You Dont Know Me, But My Name is Yea

Jan 07, Jen Ryland added it Shelves: Reagan's parents are a members of a super-secret organization called the Black Angels that swoops in and handles stuff like kidnappings and hostage situations. Not sure if they are mercenaries or more like black ops. Enlighten me in comments The s In short: The story starts with a bang, making it clear that Reagan and her parents are in danger and have to move and reinvent their lives yet again.

The the pace slows down as the book tries hard to make Reagan relatable. Yes, she's trained in martial arts and target practice, but she's also a "normal" teen who hates the fact that she has to move constantly. She both worries about and resents her parents. Though there's suspense, the plot is pretty straightforward. They're in danger, stuff happens, Reagan is told to stay safe but of course sneaks in to help out. It's tough to make a teenager with SWAT team skills seem realistic, but this book does a decent job.

You Don't Know Me but I Know You

This was the book equivalent of a fast paced action movie: Thanks to the publisher for providing a free advance copy of this book for me to review. If you are a regular reader of my reviews, you know that getting a free book does not necessarily make me like it!

Feb 02, Leah rated it did not like it Shelves: The little bit of the book I made it through read like a 5 year old writing a grocery list. And then there was one character don't ask me her name, tbh I don't remember the names of anyone from the book who was clearly only there to be the sex crazed teenager. Which is a shitty stereotype in and of itself, but it's even worse when that's the ONLY Latinx character in the cast.

She was only on page in order to be described wearing a skirt short enough that you could see up it when she sat in the cafeteria, and to be slutshamed. Then she was only mentioned once more to, again, be slutshamed. I don't know how much more of that is in the novel since I didn't read any further, but I sincerely doubt it stops since none of the other characters seemed to think there was a problem with any of this.

Wish I hadn't bothered to read the little bit I had. Jul 30, Kayla rated it it was amazing Shelves: I loved the relationships in this book: Reagan's never been able to settle anywhere, and she's finally in a place where she hopes to stay and grow roots with the people she loves—but the life she was born into is fundamentally at odds with that. To protect herself, and everyone she loves, she has to keep everything real a secret. The tension there, that struggle between I want something real with these people—and want to be true to myself and …but if my secret gets out, we might ALL be at risk was a great complement to the intense action at the forefront of the plot.

Reagan's drive to protect the people she loves, even though she's not sure this is the sort of life she loves, made for a compelling, exciting read. Mar 12, Katy Upperman rated it it was amazing Shelves: I went into this book expecting a fun spy story, but by the novel's end I was tense and torn and totally heartbroken. Seventeen-year-old MC Reagan's parents are Black Angels -- super secret spies who go out on dangerous missions and change their identities at a moment's notice. That means Reagan, too, has to pick up and move, often in the middle of the night, leaving her fledging friendships -- not to mention a piece of herself-- behind.

Thanks to a childhood spent training in martial arts and w I went into this book expecting a fun spy story, but by the novel's end I was tense and torn and totally heartbroken. Thanks to a childhood spent training in martial arts and weaponry and foreign languages, Reagan's expected to become a Black Angel herself, but she's questioning her presumed future thanks to her most recent group of friends -- cute JROTC cadet Luke, in particular.

But when Reagan gets tangled up in one of her parents' missions and is forced to put her training to use, her life changes irrevocably. Author Kristen Orlando does such an amazing job capturing the many facets of Reagan's life, including the sweet romance she and Luke are developing, the anxiety she experiences thanks to her intense lifestyle, her complicated relationship with her parents, and the tragic rescue-mission-gone-wrong in Columbia.

Definitely pick You Don't Know My Name up of you're into unflinching novels that'll set your heart racing. Buddy read with The Blog Squad! I started off really liking the protagonist, Reagan but soon I reached a point where I just wanted to hurl something at every single character. There is a limit to the number of one dimensional characters I can handle in one story. There's all the stereotypes - the girl with a secret, the boy with a secret, the boy crazy girl, the mean girl I could just go on.

I do think the stereotypes wouldn't have Buddy read with The Blog Squad! I do think the stereotypes wouldn't have annoyed me so much back in like 10th grade but now it just exasperates me to no end. The adults were even more annoying that the younger characters in the book. Like I understand the author wants to show us how intelligent Reagan is but every single adult in the book was put down to show us that.

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Reagan has trained like a spy but never has been one and yet her ideas are a lot more brilliant than the actual experienced spies. I'm sorry, but that was just so unrealistic. PLOT The story had great potential. I like spy stories and I was really excited for this one. I actually quite enjoyed the plot towards the middle of the book but it went downhill soon after. But not in a good way. The ending felt abrupt and didn't quite fit in with the rest of the story.

But dropping a bunch of pop culture references out of the blue just feels weird. Also the dialogue felt so unnatural and I cringed at the conversations Reagan and Luke had. The repetition of words and phrases made me roll my eyes. Krav Maga is mentioned a gazillion times even when it wasn't important to the plot or the character development or anything at all. I feel the violence in the book at the end was unnecessary and acted only as a shock factor. Will not be continuing this series. Sep 29, Andrew Shvarts rated it it was amazing.

And let me just say, it totally delivered. This book is a kinetic, action-packed thrill ride, with pulse-pounding twists framing a surprisingly sweet and compelling romance. Reagan is a great protagonist, at once badass and vulnerable, selling both the elite Black-Angel-To-Be and the teen girl trying to define who she is. I burned through this book in one night, staying up way-too-late to find out how it ended. Feb 28, Amanda Searcy rated it it was amazing. This book was so much fun. I gobbled it up in one sitting! You will HAVE to keep turning the page to see what happens next with Reagan and her black ops parents and her relationship with Luke.

I totally have a book crush on him now. It would make a great movie-especially the manure scene ewww! Review originally posted on Mostly YA Lit: And knowing Swoon Reads, I expected a fast-paced book with a lot of romance. This book is definitely not Ally Carter, but it does do an okay job with the whole "normal girl who is secretly a spy" idea. I liked Reagan and her friendships, and I enjoyed the romance with her neighbour Luke. I also appreciated that the author took her time showing us Reagan's teen life and what she leaves behind every time her spy family has to move away from a place.

The book masquerades as a cute contemporary for a long time. There's a marked change in the speed of the writing. I was actually surprised by how one character's arc played out, which I really appreciated - it's hard to fool me! I think where You Don't Know My Name fell down for me was in writing - there was a ton of telling and not showing, especially with Reagan's emotions.

I really wanted her to just act and for us to figure out why she was doing things a certain way. But the author seemed intent on spelling out the meaning of everything. It was a quick read, and pretty light. I would probably recommend it to younger readers who aren't afraid of going darker or more violent. I'm on the fence on whether I'll pick up the second book - there is more story here for sure, but I'm not sure the writing is for me.

Will you be reading it? Are you a fan of spy books? Are you okay with violent reads? Let me know in the comments! Jul 13, Caroline rated it it was amazing Shelves: I was so lucky to get my sticky mitts on an advance copy of this book, and I finished it in record time - what a thrill-ride! Kristen Orlando really knows how to write suspense and action, and there's lots of both in here. But still, there is a lot of very moving questioning, self-doubt and fear too, unlike some other teen spy novels.

And of course there's the love interest I really think that teen readers who came through the excellent Gallagher Girls series when t I was so lucky to get my sticky mitts on an advance copy of this book, and I finished it in record time - what a thrill-ride! I really think that teen readers who came through the excellent Gallagher Girls series when they were younger will love this book and the one that comes after it too!

If the Gallagher Girls were allowed to mature, and were forced to face real-world crime and terror, as well as high school dramas and romances, then I'm sure they'd have become Black Angels too! And even if you are new to teen spy thrillers, you'll still love it - just make sure your door is locked and there's a box of tissues close before you begin! Jul 18, Stephanie Elliot rated it it was amazing. You Don't Know My Name is a thrill ride of a novel that will get your heart pounding in two ways -- from the adrenaline rush as you read about Reagan as she puts Black Angels training and skills to use; and then your heart will also pound from the anticipation of the romance between Reagan and ROTC cadet Luke as the heat ignites between these two high schoolers!

I loved the romantic elements AND the spy themes and can't wait for book two. My hope is that in book two there will be a surprise abou You Don't Know My Name is a thrill ride of a novel that will get your heart pounding in two ways -- from the adrenaline rush as you read about Reagan as she puts Black Angels training and skills to use; and then your heart will also pound from the anticipation of the romance between Reagan and ROTC cadet Luke as the heat ignites between these two high schoolers!

My hope is that in book two there will be a surprise about something that happened in the end that I didn't really want to happen though! You never know and you can always hope! If you read the book, you'll know what I mean! This is a great YA for fans of all spy thrilling reads! Mar 08, Brinkley marked it as to-read. Me and my spy novels As some of you know, spy novels are my greatest weaknesses. This is a spy novel. Aug 15, Mallory Ray rated it it was amazing. The perfect combination of suspense and love interest kept me reading for hours on end. I really enjoyed this book, another that is completely out of my "usual" reads genres.

Nov 18, Mandy Peterson rated it it was amazing. Well, you know a book is good when you immediately reach out to the author during and after reading. You also know a book is good when you immediately go add it to your Amazon list and pre-order it, even though you have already read it.

From the beginning, I was hooked. This is different than anything I've ever read before - in a very good way. Raised by two secret operatives for the US government, Reagan is fully-trained, lethal, intelligent, and witty - AND not sure if that is what she wants for her life. She's grown up having to change her identity, moving with only a 'go-bag', and looking over her shoulder. When she finally finds a place and people she wants to settle down with, Reagan begins to question her parents' plan for her life and the sacrifices she and her possible future children would have to make if she became a Black Angel.

The characterization is strong. You can tell who is saying what and the exact voice they would be using. The dad had me laughing; the mom had me pumping my fist in the air and cheering She is relatable but also a total BA. She is the kind of girl I want my daughter to look up to. Luke the boy next door is interesting but I wonder what will become of him in the future novels.

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What knowledge he DOES have contributes to Reagan's missions, but it seems like she is always pushing him out of the way or ignoring him to survive these life and death events. I'm just not sure a guy who isn't rough and tumble could realistically be her match - so I am definitely staying tuned on this relationship! Then, the book makes a hard left and you're frantically trying to hold onto the roof of a speeding car carrying away all those you held dear.

I was biting my nails and saying things like, 'oh no, honey child! I want you to experience it for yourself! Although I was emotionally drained and battered by the end, I cannot wait for book two! Someone please purchase the movie rights to this book and bring on Kristen Orlando to make this into a screenplay! The YA community needs a heroine to rally behind and Reagan Hillis fits the bill May 04, rachel rated it it was ok Shelves: The plot was enjoyable for the most part, especially the second half, but I was frustrated by how often I had to suspend my belief.

You cannot convince me that the CIA would ever use two teenagers on a mission like this. I do not care what the circumstances were or their desperation level. It was beyond ridiculous. One of them had no training whatsoever. The characters themselves were okay too. He was honestly the saving grace of the whole book. He was sweet, affectionate, and just openly genuine. Reagan, on the other hand, had her moments. It nailed so many things about growing up in a strict household and the fact that it wasn't scared to mention that her parents' behaviour borderline abusive.

One thing that YA seems to lack is spy novels. Are you ready for a book that will give you a kickass protagonist, a cute boy next door, and a glorious ship with some spying on the side? I was gripped from the very start. It was also nice to see Reagan really asserting herself and openly sharing her feelings and desires with her parents.

The writing was great and there was the perfect amount of swoonage. Overall I really enjoyed this addictive novel, and I can't wait to see what's to come in the next book! Apr 16, Cale Dietrich rated it it was amazing Shelves: This was a romantic, kick-ass spy book and I had a total blast reading it! Reagan is a fantastic, complicated heroine and the clear star of the show. I really, really loved her growth in this. I really appreciated this, as I feel it gave the novel a lot of depth while still being so much fun. And This was a romantic, kick-ass spy book and I had a total blast reading it!

And the romance was amazing and cute and just generally fantastic. I totally loved it. All in all, this is a stand-out YA spy book with great characters and a really compelling romance. I need book two like, right now. Mar 18, Kate Watson rated it it was amazing. I picked this up and finished it the same night. It was completely unputdownable. The book will appeal to older fans of The Gallagher Girls series, no question. The romance made the beginning and the action made the ending.

Orlando effortlessly managed to play on so many different emotions and added a complexity to spy books you don't often see. Now to fangirl for a minute. I went all heart-eye-emoji for like pages, and I would gladly read double that of scenes of just the I picked this up and finished it the same night. I went all heart-eye-emoji for like pages, and I would gladly read double that of scenes of just the two of them together. My word, they were delightful.

Jun 21, Sydnie rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book was exciting from start to finish. Reagan is a compelling character with an equally compelling history. I was rooting for her every step of the way. Feb 14, Carolina GO rated it it was ok. Pero no todo fue bonito, pocas cosas fueron bonitas de este libro. Ni siquiera muestra sus "habilidades", meh. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Other books in the series. The Black Angel Chronicles 3 books. Books by Kristen Orlando. While her friends are going on with their lives, falling in love, she is struggling with one of the biggest decisions of her life.

But I found this book was actually focused a lot more on her friendships than her pregnancy and certainly more on that than of her search for her biological mother. I must have misread the synopsis because I thought a lot more of the book would be focused on Audrey's biological mother. Aside from a letter she receives from her biological mother, there isn't much more to that part of the story. Overall, this book wasn't for me. It didn't stand out from the many other books out there with similar themes and I certainly didn't connect with the characters.

I fear my reaction may differ from the majority, so I encourage you to try it for yourself. The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own. Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library. I was lucky enough to read this book early, and I really fell in love with it. As an author, I know firsthand how difficult this is to do. Audrey, the main character, has to make the most important decision of her life when she learns she is pregnant.

Audrey's thoughts and emotions are chronicled so believably, and t I was lucky enough to read this book early, and I really fell in love with it. Audrey's thoughts and emotions are chronicled so believably, and themes of family and friendship are woven throughout in such a beautiful way. Audrey's female friendships feel more like a tightly-knit sisterhood, and her boyfriend, Julian, is supportive and not stereotypical.

I also thought Audrey's relationships with her mom who adopted her as a baby and her mom's boyfriend are so authentic. It's tough as a writer to have the supporting characters feel as fleshed out as the main character, but Rebecca Barrow does it in such an effortless way. An honest, realistic portrait of a teenage girl trying to make the best decision for her, not the decision others may think is right. Readers will gravitate to Audrey and be able to see themselves in the different facets of her personality.

I'm so excited for this book to come out so I can rave about it even more! This was such a terrible read. I not only hated her decision because it was absolutely selfish but I couldn't stand her as a person. Her "friends" were terrible. I can't imagine being around people like that. Sadly I knew from the first few chapters these people were going to be unlikable. I'm sorry to have wasted my time on this book. See more of my reviews on The YA Kitten! What is a privileged white girl like me supposed to say about a book this good?

Girls Trip is another good example of that. Even side characters who gets considerably less page time experience solid character development. The focus remains on Audrey, though. There is very little concrete action or forward momentum in the novel. Most importantly, it delivers the messages that every person is different, every pregnancy is different, and no one option is better than the others. With as powerful and gentle a debut as this, Rebecca Barrow is an author to watch.

May 04, Haley rated it liked it Shelves: Audrey finds out she's pregnant and she has no idea what to do. Her birth mother gave her up for adoption when she was younger and Audrey finds herself in a happy family now without her. Audrey is faced with all the pros and cons of having a baby at It doesn't help when her best friend-Rose is supposed to be there for her, but rather her best friend and she have gotten into an argument. The Bad I feel like I've read a book like this sooo many other times so this is just repetitive.

There wasn't anything new in the storyline that I haven't heard before. The Good Although this is a repetitive story and I've read ones like this multiple times. It was a cute story and the ending was happy. There was a fast pace which made it so much better and I found the length to be perfect for the story. Overall I think Audrey made the right choice in the ending for her future. It was a fun and fast paced read and I did really enjoy the author's reading. I just wish it wasn't like every other book that's out there now.

Jan 27, Courtney rated it did not like it. I really wanted to like this, but it was just so It's never good when I start to skim parts of a book, like I did this one. There was a lot going on but at the same time, it felt like nothing was really happening, if that makes any sense. Some of the writing and dialogue was almost annoying in some spots? Maybe that's the best way I can think to describe it? If you were to ask me what the plot of this book is, I'm honestly not sure how I'd explain. Like I said, a lot of random things I really wanted to like this, but it was just so Like I said, a lot of random things were going on and the story almost didn't feel cohesive.

It just didn't work for me and didn't really hold my attention. I probably should have marked it a DNF, but sometimes books that start out slow turn out to be amazing so I guess I was hoping that would happen here. On to the next one! So happy to have once again had the chance to read this beautiful book. You want to put this on your TBR.

I'm not even a little bit surprised by how much I enjoyed this contemporary YA; its author is lovely and wonderfully sharp, much like her debut. It's the story of Audrey, a girl who finds herself accidentally pregnant -- even though she and her boyfriend, Julian, have been careful -- and is forced to make some seemingly im I'm not even a little bit surprised by how much I enjoyed this contemporary YA; its author is lovely and wonderfully sharp, much like her debut. It's the story of Audrey, a girl who finds herself accidentally pregnant -- even though she and her boyfriend, Julian, have been careful -- and is forced to make some seemingly impossible choices.

It's also about stretching friendships, unique families, and love of all sorts. Audrey's voice is stellar -- totally authentic, at times funny, and always forthright. I appreciated this novel's exploration of circumstance versus choice, and I think its message is both courageous and important. Watch for it this August! This book was less about adoption and more about Audrey's decision regarding her pregnancy. The dialogue and relationships between the teenage characters are spot-on, but the writing lagged a little at times and not all of the background characters were fleshed out to their full potential.

Overall pretty good and fun to read. Aug 30, Paloma Villasenor rated it liked it Shelves: Well well, after more of one month, I'm finally reading!!! But I sadly can't read more fast since university and homework is killing me. Anyway, this book was cute but that's it. I didn't felt more with it. I know I don't like contemporary books and I thought this was going to be an exception but nope. It's still recommendable tho. I had a chance to beta read this and even though it was awhile ago, I remember loving it.

The writing and voice are spot on, and the characters believable and fully developed. I didn't always agree with their decisions, but that made them all the more real to me.

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This was a beautiful contemporary YA story and I can't wait to have the real book on my shelf! This is an exceptional example of an "issues" novel done well. It treats its issue -- teen pregnancy -- with care, honesty, and nuance, but delivers an amazingly heartfelt and gripping story, as well. Rebecca Barrow is definitely an author to watch. I have been thinking about this one, Rebecca's debut novel is one that will make you smile throughout the book; not that there is lack of anxiety and heartache but the message conveyed from the book is so uplifting and heart warming that it makes you feel good after reading it.

This is a coming of age YA story about a teenage girl, who has navigated her way through her school, her relationship with her parents and her friends when an unexpected event happ 3. This is a coming of age YA story about a teenage girl, who has navigated her way through her school, her relationship with her parents and her friends when an unexpected event happens. I feel like Rebecca's writing is so effortless, it tells the story as it is and before you know it you are already half way through the book because you are just turning the page after page, because you cannot stop.

To be honest I want more of this story! I want to know more about Audrey's life and all of her friends' life. I have grown to love them all and I hope we will have more of them in the future! There is so much to love about this book. First, the female friendships: SO real and complex. Audrey and her best friend Rose are fully realized young women with their own strengths and weaknesses and their relationship as well as their relationships with the other friends in their orbit is so well done.

Audrey's world is populated with an intersting and diverse cast of characters. It is free of moral judgement, but rather centered in Audrey as a young woman who has the support of her partner and family, but ultimately must make her own choice for her future. I feel like this book is an important contribution to the literature of teen pregnancy. But it's about more than that. It's about an empowered young woman on the threshold of the next stage of her life.

Aug 31, Zozo rated it did not like it. I expected a lot because, mostly I wish I could say I loved it, like so many others have, but overall I was disappointed. Maybe I was missing some important edits, I read the Uncorrected proof preview but this book was just blah to me. It gave me some stereotypical coming of age vibes, and I kind of thought this story would be original. Th I expected a lot because, mostly That bugged me a whole lot because even though it wasn't her perspective we still got a whiny, teenage voice.

The cast of characters was very diverse, but sometimes it felt like they were just there so the box could be checked off. Overall this was a nah for me. Nov 23, Shanti rated it it was ok Shelves: If I put my issues with abortion aside and look at this story, it's still two stars. The diversity felt forced; none of the characters seemed that authentic to me; there wasn't much of a plot.

I liked that the adults were cool and the main character, whatever her name was, had a supportive relationship with her boyfriend, whatever his name was. And there was, like, some photography I guess? And it wasn't unpleasant to read. But at the end of the day, this book felt like it was written to dispens If I put my issues with abortion aside and look at this story, it's still two stars. But at the end of the day, this book felt like it was written to dispense a message.

And I disagreed with the message. I adore this book.

I love its rawness and its humor and its uncompromising exploration of an extremely difficult situation. Audrey is wonderful, and her story will resonate deeply with so many people. Aug 11, Sue Holmes rated it it was ok Shelves: An easy quick read which deals with tough topics. But I felt the diversity and moral issues in the story were there just to tick boxes, not naturally part of the story. A wonderful debut about the power of choice, taking your life into your own hands, and deciding your own destiny.

Sep 21, Kathryn Alexander rated it liked it. We just have happy accidents. The primary character, Audrey finds herself needing to make a tough decision that could change the course of her life, and realizes that before she can even make up her mind, the burden of secrets have already taken a toll on her and her relationships. Audrey learns that when faced with a difficult choice the best decision she can make is to face it head on.

Audrey does not have many friends; however, the ones she has are very valuable to her, like her best friend Rose. She also has a boyfriend, Julian, who plays in a band, and her mom, all of whom are influential on her life. So when she finds out that she is pregnant, she can already visualize her life falling apart. Her response to the situation is to deny it. She refuses to tell anyone beside Julian, separating herself from her family and friends.

• Generation Z.
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Isolating herself is one of the worst things she could do. The uncomfortable dissonance that develops between her mother and her weighs on her. Nonetheless she presses on, refusing to tell anyone for fear of backlash. Through the insights in the letter combined with close self examination, reflection and intimate talks with Julian, she recognizes that she knew what to do all along.

Rebecca Barrow makes careful use of many smaller lessons to build to the bigger themes of the fiction. For example, a series of minor spats between Audrey and Rose escalates into a stand-off; similarly, the reader can see the friction build up between Audrey and her mom. Barrow does a thorough job of showing the complex emotions triggered by the turmoil and anxiety of concealing secrets and confronting the uncomfortable. At times, however, it seemed that arguments got repetitive and the accompanying tensions became unhealthy. Some characters were underdeveloped and failed to stand out, and I could not find the purpose of some elements or characters in the book.

Sep 28, Kathryn rated it liked it. Rebecca Barrow writes stories about girls and all the wonders they can be. A lipstick obsessive with the ability to quote the entirety of Mean Girls, she lives in England, where it rains a considerable amount more than in the fictional worlds of her characters. She collects tattoos, cats, and more books than she could ever possibly read.