Lay Me Down

Tamara Hart
Heiner
Genre: 
Young Adult

PARANORMAL:  Lonely and abused Virginia teen, Kylee, can’t wait to escape from her life, but loathes the idea of leaving her mother with her abusive stepfather. When Price moves in next door, she hopes to befriend him. She reasons that her earlier school friends are no longer talking to her because she is now homeschooled and they know her family’s reputation. Kylee has more difficulty understanding why Price seems so skittish around her. She is elated when he finally initiates a conversation with her, but why won’t he acknowledge her in the presence of others?

 

This story has an edge-of-the-seat quality that pulls the reader in, giving them tidbits of information as the characters receive it. It leads to a supernatural plot twist (which doubles as an unexpected "aha" moment) which sends the story in a different, but related, direction. Readers may find some scenes all too realistic and disturbing. Dialogue is strongly tied to character development; cursing is referred to but not used outright, even if such language would be in character. One would also expect a 15-year-old to be more knowledgeable about modern conveniences than Kylee is written to be. With its well-defined beginning, middle, and end this thought-provoking story engages the reader from the first page to the epilogue; one that will leave a sad smile on one’s face.

 

This fast-paced story depicts gritty reality mitigated by the innocence of a budding relationship. It is highly recommended, but for readers no younger than the main characters themselves.

 

Heather R. Nielsen