazmina, though my daytime shift had finished over an hour ago.

Pages – 279

Published by Simon and Schuster in July 2013

Goodreads Summary

Flynn is making every effort to stay in control of his hot temper, while River feels more content than she's ever been. Together the two of them make big plans for the future, but powerful secrets lurk in the shadows, ready to threaten their happiness.

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If you haven’t heard me say it before, I will say it again – I LOVE THIS SERIES! I honestly can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book. With each book in the series I’ve grown more and more attached to Flynn and River and in some ways I’m now dreading the last book because I’m worried which way the story will go. Will Sophie McKenzie take the realistic route which will make me really really unhappy, or will she take the fictional route that will leave me sighing with happiness?

This book sees a drastic change in Flynn, who is normally better known for his hot temper and flying fists. Flynn has some serious issues, no one can deny that, but you can’t help but love him. He is trying so hard to deal with the burning issues that have plagued him his entire life. Flynn is a lot calmer and in control in the book; as to whether you are seeing the real Flynn, you’ll have to read the story to find out.

As with all the books in this series, there is an underlying theme. The theme in this one is definitely being truthful. Telling lies will inevitably bite you back in the near future, so it really pays to tell the truth straight away in a relationship. In this book we see what happens when you try to keep something secret…

The book leaves you with questions; even though the status of the relationship is very clear, you want to know what the characters intend to do in the future.  The second half of this book was rather an emotional read, where you easily sympathise with River over how she feels. I’ve been left rather desperate for the final book in the series now.

It very clear that Sophie McKenzie knows how to write about real teenage relationships, warts and all. She captures the passion and the intensity and shows how easily it can ignite and blow out of control. I think Sophie McKenzie could write an excellent non fiction guide to teenage relationships!

For an intensely realistic and  romantic teenage  read, buy this series!