"Dig Two Graves," by Camila Vargas

Books that everyone finds interesting are hard to find. It needs to have juicy drama, a mini love interest, and an exciting plot that will make you want to keep reading. Dig Two Graves by Gretchen McNeil has everything you're looking for and more! Gretchen McNeil has written 16 books. She has 3 shows based on her books, and has been featured in 2 more shows. McNeil focuses on young adult thriller novels that are perfect for a quick read. She is a trained opera singer, a former circus performer, voice-over actress, and current author. She has had 14 interviews and won 17 awards for her novels. In a Barnes&Noble: Young-Adult podcast episode she was told to have “the ability to make you want to sleep with the lights on.”

The book Dig Two Graves is about a 17 year old girl named Neve Lanier, she is just trying to fit in at school like every other high school girl. At the end of the school year, she had just had an argument with her best friend and crush Yasmine, which resulted in their friendship ending. Since money is tight, her grandmother made her the offer that she would pay for Neve’s college tuition, only under the condition that she went to GLAM-Girls Empowerment Camp. During this vulnerable time, Neve attracted the attention of Diane. She's beautiful and popular, practically everything Neve wants. Throughout the summer they get close and eventually Neve opens up to Diane about what happened with Yasmine. Diane reveals that she has an abusive step-brother Javier. As a joke they make a pact that they will get “rid of” each other's problems. Camp ends and Neve’s senior year starts up, she gets to school and finds out that Yasmine has been murdered.  While Neve was still in shock, she gets an anonymous message “I did my part, BFF. Now it’s your turn.” The only person that came to mind when Neve received this message was Diane. She tries to manipulate Neve into murdering Javier. As Neve is trying to come up with a plan to get around killing Javier, she ends up falling for him.  Overtime Neve realises that everything that Diane told her was a lie, and that Yasmine probably wasn't Diane’s first victim. In the end justice is restored and Daine is unable to hurt anyone else. 

In my opinion, the only flaw of this book is that it isn’t long enough. It was so good, I was left wanting even more. The book is perfect for teenagers because the characters are relatable. As a 14 year old girl I related to Neve’s desire to fit in and need for approval from everyone.  I found bits of myself in her character. If you enjoy short and satisfying stories then this book should definitely be on your TBR list. At first I was skeptical if I was going to like the book. I will probably be ordering another one of McNeil's novels next time I want a quick read.