Book Review: The Frenzy by Francesca Lia Block

2.5 oatmeal raisin cookies.

Cover Love: Yes! Look at it. I LOVE the cover. It is gorgeous.

Why I Wanted to Read This Book: The cover was a big part of my desire. Also, it was about werewolves, which I always like. Here's the synopsis from Good Reads:
Love is a werewolf, influenced by the moon and terror, and always about to change. Liv has a secret. Something happened to her when she was thirteen. Something that changed everything. Liv knows she doesn't belong anymore-not in her own skin, not in her family . . . not anywhere. The only time she truly feels like herself is when she's with her boyfriend, Corey, and in the woods that surround her town. But in the woods, a mysterious woman watches Liv. In the woods, a pack of wild boys lurks. In the woods, Liv learns about the curse that will haunt her forever. The curse that caused the frenzy four years ago. And that may cause it again, all too soon.While Corey and Liv's love binds them together, Liv's dark secret threatens to tear them apart as she struggles to understand who-or what-she really is. And by the light of the full moon, the most dangerous secrets bare their claws. . . .

I Kept Reading Because: It was a quick read (sometimes ARCs just seem so much easier and quicker to read, don't you think) and I was sitting in my car watching 6 hours of soccer practice spread out over two days. That makes it sound like I wouldn't have been reading it, but I might have set it aside had I had something else to read.

Romance?: Yes, but the romance was already established when the book started and for some reason I didn't really buy in it. It wasn't a big part of the book for me and I think it was supposed to be.

What I Liked (& Didn't): This was just an okay story. I always feel bad when I can't gush about a book, but I just can't.

The romance between Liv & Corey was very sweet, but I wish there had been more of a "third" influence that caused some tension.

Speaking of the third party, although there was one that was introduced I couldn't tell whether the author wanted to make him good or evil. There were glimmers of both in him.

I wish the mystery behind Pace's story had been more fleshed out. A question was brought up and then never answered.

I did like how the author leaves just enough crumbs to follow in the beginning to hook the reader. I just wish the rest of the book had been as fulfilling.

What I Would Like to See: If there is a sequel I would like the story to contain more, meat I guess is the word. Ms. Block is a very good writer, this book just seemed a little flat. And I would like to know more about what really happened with Pace.

To Sum Up: This wasn't a book I loved, but you might especially if you like established romances and werewolves with a hint of mystery.

Book received from HarperTeen (Thanks Arianna!).