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Dead to You

by Lisa McMann (Goodreads Author)

3.7 of 5 stars 3.70 · rating details · 3,231 ratings · 763 reviews

Some memories are better left untouched.

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family.

It's a miracle... at first.

Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything,...more

Hardcover, 243 pages

Published February 7th 2012 by Simon Pulse

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Mar 23, 2012 Kay rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, young-adult

Ethan was abducted at the age of 7 and was raised by a woman who abandoned him years later. At 16 years old, he is reunited with his real parents, younger brother Blake and his sister Gracie who was born after Ethan was kidnapped. The book shows the family's struggle with each other as Ethan re-enters their lives without remembering his past.

I enjoyed the beginning of this book which seemed so promising. I felt real bad for Ethan and all that he went through. The family's feelings and reaction s...more

18 likes · like · see review

Mar 12, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Family will always be there. Through thick or thin, good times, hard times, and harder times. Right? But how can a family’s faith, hope, and trust survive in the face of excruciating uncertainty and pain?

In Lisa McMann’s Dead to You the DeWilde family’s world is altered forever when seven year old Ethan is kidnapped from right outside their home. Now nine years later, Ethan has been found and returned to his home and family, but can a broken family torn apart for so long really be healed? Memori...more Family will always be there. Through thick or thin, good times, hard times, and harder times. Right? But how can a family’s faith, hope, and trust survive in the face of excruciating uncertainty and pain?

In Lisa McMann’s Dead to You the DeWilde family’s world is altered forever when seven year old Ethan is kidnapped from right outside their home. Now nine years later, Ethan has been found and returned to his home and family, but can a broken family torn apart for so long really be healed? Memories, anxieties, and pain swirl through these pages with such simple, honest language and emotion. This family—Mama, Dad, Blake, Gracie, and Ethan (aka “Efan” as Gracie calls him) touched my heart.

“Maybe I’m just not meant to be here, not wired to fit in anymore, after all these years away.”

Through the course of the story, each member of the family attempts to reconnect with Ethan in their own way, but six year old Gracie, who wasn’t even born when Ethan was kidnapped, truly made me smile. The open and honest heart of a child will never cease to amaze and inspire me! Gracie’s love, trust and teasing with Ethan were some of my favorite parts of the book. But Gracie’s adorableness and trust were balanced with Blake’s anger, jealousy, and mistrust. At thirteen, Blake remembered the day, lived through how the pain changed him and his parents, and now has to attempt to rebuild a relationship with a brother who once again is getting all the attention. The tension, uncertainty, and jealousy threaten new pain and rifts which push this young family and my heart to the breaking point.

Now on to the lighter side of things. :D The side characters provide such a wonderful and needed layer of humor that gives readers a break from the tension in the family. J-Dog (Yes, I said J-Dog*giggle, giggle*.) will cause smiles and laughs every time he is on the page. Oh, how he made me giggle! Hehe…And Cami! The beautiful, funny, smart girl next door—every guy wants one I’m sure! ;) Ethan and Cami’s chemistry is adorable, immediate, and down right hot at times. Readers will root for them until the end!

For such a quick read, Ms. McMann addresses some big issues, but does so in a clear, heartfelt way. I truly felt like this family was just holding on and going through such realistic emotions dealing with such an impossible situation. What people have to endure each day is heartbreaking. How does a mother let her kids go out the door just hoping they come back—especially since one child did not come back inside one day? How does a mother let her child go?

This book is filled with hard hitting pain, faith, panic, fear, sadness and surprises! The power will spin your head around and linger long after you close the book.

It was a pleasure diving into a McMann book again. I have missed her.

(less)

11 likes · like · see review

Mar 04, 2013 Oceana Fern {Assorted Insanity} rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction-romance, mystery-fiction-romance, young-adult, four-stars, cover-lust, dat-title

Mindfuck.

That's the first word that comes to mind after finishing Lisa McMann's DEAD TO YOU, because damn, you guys. This book was one helluva ride.

The plot and premise was absolutely stunning. Sixteen-year old Ethan, abducted at the age of seven, has finally returned to his family. It should be a time of rejoicing and glee, but there are secrets and memories that Ethan can't unlock, and it will rip his whole family apart.

I've always been interested in kidnappings, serial murders, and those fas...more

7 likes · like · see review

Nov 28, 2011 H.D. Tolson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-ever, omg-mind-blown, contemp-challenge

"Brimming with intrigue and mystery, readers will be sucked into Lisa McMann's latest and best novel to date. Be sure you have a free schedule! You won't be able to stop reading until it's done!"

There's a certain point when a book crosses from a great book to The Book. The Book made by the angels of Heaven and delivered by Jesus himself to an author. It's blessed, it's magical, it's everything a book needs to be and more. Dead To You by Lisa McMann was delivered Priority Mail from God himself. H...more "Brimming with intrigue and mystery, readers will be sucked into Lisa McMann's latest and best novel to date. Be sure you have a free schedule! You won't be able to stop reading until it's done!"

There's a certain point when a book crosses from a great book to The Book. The Book made by the angels of Heaven and delivered by Jesus himself to an author. It's blessed, it's magical, it's everything a book needs to be and more. Dead To You by Lisa McMann was delivered Priority Mail from God himself. He knocked on Lisa's door and handed her the package made of gold.

She opened it, and Dead To You was inside. A book that brims with undeniable intrigue. A book that sucks you in with it's creepy cover and mysterious summary that must be solved. I read this book in a few hours, and they were hours filled with anguish and mystery and an unstoppable need to know what the heck is keeping Ethan's memory blocked.

What I absolutely loved about Dead to You was how Lisa gradually made the relationship between Ethan and his family more and more strained and taut. It was so well done and masterful that I didn't actually realize how much change had happened until I finally finished the book. I literally gasped because, well, how many times do you find an author who can make a relationship change, but you only subconsciously realize that it's happening. It was perfectly done and made the book what it is!

The climax is...breathtaking. Some have told me that they thought it was somewhat predictable, but I didn't see that final bang that blew up within the very last pages. And that ending just CRIES for a sequel, but I can't see Lisa topping this one. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I seriously gasped at the end. I'm not kidding, it is so shocking that it will leave you gasping and your mind will be reeling.

Dead To You is by far Lisa McMann's BEST novel yet. It's dark, it's chilling, it's different, it's unpredictable, and it's definitely a daring, refreshing book on the YA shelves. Fans of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer will be drawn to the unsolvable mystery and the cliffhanger that will leave you scraping your jaw off the floor. Make sure when you pick this up you don't have any plans in the near future, because you won't be able to stop until it's done!

Cover Comments
Sets the mood for a creepy, mysterious book. Definitely simplistic yet makes your mind work and think.(less)

12 likes · like · see review

Feb 01, 2012 Kristy rated it 4 of 5 stars

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?!?!?!?

no really, did that just happen?!?!?!?!?!

Watch out Spoilers probably ahead...

I'll get to that wtf moment in a bit, I guess I should start from the beginning...
So basically this 7 year old kid, Ethan was abducted from his family. It has been 9 years and they get the call that Ethan has been found. He is coming home. This poor kid lived with his "abducter" Ellen for a while and then she decided to dump him of at a kids' home in some bum-fu@! town where there are "no ques...more

18 likes · like · see review

Oct 31, 2012 Linda Lipko rated it 4 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Terri (Tymfos) for recommending this excellent book. It was difficult to put down once I began to read the first page.

Abducted at seven, Ethan miraculously locates his biological parents when he is 16 years old. With his family, a small town community celebrates his return. Finding a lapse in memories and a difficult adjustment to "normalcy" after years of abuse, neglect, homelessness and abandonment, Ethan struggles to belong.

Desperately wanting to fit in, to belong, to be loved,...more

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 27, 2012 Kimberly Sabatini rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mg-ya

I had a little bit of an obsession with the book that only got worse when l got to the ending. I found myself reading DEAD TO YOU every chance I could get. In my opinion, McMann's BEST BOOK YET!!!! I'm gonna shut up now, so I don't spoil it for you. *zip*

8 likes · like · see review

Aug 21, 2012 Kate rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, age-ya, realistic, psychological, audiobooks

Ethan was kidnapped when he was seven, and now, after living with a prostitute who abandoned him to a group home and living on the streets, he has found his real family. Unfortunately, he still can't remember anything from before he was seven. As the Dewildes try to incorporate him into their family, he deals with the media attention, the feelings of connection to his kidnapper, and his younger brother Blake, who dislikes Ethan from the start.

This story reminded me of The Face on the Milk Carton ...more

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 09, 2012 Giselle at Book Nerd Canada rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: from-publishers

The basis of this story made me remember a movie that I watched, The Deep End of the Ocean. We meet Ethan who is meeting his family for the first time after 9 years. He was kidnapped at age 7 when a car pulled up next to him and his little brother Blake. He got in the car and lived his childhood with Ellen. After Ellen dumps him at an orphanage he seeks out his own family and finds them.

With the synopsis being as vague as it could be I couldn't help but devour this book in one sitting. This book...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 18, 2012 Brad rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've tried to read Wake by Lisa McMann, but I just couldn't get into it. So I decided to try out Dead to You instead, and I absolutely loved it.
In Dead to You, Lisa McMann presents us with a story with well-thought out characters, a dark and, in a way, frightening novel, and a writing style that hooks the reader into the story.

First, the characters. Ethan was... different for me. Yes, he was abducted when he was little, but his voice at sometimes was just so flat and bland, while other times, he...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 03, 2012 Joy (joyous reads) rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the worst nightmare every parent could ever imagine. When your child gets abducted right in front of your house followed by years and years of searching and wondering. Wondering how he or she is, whether or not he's alive...is he eating good? Where is he?

Ethan Manuel De Wilde got abducted when he was seven. Nine years later, he stood facing a family that he was positive was his. It was awkward at first; after all, they're practically strangers. The adjustment was a little difficult but w...more This is the worst nightmare every parent could ever imagine. When your child gets abducted right in front of your house followed by years and years of searching and wondering. Wondering how he or she is, whether or not he's alive...is he eating good? Where is he?

Ethan Manuel De Wilde got abducted when he was seven. Nine years later, he stood facing a family that he was positive was his. It was awkward at first; after all, they're practically strangers. The adjustment was a little difficult but welcomed. Growing up, his life hasn't been all that easy. The mother he knew then was a neglectful drug addict who had abusive men walking in and out of their lives. So the normalcy of having a nuclear family was a breath of fresh air for Ethan. Little by little, his family started cracking again as Blake, Ethan's thirteen year old brother questions his memory losses. He doesn't remember anything at all from his life prior to the kidnapping. Just when things are going his way, the truth about his identity shatters his newly found sense of belonging.

I'm a huge Lisa McMann fan. She has a way of telling the darkest stories in the most realistically way possible. Dead to You is no different. I found her books to be easily digestible and it's a credit to her straight-forward writing.

Dead to You is a glimpse into the lives of a family whose greatest hope was to find their son. And what they had to endure to keep the flames alive. Everything should've been copacetic since they've found him but no. Believe it or not, it wasn't easy. It wasn't happiness all around. The awkwardness of getting-to-know each other again was just the tip of the pressurized iceberg. An ounce of an added weight and it would implode gloriously. Ms. McMann made it hard to believe that everything is as it should be. Most of the time, I found myself dreading the eventual outcome of their story. And I wish I could say this book ended happily.

Lisa McMann's Dead to You is signature of her YA works. It's real, it's heartbreaking and it's a short story that packs quite an emotional, awe-inspiring punch.(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Mar 13, 2012 kari rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, ya

Whoa! WHOA!WHOA! Back this thing up so I can wrap my head around what in the heck just happened.
I love McMann's writing style, always very sparse and immediate, compelling to read. Characters that are clearly drawn and effectively engaging, pulling you into the story.
This is going to be very brief because I don't want to have any spoilers.
Great read. Sad.
BUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

7 likes · like · see review

Jun 09, 2011 Brandy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what an amazing story! I was sucked in from the very first page and could not put down the book. I oftened wondered what happens if a child is reunited with their family after years of abduction. Lisa really hit this one out of the park. I felt so sorry for all parties involved because we know how difficult it is for the familes who lost a loved one but, we don't stop to think about the effects and how hard it is for the child to be reaquanted with their family. As always, Lisa throws in a...more

6 likes · like · see review

Mar 26, 2013 Devon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: wishlist

I was going to give this a 4 bc whe i added up my different rating like, cover, plot, etc, i got 4 but this ending made me bump it up.
Review to come but for now, enjoy my reaction to the ending

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 31, 2011 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

I devoured this book in only a few short hours. Seriously, it took me two hours to read this book it was THAT good! It helped that the chapters were short and it was a naturally fast read but I could not put this one down for a minute!

Ethan was 7 when he was abducted from his yard in front of his little brother Blake. For 9 years, his parents and the small town he was from has held out hope that he will return. As the story begins, Ethan is 16 and waiting to be reunited with his parents, his li...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 13, 2013 Kwinks rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: summer-2013-reading-list

I just love Lisa Mc Mann. It's her voice, I think, that appeals to me so much. I would put this one above Crash and below Cryer's Cross as my favorite. I thought the story was a little unrealistic (I am trying SO hard to stay away from spoilers) and I blame the adult characters for not doing what they needed to do to prevent what happens in the big, surprise ending. I got stuck on the idea of the system and checks and balances that are in place to prevent stuff like this from happening....and th...more

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Jun 08, 2013 Kristen Buchanan rated it 3 of 5 stars

My Thoughts: Let me just take a second here to totally appreciate the cover of this novel. I adore it. I went to the bookstore with no intention to buy this particular book. The cover pulled me in though, and I'm sure glad that it did. This book was unique to say the least. I haven't read anything like this before. Have you ever been completely mind screwed by a book? Yeah, well I think it suffices to say that Lisa McMann has successfully mind screwed me. Starting the book, I really didn't know...more

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Apr 09, 2013 Kim Smiley rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was weird, and I didn't like the way it ended. I felt there should've been more. Ethan has been missing since he was 7 yrs. old. Playing on the sidewalk outside w/ his 4 yr. old brother Blake, he gets into a car with a stranger and is never seen again. Until at 16 yrs. old, he comes back. He tells everyone he was living with a woman he names Eleanor, and that she just wanted a kid. He really doesn't remember his life before being abducted. Eleanor dropped him off in Nebraska a couple y...more

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Apr 07, 2013 BCHS Hot Picks Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review by Ashley

Ethan Manuel De Wilde: a child stolen at the age of seven, torn away from his family and friends, considered dead to the world. He spent his young life wandering the streets for his real family; on a computer at the library he stumbles across a missing person site. The novel hooks you when Ethan reunites with his family. From being the face on the milk carton, he became the survivor, a hero. As reader I realize there is hope, even in the cruelest of realities that people have exp...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Deborah Takahashi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Nine years ago, Ethan was abducted by two men in a black car. He was only seven years old and his little brother, Blake, saw Ethan jump into the car. Nine years have passed and Ethan has no memory of his real family except for the pictures that he feels attached to. After finding his family, Ethan must take back what is his and resume of life of normalcy. However, the house, the people, the memories are nothing but blank canvases? Why can't he remember the fun times he had with his parents? How...more Nine years ago, Ethan was abducted by two men in a black car. He was only seven years old and his little brother, Blake, saw Ethan jump into the car. Nine years have passed and Ethan has no memory of his real family except for the pictures that he feels attached to. After finding his family, Ethan must take back what is his and resume of life of normalcy. However, the house, the people, the memories are nothing but blank canvases? Why can't he remember the fun times he had with his parents? How can he explain to his brother why he jumped into that car? Although the family seemed to have moved forward with life (Ethan has a little sister now), when they got the call that he had been found, everything turned upside down. What is even harder is that his "BFF" happens to be hottest girl he has ever seen, yet he can't remember here. Despite the awkwardness of reacquainting himself with his loved ones, but the person who is hit the hardest is not Ethan, but his brother, Blake. Why couldn't he accept the fact that his big brother has been found? Why does Ethan feel that something is missing?

Honestly, I could not put this book down. Lisa McMann delivered an incredibly suspenseful and heartbreaking tale of a boy who was kidnapped as a child. Not only is this story a quick read, it will appeal to those who want to read about issues such as child abduction and its effects on those who were traumatized. Ethan's character is so complex and his experiences are so heartbreaking that one would be more than happy to see him with his family again. However, what most people don't take into account, is that the person who was kidnapped has to find a way to transition themselves back to normalcy and even relate to their own family. Moreover, with a child as young as Ethan was, readers will learn the effects of Stockholm Syndrome, especially when he admits that he does not like bad-mouthing the woman who abducted him. The psychological war that is going on in Ethan's head is very real including the way Blake treats him; it was hard to see Ethan's brother treat him like a complete stranger and, eventually, a complete fake. The bond between Ethan and Gracie is just precious. Gracie was born after Ethan's disappearance so his sudden appearance is just as tough on Gracie as it is Ethan. Although the ending leaves the reader hanging, it leaves room for a possible sequel that will explain what happened to Ethan when he ran away. This is an incredibly moving tale about family dynamics. (less)

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Mar 25, 2013 Jenna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Why You Must Read This:

Plot. We hear about abducted children all the time. But what happens when one returns to his family after several years? How does that person find a place in a family who has learned to go on, even if they're broken? Straight from the victim, McMann chronicles the hardships of re-establishing a place in a foreign world.
Nice flow. I'm usually obsessed with finding quotes, but this read so smoothly that I was completely absorbed in the story and forgot to look for them....more Why You Must Read This:

Plot. We hear about abducted children all the time. But what happens when one returns to his family after several years? How does that person find a place in a family who has learned to go on, even if they're broken? Straight from the victim, McMann chronicles the hardships of re-establishing a place in a foreign world.
Nice flow. I'm usually obsessed with finding quotes, but this read so smoothly that I was completely absorbed in the story and forgot to look for them. Once you get into it, you won't be able to put it down, and it is such a quick read.
Ending! I had a slight hunch before the final punch came but had convinced myself it couldn't be right. Wow. Abrupt and powerful.
Narrator. I love a good male point of view. This is totally realistic (speaking from a female's perspective-ha). So maybe I don't really know, but I often felt "A guy would think this." Ethan is confused after he was abducted from his own front yard at seven years old. He was kidnapped by Ellen, lived with her for years, until she left him at a group home. He lived homeless for a year before he reached out to his real parents. Everything he feels, from the hate toward his brother to his love for playing games with six year old Gracie to the intense yearning he has for his former best friend, is completely believable. McMann includes small details without going overkill on descriptions. The family dynamics in the book are great. Mama is the peacekeeper. Dad is the rule maker. Gracie is trusting. Blake can't get past the fact that his older brother would just go off in a car with strangers and is holding a grudge.
Romance. There is a fabulous kissing scene. The intensity jumped off the page. It can be hard to make romance scenes stand out; this one is a winner!
Message. This story really brings home the point of wanting to be needed and wanting to be loved. No matter what your life situation, you can relate to some emotion that is beautifully captured by the author.

What Bugged Me:

I had to ask, "That's it?" at the end. But it turned out to be a positive thing. I don't think I would have preferred a different ending.

Favorite quote:
"She leans in for a hug, and I can feel her warm sigh down my shirt collar."(less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 03, 2013 Greta Logan rated it 1 of 5 stars

"Dead To You" has probably the most unlikable main character I have ever met. Ethan is a selfish, idiotic, rude, pissy, temper-tantrum throwing moron who doesn't appreciate the good things that are happening to him and only focuses on the bad.

"But he's a teenager, right, and on top of that, someone who's been through some pretty terrible times." All right, I dare you. Try liking this character. Just try. Ethan never gives us one good character trait to make us invested in the story, never does o...more "Dead To You" has probably the most unlikable main character I have ever met. Ethan is a selfish, idiotic, rude, pissy, temper-tantrum throwing moron who doesn't appreciate the good things that are happening to him and only focuses on the bad.

"But he's a teenager, right, and on top of that, someone who's been through some pretty terrible times." All right, I dare you. Try liking this character. Just try. Ethan never gives us one good character trait to make us invested in the story, never does one thing that is slightly productive or good. He is taken out of a sorry lifestyle only to be taken to a good lifestyle where he promptly tries to make everyone else's life sorry throughout his stay there. Again, yes, I know he had a horrible childhood. I understand that. But keep in mind that this is a work of fiction, and that the author has to give me something to care about. And with such a character-centric story as this book is, Ethan did not give me one thing to care about.

But what pushed this book into the one-star territory? After all, books with bad characters are common, and this story in and of itself didn't really distinguish it from all the rest of the stupid teenage angst novels -

LIES. The end of the book is the worst ending I have ever read. Worse than "My Sister's Keeper", worse than "Harry Potter," worse than "Star Trek: Nemesis" (the movie). I won't give it away, but the ending actually does something incredible - it completely makes the entire book pointless. That's right, the last few pages of this book were awful enough to TAKE AWAY ANY REASON FOR THIS BOOK'S MIRACULOUS EXISTENCE. It is the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest, and once you've reached the top, jumping off. The entire journey was completely pointless.

When I was finished with this waste of paper, I threw it across the room and decided never to open it again. The author needs to write an apology to all the trees that were wasted in the printing of a book that had no reason to exist. The end.(less)

1 like · like · see review

$~^ω^~{Augusti}~^ω^~$

Jan 22, 2013 ~^ω^~{Augusti}~^ω^~ rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: cliffhanger, 2013-challenge, book-with-my-review, 2013-a-z-reading-challenge

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 24, 2012 Alana rated it 1 of 5 stars

I just picked this up for a group read, my pick for this author because it looked like it had the least amount of dumb drama from the rest of her books. I think I just really don't care for youth drama, because honestly it's the worst book I've read in months. It would have been fine if it hadn't had the semi-predictable ending with absolutely no resolution. It's like she wanted a big "shazaam, didn't see THAT coming, did you?" ending, but didn't really want to develop her characters and actuall...more

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Nov 09, 2012 Kai rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ela9-theme

After reading the book, Dead To You by Lisa McMann, about a boy who was abducted when he was only 6 years old and returns to his family at age 16. But as the days do by, adjusting to his new life is very hard especially when you have little brother who is starting to believe that Ethan is not his real brother.
Reading this novel makes me infer that the theme of this passage is the disturbed humanity. As you read into this novel, you'll think that Ethan would at least remember anything from his ch...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Nicola rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reason for Reading: I'm reading all of the author's work.

This is a short book with short, quick chapters. The writing is sparse but hard-hitting and to the point. The book is emotional, especially from a parent's point of view. Tough to read at times with gut-wrenching emotion for all characters concerned. Yet Ethan and his new little sister, 6-year-old Gracie are the ones who hit your heartstrings and it is poor Blake, the now middle-schooler, the child left behind when the abduction happened t...more

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Oct 22, 2012 Emily Ebling rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book started off pretty well; there was a good plot, and one felt the emotions of Ethan's character. Truthfully, though, the entire book expect for the last chapter was a story about a young adult's transition into his new life. The last chapter broke me heart due to its abruptness and subtleness. The author either got sick of writing and just needed an ending or had the ending planned out way before the story and couldn't get a suspenseful story going. My friend and I had to read this stor...more

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Oct 18, 2012 Jamala Alkeshi added it

This book was gripping from the beginning to the very end. One of the things that kept it so alive is the extremely short chapters, sometimes the chapters were just two pages, this enhanced my experience of the book from one day in the story to the next or from moment to moment. The way the story is told is very interesting, there is a lot of the story that we experience simply through Ethans thoughts, which enhances his character development. Throughout the whole novel there is mystery, in the...more

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Aug 30, 2012 Jill rated it 3 of 5 stars

How do I keep ending up with these books about terrible things happening to kids? It is a subject I really prefer to avoid, but somehow, here I go again.

Ethan Manuel De Wilde was taken from his front yard when he was seven years old. Now, nine years later, he actually shows up again, having called Child Protective Services to help him get back to his family in Minnesota.

His reunion with his family is not smooth. His brother Blake, who was four when Ethan was taken, hates him: he is still mad tha...more

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Jun 27, 2012 Etra rated it 3 of 5 stars

Lisa McMann is an author that I recently discovered. While I loved the Wake Trilogy, I wanted to see more from her, especially a contemporary YA without the paranormal or psychic themes of her other works.

This was a very interesting book. I found myself racing to get to the end and figure out what was going on. When I did reach the end, it felt like I had just reached the climax, and then the end came immediately after. While some other reviewers wish that there was more, I felt like it was a l...more

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About Lisa McMann

Lisa McMann lives and writes in the Phoenix area. Her books include the NYT bestselling paranormal WAKE trilogy, CRYER'S CROSS, DEAD TO YOU, and the dystopian fantasy series beginning with THE UNWANTEDS. (Book 2, Unwanteds: ISLAND OF SILENCE, comes out Sept 4, 2012).

You can find more info at Lisa'a website, lisamcmann.com, interact with her on Facebook or Twitter, or ask questions and find answer...more

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Quotes from Dead to You

“Because if you don't have at least one person believing in you, then there's not much reason to give a shit about anything.” — 15 people liked it

“Feels like I'm in a play and I don't know all my lines.” — 10 people liked it

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avg rating	preview: Dead to You Goodreads rating: 3.70 (3231 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11724850-dead-to-you?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327881072l/11724850.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11724850-dead-to-you?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Dead to You by Lisa McMann[/url]

Dead to You

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