52 Likes

by Medeia Sharif

After a brutal rape and near-murder, Valerie wants to get past feelings of victimhood from both the assault and her history of being bullied. Not knowing the identity of her masked rapist and dealing with the nasty rumors about that night are two things that plague her daily.


Valerie will have to follow ghostly entities, past victims of the rapist-murderer, contacting her through a social media site. Why do all of their eerie photos have 52 likes under them? Their messages are leading her to the mystery man, although he’ll put up a fight to remain hidden.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Paranormal, Contemporary, Mystery Thriller, Abuse, Thriller

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 16, 2015

About the author

I was born in New York City and I presently call Miami my home. I received my master’s degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University. After becoming a voracious reader in high school and a relentless writer dabbling in many genres in college, I found my niche writing for young people. Today I'm a writer for all age levels published through various presses. In addition to being a writer, I'm a public school teacher. My memberships include Mensa and SCBWI.

Reviews

[Jill McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down!!!

52 Likes by Medeia Sharif is an excellent book that deals with a very difficult subject in an honest and sensitive way. It was very challenging to read at times as it takes on rape, murder, and some serious high school bullying. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. There is also a lot of hope and light in this dark story. You will see the main character experience big changes as she turns her life around, going from victim who doesn't always make the best choices, to a young woman who has hope for a better future!

A must read for young adults and adults as well!

I received this book from Medeia Sharif through a book giveaway in exchange for my honest review.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valerie was once a victim - But not anymore

Enter to win an eCopy of 52 Likes by Medeia Sharif
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Not for the faint of heart, or anyone who refuses to see the realities that face young people today, Medeia Sharif’s 52 Likes is a must read for all young adults, and adults alike. Be warned, this is not light reading; it is brutal, frank and revealing, as one girl, desperately determined to spread her wings of independence makes a rash decision and becomes the victim of rape and is forced to live through a living hell in its aftermath. From the cruelty of her classmates with their vicious tongues and snickering gossip to the voices she hears asking for help, Valerie struggles to rise above the label “victim” in all aspects of her life. Who do the voices belong to? Are they really the missing victims of the same monster? Is it up to Valerie to “bring them home” and give them justice?

Follow Valerie as Medeia Sharif brings her to life, pain, torment and the new young woman rising like a phoenix from the ashes. From high school politics to her understanding and protective mother, Valerie is a character to respect, to root for and support. Ms. Sharif takes the worst moments in one’s life and shows that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that light will get brighter with each phase of healing. The touch of the paranormal is a powerful tool in the healing process for more than just Valerie, but to the “lost” girls and those they loved.

Medeia Sharif is a loud and powerful voice in a world full of young adult reading that should be on every shelf. Ms. Sharif handles the trauma of rape and the physical descriptions with respect to victims everywhere while allowing the pain and horrendous event to feel far too real. I cannot recommend this to all readers strongly enough.

I received this copy from Medeia Sharif in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: January 16, 2015
Publisher: Evernight Teen
ISBN-13: 2940046527735
Genre: YA Drama
Print Length: 172 pages
Available from: Amazon |  Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't want to be a victim

I would give anything in the world not to have any of this happen to me. I would've sacrificed my car and my whole bank account just to feel like myself again.
 
Valerie was a normal girl. Until the rape. She is then raped Valerie: lost, broken, and scared. Yet, Valerie cannot just hide and fade away. It’s not her who should disappear into forgetfulness and be punished for what happened to her. It’s her assaulter who has to be put behind bars, and she is determined to do anything to make that daydream come true….
 
SPOILERS:
52 Likes is a short novel which deals with the suffering of rape victim. It gives a glimpse of how they have to deal with the assault, and how they can go forward by not letting the rape destroy their lives. The novel takes a detective turn when Valerie starts receiving pictures of the rape. Not only hers but other girls’ as well. She is determined then to find the raper (who also happens to be a killer) not just for her but for the girls he killed
 
The novel was smoothly moving. I always wanted to know what will come next, how Valerie will deal with her problems and how she may find some peace, but the novel just lost a bit of its seriousness when… Valerie started to receive messages from the raper’s previous victims. This would not have bothered me if the victims were not ghosts….
 
What was more annoying is how Valerie accepted them as ghosts so easily, when she clearly was not the type who believes in ghosts and oh the persons to whom she reveals that she is texting with ghosts willingly believe her. That scenes turn to be “omg you talked with ghosts! That’s nice, yes yes I believe in ghosts, and they may communicate with you through your phone. Makes sense!”.
 
What????
 
That part was just out of place. I think the novel would have been more serious and realistic to me if that part was totally dropped, but then again the ghosts made it easier for Valerie to find the raper. Too easy maybe. It’s like if the author wanted to stress that things get easier once the raper is found, and concentrating on that distorted the plot a bit.
 
All in all though it was a good read despite what I’ve mentioned above.

[Drew · Rating 1 out of 5]

The summary for 52 Likes sounded amazing. I thought it would be creepy, dark, and thrilling, but sadly, it was none of those things. I think I can blame this on the fact that the writing wasn't very good. The author never used the opportunity to set the atmosphere before each scene, and I felt very detached from the characters and plot.

Valerie was brutally raped and nearly murdered. Now her attacker is out to get her, and Valerie is trying to uncover his identity when someone begins sending her mysterious text messages and photos. The photos are related to her attacker, and they all have fifty-two likes.

Surprisingly, the story focuses much more on Valerie dealing with being traumatized from her abuse than the mystery.

“I’m always going to get these little reminders and I have to live with them.”

I wouldn't have minded this, but I never felt like I got to know Valerie. She wasn't a fleshed-out character, and because of this, I couldn't understand her emotions or how she was suffering.

I also didn't like how she randomly insulted other girls' appearances:

“He ended up with another girlfriend, some skinny mouse creature named Amy.”

There was a paranormal aspect to this book, but it was very underdeveloped. Valerie communicates with the ghosts of a couple girls her attacker murdered. They text her messages like "FIND HIM" and "HE'S HERE." First of all, it didn't make sense that ghosts would be able to text, and secondly, it was just laughable that Valerie was communicating with them in the first place. It wasn't scary or creepy like I think the author was intending it to be.

The mystery wasn't complicated and never once had me guessing or excited to find out what would happen next. Valerie found out the murderer's identity at the end, but there was no climax, no giant reveal. I was hoping she had guessed the wrong person and the real murderer's identity would shock me, but that wasn't the case.

Hugely disappointing.

[Petuli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review. Thank you NetGalley and Evernight Teen!

My whole review is HERE

This book has a huuuge potential. The topic Shariff dealt with is amazing, I was so pumped to read this book. Rape, young girl, something supernatural, mystery,... you know, it sounds so gripping!

Unfortunately, I don't think that the potential was used fully. I cannot imagine what rape victims are going through. I really cannot and honestly, I don't even want to. But Valerie's behaviour seemed very implausible in some times. She was ready to go to school, she dealt with very superficial things and honestly, I couldn't connect with her.

To sum it up, as you can imagine, I started reading this book with huge expectations. I was a little bit disappointed. That doesn't mean the book is bad. It reads super quickly and it is gripping! The topic is very interesting and I like reading about something serious in YA literature. I just had some problems with it. But I wouldn't be against reading some other books byl Medeia Sharif. I can imagine her books.

[T.B. Markinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gut-wrenching read and much different from the other books I've read by Sharif.

The book starts off with a rape scene, putting the reader on edge. Sharif handled it well. There’s just enough description without overwhelming the reader with being too graphic. The reader feels for Valerie, but isn't overly traumatized.

Valerie is a wonderful character: strong, flawed, scared, and a typical teenager many can relate to. And she's a fighter. She’s made mistakes in the past and has taken responsibility for them. After the rape, she has a much bigger fight on her hands. Without ruining the story, Valerie learns she wasn’t the only victim. And she’s determined to find out who raped her.

There’s a paranormal/mystery twist, adding creative layers to the story. The ghosts are guiding Valerie to the truth she is seeking. This is the type of novel for readers who like YA that is edgy and dark, with a twist. It’s not all dark though. This story is also about surviving and relying on your true friends.

[Bea (Beatrice Learns To Read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

View more of this review at Beatrice Learns To Read


I received a Digital ARC of this book from Evernight Teen via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. By no means have my review been affected and/or influenced.

I was anxious to read this book at first because of the heavy theme it deals with. At the mention of rape, I was doubtful, but at the same time, intrigued. I really had no idea what to expect with 52 likes but I got absorbed right into it from the beginning till the end.

Valerie was supposed to be at a party but she ends up going to the wrong house and gets raped by a masked man. That scene was handled excellently that my misplaced worry turned into realization that I’m in for something different.

As the story progresses, the readers are shown what a rape victim goes through and how the experience of it can take over someones life. The worries of getting pregnant, or having STD and the procedures a victim has to undergo, Valerie experienced all of it. Not to mention the psychological effect of it on her. Aside from the rape, the book also sheds its light on the sad reality of bullying.

Even before the rape, Valerie has been experiencing bullying at school and is being called names. I really felt for her character but the way she handled things highlight the portrayal of a strong character which is one of the many things that I loved about this book.

The paranormal aspect though, came as a surprise. It played a big role in the story as it was incorporated where it was needed. Valerie keeps receiving strange pictures and messages from ghost accounts on Picomatic (Instagram-like app) which leads to the discovery that she isn’t the only victim of this rapist and she needs to find out who did this to her and to the other girls.

52 Likes is a dark read but still caters to the YA demographic. I guarantee that readers will be able to connect to this book. Setting aside the paranormal, this book is very real. It is also a book that I would described as a gem that everyone must hear about.

[Susan Swiderski · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about this book? I LIKED it; I reeeeally liked it. I think it's gonna hit a big fat bull's eye with its target teenaged market, but it's a book well worth reading for us (ahem) more mature folks, as well.

The appeal for teens? The author zeroes in on what it's like to be a teenager in today's world, so kids will definitely be able to relate to the behavior and language of this book's characters. I must admit, I was a little taken aback at the first f-bomb I encountered, but hey! I suppose that IS the way some kids talk nowadays, whether we old effs (as in fogies) like it or not. Social media plays a vital role in this story, which is certainly something kids will understand. What's more, the potential danger of using social media recklessly is also a vital part of the story. Young people's eyes may roll or glaze over when we try to "warn" them about those dangers, but this book, while engrossing them in the story, allows them to reach that conclusion on their own. It teaches a very important lesson without waving an annoying know-it-all finger in their faces. (We ALL hate that, right?) Plus, there's the story itself. Rape and murder, pain and cruelty, and the meaning of true friendship... it's all in there. Oh, and how about some paranormal stuff, too, to stir the pot up even more? Yep, I think this is a book a lot of teens will love. Personally, I plan to buy it for my two teenaged granddaughters.

And for us older folks? It's absolutely eye-opening to see how cruel kids can be to each other. No wonder some kids hate to go to school. I had no idea...

Plus, there's the story. It's captivating, whether you're fourteen, forty, or (ahem) even older. I'd give it four and a half very enthusiastic stars, rounded up to five. Many thanks to the author for sending me a copy for review prior to publication. The rest of you can get YOUR copy on January 16th!

[ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my word! I am so fast becoming a stalker of this author Medeia Sharif. When I read her other book Vitamins and death, I so enjoyed it. When she contacted me to see if I would like to read and review and give my honest take on this book, I agreed, not knowing just how much I would be gripped by this story.

I had to read this in one sitting. I tell you and I kid you not, you won't sleep until you finish it as you need to stay with Valerie.

As any young person does, they go to parties. Some more wild than others. Here we have a group of young people who find empty homes/homes sitting for new occupants and use them for their parties/raves. Except, Valerie ends up at the wrong house, she is raped by a masked man. This is where it all starts and leads you to many things, many aspects of this story. Is Valerie going to be a survivor or a victim.

Then in her discoveries of not allowing her thoughts to rest, she wants to know who her rapist was, it could be anyone, someone she knows, someone she goes to school with, neighbor?

I then wondered where the title of the book came from.........oh my......when I found out, it was ingenious for this author to name this book 52 likes, awesome, it tied in so brilliantly.

Am I fan of this book....oh yes!
Am I fan of this author.......well, this is the 2nd book I have read of hers so........yes! I guess I am.

I really hope someone reads this review and buys this book, because I assure it, it was a book I thoroughly enjoyed, and I am hard to please :)

My thanks goes to Medeia Sharif for contacting me. I am soooo glad you did.

[Kelly Hashway · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Vitamins and Death in one sitting, I knew Sharif could write edgy and dark YA really well, so I jumped at the chance to read 52 Likes. Once again, I couldn't put the book down. The book begins with Valerie being raped. I wasn't sure how I'd endure reading a rape scene, but it was handled really well. I felt Valerie's emotion without being overwhelmed by the horrific act. What I loved about this book was that Valerie doesn't allow herself to sit back and become the victim. She fights. Even when everyone around her is making her feel like she is the one who did something wrong, she continues to seek out her rapist and reveal his identity to everyone.

The ghosts of the rapist's victims appear to Valerie, encouraging her to fight for them, too. Valerie was supposed to die like they did, only a passerby saved her life. And that means her rapist is set on finishing what he started. The mystery behind who the rapist is and the race to reveal him and have him locked up before he gets to her again is what made me keep turning the pages.

If you like darker YA with mystery and some ghosts thrown in, this is the perfect read. I dare you to put it down once you start reading it. ;)

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of 52 LIKES by Medeia Sharif from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Grade: C

After being raped by a masked man (or classmate?), Valerie struggles to move from victim to survivor amid rumors, taunting, and anonymous social media photos of previous rape/murder victims.

Being a victim of rape is excruciatingly painful at any age. I know this as a survivor and someone who has worked with children and teens who know this trauma. Many victims, myself included, find bibliotherapy an important tool in recovery, which is part of the reasons I had such high hopes for 52 LIKES. I wish I could say that this novel came close to meeting my anticipation. There's nothing overtly wrong with this novel, but something felt off and I think by tomorrow I'll struggle to remember the story.

What I liked:

-The concept.
-I thought the paranormal element was an ingenious way to expand the understanding and discussion of topics such as rape and bullying to teen readers who might not otherwise read a straight issue oriented book.
-For the most part, I thought Valerie's reactions and PTSD symptoms were typical and realistic.

What I disliked:

-I never felt connected to Valerie or like I was part of her journey. I wanted her to recover on an intellectual, not an emotional way.
-The writing was flat. It lacked tension and emotion. I was never scared nor did I hold my breath in the parts of the novel where I should have. I never left like I was experiencing the action in a visceral way. Too much telling with virtually little showing.

I would recommend 52 LIKES to teen clients and young adults if they asked, but I probably wouldn't place this novel on a list of best books or mention it if not asked.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me this book to read and review.

52 Likes is a YA contemporary novel set published earlier this year.

Unfortunately, I was let down by this book. I appreciate the author incorporating a controversial topic, however I thought it was poorly executed - the story was quite rushed.

The book started off on a high but slowly went down hill. I didn't really connect with the characters, nor could I empathise with the aftermath as the writing was quite flawed and I could not connect with the characters.

I liked the masked identity and the supernatural element. I was not shocked by the perpetrator and lacked surprise.

Good for if you need a quick read that you can read in a few hours, otherwise I would not recommend.

[Cynthia (Bingeing On Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book could have been handled so much better. It was an intriguing story about a girl who is violently raped and then has to deal with the fact that she has no idea who her attacker is. The problem, I think, was the writing style. It was just bad. I got the impression that the author didn't really know where to put the focus - Valerie's recovery of her trauma or solving the mystery of who did it. Valerie would be trying to figure out the mystery and then, all of a sudden, Valerie would interject some PTSD symptom that she was experiencing because of her rape. The problem was that the author just stated the symptoms, almost as if she were reciting a list of PTSD symptoms off a website. The author didn't really show the symptoms and she didn't do a great job of building the atmosphere for the scenes. Because of that, it was really hard for me to connect with Valerie. Honestly, since this book was only 172 pages, I felt like the author couldn't give Valerie's character development and her recovery nearly enough attention. The book should have been longer. When Valerie talked about how she wasn't sure if she would ever have sex again or have kids, that statement rang very hollow. I am not saying that victims don't feel this way. I know they do. The problem is that Valerie made this statement less than twenty-four hours after her rape. Her attacker was still loose and her bruises had not even healed. It just didn't seem like the sort of thing that Valerie would be thinking about right at that moment. I guess that's why it seemed like the author was just checking symptoms off a checklist in her head, as opposed to considering what her character would actually think and say.

There was also a paranormal element to this story that didn't fit and I wasn't even aware would be part of the story. It was just weird. Maybe the author did that because it helped to move the story about Valerie's attacker along. I don't know, but I felt that could have been handled better. The mystery of Valerie's attacker was a bit predictable. The ending was also a bit too neat and I felt like Valerie herself made comments about rape victims and how they chose to handle their trauma. At one point, Valerie congratulated herself for not being a weepy mess after the rape. Well . . . that's great for her, but rape victims who are "weepy messes" aren't less than those who aren't.

The bottom line is that I feel the book was too short to give her rape and her feelings about her attacker the attention that they deserved.

[Tine’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Source: Thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher-- Evernight Teen.

I finished this for 2 days. The story is about Valerie, a survived rape victim. She’s been bullied in her school calling her THOT, SLUT. When spring break is over , she needs to go to school because she didn’t want any rumors. While struggling and searching to the rapist. What if the ghost from the past kept appearing and asks for help?

“I’m Valerie, yes, that’s me, that’s my name. I’m a high school junior, I have plans in my life, to get good grades and go to college. I was just looking for a little fun tonight, and then the masked man found me or followed me. He laid his hands on me and did what he wanted.”

While reading this story, I’m hurt and full of angered. This is my first time to read this kind of story when there’s someone who is a rape victim. Being in Valerie’s position is never been easy. Physical and Emotional trauma you will get. While reading her POV, I can’t fathom why someone could be so cruel and insensitive especially her guidance counselor. She should be a way to help her students especially when there’s a problem. It was disgusting. The reason why it’s name is 52 likes because when someone DM Valerie on Picomatic a picture there’s 52 likes.
My heart beats faster whenever I read this. Everytime when someone sends her a picture and she’s closer to the rapist. The only thing I don’t like about this is when there’s a ghost. I feel like it’s unreal. Well, that’s for me. Does ghost has a cellphone so that they can send you a picture and to communicate you through social media.
This is a sensitive topic and this is really happening in our society. Even though I can’t relate on the character, my feelings were hurt.
It has a scene that Valerie is being raped. If you can’t take it, I advice that you shouldn’t read this.

People changed. I’ve changed, but few of my peers can see that. To them I’m still a dumb whore they can pick on, and even strangers are now coming after me on Picomatic.

[Robin Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a KINDLE copy of this book from the author through a giveaway she had on LibraryThing and the following is my honest opinion.

What is THE MOST TERRIFYING experience any woman should ever have to face? Now image how this individual would feel if she had only been a teenager looking for an evening of fun at a party in an abandoned or vacant home and had gone to the wrong address, only to be viciously raped and nearly killed. You can image the intense impact this would have on the protagonist of this book, Valerie; can’t you. I know you can.

Being constantly bullied by her classmates had always plagued Valerie, but now, in addition, she not only had to face being taunted with nasty rumors of that fateful night; she also had no idea as to who her masked rapist was. Imagine looking at every guy passing by you and wondering if he had been the guilty culprit who had raped you.

While you would probably want to put this horrific incident of your life and the rest of the negative experiences of your life; Valerie definitely wants to. What she didn’t know when she began her quest to return her life to a sense of normalcy, had been the psychological and metaphysical hurdles she’ll have to face. The most baffling of these had been why all of the eerie photos of the past victims of her rapist/murderer had 52 LIKES under their photos, something which had to be more than mere coincidence.

The author has done a wonderful in writing about Valerie’s real life experience and feelings connecting with spirits of the culprit’s victims, especially the angst she experiences before, during and after her rape; feelings her readers should feel as well as they read this book. But when all is said and done, at the end of the day, will Valerie ultimately become an unfortunate victim of her horrific ordeal, scarred for life; or will she triumph and become a survivor. You’ll have to read the book to find out. As for me, I’m happy to give Ms. Sharif the 5 STARS it deserves.

[Beverly McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rape. We read about it in the newspapers. We see it on the TV news. We see how this act of violence affects the life of the victims, their families and their friends. We may even know someone whose life has been changed by this horrible crime.

Author Medeia Sharif’s latest YA novel, 52 LIKES, opens with a rape scene that catches the readers’ attention at once. The author describes the scene just right. It’s not gross, with gory details, but it contains enough description and the victim’s thoughts that I was caught up in the scene with Valerie , imagining the terror she felt. The fear. Wanting it to end. Helpless to stop it.

She survives and although she’d like to stay hidden and forget the horrid event, she can’t. She’s afraid, yes, but she’s also determined to discover who raped her and see that he’s caught and punished. Until she does, she can’t have her life back. Facing the rumors at school, the school counselor who doesn’t care, and the boys that taunt her and call her names isn’t easy. Soon she finds herself searching not only for the rapist for herself, but also for the three other girls in the photos that appeared on her cell, the ghost girls that he’s killed, his original plan for Valerie, until someone intervened.

Medeia Sharif has written a story that, unfortunately, is true to life. She’s given us a glimpse into the mind of a victim. The author keeps the reader in suspense throughout the book, letting us wonder who the rapist/murderer is until the very end.

In 52 LIKES, we also see a lovely mother-daughter relationship. When everyone else fails her, Valerie’s mother is there. Valerie is a character that you want to hug and protect and help her realize the beauty inside herself. This is a good book to use for a discussion on bullying and how hatred can destroy lives and relationships. Nice job.

I was provided with an ARC for my honest review.
###

[Sunsettowers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. This did not effect my opinion of the book, or my review itself.

The good about 52 Likes:

The idea of social media being used to solve a crime is one that fascinates me. We are currently seeing examples of this with podcasts like Serial and Missing Maura Murray, as well as online forums for solving cold cases, and even PostSecret possibly getting a clue to a murder from the murderer themself.

52 Likes explores how social media can hurt victims of crime, but also help bring their attackers to justice. Through Valerie, her protagonist, Sharif shows how, thanks to technology, one moment can haunt a person for a lifetime. But Valerie is strong, and works to turn friendship and photo sites to her own advantage.

The not-so-good about 52 Likes:

The writing style is unfortunately flat. Sharif does a lot of telling, and not a lot of showing. When metaphors are used, they read as cliched. Sharif also seems to repeat herself a lot, giving the readers the same information over and over again.

The big twist seems to come out of nowhere, and doesn't really make much sense looking back. Valerie also seems to figure it out in a sudden flash, off of very little information.

The other negative is, for me, a personal preference. This was a very dark story, with very little light. So many bad things had happened, and kept happening to Valerie, many times in graphic detail. I do read a lot of darker mysteries and thrillers, but there has to be some glimmer of hope throughout, not just in the last few pages.

I personally wouldn't read another book by this author, or recommend it to a friend. It wasn't for me.

[Kariny · Rating 3 out of 5]

*free copy from Netgalley*

MY REVIEW

The book opens up with a rape scene and immediately grabs your attention. You get sucked into the plot really fast.

Valerie is definitely a tough character. She's strong on a mental level and though she breaks down sometimes, she faces school and everything else head on. She's not a pity-me protagonist and just breaks out of the 'victim' role you would normally have expected her to be.

I liked the realistic aspect the author integrated in it. This is a kinda no-sugar-coating book. The author exposes the cruelty of teenagers and how gossip can hurt and break someone apart.

What i didn't like about the book was maybe the length and the writing. It seemed super short for a subject that demands time to heal and all. The writing was pretty much flat most of the time. I say most of the time because at times you couldn't help but feel Valerie's fear and sorrow when she described her feelings. That for me was a great aspect of the book because i wanted to understand her.

I think for me, it lacked suspense and a kind of twist. I wasn't that pressurized to find out who the killer was and even then when i found out i was like-ok. I think the ghost/supernatural aspect is underdeveloped and does not really support the main idea.

[Chrys Fey · Rating 5 out of 5]

52 Likes starts with a horrifying moment that no girl or woman ever wants to go through (should never have to) and yet they do. The rape scene is haunting, horrible, and reads so real. I feel for Valerie. I feel her grief and pain. Her rapist wore a mask, his voice gruff, his cologne familiar but she didn't recognize him. This man who took a piece of her and changed her life forever.

Valerie's not looking forward to going back to school after spring break, afraid her friends would've figure out her secret. And after something foolish she did the previous year, she's worried more than ever that she'll be bullied and called a slut who asked for it.

When Valerie starts to get odd pictures through social media, each with 52 likes, a mystery unfolds that's connected to her and the rape. This story had me on the edge of my seat with a broken heart. I was rooting for Valerie from beginning to end. I wanted her rapist to pay!

5 stars! Recommended to anyone who doesn't mind rape scenes.

[Beth Ellyn Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one day. It gripped me from the start. This is a paranormal story about a girl named Valerie who is brutally raped and almost killed. When pictures are being randomly sent to her social media, she notices that each one has 52 Likes. This mystery leads her on a quest to find her rapist. The story is riveting, the cast of characters is unique and the ending is one of those shockers that makes you want to go back and read it again, this time knowing who the rapist is. I love how this author brings up very real topics, such as bullying, in this book. I can't wait to read more from Medeia.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book less than 12 hours ago. I can't explain how captivating this story is and real. It is a real story. Not REAL, but real enough that us teenagers have a way of understanding Valerie.
Valerie. Wow. She is so strong, and she's the type of person I want to be. She decides that she doesn't want to put up with Cesar and Leon's immaturity and fights back.
This is honestly more of a 4.7 rather than a 5, but it's close enough, so why not?
I guess the writing style wasn't exactly my favourite type of writing, but it didn't affect my reading.

[Tracey Digilormo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! Did not put it down until I finished. This might be a YA book however everyone can benefit from reading. It shows the strength and determination of Valerie. She was not just going to become a victim.
There are details given but they were not overdone. This is the first book I have read by Sharif. I can't wait to read more. What are you waiting for? Grab your book now you won't be disappointed.

[Erica D`souza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author in return for an honest review.

When I`m about to say something directly related to a character that might come across as a spoiler to some but definitely to me- I will warn you so that you can close your one eye or scroll quickly.

I doubt I`d be as brave as Valerie (only half of this confession is related to what she went through. But considering everything else-yeah, I`m being very honest right now) But I would try….Now with that being said let’s get on with The Review-

Good book. Good read.

Cookie- She is my favorite character in this book.

This may or may not be a true story, I haven’t asked the author yet- but at the end you will feel like there are sick people out there with reasons for the horrible, terrible things they do that don’t make sense.



When she finally finds out who her rapist is




The Last chapter got me imagining Valerie's face -which is something like this.

[Peter Henrichsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to read the review in a proper layout, you'll find it here at our blog: YouthCultureDenmark.com



A bunch of teens from Miami Gardens High have started a new tradition: partying in abandoned houses!

But one evening in a rainy thunderstorm 17 year old Valerie picks the wrong house, and in the empty premises she gets raped by an extremely violent man who appears out of nowhere!

An old homeless man saves her from also being strangled by the rapist, but Valerie’s nightmare is far from over.

All night she has to go through police interrogations and rape examination at the hospital, and when she starts high school again, there’s already a rumour going on: about Valerie participating in a gang-bang that got out of control and sent her to hospital.

Even though Valerie’s best friend Cookie stands up for her, a couple of guys make her life at school a living hell. They call her slut, hoe and thot because a half naked picture of her – only for her ex boyfriend to see – were sent in text messages to every mobile on school.

Suddenly new photos appear on Valerie’s mobile. Crops of pictures of naked girls in unnatural postures. Girls have disappeared from Miami Gardens High, one found murdered recently. Is this the same person texting Valerie?

Excerpt from ’52 likes’

Samples are taken from what seems like every part of my body: Under my fingernails, from between my legs – even though I want to keep them shut. Hair is cut, and I won’t get my clothes back, not that I can even use the torn rags that once made a nice outfit. A nurse sees a piece of lint in my hair, and some other woman with gloves picks it off me. My body is a crime scene.

The masked man left vestiges of himself all over me, the way an animal leaves tracks or a burglar leaves fingerprints. But I know how it goes. Not all criminals are found, even when the police work is done by code and the victim is open and willing for justice to be served.

What it’s like after a horrible rape
’52 likes’ begins like a contemporary with detailed descriptions of all the feelings you go through after a rape. It’s a gigantic sea of difficult emotions: sorrow, fear, anger and especially powerlessness, because where do you aim your frustrations when you don’t even know your rapist and assailant?

That part was so well written. All Valeries feelings were absorbed directly into my mind. Of course it’s very understandable that Valerie becomes so depressive that every thought she thinks is about bad experiences she has had in her life, but if the direction of the story hadn’t changed into a mystery about the identity of the rapist, it would also have felt a bit too sad.

Actually, Valerie – as a narrator – reminded me a lot of Hannah’s tape-voice in Jay Ashers ‘Thirteen reasons why’. Maybe even better.

I’ll choose to see it as a contemporary
With a ‘in medias res’ the story was thrilling from the first site, and when the depressive part is over, it gets even more exciting.

Unfortunately I wasn’t impressed by the ending. It shows clearly that plot twists aren’t one of Medeia Sharif’s strengths. It felt almost like middle school fiction; like the end of a ‘The Famous Five’ novel by Enid Blyton.

Because the contemporary part of ’52 likes’ was one the best I’ve read this year, I’ll forget the easy ending and won’t look at the story as a mystery but as a contemporary novel; a stunning and educational one about all the confusing and contradictory emotions you’ll have to live through as a result of long time bullying and a horrible rape.

(Thanks NetGalley for the e-ARC of this novel)

[Georgia A · Rating 3 out of 5]

View all my reviews

Thanks to Evernight Teen for sending me a copy of 52 Likes through Netgalley.

"I am alive. I had survived that night."

Valerie only wanted to go to the party, she didn't want to be a victim of rape. Now she is plagued with the feelings of victimhood as well as the bullying from the kids at school after a few racy photos leaked. To make things worse, Valerie is beginning to see ghost-like figures in the shadows that she believes are the ghosts of the girls who are victims of her masked rapist. Not only that, but girls have started to send her creepy messages, all with 52 likes, asking her to help them.

Personally, I had a problem with Medeia Sharif's writing style. It felt clumsy, rushed and wasn't able to convey emotion and mood properly. With the kind of plot that 52 Likes had, a longer story was needed to portray the mystery and build up more tension. The lack of depth in the writing made me feel disconnected and I didn't care about what was going to happen in the story. On a more positive note, Medeia incorporated many messages in the writing such as staying strong, the power of determination and the ability to not give up through the difficult topic of rape; which I am extremely glad she addressed and addressed well.

The premise for 52 Likes sounded so promising, but once I read it I was disappointed. At first, I was immediately drawn into the plot with the opening scene, but from there I felt the book went downhill. The idea had so much potential and I applaud Medeia for this unique idea but I think that a little improvement could have been made in the conveying of it. It just seemed to lack the suspense it needed to give it that little boost and complement the 'mystery' element of the novel. I enjoyed the sense of drama that the supernatural element added. It was refreshing to read a good creepy book that made my spine tingle. The realness of the situation was also a very aspect of the book. It didn't sugar coat the horribleness of rape and the effect it's repercussions have on its victims.

Valerie, the main character, had a vey strong personality and a vigorous determination to live her life not feeling like a victim. Apart from this, she was a bit flat. I wanted to relate to her, I really did, but I just couldn't. Whenever she felt upset or afraid, I didn't feel any empathy and it ruined the experience of reading this. I also disliked how Valerie insulted others constantly and picked on them because of the way it did; it was very annoying and I developed a love/hate relationship with her. 

All in all, 52 Likes was an okay book. It discussed harsh topics that people need to understand and a very unique idea that I enjoyed reading about. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick thriller.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting short read, but it has some problems.
At first, this book was completely unbearable to read. It did get a little better. I was engrossed in it by the end but there are still some flaws here.
Here are some of my problems with it:
1) The writing is not very good. She explains too much instead of showing us how she actually feels. Flat!
2) Her inner voice does not sound like her at times. It sounds disconnected, like an older women talking about something that happened to her in the past. I think a very important perspective needed this is perhaps someone who went through the same, if this account is close to the actual thing. I'm not a rape victim but I cringed at times.
3) While definitely an interesting twist, the part about ghosts isn't smoothly inserted. Everyone believes her with no problem and she has no doubt of their existence, or rather accepts it too easily.
What I did like was
1) Her character, or what it was supposed to be - her trying not to give up. It was hard to feel connected with her though.
2) How well-researched the social media aspect seems to be (less people have used "Chumster" aka Facebook and more are using Picomatic aka Instagram). There were parts that definitely felt real, where I was like, "yeah, being a teenager is like this." For example, situations where she had to be crude or others were rude to her.
3) The concept
No sugar-coating is always nice too.

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review. Thank you NetGalley and Evernight Teen.

[Yafania T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story grabbed me and held me until the very end. It's a wonderful read with a strong and beautiful main character. The unveiling of the murderer was a surprise and a shock.

I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest Review.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read

This book was a very easy read and was able to keep my attention. It was more of teenish book than I had expected, but overall pretty good.

[alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Title: 52 Likes
Author: Medeia Sharif
Publisher: Evernight Teen
Publication Date: January 2015
Rating: 2 stars

Opening Line:

“No!”

*I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

52 Likes is the first novel from Medeia Sharif that I’ve read, and I’m glad I received a copy through NetGalley so I didn’t have to buy it myself. I personally have not read many decent YA murder mysteries, so I was hoping for a change when I downloaded this one. Unfortunately, this one was just not for me.

The novel is about Valerie who is in her junior year of high school. During her sophomore year, she made a mistake that her classmates won’t forget; they bully her and taunt her every day for what she did. Junior year is worse, though — Valerie goes to the wrong abandoned house in search of a party and ends up being brutally beaten and raped. Before her perpetrator can kill her, he is interrupted and runs off, leaving Valerie to live with the physical and emotional scars. Not only was the rape traumatic enough, but now there are nasty rumors going around school that only fuel the bullies’ taunts. Valerie can’t seem to escape the memories, and someone (or something) won’t let her give up the hunt for her rapist. She starts receiving messages on a social media site from ghost accounts, pushing her to discover the identity of her rapist. Will solving the mystery bring Valerie peace at last?

The novel is told in first-person from Valerie’s point of view. This is where the author makes her first mistake. I think a story about a rape victim should definitely be in first-person, but I don’t think Sharif succeeded in this. I found it very hard to connect to Valerie. I don’t think her character was flushed out enough, so I was unable to really get to know her or care about her. In fact, I wasn’t really able to connect with any of the characters; they all just seemed flat and one-dimensional to me. I needed more emotion from a story about such a horrific topic, and I just didn’t get it here. Another issue I had with this novel was the plot. I am really bad at solving mysteries — really bad . That’s partially why I like to read them, because I am on the edge of my seat the whole time because I have no idea what’s going on. Novels like The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl had me guessing through every page. Most YA mysteries are simpler than adult novels such as those, but I think 52 Likes was just too simple. I was maybe halfway through the book when I had an inkling of who it was, and then I began to realize how blatantly obvious it was. Sharif constantly points it out and makes it quite obvious who the killer is. Maybe I suddenly got really good at solving these mysteries, but I doubt it — I just think it was too simple.

My final big issue with this novel is the writing; I found it to be very amateur, which contributed to the simplicity of both the characters and the plot. I thought the characters were immature and the wording was all wrong. I thought “thot” was used entirely too often and sometimes in really strange contexts. Yes, I know what a thot is, and I think it’s a really stupid 21st century concept, but I felt like it was overused. A lot of Valerie’s thoughts were repeated, too. Valerie would have thoughts and ideas in one chapter that were repeated almost word for word throughout the novel. I think the author could have broadened her vocabulary and maybe stepped up the maturity level a bit. I understand these are high schoolers, but it just struck a wrong chord in my mind. The dialogue was not believable at all, and Valerie’s thoughts just seemed…off.

Unfortunately, this novel did not impress me. I honestly did not even read the summary before requesting it on NetGalley, so the whole paranormal thing was a surprise. I didn’t really expect ghosts in a story about rape. Perhaps I’m being too harsh on the novel, but that’s my opinion; read it for yourself if you’d like, but I personally wouldn’t pay for it.

[Melissa Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

(In no way does receiving an ARC of this eBook does it effect how I am going to review. Please note that this is my personal opinion, and you should in no way have to agree with me in any way.)
This is the story of a teenage girl named Valerie who went to a party and ended up in the wrong house. This ended with her being raped, and nearly murdered by the hands of her attacker. All she knows about her attacker, was that he has a familiar smell. Days go past, and she is trying to come to terms with what has happened to her and her emotions regarding it. As most victims of rape often do, Valerie is going through a whole lot of emotions, most of them negative and self-loathing, and she does not know who she can speak to or how. As if being raped wasn’t enough for her, she has to worry about having gotten pregnant from this one horrible night and the stress of having maybe gotten an STD.
Just to add fuel to fire, she is being bullied by a group of boys at her school, as well as being verbally assaulted by class mates, ignored by teachers and brushed off by her guidance counsellor.
She gets a picture message of another girl who seemed to be sexually assaulted, and it seems to be linked to what happened to her. The only problem is she doesn’t know who the girl is, but she knows the girl goes or went to her school. This means that her rapist, is walking the very school hallways she does every day. Valarie uses this picture as the first clue to finding out who hurt her. This is what starts up her vigilante episode where she tried to find out the identity of her attacker, and find the other victims.
This was an intriguing story. I can honestly say it was totally unlike any story I have ever read. We have a little bit of drama, suspense and even a hint of the supernatural. However, there were parts of the book that seemed to drag on, and others that went so fast you tend to lose sight of what is happening. I found myself wanting to carry on reading, even when it became obvious who the assailant was. (The author leaves subtle hints about who he is from the very beginning.)
The main character both annoyed and fascinated me. I found myself growing bored with her internal ramblings and her constant feelings of no self worth. But when she was investigating the other girls who got raped, I found myself actually liking her more as she was no longer this whimpering main character but someone who seemed to want to do something about the situation she was in. so I guess my feelings regarding the main character are slightly mixed.
There were some parts of the book where I got annoyed with the progression of the story. And parts where I found it to be too unbelievable or even plausible. And yes, I know that the whole story is unbelievable with the supernatural aspect and what not, but I am referring to the way in which the events unfolded, there were just so many coincidences. A person can only have so many Aha! moments before getting seriously irritated.
Overall I liked the book and the story, although it might not really be a memorable book. It caters for the classic YA demographic in every aspect. Although some parts may be dark and heavy, it is a very easy book to get through. There are moments that feel very real and authentic, even with the supernatural moments. It is a good book overall, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an easy to read novel.