Zipped

I like this book because it is so real. I think this can really happen in real life situation and that this why I love this book because he doesn't know what to do and what would he do if he told somebody? Mick was my favorite character because he is just a fifteen- years old and that he was on the computer he read a email about his step mom was having an affair. Mick always keep an eye for his mom and that keeping the secret safe so he wont tell his dad. His step mom Nora was always giving him things to do and like making him busy so she would do her own things and stuff. More in the book Mick tries to find some clue about his step mom and try who is the mystery guy is? This book always keep you up on top of your feet but I had fun read it. It was slow at the beginning but it made it self get better and better. One of my favorite part is when he was in his room think what would he do? Would he tell or No? if I was in his situation I would tell my dad or just tell her straight up what was she doing and stuff. I wouldn't just spy on her because u maybe can find more things about her and stuff. This book is Great so read it.

Fifteen-year-old Mick Nichols opens the wrong file on his computer and discovers that his beloved stepmother is having an affair! He can barely stand to look at her and keeps the copied file on a disk, zipped to the inside of his jacket. Mick has been close to his stepmother Nora ever since she married his father. They would talk or work on household projects together and were good friends. Soon he is able to see that she is lying about where she is going at night when his father works late. She is also encouraging Mick to take a job as a groundskeeper that will keep him very busy --- and away from home. Who could her boyfriend be? As Mick begins to piece together clues about who the mystery man is, he fears that he will never have a good relationship with his stepmother again. Who can he turn to for help? Certainly not his father, and he's not ready to confront Nora yet. Mick remembers how devastated his father was when his mother left the family when Mick was little. In the meantime, he learns that a gorgeous college girl and another girl he has a major crush on are nothing like he imagined. Myra Vidal, the college girl, looks to Mick as a confidant for her many issues. Lisa, his crush, comes from a Mormon family and also works at the same place where Mick works. Parts of the novel follow her story, and readers will see her path begin to merge with Mick's. Characters in this book are exciting in that they have many layers, making the plot both suspenseful and realistic. A great read! --- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

I loved reading this book. For many reasons. First off, I liked Mick, the main character. I really just liked him for who he was. I also liked Lisa. It's not often that I really like a character, outside of the plot. Besides that, the story pulled you in and you really cared what was going to happen. It was realistic but it wasn't depressing, like most "realistic" books these days. Another plus is the more I think about it, the better I like and appreciate it, where as a lot of times the more I think about a book, the stupider it seems. It truly is an excellent book and I look forward to reading more by the McNeals.

Wow. This book was one of my all-time favorites. After reading Laura and Tom McNeal's first book, Crooked, I thought that it would be nearly impossible for them to top it. But I was very wrong. Many different peoples' lives are focused on, creating an opportunity for many surprises towards the end. Almost immediately after the book starts, Mick (the main character) is faced with a problem which draws us, the readers, in and makes us sympathize with him. It is amazing how all of the characters' problems are tied in just by the common thread of where they all work. Another masterpiece by the McNeals...

When i first started reading this book, i admit, i wasn't really interested. I felt it took a little too long to get the plot going, so i put it down. Then about 2 weeks later i went on vacation and decided to take it with me. I'm so glad now that i made the descion to pick it up and read it again. I love this book because even though the begining is slow, when i was done with the book, i appreciated that the authors had taken the time to give me some backround on the characters so that i would understand their problems and fall inlove with their personalities. This book definitly gives you many twists and turns and the plot is defintitly the best i have read in a long time. The book has suspence, romance, thrill and the feeling that this is reality and it might actually happen in the real world. I highlt reccommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great read!!!! :)