Sixteen-year-old Jenna Kemp is a typical high school girl, complete with a loyal group of friends and a seemingly understanding boyfriend. But when the demons from Jenna’s childhood resurface, she’s suddenly spinning out of control–drinking, partying–anything to numb the pain of the past. After distancing herself from her friends and befriending an outcast, her friends and family start … questioning and judging her choices.
But when Jenna doesn’t come home one night, her friends and family realize it’s more than just adolescent rebellion. Jenna’s mysterious disappearance proves that there’s more on the line than they realized. As they sift through a series of her personal diaries, the truth becomes terrifying. Will Jenna’s final diary entry reveal the greatest mystery of all–her whereabouts?
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Spin by K.J. Farnham is a story about the subject that no one wants to talk about, sexual abuse. Jenna is a normal teenager so it seems to her family and friends until her life starts to spin out of control. This story is told by multiple points of view, and it goes from before Jenna’s disappearance after Jenna’s disappearance. It was a hard book to read in some parts of it but it was also an eye-opener as well. This is my first time reading this author and I enjoyed her work very much, this particular book grabbed me from the very first chapter to the very last chapter, I was hooked. Me. Farnham is now on my favorite author’s list.
A heartbreaking look into how easily child molestation can happen among family or close friend.
Makes you wonder whether or not you really know what is going on in your own children’s lives. The back and forth works in this story and you just want to know what happened and why.
This book is very well-written. I actually felt like I knew the characters and felt that I was there with them. The story is very interesting – a page turner – and surprises all over the place. However it is also very sad – a very sad story. Which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. It broke my heart. Haunting story that will stay with me for a long time.
A story I would rather never have heard, because it is so real. It is well written and you can feel the anguish of the characters as the story unfolds. You want to just tell them how to make it better! Hopefully, others in this real situation will be able to reach out for help, and the rest of us will be ready with listening ears.
Good read. Thought provoking.
It jumps back and forth, which does work it way to great ending, just be patient. To be a young reader, not sure of age target group. Liked the book
Sadly realistic. A good lesson on what behaviors and actions/reactions NOT to do.
Having read the blurb I had no idea what I was in for when I started reading “Spin”. Yet, the more I read I couldn’t help feeling close to Jenna, hopeful for justice, but still wanting to know the full story. This book may be a trigger for some people, but I think it’s a book that needed to be written.
Excellent
The synopsis for Spin by K.J. Farnham really grabbed my attention. I had to know why Jenna was acting out. Plus, I liked how the synopsis mentioned that diary entries would be involved. Luckily, I was not disappointed one bit.
Jenna is a 16 year old high school girl. She’s the picture of perfection. She’s beautiful, popular, makes good grades, athletic, and is a great friend and daughter. However, when a certain person from her past moves back to her town, Jenna’s painful memories of the past resurface. When it all becomes too much, Jenna acts out by drinking, taking drugs, and other bad behaviors. One night, on the way to confront her abuser, Jenna disappears. Through Jenna’s diary, her point of view, and the points of view from her friends and family, we are able to piece together what happened to Jenna during her childhood and leading up to her disappearance.
I found the plot for Spin to be very interesting. Although it has been done many times before, Farnham was able to keep it fresh as well as fascinating. The plot leaves no cliff hangers and every question I had was answered. The one thing that was a little annoying was that in the same chapter, in a few parts of the book, the tense would switch between past and present. This was obviously missed in editing since the whole book is written in past tense. Other than that, Spin was written beautifully.
I really did enjoy the characters in Spin. Jenna was very likable, and I felt bad for her. I wanted things to go back to normal for her throughout the book. She was so vulnerable, and I hated how her events of her childhood had robbed her of all she had going for her. Keeley and Delaney, Jenna’s best friends, felt realistic. Their actions regarding Jenna’s behavior seemed like what most friends would be like at that age. I enjoyed reading things from their point of view. Dustin, Jenna’s boyfriend, was also a great character. I hated how Jenna was treating him. I understood why she was acting the way she was towards him, but I just hate that he never knew the reasoning behind her actions. It still wouldn’t have made it right, but at least Dustin would have had some insight. Leighton was my favorite character in Spin. Even I wanted to be friends with Leighton. I love what a great friend she was to Jenna and how loyal she was. Yes, Leighton did make some bad decisions, but her love for Jenna was admirable. I do wish Bonnie, Jenna’s mom, would have read more of her diary. My heart went out to Bonnie especially when she felt like it was her fault after reading an entry in Jenna’s diary before she went missing. I did feel that Bonnie was a little strict with Jenna especially when it came to Dustin. I felt like the character of Joseph was written perfectly. Was he truly a changed man or was he still sick?
The pacing for Spin was fantastic. Not once did I feel like the pacing was too slow or slowing down. It was never too quick either where I became lost. This book held my attention throughout. I was buckled up to go wherever Spin wanted to take me!
Trigger warnings for Spin include underage drinking, drug use, sexual situations (although not graphic), rape, attempted rape, child and teen sexual abuse, incest, profanity, and death.
All in all, Spin is a great read with a fantastic set of characters and an enthralling plot. Yes, it is a dark and emotional read, but it will not be a disappointing one for sure! I would definitely recommend Spin by K.J. Farnham to those aged 16+!
I enjoyed this story. It was based on a sensitive subject that should never be taken lightly. The sexual trauma Jenna experienced and hid throughout her childhood and early adolescence, caused her to face terrible consequences in her late teen years. It was sad to watch her push everyone she was close with away. When Jenna felt like she had noone she formed a bond w Leighton.
Leighton turned into being a confidant and a support for Jenna. I found the ending very sad and emotional.
Too bad if Jenna would of opened up to her family. Things might of ended a bit differently and on a happier note.
A poignant story that gets your mind whirling. A hard subject to write about, yet the author does and amazing job using everyone’s point of view. A story that everyone should read!!
his took me a long time to read, the subject matter is very hard to deal with, however is very sensitively dealt with. The story revolves around Jenna, a teenager who has suffered in silence from a young age from abuse. When she disappears one night, her family and friends start to wonder if her recent out of control behaviour has anything to do with it. Jenna was an avid diary keeper, writing in her diary is the only place that she reveals the abuse she has been through. The story is told from Jenna’s, her family and her friends POV across timelines both before she disappeared and after. As the reader, you quickly find out what has gone on in Jenna’s past and understand why her recent behavior is so out of control. I did find myself questioning, especially given her current behaviour why no one followed through on why this was happening and although Jenna does tell one friend (Leighton) what occurred why Leighton still doesn’t reveal what has happened to Jenna until she finds Jenna’s old diaries which Jenna has left at her house.
This one was a tough read. It starts out with a teenage girl disappearing. I liked that the there was more than one first-person accounts. It was a good way to see how Jenna was perceived. You think you have an idea and then the story goes the other way. I wanted to scream and throw the book many times. She had a big secret and was acting out, and it was tough to watch those around her struggle to figure out why she acted like she did. This is a great read if you’re looking for a heartbreaker.
OMFG!!! K.J. Farnham Did it Again with SPIN!!! It took me for a Whirlwind of Emotional distress and Heartwreching Aches that had me SPEECHLESS!! I even loss Sleep over this book!! Wanting to know what was going to happen next and different scenarios of what happened to Jenna with the following events. This is definitely a Suspenseful thriller of Epic proportions and never a Dull moment page after page!! I was a Blubbering mess after finishing this book!!!
A MUST READ BOOK!!!
This book is written in multiple POV, and I believe it totally worked for this book. This book kept me interested and reading way past my bedtime because I had to finish it that night. Jenna is a high school student, who has always been a good student and responsible. She loves running and runs track with one of her best friends. She was sexually assaulted at a young age, but seemed to have handled it well. But suddenly, she is not herself. She is pushing her lifelong friends away, and they don’t understand why, but don’t really push her to try to find out, or to talk to her. She feels comfortable with her new friend Leighton, and confides in her. She lets more out to Leighton after drinking too much, but Leighton was the one who took care of her. Right when Jenna decides she is going to take charge of her life, and confront her abuser, she goes missing. Much of the book is about the hunt for her. There are many twists and turns in this book, and it will keep you guessing. It is also heartbreaking for Jenna, and her friends…as they figure out the pieces and realize they should have tried to help her. I highly recommend this book for all teenagers and parents.
This book had me from the start. I couldn’t put it down! I loved everything about this story and will definitely be reading more from KJ Farnham. Amazing story!
This book held me captive from the start. Jenna lives the “perfect” life, has the best friends and boyfriend that anyone would love to have. Unfortunately, she’s living a lie…. What seems on the outside as a typical happy teenager, is inside dealing with Heart wrenching pain and trauma. With no way to deal with her struggles and pain, she slowly starts spinning out of control.
This is a gut wrenching story that will not only break your heart, but will have you holding your breath. This author has written a story that, unfortunately happens too often in our society. I cried so much reading this one! This is a MUST READ!!!
Spin by K.J. Farnham is about Jenna. She doesn’t come home one night. Her stort is told in multiple points of view. This story does have triggers of abuse. I enjoyed reading this story. At times it did drag but it is definitely worth the read and by the end ot all came together. Its well written and will suck you in.
Not my usual go-to book, however once I started reading this book, I just could not seem to put it down. Told from dual points of view, Spin was an emotional read for me. A very heartbreaking story with a tragedy. I am looking forward to what more this author has in store. Fantastic book and highly recommended.