Need by Carrie Jones

Title: Need
Author: Carrie Jones
Series: Need #1 
Source: Personal copy
Format: Paperback 
Genre: Speculative Fiction - Paranormal

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now. She couldn't be more wrong.

Sudden passing of a love one could do numbers of things to people’s minds. The untimely demise of her stepfather had left Zara deeply depressed, relatively numb and what freak her most is that, she begins to feel like everywhere she goes, someone is there – watching her every moves. Zara’s emotional status causes great concern to her mother, who eventually decides that she would be safer under the care of Grandma Betty in Maine.

But Zara thinks that she knows better and believes that there is nothing this dreary, awkward, cold town could do to help her. Little does she know that a grandma’s love, some eccentric, quirky friends and a hot boy could put some colours to her monotonous life. Things are all right until the stalker starts ruining everything again, convincing Zara that he is more than a product of her imagination. Who is this “stalker” really is? And what is his connection to Zara and her past?

Couple of comparison has been made between this book and Twilight and as I read the first few chapters, I can clearly see why. However, as Need starts picking up its tempo, it begins to separate itself from the other series and set up its very own niche. Truthfully, I am not entirely crazy about this book but the few surprises still make it a good read. One thing that is really unique about Need is Jones’ creativity in relating certain type of phobias with every single chapter in it. The style of writing is very simple, making Need one light, quick read. Another factor that makes me like Need is its characters, which are normal despite the whole circumstances they are all in. The qualities that each character have are clearly portrayed make it easy to distinguish their purposes and roles in the book.

However – to me – Need does come with couple of issues. Its straightforwardness and lack of complexities cause it to be somewhat predictable, which spoil the fun of reading a little bit. By looking at those creepy plotlines used by the author, this book does seem like it has a lot of potential but the overly simplistic discoveries and solutions at the end of the book is really not satisfying. Plus, the way Zara accepts who the stalker really is and how he relates to her are also implausible. I wish that there is a little more depth in this sense and the creepy elements are consistent right to the end, but alas, that didn’t happen.

All in all, despite some of the problems I have with the book, I know I’ll be reading the next chapter since I need to know how the series ends. I believe that those who love paranormal and want to find something to read other than those vampires’ ones will enjoy this book.

Favourite Quote: The secret of happiness is freedom, the secret of freedom is courage

Combination of some creepy and some romance elements make this book interesting enough to caught interest of paranormal readers. If you're looking for something quick and light, this book is certainly for you. Though for those who are looking for more substance, there are parts of this book that you may not like.