I picked up this book thinking I was in for a mystery/ thriller/ whodunit kinda read. I usually enjoy horror and fantasy books, and I was imagining this story would be in that vein. But this book has very little to do with the disappearance of teenage girls in a small secluded town, (which is the background setting for the story), and much more to do with the relationships between characters. I fell in love with the main character who is earnest and a typical ‘good girl’, and enjoyed reading this story. But it is more a straight up fiction book, complete with ‘first love’ which, of course, leads to the most painful of heartbreak and was painful to read/ experience along with our characters. There are also some surprises along the way, including the mysterious spirit of a teenager who helps with some of the narration, and whose identity is revealed at the end of the book. I found this to be a well written and easy to read book. The story and characters will haunt you in a real-life way.

"When smart, dutiful Maggie moves to the small town of Gill Creek, Wisconsin, she's quickly befriended by her new neighbour, Pauline, and Pauline's loyal friend, Liam. Privileged and impetuous Pauline claims that she doesn't return Liam's romantic feelings, but Maggie can tell that her presence (and her growing attraction to Liam) is changing the relationship between the longtime friends. Meanwhile, a serial killer is targeting the young women of Gill Creek, and a ghostly observer is watching Maggie and Pauline, drawn by a sense of impending tragedy. With complex characters and a leisurely pace, The Vanishing Season is perfect for readers who like their romance dreamy, yet deliciously foreboding." Teen Scene September 2014 newsletter http://www.libraryaware.com/996/NewsletterIssues/ViewIssue/8c5d2fc3-2dbd-444e-9fcf-6538111b2bb0?postId=483ea93a-652f-4637-834d-a7fa6c6b6cd9