The Deepest Cut by J.A. Templeton

Sixteen-year-old Riley Williams has been able to see ghosts since the car crash that took her mother’s life and shattered her family. Guilt-ridden over the belief that she’s somehow responsible for her mom’s death, Riley is desperate to see her mother’s elusive spirit to gain her forgiveness.

When her father moves the family to Scotland so they can all start over, Riley believes her life couldn’t get worse––that is until the ghost of nineteen-year-old Ian MacKinnon catches her purposely cutting herself. An uneasy truce quickly turns into friendship, and soon Riley’s falling hard for Ian.

The Deepest Cut centers around Riley, a teenage girl with a very huge secret- she has the ability to see ghosts ever since her mother's horrific death. Now she lives in the middle of a dark and sinister ghost story, where the dead want to be heard. When guilt is constantly breathing down your neck, your life is completely upturned, and the ghost of your crush's jealous ex is out to kill you, a normal teenage life isn't always plausible.

This book had some great qualities. It's main character, Riley, was a tormented teen with a terrifying past, which made her a relatable person. Sometimes the same cookie-cutter teen girl with the same hormonal issues can be a bit irritating, which is why Riley was easy to empathize with. She's guilt ridden over her mother's death and family's international move and therfore releases the pain by cutting- a real issue teens can identify with. Her emotions are raw and true despite her deepest efforts in trying to hide them. My heart definitely ached for the poor girl. 

 Paranormally, the book focused on the relationship between Riley and her ghost crush Ian. I would have liked to see a bit more development between the two characters outside of their romantic feelings for each other. I understand its hard to actually date a ghost, but it felt like most of their time spent together was either them kissing or Ian saving Riley from his evil stalker Laria.

And oh, Laria, how I wanted to punch you in the face. She was PURE sadistic evil and oh how I enjoyed it. Her creepiness was fantastic and the way she tortured poor Riley was sick! I kept thinking that if it was me being dragged across a ceiling in the middle of the night by an evil ghost I'd be peeing my pants in fear. Those scenes were just crazy!

I did find the book to be fast paced at times (answers to hundred year old curses were found in dreams) but overall it worked for the story. The romance was sadly sweet and the fear was definitely captured in the pages. My favorite part of the book had to be the end--- it was just perfect how Kade is introduced =) I'm glad that this is made out to be a series because there is definitely more for Riley, Ian and Kade that hopefully will end happily.