Gabby (bookishandballgowns)'s Reviews > Waysider

Cassandra Ryan has always been a misfit in her family. Luckily she has her twin brother by her side. he’s everything she’s not, and always encouraging her to stays on the right path. They’re inseparable until one day they are in a terrible accident. While attempting to save a mysterious boy on a bridge Cass falls to her near death followed closely by her brother Cal. They survive they ordeal, but things are not quite the same as before.

Although Cal seems to be adjusting to their new normal far quicker than his twin, Cass is struggling with the aftermath of the accident. She’s caught between the land of the living and the dead, and finding that she’s surrounded by spirits and they aren’t all Casper the friendly ghost. When things get to their worst, a stranger appears offering the safe haven of the prestigious Else & Bellows. It’s a place where Cass will finally fit in.

And that’s where the fun really starts. Much like a certain problematic wizarding world that we shall not name, Else & Bellows is divided into houses where the students are carefully sorted. Alongside her fellow Wayside misfits Cass is dropped into a whole new world of voyants and revenants, while trying to figure out where she belongs. Unlike her troublesome past, she’s turning a new leaf and actually attending classes. She’s enjoying the new information, and trying to make sense of the ghoulish specters she’s seeing.

She’s the only living person who seems to care about an unsolved murder at the school. She quickly realizes the real challenge won't be passing her first year as a voyant.

It will be surviving it.

This might be one of those times when I genuinely can’t edit my review down to a few paragraphs. But all you really need to know is, it’s great. Read it.

WAYSIDER WAS SO VERY GOOD!!!! I was HOOKED. KJ does an incredible job reeling the reader in with a psycho in a facility spurring the story along. The way he’s described made my imagination go wild. The whole book plays out like a Netflix original. I could visualize everything so clearly. Right from the beginning, I needed to know more. In chapter one a patient in a maximum security hospital is asking Cass for her own story in exchange for information, and we’re taken back to her first days at her mysterious new school.

Instead of being told through lengthy dialogue, we’re completely taken back in time to April of the same year (which is about 219 days prior). From there the story unfolds in the most exciting way, and suddenly we’re immersed into a spooky world of ghosts with an underlying mystery.

Cass is the new kid and it made it so fun to learn along with her. Especially when her voyant abilities start to surface. She was such a fun character in general. I loved that she was flawed, and the way it affected her relationship with her brother. She’s angry at the world, and wants everyone to stay out of her business. But… she’s also very curious, and can’t sit idly. Which of course leads to the most exciting action. I’m a wimp when it comes to being spooked, so I was apprehensive at first but loved the way everything played out. It was spooky in the best way! It had moments that were action packed, but it balanced out so well with the characters sarcastic wit, and humor. If you love all things paranormal, this is an excellent book to add to your TBR.

I loved Cass’ ragtag group of new classmates. She’s stuck in the house of students trying to find their place at school, and I was thoroughly enjoying the way that the outcasts all stuck together. I cannot wait to see how her friendships develop as her abilities get stronger.

But of course no KJ Sutton book is complete without a little bit of romance. Cass had chemistry for days between all the characters. By the end I couldn’t even decide who I wanted her to end up with. Cass is a young woman trying to survive a new environment, so naturally she develops feelings for a few of her new classmates (Which, same girl. I felt that, HARD). But it was the perfect balance. I truly enjoyed that the mystery was the center of the storyline, and the romance didn’t take away from the plot.

And boy oh boy was the plot so interesting! I desperately need to know more. Especially after how it ended. I can’t wait to see what happens next, and how Cass will be affected by the news. I highly recommend jumping into this series! You won’t want to miss it.

HUUUUUGE THANK YOU TO KJ SUTTON FOR THE EARC!