The Yellow Room by Jess Valance

It's about half past seven on Tuesday morning and it's freezing in my bedroom so I'm doing my usual trick of gathering all of my uniform together in one quick sweep, dragging it into bed with me and getting dressed completely under the duvet.

Paperback, 263 pages

Published July 28th 2016 by Hot Key Books

Summary

Sixteen-year-old Anna receives a letter from her father's girlfriend telling her he has died and asking to meet. Anna is drawn to Edie: her warmth, her character, her ability to rustle up delicious meals, all of which her own mother is seemingly incapable of... and the way she can tell Edie the secret that is buried inside her.

A tautly told, compelling tale about mothers and daughters and the lengths that some will go to, to make their dreams come true.

****

As you head into this book, you quickly realise that all is not rosy in Anna's life. On the outside things look normal but there is something Anna is not telling us and it involves the super creepy, stalkerish Leon. I wasn't sure what he was up to in the beginning, but he creeped me out as soon as he stepped into the book. I swear he made me shiver with uncomfortableness. He takes manipulation and bullying to whole new level.  

Anna has a secret which is consuming her life. It's one of those secrets that perhaps shared with another wouldn't seem so bad, but as Anna is lacking in having someone to turn to for advice, it's eating away at her.  She comes from a one parent family and her mum really doesn't have a lot of time for her, in fact let's be honest, she gives her no time at all, even bailing on one of the most important days of her life. 

So when Edie appears on the scene, all warm, caring and willing to listen, it's not surprising Anna likes her and wants to spend more time with her. 

I really liked Edie. And I don't think I'm supposed to. She is the most mixed up, screw loose character in the book who goes to some extreme lengths to show her allegiance, but her heart is warm and she will do anything to protect Anna. 

The book gets creepier as the story progresses and you hope that Anna will see through the sugar glaze before it's too late. 

Having met Jess and followed her on Twitter, I am so pleased to see her wicked sense of humour is revealed in her writing. At times I was giggling when I'm not sure I was supposed to. It's like Jess slipped the jokes in under her editor's nose. 

I really enjoyed The Yellow Room and I will definitely be reading Jess Valance's first book, Birdy in the near future. 

A realistic look at the deteriorating relationship between a mother and daughter. Be careful who you trust with your secrets, because they might just use to bring you down. 

If you're looking for a super creepy page turning contemporary, then this is the one for you.