REVIEW: Life of the Party by Christine Anderson

Seventeen-year-old Mackenzie Taylor can't wait to be free; free from high school, the shadow of her perfect older sister, and her disapproving parents. The rebellious party girl has a perfect accomplice in best friend Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who scores them drugs, booze and under-age entry into the only club in town. But then everything changes. A traumatized Riley suddenly decides to give up the party life, and a wide-eyed Mackenzie meets Grey Lewis, a broodingly talented, gorgeous older man she falls instantly in love with. Though Riley warns her to stay away, the aspiring rock star's body and ample drug supply are too tempting for her to resist. Previously inseparable, Riley and Mackenzie go their separate ways.

When summer hits, Mackenzie has new friends, a new apartment and new drugs to mask the pain of Riley's absence. And of course, she has Grey. But despite the fierce, consuming passion they share, the mysterious bad-boy always leaves her guessing. Is Grey really a good guy? Or was Riley right about him all along? Mackenzie's in too deep to care. Unable to curb her mounting addictions, before long the lust-for-life teen totally loses control. She forgets Riley, forgets life, forgets everything but Grey and their next hit. 

But luckily for Mackenzie...Riley has never forgotten about her.

REVIEW:

Have you ever read a book that made you feel like you had a knot in your stomach? Have you ever read a book that each time you put it down you had to take some time to ease the ache and tension out of your shoulders? Have you ever read a book, barely able to see the words through your tears? That is exactly how I was with Life of the Party. Be warned, this is not a quick, light and fluffy read. This is intense and gripping and hard hitting and powerful and heartbreaking and real!!!

Mackenzie Taylor is 17 years old. She spends most of her free time with her best friend Riley chasing artificial happiness via the use of drugs. After a night of partying where Riley has an incredibly bad experience, he decides that his life needs to change and gives up the partying that him and Mackenzie have been indulging. That is also the night that Mackenzie meets Grey Lewis and falls head over heels in love. Rock star Grey, lives the partying life that Mackenzie craves. The endless supply of alcohol and drugs. But the partying becomes harder as do the drugs and Mackenzie grabs it with both hands. And in the process she tries to fill the void of no longer having the constant presence of Riley.

Christine Anderson writes so well. So amazingly well. These days drugs are so easily and readily available in our society, and the author shows us how easy it is to fall into the depths of addiction whilst trying to numb whatever it is that pains you. I rode so many emotions while I read this book. The mothering instinct had me wanting to protect and do everything I could to help Mackenzie & Grey. Then there was another part that as they sank deeper into their addictions, I just wanted to shake some much needed sense into them. Christine Anderson has written these characters with deep flaws, but they are characters that you love and root for and are so invested in what happens to them.

This book is so incredibly good and I know it will stay with me for a long, long time. 

A Huge Intense, Gripping, Amazing 5/5 Stars!!

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