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Genesis Girl

(Blank Slate #1)

Jennifer Bardsley (Goodreads Author)

3.87 · Rating details · 454 ratings · 202 reviews

Eighteen-year-old Blanca has lived a sheltered life. Her entire childhood has been spent at Tabula Rasa School where shes been protected from the Internet.

Blanca has never been online and doesnt even know how to text. Her lack of a virtual footprint makes her extremely valuable, and upon graduation, Blanca and those like her are sold to the highest bidders.

Blanca is ...more

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Published September 27th 2016 by Month9Books (first published June 14th 2016)

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· 454 ratings · 202 reviews

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Jun 04, 2016 Ben Alderson rated it it was amazing

4.5

Really enjoyable and unique story. I have been thinking about it for the past day and how to best describe it but it really is super unique. This idea of a set of people in society with not virtual footprint is SO INTERESTING! I loved the take on this dystopian/ futuristic world. I really enjoyed the romance that grew through out the novel, also the MYSTERY AND THRILLING EVENTS IN THIS BOOK ARE SO GOOD!

I recommend this book HIGHLY!

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Jul 31, 2016 Jaela rated it liked it

So, yeah.. this happened.

It started perfectly perfect. I was so amazed by the beginning and the synopsis, but somehow, along the way, this book lost its magic.

I liked so much Blanca at the beginning. She looked like a strong girl, ready to face everything. This lasted for about 1/3rd of the book. Then she sounded totally like another person. She was influenced so easily by everyone and kept changing her opinions, thoughts and decisions very often. It made her look so immature. She ended up ...more

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Jul 28, 2015 Laurie Flynn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sweet-sixteens, young-adult

Some days, I feel kind of horrified by the influence technology holds over my life. Im joined at the hip with my phone. My fingers are glued to my tablet. My iPod is on full blast. So I was immediately intrigued by the premise for GENESIS GIRL, which is set in a future where the aftermath of a brain cancer epidemic brought on by cell phones scared parents though to entrust their children to a leader who would keep them safe and technology-free. These children would grow up to be Vestals, and Some days, I feel kind of horrified by the influence technology holds over my life. I’m joined at the hip with my phone. My fingers are glued to my tablet. My iPod is on full blast. So I was immediately intrigued by the premise for GENESIS GIRL, which is set in a future where the aftermath of a brain cancer epidemic brought on by cell phones scared parents though to entrust their children to a leader who would keep them safe and technology-free. These children would grow up to be Vestals, and would have no Internet footprint. This makes them extremely valuable. Companies want them to advertise their products, knowing there is no chance that a Vestal could have a sordid backstory traceable online.

The main character in GENESIS GIRL is Blanca, a Vestal who is auctioned off to the highest bidder. Except instead of being on billboards and magazine covers selling soap, Blanca’s buyer, Cal, has a different idea. He wants her to act as his daughter, and help him gain a relationship with his estranged son, Seth, who is the total opposite of Blanca—technology-addicted and the operator of an online blog intent on exposing Vestals. But even though she’s fundamentally opposed to everything he stands for, Blanca finds herself falling for Seth, although she’d never admit it. When she starts to learn more about the Vestal leader and the secrets of her past are brought to the surface, Blanca must tap into the courage to do what she’s never been able to—think for herself, and make her own decisions.

Fast-paced and action-packed, this was a book I had a hard time putting down. I desperately wanted Blanca to claim the life Cal wants her to have, complete with freedom and the ability to do the things she wants to do. As a main character, she’s very intriguing—because of how she was raised, she has no idea what she wants in life or how to achieve it. Her journey to find herself is, for me, the most fascinating part of the story.

I love how completely original the concept of the story is. Jennifer Bardsley has envisioned a future wherein technology isn’t just at one’s fingertips, but in them, in the form of finger-chips. Blanca is disgusted with how dependent people are on technology. Having never been online, she’s at the opposite end of the spectrum. It's a commentary on our society today-- how sometimes, it's almost impossible to disconnect from our devices.

A thought-provoking, imaginative, and totally unique story—I’m looking forward to the sequel!
...more

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Jul 03, 2016 Lillian ☁ Cloud 9 Books ☁ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, science-fiction, young-adult, read-in-2016

***** 4.5 Stars *****

Many years from today, people all over the world will be connected to the internet with a chip in their thumbs. No more cell phones. Cell phones are not only obsolete, but no one uses them because of the cancer epidemic. Yes... cell phones caused a cancer epidemic...

Anyways, some genius thought it would be a good idea to start a school where children would be protected from technology. When they grow up, they would have no digital footprint. Their blank history made them ...more

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Aug 04, 2016 Tracey (Life and Literature) rated it liked it

"...the internet is addicting. It tears users apart from the people they love."

What an interesting concept! Can you imagine having never had access to the internet? How would you go not being able to have the use of a mobile phone? I can remember when the technology that we have, and take for granted today, was first introduced to me. I was blown away by the internet and what became available to me at the touch of a button. The same goes for mobile phones. I never for a minute thought that I "...the internet is addicting. It tears users apart from the people they love."

What an interesting concept! Can you imagine having never had access to the internet? How would you go not being able to have the use of a mobile phone? I can remember when the technology that we have, and take for granted today, was first introduced to me. I was blown away by the internet and what became available to me at the touch of a button. The same goes for mobile phones. I never for a minute thought that I would ever become reliant on the technology that we have today, but I'd be absolutely lost without it!

They had castrated my virtual identity for the promise of a better life.

Blanca and her fellow students at Tabula Rasa have lived their whole lives sheltered from cyberspace. That makes them very valuable. Upon graduation they are sold off to the highest bidder who utilise them for promotion and sales of their products. But the man who purchases Blanca has other ideas for her.

I am loyal. I am discreet. I follow the rules.

I think the thing that I liked most about Genesis Girl was the growth of Blanca. For most of the book she really struggles to think for herself and make decisions. That's how she's been raised. But as things develop and situations are brought to light, Blanca finally begins to think for herself. She learns that she's more than what she's been raised to believe, and she also doesn't just blindly take as oath everything she's told.

I also really liked Cal, who was the one to purchase Blanca, and his son Seth, who runs a tabloid blog. Although there were times that I wished that they'd communicate better with each other, I really liked where things ended up for them. Despite Seth's tough exterior, he really had a soft, caring heart.

I did think that occasionally things moved a little too quickly and could have been a bit better fleshed out. However, I do really look forward to gaining a greater connection with the characters in the next book though. A quick and intriguing read, Genesis Girl certainly had me thinking about different aspects of the media and the ways they go about gaining a story. If you're looking for an original storyline, then Genesis Girl is definitely that.

3.5/5 Stars. ...more

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Jun 29, 2015 Erin Dunn rated it really liked it

http://angelerin.blogspot.com/2016/04...

I received a free ebook copy from Month9Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Month9Books and Jennifer Bardsley!

When I first started reading Genesis Girl I wasn't sure about it. The beginning was a little odd and confusing to me. Once I got adjusted to the world then it got so much better and the rest of the book just flew by.

At the start of the book I was not sure where the story was going to go, but I was pleasantly surprised at where it ...more

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Jun 24, 2015 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, sweet-sixteens, sixteen-to-read

Internet access is now a part of everyones life and its hard to determine what would happen if we were forced to give up our precious technology. For this reason, the concept of Genesis Girl fascinated me. I loved the way the author explores both the good and bad of technology and presents two extremes the Vestals (who have no online presence) and the Viruses (whose lives revolve around technology). Im really looking forward to reading the rest of the series and finding out if theres a middle ...more

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Oct 09, 2016 Doug Bradshaw rated it liked it · review of another edition

This is a very short book, probably more of a long short story. I was entertained. The writing is sharp and easy to read. I was in the mood for a quick YA story and that's just what I got.

The world portrayed makes me think of the kids being raised by strict polygamist families in Southern Utah, Canada and maybe still in Mexico. Keep the women and kids away from the horrors and pollution of real life, Television and the internet so that they can serve the men in various ways.

Three stars means I ...more

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Nov 15, 2015 Storme Reads A Lot rated it it was amazing

*I received a free advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review from month 9 books*

Technology is addictive. I have a hard time drawing myself away from my phone or my iPad. Genesis Girl contains a world where technology has caused ruin; cell phones caused a sweep of brain cancer which killed a great number of people and made others wary of any form of technology. It is a rather stark, but realistic picture of the future we could someday face. This movement is called the Vestals. They *I received a free advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review from month 9 books*

Technology is addictive. I have a hard time drawing myself away from my phone or my iPad. Genesis Girl contains a world where technology has caused ruin; cell phones caused a sweep of brain cancer which killed a great number of people and made others wary of any form of technology. It is a rather stark, but realistic picture of the future we could someday face. This movement is called the Vestals. They are free from all forms of technology, raised to lead very sheltered lives until they are chosen by bidders to become the face for various campaigns and sell the products they are told, leading lives they really have no control over.

Any novel that starts with someone getting kicked in the balls is going to be awesome. This book truly does begin this way. It is action packed and fast paced throughout. I never felt like there was a time when I was bored or not dying to see what was going to happen next. The main character Blanca sells for the highest amount during the ceremony the Vestals undergo when they turn old enough. In a moment, her life is changed forever. She goes from living among her own kind to living in a world she was taught to manipulate in subtle ways and do whatever she can to please her bidder. She doesn't believe she has any free will or choice of her own. Blanca craves to be told what to do, how to act, and who to be. When Cal, her bidder, tells her to make her own choices-- such as becoming a part of his family as a daughter-- Blanca struggles. She has a hard time processing not being controlled by other people because it's what she has been taught her whole life.

Blanca surprised me by how strong she is. In the beginning, she wants to lose herself in being told what to do and not imagine a world where she is able to make choices. As chance and opportunities are presented to her, she begins to see the world in a whole new way. Although Blanca has a hard time, she learns to embrace the new world she is living in.

Jennifer Bardsley did an amazing job with Genesis Girl. I was hooked the whole time I was reading it. Blanca has such a great voice and she is always herself. I appreciated the reality of the novel, hoe dangerous technology and social media can be if used the wrong way. This book also teaches it can be a positive tool, as long as it doesn't overtake your entire being. I couldn't stop reading this book and was already dying for the sequel before it was even over. Genesis Girl is an amazing and addictive read. Check it out! ...more

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Jun 29, 2015 Melanie McFarlane rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult

I was immediately pulled into Blanca's world, where technology overruns the lives of most (known as Viruses), except a select few raised apart from society (known as Vestals). But of course, corporations find a way to profit from Vestals, auctioning them off to the highest bidding corporation to be used as pure advertisements in a world filled with imperfections.

The majority of the novel takes place in the McNeal manor, and this is carried out perfect. Never once did it seem limiting.

The ...more

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Jun 30, 2016 Grace rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars

Sometimes a synopsis hooks you in, but doesn't deliver.
That is not the case this book.
This story is completely unique and unexpected, taking a reality that is easy to comprehend and twisting to pure fantasy.

Have you ever gone a period of time with no technology? No phones. No internet. No social media. If yes, did you have an inch to log on? This book explores our obsession to the point of addiction with technology, taking it one step further. Those addicted to the internet are called ...more

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Feb 18, 2017 Taylor Knight rated it liked it

I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such an odd read. The concept is really cool and interesting but I had such a hard time relating to the main character.
I really loved Blanca's character development. I thought was nearly spot on and I'm curious to see what development she has in the next book. However, she was so... dramatic. She came across as brain washed and plain and boring. I felt bad for hating her because she was brain washed ...more

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Feb 07, 2016 Liza Wiemer rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

So unique! Haven't read anything like thisstudents (Vestals) growing up in a place protected by the Internet.
It's nearly midnight, so FRTC, but I am deeply impressed with the futuristic world Jenny Bardsley created! Love Blanca, Seth, Cal, and Lydia. Love Fatima and Beau.
Yes, technology definitely has its evils, but there's a lot of good. This novel will open your eyes and see it through different lenses.

If you're looking for something different: sci-fi, futuristic, thriller romance, ...more

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Aug 08, 2015 Bridget Hodder rated it it was amazing

Blanca knows that the way of the Vestals is the best way. The clean way. The correct way. She's untouched by the crazed culture of implanted internet addiction that rages in the world around her walled sanctum. She's grateful to be a Vestal--one of the select few people, both male and female, who are raised to have no digital footprint. The beauty and purity of the Vestals, and their mystique, means that though they shun the media, the media will always keep trying to penetrate their secrets.

Blanca knows that the way of the Vestals is the best way. The clean way. The correct way. She's untouched by the crazed culture of implanted internet addiction that rages in the world around her walled sanctum. She's grateful to be a Vestal--one of the select few people, both male and female, who are raised to have no digital footprint. The beauty and purity of the Vestals, and their mystique, means that though they shun the media, the media will always keep trying to penetrate their secrets.

Blanca's been trained, like the others, to obey without question. So she doesn't question a lot of things...including why Vestals raised to never be photographed, to never take part in the voracious media madness, would suddenly, when they reach the right age, be auctioned off to the highest bidder and become the media faces of huge global companies.

But when a media hound breaks into the Vestal compound and manages to get a photograph of Blanca, he sets in motion a chain of events that forces Blanca to face the truth right in front of her eyes...and to discover truths even more dangerous that have been carefully hidden.

Exciting, action-packed, full of suspense. I found that this book didn't cleave to a predictable, routine format, so I was constantly being surprised by what developed. I even had suspicions of certain characters, who turned out to be different than I supposed. The author uses the filter of Blanca's naive and inexperienced point of view to make certain plot twists even more effective. Then Blanca begins to learn and change, so the reader can discover how things really are, right along with her.

What a thrill ride! I love this kind of speculative fiction--it makes us question the way we behave in the Now, in light of how these things might play out in this generation or the next. You read it and say to yourself: "Oh, things could never get that bad, we would never go that far.." and then you wonder "....or would we?" So I think if you loved books like Kate Jarvik Birch's PERFECTED (like me), then you'll also love GENESIS GIRL (like me).

I finished it fast, and I'm still thinking about it. I had two questions at the end: When is Book 2 coming out, and when will there be a movie?!!

(I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.) ...more

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Mar 22, 2016 Jamie (Books and Ladders) rated it did not like it

Shelves: did-not-finish

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

DNF @ 33%

Okay where do I start with this one. First of all, I was really confused. It felt like the beginning was told out of order almost. There was a "fast paced introduction" that was followed by some random introductions and an info-dump. But even the info-dump didn't tell me anything that cleared up my confusion.

I was also really uncomfortable with how this whole process was explained and being treated. I feel ...more

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Mar 24, 2016 Karen Fortunati rated it it was amazing

MC Blanca is a cyber virgin known as a Vestal in the future world setting of Genesis Girl. Groomed in isolation with other Vestals from birth, she is taught to be obedient, unthinking and compliant. In this future world, society is tech-consumed with hardware now implanted into fingertips. Vestals, because of their cyber-purity, are the new celebrities and purchased at exorbitant prices by corporations to advertise. Well, that's the goal. In Blanca's case, a paparazzi-tech manages to get a photo ...more

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Jun 26, 2015 S.M. Parker rated it it was amazing

Genesis Girl grabbed my attention from the first time I'd heard about its unique premise: The main character holds the highest value in a technology-obsessed society because of her lack of an online footprint. I'm happy to say that the book did not disappoint. Bianca is a Vestal, a person who is raised to bear no digital footprint and keeps a clear distance from the mediauntil she is unexpectedly forced into the media spotlight. Without giving too much away, this book was full of suspense and ...more

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Apr 20, 2016 Amber Ballard rated it it was amazing

Shelves: series

Genesis Girl (Blank Slate) by Jennifer Bardsley This story had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! I feel in love with the character so easy and quickly, usually it's just a couple of characters I love and want to know more about but I have to say I was drawed into every character! From the main character to her headmaster!!! I can't wait to read the next book, I'm hooked!!!

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Jul 28, 2015 Laura Shovan rated it it was amazing

I don't review books, but I do blog about them.

Read my post about GENESIS GIRL here: http://laurashovan.com/2016/04/lauras...

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Jun 22, 2016 Once rated it really liked it

I made a mistake with this book. I started it as I was in bed ready to sleep thinking I'd just read a chapter. Well, a chapter turned into two hours and being halfway done with Genesis Girl. I finished it the next morning and was amazed.

Genesis Girl follows our main girl Blanca and her journey with the "tech" world. It is set in a future where technology and the internet have affected the human race negatively-- causing brain cancer because of cell phones. So it's been upped and people WORSHIP ...more

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Jul 17, 2016 Anne Huart (Books & Tea) rated it it was ok

2.5 stars
This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Well, the storyline was promising, but I must say I was not convinced by the execution.

The idea of a future world composed of people addicted to social medias is really not so far from reality. And a part of the population decimated by brain cancer due to excessive radiation is a frightening but plausible hypothesis.

The main character, Blanca, is part of what is considered an elite in this over-connected world : Vestals. Kids ...more

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Aug 08, 2015 Ruth Lehrer rated it it was amazing

Lucky me! I received an ARC of this 2016 YA novel. What a creative, imaginative debut! At the beginning of the book, Blanca is about to be auctioned off for her ability to be a virtual blank slate--no web presence, no digital life, no implanted finger chips, nothing. She also has the disability of having been brought up in a cult-like environment which has kept her personality and her ability to think for herself a blank slate too.

With shades of Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale, and a bit of ...more

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Jan 18, 2016 Jeanne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2016

This story takes our modern-day obsession and monetization of social media and flips it on its head. In Blanca's world, the most valuable commodity is privacy and the lack of an internet footprint. As a Vestal, she's remained "pure" and sold to the highest bidder. She's also been brainwashed into accepting such a fate. When she starts falling for a technophile paparazzi (AKA a Virus), things get complicated. To live a life where she's free to choose who to love and what to believe, she must find ...more

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Apr 25, 2016 Elisa Dane rated it it was amazing

Excellent read. The story grabbed my attention from the first page and never let me go. I read the book in one sitting, which is something I haven't done in quite a while. I could not put it down. Really loved Blanca's strength and courage. I love a bad boy, so of course I fell for Seth right away. I mean, c'mon. Tech savvy, swoony, and tatted? Totally my type. Highly recommend!

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May 23, 2016 Gabby rated it really liked it

4.5 stars!

Such an amazing read! If YA Sci-Fi is your thing, I highly recommend picking it up!

Check out my full review on my blog; http://gabbytheblogger.blogspot.com.a...

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Jun 19, 2015 J. Ford rated it it was amazing

Amazing book!! So freaking good. Full review to come soon.

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Aug 26, 2016 Britta Böhler rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: scifi-fantasy, 2016, debuts, kindle-scribd, femlit, one-star

Ah, so disappointed. The premise of the book sounded really intriguing, but the story was flimsy, clichés everywhere, and the writing was not too good either. Bummer!

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Jun 16, 2019 Patty (IheartYA) rated it liked it

An easy YA read with a unique plot and lots of twists. I wonder what will happen next!

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Apr 02, 2016 Leigh Collazo rated it liked it

Shelves: pub-date-2016, read-in-2016

Hundreds more reviews like this one at Mrs. ReaderPants.

REVIEW: This book officially wins my "biggest surprise" award. When I received Genesis Girl for review from SLJ, I really wasn't looking forward to reading it. I put off reading it in favor of other titles I was more interested in. When I finally started it, at about 30% into the story, I was seriously struggling to keep going. I just did not buy the premise--why would a corporation find someone without a digital footprint valuable? What ...more

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May 16, 2016 Lilyn G. | Sci-Fi & Scary | rated it really liked it

Shelves: science-fiction, request-booktour

The synopsis for Genesis Girl doesnt really do it justice. Genesis Girl is a thought provoking look at our obsession with technology. Also, obviously, on our obsession with sharing every thing that happens in our lives. It does make a good point on how people can take stances to the extreme on things. Tabula Rasa is a school from practically from the Dark Ages. It keeps its students completely sheltered from the internet. In the process, it also ensures that they arent allowed to experience The synopsis for Genesis Girl doesn’t really do it justice. Genesis Girl is a thought provoking look at our obsession with technology. Also, obviously, on our obsession with sharing every thing that happens in our lives. It does make a good point on how people can take stances to the extreme on things. Tabula Rasa is a school from practically from the Dark Ages. It keeps its students completely sheltered from the internet. In the process, it also ensures that they aren’t allowed to experience differing views or opinions. Its creepy at best, and brain-washing at worst. However, it does a very good job selling all it’s downfalls as positives to make people extremely rich.

Right from the beginning, it’s obvious something isn’t right with Bianca or the situation. Blanca is the ultimate good student. She tows the company line with almost blind fervor, and watching the McNeals try to help her is extremely frustrating at times. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to reach into the book and give her a good hard shake. It was also kind of scary to think about. That someone could be that brain-washed.

Genesis Girl, book 1 in a planned Blank Slate series, will please a lot of YA readers. The idea of the Vestals is interesting. I can see this being something that could actually happen in our not-too-distant future. Everything is online, so the idea of someone being completely private and only getting allowed glimpses into their life could become an encompassing craze. There’s a bit of familial drama, and external intrigue to ratchet up the tension. Bardsley lays everything out very logically, and it’s no surprise when things get revealed to be what they are, but there was a twist at the end that readers probably won’t expect. I know I didn’t.

Genesis Girl fell just short of being a fantastic read. There were a couple of scenes that just didn’t feel well-executed. There’s a development near the end that just seems to happen a bit too suddenly for me to easily buy it. Relatively minor nitpicks, overall, but just enough to keep me from raving about how awesome the book is. Overall, this is a great debut work from Jennifer Bardsley, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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About Jennifer Bardsley

Jennifer Bardsley

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Jennifer Bardsley writes the parenting column I Brake for Moms for The Everett Daily Herald. You can find Jennifer on her website: http://JenniferBardsley.net or on her Facebook page: The YA Gal. An alumna of Stanford University, Jennifer lives in Edmonds, WA with her husband and two children. ...more