The Rules for Disappearing

Apr 18, 2013 ♥Rachel♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Anytime I hear mystery, romance, and danger as descriptors for a story my ears immediately perk up. I love the thrill of trying to piece together a mystery, and the way my heart rate races when reading suspenseful scenes. Add in a romance that makes me swoon, and you have my favorite type of read! The Rules For Disappearing ticked all those boxes for me.

Meg, the name she goes by now, has been moved six times in the last year as part of the Witness Protection Program. This time seemed different...more Anytime I hear mystery, romance, and danger as descriptors for a story my ears immediately perk up. I love the thrill of trying to piece together a mystery, and the way my heart rate races when reading suspenseful scenes. Add in a romance that makes me swoon, and you have my favorite type of read! The Rules For Disappearing ticked all those boxes for me.

Meg, the name she goes by now, has been moved six times in the last year as part of the Witness Protection Program. This time seemed different and more urgent. She was awakened in the middle of the night, and made to change her looks drastically before being whisked to the next location. Meg has been worn down by all the moves, forced to leave anyone she gets close to without a word. She’s determined to make this move different by isolating herself so that it doesn’t hurt so badly when she inevitably gets yanked out of this town. Meg is also determined to find out, once and for all, what the heck her father did to get them into this mess! Her family is slowly starting to come apart from all the stress, and she wants all this to end.

When she enrolls into her new school in Louisiana, not all goes as she planned. She gains the attention of Ethan, one of the popular boys at school and immediately he picks up on an inconsistency in her back-story. Also, her mother is coming apart at the seams, drinking herself into oblivion everyday to the point of jeopardizing her life. Add to this, Meg has the distinct feeling that someone is following her.

It was easy to be consumed by this story. If I met someone in real life who was in the Witness Protection Program I’m sure I’d have them cornered while I peppered them with questions of what it was like. I got this from Meg as her story is revealed little by little, and I wondered right along with her, what happened? I couldn’t help but feel bad for Meg and all her family went through, to find out how outgoing and popular they all once were and then to see them in the state they’re in now. I was rooting for them to get some answers and resolutions, so they could heal and get back to their normal selves.

Ethan undermines Meg’s plan to isolate herself because he just won’t give up on her. She can’t resist him even though she constantly feels she should. He sweet, gorgeous, and all-to-smart for Meg’s own good. *sigh* This is one of those romances where you just want to give Meg a little shake, and yell at her “let him in!!” Fear not my fellow romance junkies, nothing to fret about!

The Rules For Disappearing was an addictive read for me and I only put it down when I had to (darn real life!). Ms. Elston wrote a captivating debut and I plan on picking up anything else she writes!

A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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May 16, 2013 Giselle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, ebook, contemporary, mystery-thriller

Another fake identity for "Meg" means another town, another school, another life altogether. In a book like this, mystery becomes the main element of the plot; why and who are they hiding from. Even though the book is actually a pretty good contemporary with decent characters and a compelling romance, the mystery element lost its flair for me fairly quickly, leaving me with a lukewarm read with some sparks, but not enough to hold its flame.

The fire of this one initially died when the plot kept...more Another fake identity for "Meg" means another town, another school, another life altogether. In a book like this, mystery becomes the main element of the plot; why and who are they hiding from. Even though the book is actually a pretty good contemporary with decent characters and a compelling romance, the mystery element lost its flair for me fairly quickly, leaving me with a lukewarm read with some sparks, but not enough to hold its flame.

The fire of this one initially died when the plot kept beating around the bush. It left me exasperated for some answers already. Then it lost its biggest appeal when the big mystery ended up being a little too underwhelming. It's the answer I was expecting; the one we don't even consider, or at least we hope it's not it because it's the obvious direction the plot could take. You also have to take it all with a grain of salt when you think how things would work in reality, this all made it difficult for me to take it seriously.

Although I don't mind predictability for the most part--seeing as it has become quite rare for me to be caught by surprise nowadays--I come to expect a certain amount of intelligence, or perception, when it comes to the characters figuring things out. In this case, Meg was a little too clueless, or dismissive. With a feeling of being watched, of being followed, then witnessing a couple of suspicious situations, Meg assumes it's "all in her head", every time. Then she puts her trust into someone who's acting "out of the norm" which, to the reader, immediately becomes a red flag. While some may forgive this with her excuses of chalking it up to paranoia and not wanting to be relocated again, I found myself incredibly irritated. In these types of stories, the smarter and more cautious the character, the more I connect to them. If this was a movie, Meg would be the heroine I'd be screaming at angrily for not seeing things clearly. This leads me to think it's more of an "not for me" type of read. Furthermore, when all is said and done, the ending left me with nothing but a cocked eyebrow. Not only is it anti-climatic, the last few pages didn't really make any logical sense when you think of the grand scheme of things--why would they care about her anymore? To be honest, it felt like a gimmick to get us interested in the sequel and nothing more.

Despite my issues with the plot it's not a complete loss. Aside from the previous mentions, I did like Meg's personality, how caring she was of her sister especially. Then the relationship she forms with a certain boy in town became my favorite part of this novel. Meg has a hard time allowing herself to fall in love or get attached to a guy since she's aware her family could be moved any second. This causes a hot and cold relationship where you both understand her hesitation, yet you hope she goes through with it anyways. And who could resist Ethan? Your adorable farm boy with a heart or gold and eyes only for Meg. Due to this reluctance, their relationship is slow paced, steadily sparking, with a great forbidden fruit flair. You really can't help but sigh at their adorableness!

A mysterious premise, good characters, and a sweet romance, I can see this book being a hit for certain readers, especially those who have not read as many similarly plotted books. Sadly for me the mystery--the heart of the book--fell short of my expectations.

--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.

For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

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Apr 20, 2013 Peggy(Le BookSquirrel Blogger) Warren rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was Given an ARC for an Honest Review

I know a Book is going to be great when I can literally jump in it.When the world around me ceases to exist.Rules For Disappearing was that book.It takes you on the journey of Megan Rose and her family as they are in the Witness Protection Program.Their new home is in Louisiana and Megan again has to uproot what little life she had before to go there.On her first day of school she meets Ethan.Ethan who suspects there is more to Megan then she is saying.
I...more

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May 15, 2013 Farrah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Take everything you know about the Witness Protection Program, all that glamorization of it that we see in books and movies. Throw all that away. Now, you're ready for this epic YA romantic thriller. The Rules for Disappearing was a fantastic read, full of thrills, secrets, surprises, and sweet romance. I loved this book!

Books about the Witness Protection Program are iffy for me. It can be cliched so easily. And the completely awful experience of being in the Program can be glamorized in some bo...more Take everything you know about the Witness Protection Program, all that glamorization of it that we see in books and movies. Throw all that away. Now, you're ready for this epic YA romantic thriller. The Rules for Disappearing was a fantastic read, full of thrills, secrets, surprises, and sweet romance. I loved this book!

Books about the Witness Protection Program are iffy for me. It can be cliched so easily. And the completely awful experience of being in the Program can be glamorized in some books. But, this book didn't fall into those pitfalls. It was realistic in its portrayal of life in hiding. But, it wasn't all doom and gloom. Even with the grim situation, we still had lighthearted moments. I think it was all perfectly done.

Meg (whose real name is not Meg) was a girl in a bad situation. She's stuck in the Witness Protection Program and had been forced to move to six different hiding places in the last year. Each time, she had to change her appearance, her name, and her background. And every time she left, she had to abandon her friends and her fledgling life in the new location. Worst of all, she doesn't know why. No one would tell her why she is stuck in hiding. She was a great character. She has handled the past year of her life with strength. But, she's starting to wear out. However, that doesn't stop her determination to find out what her father did and how to get out of this mess. I really liked her strength. And I loved that she was so caring with her younger sister. She was an admirable heroine. She was courageous, strong-willed, clever, and determined to protect her family. I definitely liked her.

Ethan was so sweet! He was a gentlemanly, good-mannered southern boy with both charm and looks going for him. But, he was also willing to face danger to protect the girl he cared about. He wasn't one to back down from a bad situation, no matter what. And he was incredibly clever and perceptive. It wasn't long before he figured out something strange was going on with Meg. He was so perfect and adorable. Loved him, loved him, loved him!

The romance in this book wasn't the main point, but it played a big role. I liked how it developed realistically. While they cared deeply for each other, they weren't throwing around "I-love-you's" after their second meeting. They were sweet together, definitely a perfect fit for each other. That whole aspect of the book was perfectly done.

The plot in this book went at break-neck speed. It moved quickly and had me interesting within the first page. The thrills and mystery kept me hooked and on the edge of my seat. I was SO surprised when the reason for the family being in the Program finally came out. I had spent half the book speculating about it, trying to figure it out. But, it caught me by surprise; I never saw it coming. And the ending was brilliant. It was a mostly happy ending that tied up most of the loose ends. But, there was an ominous note about it that gave me a panic attack until I found out that there would be a second book. Then, I was totally excited. I can't wait to read book 2, because I'm dying to find out what happens next!

The Rules for Disappearing was a brilliant YA romantic thriller. Book lovers, you have to read this.

*Thanks to Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for a copy!(less)

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May 14, 2013 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, review-on-blog

The Rules for Disappearing is one of those books that is so different than everything else I have been reading lately. Sometimes I feel like I read the same storyline over and over. And it is a storyline that I love, but nonetheless it starts to get a little old the more you read it. But that is just not the case with The Rules for Disappearing. I loved how fresh and unique the concept was to me. I loved that the main character had some edge and anger to her. I loved how there was a mystery that...more The Rules for Disappearing is one of those books that is so different than everything else I have been reading lately. Sometimes I feel like I read the same storyline over and over. And it is a storyline that I love, but nonetheless it starts to get a little old the more you read it. But that is just not the case with The Rules for Disappearing. I loved how fresh and unique the concept was to me. I loved that the main character had some edge and anger to her. I loved how there was a mystery that we needed to solve, along with a reluctant romance, and along with amazing character development. The Rules for Disappearing was a complete win for me!

Anna, or Meg, or Isabelle, or whatever Anna's name of the week was. I swear the poor girl had to change lives and names a million different times it seems. I can't even imagine how that would be. I love that she created the idea of a "go-bag". She had to be ready to go at a moments notice and she had no idea who did what to land her and her family in the witness protection program. That also had to be frustrating. So by the time the book starts, and now Meg and her sister "Mary" get dumped in the middle of nowhere it seems like, it was really easy for me to picture how annoyed and frustrated she must have been with everything. So it made perfect sense that she didn't want to make friends or stand out at this new place. I would have done the same thing. But of course, when you want to stand out you can't get noticed and when you just want to quietly blend in you stand out like a sore thumb. And it was no different for Meg/Anna. Being a new girl in a tiny town drew lots of attention to her, and right away there was a potential love interest. But it was not insta love at all. Maybe insta curiosity, which was super cute.

Ethan was kind and charming. I loved that he was always offering to drive Meg/Anna places and that he would take her home from work just so that she didn't have to walk out in the cold. Ethan is the kind of book boyfriend that you could easily see yourself dating in real life. He was the real deal, and not a jerk at all. I mean, bad boys are fun in books but I wouldn't want to date one.

What I loved about The Rules for Disappearing was that it was an adorable romance stuck inside this cool and kind of creepy mystery. Why did Anna and her family end up in the witness protection program in the first place? What happened, and why do they have to move around all the time? Why wasn't their first or second move and new identity enough? I also loved that this book kept me on my toes. I didn't always know what was going to happen. There were a few twists and turns that completely took me by surprise. I haven't read anythign by Ashley Elston before, but I am already a fan of her writing. It just seems effortless how she makes everything work. All of the characters fit together like a beautiful puzzles and her writing style was almost lyrical to me. I really just loved it. The whole package of The Rules for Disappearing worked for me. Fans of contemporary romance, realistic fiction, action, suspense, mystery, and heck just about anything should pick up this book immediately. You will love it just as much as I did! I don't even think my review did this book justice. There is such depth and complexity in every character, even the secondary characters. Ashley Elston paid such attention to even the smallest of details in her writing, that I want to go back through the book again and see what little things I didn't pick up on in the first reading. I really and truly enjoyed this book. (less)

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May 13, 2013 Berenice rated it 3 of 5 stars

It’s been a little over six months, and we’ve burned over more identities that I would care to remember, now we have to move again and once more me and my sister don’t get any explanation about why we are moving, I wish dad would just confess, testify or do whatever the suits tell him he needs to do to release us from the program.
Starting today I am Megan Rose Jones, my hair was chopped short, the color horribly changed and even my eyes don’t feel like my own. They are moving us to Natchitoches,...more It’s been a little over six months, and we’ve burned over more identities that I would care to remember, now we have to move again and once more me and my sister don’t get any explanation about why we are moving, I wish dad would just confess, testify or do whatever the suits tell him he needs to do to release us from the program.
Starting today I am Megan Rose Jones, my hair was chopped short, the color horribly changed and even my eyes don’t feel like my own. They are moving us to Natchitoches, Louisiana; where we are to start over again and stay under the radar, and this time I have a plan:
I will not join any clubs
I will not try out for cheerleading or any other teams
I will not make friends
And I will discover the truth about why we are now in the Witness Protection Program.

The art of disappearing experience I think it’s best described like this: At the beginning of the book I felt like a fish really tempted by the bait that was in the water so tempting that the fish just wanted to take a bit, after some analysis it looks yummy enough so the fish takes the bait; but then the fisherman tries a new trick something to roll the fish over that he/she hadn’t tried before and just like that the fish is free to seem again, and even though the fish may be tempted into eating from another bait it will think twice before taking it.
I’m not really sure if it helps you, the story just draw me in even made my heart beat faster once but then… there where this little details that didn’t had up with the story, and even if I did enjoy the story I couldn’t get completely lost in it because of those details the author kept using.
I like the main character most of the time, she was trying to keep her family together, trying to give her sister a fighting chance on their current situation and trying to understand her. Some of the attitudes of some of the family members looked a little exaggerated after I finished the book, but while I was reading about them they seemed to work out.
The way Ashley Elston describes the scenario and the way “Megan’s” head works is one of the strong suits, because as I said before even if things don’t add up a 100% when you pause or finish the book at that moment seem to make sense.
I do hope the author leaves this book as a stand-alone, because as a stand-along and a debut novel I can respect her work and keep her in my radar, but if this book is going to be part of a series it just wouldn’t work out for me because of how some things turned out on the book.(less)

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May 05, 2013 Jen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: dysfunctional-families, high-school, mystery, relationships, romance, ya

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Meg Jones" and her family are in the Witness Protection Program, forced to move and change their identities every few weeks. Meg moves to Louisiana, her sixth move, is forced to change her name, her hair color and eye color and will have to start yet another high school. Her mom is an alcoholic from the stress of moving constantly, her dad won't tell her anything that's going on, and her younger siste...more

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May 02, 2013 Kathy Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars

THE RULES FOR DISAPPEARING was an excellent mystery/thriller. The main character who had just been renamed Meg Jones by the Witness Protection Program and relocated to Natchitoches, Louisiana is a wonderful, well-rounded character. She and her family have been moved around a lot by Witness Protection and it has done great harm to their family. Meg's mom has turned to alcohol and her younger sister Teeny has become fearful and clingy. Meg herself is plagued by nightmares. She has determined that...more

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Apr 11, 2013 Diayll rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: 2013-reading-challenges, arc, netgalley

Originally Reviewed At: Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Me

Well change my name and call me Meg, who knew Witness Protection could be so much fun! When I first read the synopsis for this book I knew it was going to be different, maybe a little strange, and hopefully jammed packed with mystery and surprises. Needless to say my expectations were high, mega high. So high that if I’d been disappointed I might have cried – and been slightly mad. Than...more Originally Reviewed At: Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Me

Well change my name and call me Meg, who knew Witness Protection could be so much fun! When I first read the synopsis for this book I knew it was going to be different, maybe a little strange, and hopefully jammed packed with mystery and surprises. Needless to say my expectations were high, mega high. So high that if I’d been disappointed I might have cried – and been slightly mad. Thankfully, I was NOT disappointed. In fact, I was pleasantly flabbergasted and deeply engaged with every flip of the page. The Rules for Disappearing, though slightly predictable, blew me away with its charm and page-turning secrets.

In the beginning we are introduced to “Meg”, a girl whose family is in hiding for reasons unbeknownst to her. Once again she’s been uprooted from her “life” and forced to relocate to the middle of nowhere and start all over again – and this time she doesn’t have her beautiful hair or natural eye color for comfort. Her younger sister is suffering dramatically as a consequence of the move and Meg is determined to make her life as normal as possible. Her mother, who’s now a full-blown alcoholic, and her father who keeps himself emotionally closed off, are no help and only add to her mounting list of problems. Try as she might, Meg doesn’t want to get involved or make friends. They only thing she wants to do is find out why her family must be protected. However, when Ethan enters the picture her outlook begins to change and suddenly she begins to care about everything more deeply than she planned.

This is one of those novels that has a solid beginning, middle and end. Yes, it’s a liner path with predictability but it doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the story. You want Meg to win, you want her sister to smile and laugh again, and you want her to fall in love with the sweet country boy. And mostly you want her family to be okay and out of the program. It forces you to feel for their entire family and cheer them on as each member finds their place and happiness again.

My final thought: I highly recommend The Rules for Disappearing to everyone. It’s quality reading with an enjoyable adventure. And it deserves a spot on your bookshelf!
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Mar 13, 2013 Karen Yingling rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Meg" has been moved with her family in the Witness Protection Program to six different places in under a year. Her father is behind it, but Meg (her latest name) has no idea what. Her mother, unable to deal with the situation, has descended into alcoholism, and her former CPA father is just trying to make ends meet working in a warehouse job. Her sister, Teeny, is becoming more withdrawn and uncommunicative. Meg misses her former life, with nice clothes, lots of friends, and not looking over he...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Sebrina Parker rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've come to expect one thing from Disney's Hyperion publishing house... Quality books. They definitely don't rank in the best book of the year category but they will always be well written and enjoyable. Much like how I feel about Disney movies. I can get my hands on either, it's going to be a good night :)
The Rules for Disappearing is much like a Disney Channel Movie. There is conflict and mystery but it's kept light enough to keep the story flowing quickly. But I was pleasantly surprised by a...more

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Feb 14, 2013 Rachel Sharpe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: drama, creepy, arc, mystery, real-life, romance, ya

Meg has lived in six different homes in six months, with six different names. After all, that’s what happens when you’re in witness protection. But the stress is beginning to show on her family. Her sister screams and cries when men in suits show up. Her mother is spiraling toward alcoholism... quickly. Her father is having whispering phone calls in a broom closet when he thinks no one is missing. And Meg? She’s determined to get through the next month without making friends so nobody will miss...more Meg has lived in six different homes in six months, with six different names. After all, that’s what happens when you’re in witness protection. But the stress is beginning to show on her family. Her sister screams and cries when men in suits show up. Her mother is spiraling toward alcoholism... quickly. Her father is having whispering phone calls in a broom closet when he thinks no one is missing. And Meg? She’s determined to get through the next month without making friends so nobody will miss her when she’s gone.

But then Ethan appears on her first day of school and won’t leave her alone. While Meg tries to figure out how to handle Ethan and his increasingly curious questions and frequent kisses, she also wants to be free from witness protection and to return to her old life. Then Meg starts to see a weird car everywhere. Is it following her? And who is her dad talking to on the phone? Meg doesn’t have the answers, but she’s determined to find out no matter what the cost.

Hooray for interesting premises! This book has a great one: How does a teenage girl survive witness protection?

Meg is a great character in that she’s relatable in so many ways for teenagers. She’s forced to assume and relinquish identities with such frequency that she struggles to really understand who she is. This struggle is a common one among teens, so this will make her instantly relatable. Not to mention, Meg doesn’t even know why she’s in witness protection, and no one will tell her! She feels so out of the loop, which many teens do. Then there’s the crush on the cute guy.

The plot is fast moving and interesting, as Meg tries to balance her everyday life while trying to solve the mystery of what happens. It’s a quick read.

My only complaint is the end of the book. Everything happened so quickly and seamlessly. Ethan drops everything to help her drive across country. Meg easily fits into her old best friends’ lives despite missing the past six months and being furious at their betrayal. Her best friends drop everything to help her. And then there’s some drama, but everything is wrapped up nicely and Meg, using her real name now, goes back to her normal life and dates Ethan. Granted, there is that cliffhanger in the end, but, I don’t know, that effort felt so contrived and fake.

But even the ending didn’t stop me from liking the book. It’s a pretty good effort from a debut author.

Thanks to Netgalley for the copy.
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Feb 02, 2013 Maggie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: whats-new-in-ya-lit-2013

This book will keep readers turning pages. It has a good mix of mystery, suspense and romance that should be a hit with reluctant readers. As I was reading, I couldn't help but think of Robert Cormier's I am the Cheese and the Witness Protection plot in that novel. That connection makes me want to recommend Elston's book as a novel to use in Literature classes that require Literary Comparisons research papers. These two novels would be a natural for that assignment. Students would find much to c...more

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Nov 23, 2012 Chris Kervina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, ya-books, mystery

I picked up an advanced reader copy of this May 2013 release at NCTE in November 2012 because I was interested in the premise. I read it in a couple of hours on the plane ride home and think it will be an excellent addition to my class library.

The Rules for Disappearing is the 1st person narrative of "Meg Jones" a high school senior who has been placed in Witness Protection. Meg is the latest of the 6 names she has had in the last 8 months. She, her little sister, and her parents were whisked aw...more

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May 16, 2013 Khanh rated it 2 of 5 stars

There are several keywords in a book blurb that quickly hooks me in, "Witness Protection" is one of them. Unfortunately, I found this book to be frustrating and dull, the love interest an obtrusive jerk, the mystery not engrossing, the ending too rushed, and the people involved too willing to go along without any explanation. Ultimately, there were too many flaws to keep me engrossed.

"Meg" and her family has been under Witness Protection for almost a year. Without any explanation from the federa...more There are several keywords in a book blurb that quickly hooks me in, "Witness Protection" is one of them. Unfortunately, I found this book to be frustrating and dull, the love interest an obtrusive jerk, the mystery not engrossing, the ending too rushed, and the people involved too willing to go along without any explanation. Ultimately, there were too many flaws to keep me engrossed.

"Meg" and her family has been under Witness Protection for almost a year. Without any explanation from the federal agents or from her parents, she and her family have been in hiding and on the run six times in eight months, and she's pretty sick of it. At first, Meg tries to fit in at her new school, with her new identity, but by the sixth move, she is sick of it all. What's the point of trying when your identity and your friends will all get taken away without warning?

I felt the depiction of Meg's family dynamics as well as the individual personalities in her immediate family were well-done. Her frustration at all this is understandable; her entire family's behavior are believable. Meg's 11-year old sister "Mary" is slowly withdrawing into herself, becoming a shell of who she was. Her father is stressed out and stretched thin as a string, about to snap at any moment. Her mother gradually descends into alcoholism, turning from a casual drinker at parties to someone who spends the day in an alcohol-fueled stupor; even the people in Witness Protection knows she's too unsteady and unstable to hold a job by the time the sixth change rolls around. Their family is at the breaking point, and Meg really wants some answers. Nobody seems to want to give her any, and she is frustrated enough at this point to try to figure it out on her own, even if it places her entire family in danger.

Here is where things fell apart. Meg goes to her latest school, armed with a new identity, without knowing anything about her supposed previous town. By now, she knows the rules to keep to herself and not draw any attention, but the result of her standoffishness and her determination to figure out the truth at all cost makes her a rather unlikeable character. She keeps everyone at an arm's length by more or less antagonizing them, and of course, this would draw the attention of a too-inquisitive boy named Ethan.

The thing with trying to keep everyone away and being the bristly, antagonistic new girl in a town where everyone's known each other since kindergarten is that you attract other types of attention. Inevitably, someone will want to know why you're so difficult, and try to befriend you and unwittingly make you a project. This seems to be what Ethan has in mind. No matter what Meg does to try and push him away, he tries to draw her closer. He is everywhere she turns, their incidental meetings become so frequent it pushes the limits of credibility. He is curious about this new girl who tries to push everyone away, so he does everything he can to research Meg's past (a little creepy, no?). As such, his pushiness puts Meg in danger, even if Ethan is a decent guy (and he is) he still comes off unwittingly as a jerk to the reader who knows why Meg is so secretive. Ethan doesn't appear to be the brightest boy either...it never occurred to him that there's a reason why Meg is hiding all these things? Curiosity killed the cat. And guess who's willing to give it all up for that stupid cat?

“I see this often in girls your age who are in the program. They meet some boy and they’re ready to give it all up. You’re young. This will pass.”

I roll my eyes. I hate nothing more than a condescending adult.

It's not condescension if it's true, my dear Meg. You're ready to give it all up because Ethan made out with you.

The ending is very, very rushed, and the actions of those involved aren't too believable. People should be asking questions, not blindly doing everything Meg requests at the drop of a hat? It works out very well for Meg, but it is blatantly unbelievable realistically. The great mystery is too easily explained, everything falls into place too conveniently, and it wasn't a convincing or exciting book for me.(less)

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Apr 18, 2013 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

I received a digital ARC of this book for review.

The best part of this book is the basic idea of the book - a teenage girl in witness protection! That's a story idea that I haven't read before, and as someone who used to watch In Plain Sight (on USA - about Marshals who work in witness protection), I was definitely interested.

The book goes down from there. A lot of the dialogue is sort of simple and uninteresting, and sometimes there are no transitions between scenes - we're somewhere, and then...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Maja rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, favorites, arc-2013, reviewed-in-2013, ya

The Rules for Disappearing is a book for those who are prepared to put logic aside, a least for a little while. It is comparable to an action movie, albeit one with solid characterization. It is captivating and very impressive in some ways, but if you expect it to be realistic and to always make sense, you might end up disappointed.

Meg and her younger sister Mary have been through so many witness protection placements that they don’t want to choose their own names anymore. Their parents are taki...more The Rules for Disappearing is a book for those who are prepared to put logic aside, a least for a little while. It is comparable to an action movie, albeit one with solid characterization. It is captivating and very impressive in some ways, but if you expect it to be realistic and to always make sense, you might end up disappointed.

Meg and her younger sister Mary have been through so many witness protection placements that they don’t want to choose their own names anymore. Their parents are taking it even harder; their father is absentminded and generally unhelpful and their mother, a former cocktail party queen, is drunk around the clock. Meg and Mary are not the girls’ real names, of course, but they’re never allowed to use their own, not even among themselves. That is just one of the many rules they have to live by if they want to stay alive.

The suits, which is their name for the US Marshalls, are a constant looming presence in their lives. They can show up anytime, even in the middle of the night, and take them all to a new country with new names and a new life.

RULES FOR DISAPPEARING BY WITNESS PROTECTION PRISONER #18A7R04M: Don’t fall into a routine. Shake things up. Doing the same thing over and over makes you feel comfortable. And feeling comfortable is bad.

The first part of this book was utterly captivating. It focused on Meg and Mary’s internal struggles, their psychological traumas and their family issues. Meg had pretty much become apathetic, and Mary nearly catatonic, with occasional hysterical outburst, usually caused by men in suits. The second part, however, was where it all went wrong. As soon as Elston stopped focusing on the girls and started focusing on the reason for their placement in the Witness Protection, the story became far too unbelievable. I kept expecting Bruce Willis to pop out like jack-in-a-box, with a semi-automatic in hand and proclaim that he’s there to kill the bad guys and save them all. (No such luck, though.)

There’s also the small matter of Meg’s boyfriend Ethan. As much as I liked him as a character (and believe you me, he had some pretty adorable traits), him getting involved in this huge, dangerous mess for a girl he barely even knew just didn’t make sense. I couldn’t relax and enjoy their romance because my brain kept screaming ‘no one would do that, no one would do that, there’s no way in hell that a sane person would ever do that!’

I can easily imagine The Rules for Disappearing being turned into a movie, especially the second half (which is why I enjoyed the first much more). It is very tightly paced and dynamic. Although it had its problems, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it as a quick, exciting read.

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Feb 10, 2013 Luana Chineata rated it 5 of 5 stars

Original : http://ki0lu.wordpress.com/

When I heard about this novel, I knew I had to read it. It sounded so freaking good and it was!This was a interesting book. I mean, Oh.My.God! This book was a fun, quick read, and I enjoyed it in spite of myself. I love every tiny bit of this book (Ethan, Ben, etc etc ) )! I read it in almost 2 days, and believe me when I say that I didn’t sleep until I finished it -it made me sad,but I don’t have what do do…

Though her relationship with Ethan seemed a bit to...more

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Apr 23, 2013 Alice in Readerland rated it 3 of 5 stars

Review originally posted on ALICE IN READERLAND (www.aliceinreaderland.com):
When we first meet Meg—well, she’s not Meg yet. It’s about three in the morning, and our lead is at a safe house choosing a new name. Again. She has to have her long hair cut short and dyed, as well as start wearing contacts. Next, “Meg” (chosen from Meg Ryan) and her family are drilled on their new names and background (Megan Rose Jones, born November fourth) and told where they will be placed next (Natchitoches, Louisi...more Review originally posted on ALICE IN READERLAND (www.aliceinreaderland.com):
When we first meet Meg—well, she’s not Meg yet. It’s about three in the morning, and our lead is at a safe house choosing a new name. Again. She has to have her long hair cut short and dyed, as well as start wearing contacts. Next, “Meg” (chosen from Meg Ryan) and her family are drilled on their new names and background (Megan Rose Jones, born November fourth) and told where they will be placed next (Natchitoches, Louisiana). But all the while, Meg is really thinking about one question: What did her dad do to land them in the Witness Protection Program? Why have they had to move around so many times, and why is her dad refusing to tell her?

Well, this new Meg is tired of always having a new identity and she’s determined to put a stop to this. But as secrets are revealed, Meg finds out that she’s in for more than she thought…

description

Different identities, the Witness Protection Program, and a mystery (oh, my)! This book felt like it was calling my name. I was definitely hooked from the first chapter and the author’s writing style was very good. My two favorite parts of the book that I really want to talk about, I actually can’t talk that much about because:
description

I don't want to give away spoilers!

But let’s just say that there are two major twists in this novel. One comes about halfway through the book, and the other comes near the tail end of the book. The twists are absolutely fantastic and really made the story for me. While I could figure out both of the twists before they happened, it didn’t stop me from loving them any less. I loved all of the suspense and seeing Meg unravel the mystery; the conclusion definitely felt perfect for the story. Something else I enjoyed about this book was that each chapter is prefaced by a ‘Rule for Disappearing’ and they ranged from heartfelt to humorous.

Cynical Cindy Says

I really wanted to love this book, but I have some complaints about it. Meg is determined not to make friends she can’t keep (which I do understand and thought was a great aspect of the story), so she’s rude and blows people off…Except everyone (with the exception of the stereotypical mean girl) is still super, super nice to her, which I found hard to understand. I also thought that Meg’s love interest, Ethan, was way too pushy. Meg’s in the Witness Protection Program, so she’s obviously in a life or death situation, and yet she pursues a relationship with this guy who says that he thinks she’s lying about things, does research on her, and discovers one of her past identities. Another thing that irritated me was Meg’s drunk mother. Yes, I understand how she helped reveal the plot twist, but it felt like way too much drama considering they were already dealing with the Witness Protection Program.

All in all, if you’re a fan of books with the Witness Protection Program, mysteries, and plot twists, then I’d definitely recommend picking up your own copy of The Rules for Disappearing!(less)

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Mar 26, 2013 Laney Sultan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I haven't finished readin this book but I am enough pages through that I know this is a good book.
Cons:
1. Saw the twist coming from a mile away (and I am still giving it four stars, so clearly it doesn't take away from the book that much because there's still the how she ends up resolving this to keep me reading)
2. I didn't like the voice of the narrator in the beginning b/c it didn't seem like that of a 17-year old, but I have come to appreciate that the curt, no-nonsense style is pretty reflec...more

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May 14, 2013 Sana rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-debut-author-challenge, 2013-ya-contemporary-challenge, netgalley, read-in-2013

Mystery always pull me in so it's no surprise that I wanted to read The Rules for Disappearing. It's like a book about multiple personality disorder without the actual disorder. It makes me think and think hard about life on the run. It isn't always glamorous. It isn't always oh-so-cool. The reality hit me hard and I left me on the floor gaping.

There is irony in the way each chapter begins with a rule, the rule Meg simultaneously breaks. I felt her pain and I kept thinking why did Ashley Elston...more Mystery always pull me in so it's no surprise that I wanted to read The Rules for Disappearing. It's like a book about multiple personality disorder without the actual disorder. It makes me think and think hard about life on the run. It isn't always glamorous. It isn't always oh-so-cool. The reality hit me hard and I left me on the floor gaping.

There is irony in the way each chapter begins with a rule, the rule Meg simultaneously breaks. I felt her pain and I kept thinking why did Ashley Elston chose a rural town for all hell to break loose? Why did it took six identity changes for Meg to finally hit rock bottom, emotionally and physically? These questions kept me going.

It's clear from the narrative that life as Meg is as far and opposite from her original life as it could be. Nondescript clothing, hair that makes her look like a boy, dull brown eyes and riding in a school bus as a senior is almost too much to bear. And it doesn't help that she meets Ethan Landry in her first moments on the first day of school. The new-girl-in-the-middle-of-school-year is bound to attract attention and she does attract attention. Of the most popular girl in high school (as popular as one can get in Natchitoses anyway).

For most part of the book, Meg is at the edge of her nerves and it shows. Her mother is an alcoholic, her father is being way too mysterious and acting suspiciously and Teeny is on the verge of break at only eleven years of age. It seems Meg is the only one keeping it together. Or at least the one trying the hardest.

But I was waiting for a twist to arrive, a hand to pull back the curtain on the mystery a little bit. So I was a little disappointed when it came in the form of a nightmare on Meg's part. Clichéd. Then she gets paranoid by thinking that someone is out to get her. And oh, she also owns a notebook in which she writes her thoughts and feelings.

Meg knows that the only way out is to go back to the beginning and then it gets crazy. We did get glimpses of her past life, her crush and her BFF betrayal throughout the book but the reality is pretty twisted. I got to say, I was not expecting that kind of a mystery at all. But it wasn't the ohmiGod-is-this-really-happening kind of a mystery at all, it was more low-key and oh-so-that-was-what-we-were-getting-at one. The book also has a little road trip which made my heart soar a little bit. So yay for that.

Ethan is a sweet farm boy and I liked how he kept coming in the pizza place where Meg took a job. They have a hot-and-cold thing going on because Meg knows that getting attached only leads to hurt and Ethan has no idea what he is getting into. Teeny is a great character, I loved the sisterly relationship she has with Meg.

Overall, The Rules for Disappearing is a dynamic read. I'd still recommend it to readers because it offers a good character development, well-placed plot and is a quick read. It'd be interesting to see how the series proceed now that we finally know her real name and the mystery.(less)

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May 01, 2013 Lindley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Meg and her family are in the witness protection program and Meg doesn't know why. After getting bounced from safe house to safe house, Meg's family is splitting at the seams. Meg is tired of starting over, and vows to remain uninvolved in her latest placement. Instead of making friends, she tries to avoid her peers and is prickly toward everyone that tries to befriend her. Even though Meg's reasoning make sense, an unintended result of her prickliness is that she is hard to embrace as a charact...more

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Apr 01, 2013 Asheley rated it 4 of 5 stars

This excerpt is taken from my full Three-Things Review on Into the Hall of Books. Read more here: http://www.intothehallofbooks.com/201...

When I first saw this book and the summary, I thought it sounded so neat - I am not well-versed in the ways of Witness Protection, but the thought of having to be a part of that program and move from place to place seems like it would make a great story. What I didn't expect was that The Rules For Disappearing is much more than just a Witness Protection story...more

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Apr 13, 2013 Melodie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Like others who've reviewed this book, I found it a solid, YA read. Girl new in town, Girl meets boy, Boy inexplicably loves girl-at-first-sight, girl resists love bc her life is so complicated with witness relocation but still manages to convince him to risk his life while rescuing hers. It doesn't hurt that the main character is gorgeous.

My issues were more to do with what didn't happen than what did - just once, I'd like to read a YA where there's NO guy love interest *gasp!* YES. Just two...more

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May 10, 2013 Maggie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, ya, ebook

2.5 stars

I really liked this book. I thought it was a brilliant idea about a situation I had never once considered and I was really excited to see how it turned out. That is until we found out why Meg's family was in the Witness Protection Program and then I pretty much read this in total disbelief. Seriously, I was so angry that this was the turn the book took that it made me dislike the book even more.

Before we found out the reason, Meg is just a pissed off teenager who's trying to do the best...more 2.5 stars

I really liked this book. I thought it was a brilliant idea about a situation I had never once considered and I was really excited to see how it turned out. That is until we found out why Meg's family was in the Witness Protection Program and then I pretty much read this in total disbelief. Seriously, I was so angry that this was the turn the book took that it made me dislike the book even more.

Before we found out the reason, Meg is just a pissed off teenager who's trying to do the best she can under some terrible circumstances. Her father did something that's made them have to move around constantly, leaving in the middle of the night, and having to become different people. Her mother has gone from social mom of the year to a reclusive alcoholic. And her little sister is just shutting down because she can't handle it any more. Meg tries so hard to hold her family together while also going to school and trying to keep her distance since she assumes they're going to have to pick up and leave soon that she's at her breaking point.

I thought Meg as a great, sympathetic, and strong character for the first part of the book. I also loved first-part Ethan. I thought that the way their relationship developed was authentic, as was the way that high school was depicted. I wish that Ashley Elston would have stuck to the family and school relationships that are obviously her strong suit.

Since I don't want to ruin it I'm not going to talk much about the second half of the book. Let's just say that I had to suspend pretty much all disbelief. Maybe not all disbelief immediately, but as the action unfolds I was pretty much dumbfounded. And, be warned, there's a bit of a cliffhanger at the end. I would beg Ashley Elston not to write another book, but I see on Goodreads that one already seems to be planned for 2014. My (unsolicited) advice for her? Cut down on the action/adventure parts and stick to the family and high school relationships because I think she's actually pretty good at those.

I received a digital review copy of this from the publisher via Netgalley (thank you!). All opinions are (obviously) my own. (less)

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Apr 25, 2013 Cathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Imagine having to change your name every couple months, moving around to different places pretending you are someone you're not and the whole time wondering when will be the next time you leave to a new identity. This is what Meg and her family goes through as they are now part of the Witness Protection Program. Even though throughout the majority of the book we don't really know why, her father knows but he just doesn't want to give up that information, which only makes Meg more curious. She do...more Imagine having to change your name every couple months, moving around to different places pretending you are someone you're not and the whole time wondering when will be the next time you leave to a new identity. This is what Meg and her family goes through as they are now part of the Witness Protection Program. Even though throughout the majority of the book we don't really know why, her father knows but he just doesn't want to give up that information, which only makes Meg more curious. She doesn't want to put roots down anywhere because she doesn't know when she will be leaving again, so making friends, having a boyfriend or anything serious including sports is just out of the question for her, which makes her life quite lonely. If it wasn't for Teeny her sister she doesn't know what she would do with herself, but she has to be strong for her sister.

They end up at a new location and I can just imagine it clearly in Louisiana, with all the Cajun accents flying around and that southern drawl, I've always wanted to go there and I know the setting is very simplistic since it's rural but even still I can imagine it and that's what transports me to that location, the author's description. From farming, to hog hunting and just the description of the Louisiana accent draws me in completely. It’s all very Dreamy. Anyhow back to the story, she meets a boy and he can't help but pursue her, there is something about her that he's attracted to and he knows that she has secrets but that does not deter him from trying, even going through her little sister to get more information on her. Eventually she starts to give in and starts to feel a semblance of a real life again, some normalcy. Her and Nathan go out a couple times but still there is this nagging feeling of a memory she should have and why they are in the witness protection program.

Even though she feels as if it's her dads fault that they are in this predicament slowly memories and truths start coming out and a new light is shed on Meg. What really happened and what she needs to do to get her family out of the situation they are in, but is it worth it. What is she risking by doing this? Who does she trust? This seems to be a really big theme lately in the books I've been reading. But it's hard trusting people and thinking you are doing the right thing and it may not be. There is not a lot of love in this book, but sometimes its okay, because there was still a love interest it just wasn't the main topic in this book. Sometimes it's good to get away from that for a book or two. The main story was about Meg and her trying to figure out what is going on and getting her and her family's life back the way it was before, even though now she wants to stay in Louisiana. She just wants to be free and not have to be scared anymore.

The overall book was exciting and interesting and you felt the fear of the main character when she got into some paranoid situations. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens though, and it’s definitely worth the read. I really like the cover too because it’s just simple and the blurriness can just show you how fast things can happen when you least expected, and I have to say everything did sort of happen unexpectedly. My favorite thing is when each chapter would start the book such as below:

RULES FOR DISAPPEARING BY WITNESS PROTECTION PRISONER
#18A7R04M
Never tell anyone your secrets. They’re called secrets for a reason.
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Mar 28, 2013 Amanda (Hootie) Clark rated it 5 of 5 stars

From time to time I will check out Netgalley and see what is coming up and boy am I glad I did with this one! This book was a great page turner.

Meg Jones and her family are in the witness relocation program from what she assumes is something her father did. Their new placement takes them to a small town in Louisianna where she vows to herself to find out what happened and stop running. She ends up looking after her younger sister "Mary" because their mother is battling an alcohol addiction and t...more From time to time I will check out Netgalley and see what is coming up and boy am I glad I did with this one! This book was a great page turner.

Meg Jones and her family are in the witness relocation program from what she assumes is something her father did. Their new placement takes them to a small town in Louisianna where she vows to herself to find out what happened and stop running. She ends up looking after her younger sister "Mary" because their mother is battling an alcohol addiction and their dad is busy trying to work with the FEDs and keep a steady job to provide for them what the program doesn't fund. Starting a new school is difficult to begin with but with Meg it proves to be harder than she first planned. See "Meg" has promised herself she won't make any friends or get close to any boys for fear of being taken away again. NO attachments mean NO heartache but the handsome and charming Ethan Landry makes that impossible. She meets him for the first time in the school office while getting her schedule and then he tries to befriend her at lunch. She avoids him as much as possible until she gets a job at a local pizza joint where it just so happens his aunt owns the place. The more she avoids him the more curious he gets and soon starts to uncover what she's hiding. She finally gives in and tells him some of what she can and they become closer despite Megs plan not to get close.

Strange things start happening to Meg that she tries to brush off as just her paranoia but she starts to think the people who are after them have found her. When she starts having memory flashes she first thought were just nightmares, she begs her dad to finally tell her the real reason they are on the run. What she finds out turns her whole world upside down. With the help of Ethan and some old friends she finally figures out just what happened and tries to handle things herself but ends up making things more complicated that leads to a "To Be Continued..." ending!

A Young Adult book that packs in action, romance, suspense and drama? Yes Please! This book had a little of everything for every taste. I aboslutely loved it! Getting to see what this family went through just to be able to survive was intense. Fake contact lenses, hair dye and new names were only half of the things they had to deal with. Poor Meg can't have any sort of a normal teenage life filled with dating and first kisses and prom because she is terrified that the FED's or "The Suits" as she calls them will snatch them up and relocate them. She learned her lesson with one boy she liked at a previous location and when The Suits swooped in the kid no idea why he was just stood up. Meg was such a strong character to be so young and watching her cope with a life she didn't want and something she feels like she shouldn't have to suffer through was really sad to witness. She's watching her mother slowly deteriorate by alcohol, her dad is distant and doesn't really do much for her or her sister so she ends up taking care of both herself and her sister. On top of that she is watching the light fade out of her sisters eyes with every move and doesn't know how to help. It's not until Ethan comes in to the picture that things start to change.

Ah Ethan. My heart went crazy for this kid! He was sweet, patient and a really strong guy who was just what Meg needed. He becomes a good friend and as they slowly grow closer he becomes her rock and partner throughout her journey. During one scene he takes her out Hog hunting (It's a southern thing just go with it) and she has a freak out moment that causes her to go into shock to which Ethan steps up and takes care of the situation with ease, making sure she got home and that she was ok. He really shows his true character when he so selflessly gets swept up into the mess that is her life and ends up being her greatest Ally when they are both in danger. But the absolute best part was watching Ethan bond with Megs sister Mary and bring her out of her shell that this lifestyle has caused her to retreat in. Mary was almost despondant until she met Ethan and they were almost inseperable. How can you not love a guy who loves your baby sister?

When the smoke cleared and the story wrapped up the ending had me confused because it felt like it could go either way. It was one of those things where you get answers but you are left with even more and I was freaking out wondering if there would be a sequel. Thankfully I hounded the author on Twitter and she confirmed she is working on the second one AT. THIS. MOMENT. It was such a good book that I just couldn't stand to think there wouldn't be another. I hope the next one is filled with even more twists, turns and freefalls as this one because to be a smut free YA book it sure knocked my socks off!
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Apr 21, 2013 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-debut-author-challenge

4.5 out of 5 rating

This book really had me hanging on. For some reason, the idea of being in the Witness Protection Program really intrigued me. And I've never read another book about it. I can't imagine having to up and move your life around so quickly and so often. I know if it were me, I would mess up and mention my old life in my new life.

I liked "Meg". She was strong and determined to find out why her family was in the program. Yet she was still vulnerable. And I liked Ethan. A good ole boy...more

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Mar 12, 2013 Anna (Gatsby's Girl) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Megan Jones is not always the same person - in fact her real name is not Megan Jones and she's still not sure exactly the reason why this is happening to her family. What do they need the Witness Protection Program to keep them safe from? Now, Meg is on her sixth identity and is determined that it will be the last one before she returns to who she used to be before this nightmare. All she has to do is keep herself away from everyone and not get attached to their new home. Oh yeah, and she has t...more Megan Jones is not always the same person - in fact her real name is not Megan Jones and she's still not sure exactly the reason why this is happening to her family. What do they need the Witness Protection Program to keep them safe from? Now, Meg is on her sixth identity and is determined that it will be the last one before she returns to who she used to be before this nightmare. All she has to do is keep herself away from everyone and not get attached to their new home. Oh yeah, and she has to get her Dad to tell her what exactly he did to get them in this mess. With her Mom drowning her problems in alcohol, her little sister becoming terrified of getting left behind and the cute farm boy at school (Ethan) refusing to leave her alone how will she ever save her family? When the shocking truth is revealed, what can Meg do to set things right and can she keep everyone alive through the crisis that ensues? This book was like reading a very amusing movie of the week. A cross between Hallmark/Lifetime's over-dramatic plots and the Disney Channel's tween humor and innocence. Yes, the heroine is in the witness protection program. But this book is really about the devastation that it has caused her family and the destruction to her own personal and romantic life. I really loved her little sister Mary. I understood Meg's need to protect her family, but felt like her constant need to be in charge was annoying at times to me as reader. The romance with Ethan develops at a believable pace, with sweet moments and angsty ones too, due to Meg's insecurities and refusal to trust in anyone to help her find the truth. The humor and character flaws keep this book from being totally depressing but they also keep me from taking it 100% seriously - and the cover's attempt to look serious doesn't do it any favors. The plot unfolded fairly unrealistically, but most of it was easily overlooked until near the end, when it truly does become a movie of the week, wrapped up with a neat little bow and a killer just letting the go free for no apparent reason. Meg and her family read more real than a lot of characters I've had the displeasure of meeting and the consistency of the writing's quality was a pleasant surprise for me after a long line of mediocre books so far this year. Well written and thoroughly enjoyable, if you can suspend your disbelief for a few hours.

VERDICT: 3.75/5 Stars

**I received this book as part of Around the World ARC Tours, run by the lovely Princess Bookie. No favors or money were exchanged for this review. It will be available for purchase on May 14th, 2013.**(less)

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Apr 19, 2013 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, e-book, general-fiction, teen, tough-topics

Meg and her sister Mary are in witness protection with their parents, but why and what happened is lost on them. This is another placement in the long string that they have had over the last nine months, picking names, but being given their birthdates and background information on their life. Nothing seems normal and neither girl understands what is going on. Mary clams up and is now lost in herself, Meg tries to bring her out of her shell but there is no use. Meg ends up meeting Ethan and falls...more

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