Review: He's After Me by Chris Higgins

He's After Me by Chris Higgins
Published: October 7th, 2010
Publisher: Hodder Children's
Pages: 256
Source: for review
Challenge: 100+ Reading Challenge
Other: NA
Buy the book: Bookdepository


Anna's bruised and upset by the collapse of her parents' marriage. So much of the fallout - including responsibility for her wayward younger sister - seems to be heading in her direction. All she wants is to get the exam results she needs to get herself to university - and away from this mess. She certainly wants nothing to do with boys - until Jem appears. Gradually he wins her trust, and becomes everything Anna needs him to be.
But Anna's about to discover that love stories don't always have happy endings...

Anna's life is a mess after her parents split and when she meets Jem, he seems to be her answer to be happy again. They get in a relationship really quickly, and everything seems to be going great. Until cracks appear and the whole facade falls down..

This story shows how relationships can go wrong. The book is written from Anna's point of view, but also shows glimpses of someone with dark thoughts every other chapter or so, and I couldn't turn the pages quick enough to find out who that was and what was going on. Higgins has carefully woven a story around two young people in a relationship - and one of them has secrets.

The story is gripping and I couldn't stop reading when I picked it up. I read it in one sitting and was incredibly impressed with the ending of the book. Sad and heart breaking, but so realistic. This book surprised me, because I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. But I did, and I thank Chris for giving this book an ending that it deserves - just as raw and intense as the rest of the book.

My overall rating:


Four big stars for He's After Me, because the book had me completely in its grip.