Don't Look Back: review

Don't Look Back
by Jennifer L Armentrout
Release Date: April 15, 2014
My Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads Summary: Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend. 

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash. 

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?
Review:

Oh no, I was thinking, not another amnesiac teenager story. But then, there's murder involved. And it's Jennifer Armentrout. I'll at least get a few hot guys in the story, that's a given. 

Guys, I was initially skeptical, but yes, Jennifer Armentrout can write contemporary. According to this post, this was her first contemp written (but I think not first published, including her J Lynn works?) and I think it's done really well. I wasn't missing any aliens or supernatural things. Mostly.

I'd classify this novel as a mystery/thriller and it's one that keeps you on your toes. Sure a lost memory is always hard to deal with, but then wondering if you're a murderer to top it? And don't forget, you were an absolute bitch to the world before you went missing a few days ago. Even your parents seem to be hiding things. Great, you get a chance to start over, but there are also people who'd take advantage to that in a second.

These are Sam's problems. 

Sam, or Insanity Sam as her friends call her now, is desperately trying to remember what happened that night in the woods. Appearing on the side of the road after missing for four days; with mysterious injuries and a missing best friend, everybody is just glad to have Sam back. And not so worried about finding Cassie. But Sam is a different person now, without her memories and Cassie's horrible influence. Most aren't happy about the development, but why could that be?

Don't Look Back does have a high school setting, but we're more in the point of view of the clique-who-rules-the-school this time. Sam used to be the rich popular bitch queen co-ruling with Cassie, but now Sam sees things differently…and not all of it is real. Memories are surfacing in bursts; people are lying to her, almost everyone in some way or another. And the more memories she grasps, the more she wonders, did she do it? Could she, kill her best friend?

Trust your instincts on this mystery; don't trust anyone.

And watch your back for an absolutely killer ending.

-Jane :)