More like a 3.5 that a 3, but I'm not willing to give it a 4 just right now. Caveat: this rating is because of the story, not the main characters. I found our beloved main protag Alexis extremely selfish and irriating - and this was before she started hobnobbing with the Sunshine Club. Plus her boyfriend is boring, and then he turns Cullenesque without reason and the in-text explanation is rather dull as well. I'd rather have a book with the little sister Kasey as the main protag, to be honest, or maybe just a book where everything isn't blamed on her and she isn't shamed for having spent time at a facility for people with mental illnesses (and the insinuation that Kasey asks to be troubled by these supernatural elements all the time is rather gross - does no one in that family ever consider that Kasey feels left out of her own life and is looking for some sort of acceptance anywhere she can find it?).

The story itself, however, is rather scary and thrilling and the entire concept of Aralt and the Sunshine Club really sends the chills down my spine. The last third of the book was an absolute roller-coaster ride of emotions for me. The conclusion was surprisingly satisfying in a dark way, even if it didn't end up Megan/Alexis (still crossing my fingers though, delusional shipper than I am). Will probably still read the third book that is set to come out next year, although my expectations are a little lower than usual.