Review: Search and Rescue (Rock Harbor)

Source: paperback ARC for review for my blog tour stop today. I was not paid or encouraged to write a positive review.

In "Rock Harbor Search and Rescue," a middle grade fiction novel based on Colleen Coble's bestselling Rock Harbor series for adults, kids will enjoy the mixture of pets, adventure, suspense, and a mystery.

Emily O'Reilly is obsessed with all things Search and Rescue. She volunteers with the team and goes on rescue missions with her stepmom. She is even selling homemade jewelry to save up for her own Search and Rescue puppy. But when an expensive necklace is stolen from a renowned jewelry artist at Rock Harbor's fall festival and Emily is accused of the crime, it looks like she'll never get her puppy and be able to join the Rock Harbor Search and Rescue team.

Emily isn't willing to give up on her Search and Rescue dreams that easily, and she sets out to find the real culprit and to restore her reputation. With a few suspects in mind, Emily is determined to uncover the truth, but she isn't prepared for the secrets she and the Search and Rescue dogs sniff out in the process. This exciting mystery is filled with twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and have them pining after a Search and Rescue puppy of their own!______________________________________________________________


Review:
This was a quick light-hearted read.

I was expecting this book to be really predictable, but it took me a little time to figure out who I thought it was, and even then I was only partially right.

Negatives: I really didn't like that Em's father didn't trust her to tell the truth. She kept saying she wasn't the thief, but he refused to be believe her and her friend because someone else said she had planned it all along. The whole town seemed to think it was her at first, and I just didn't find it to be believable. And I, personally, wouldn't have really cared that much if they didn't believe me, but Emily acted like it was the end of the world. Can you say D-R-A-M-A? I felt like Emily was immature, even for a thirteen year old. She also cried a lot, and honestly.. I didn't like her as a main character. I normally hate third-person POVs, but it was needed with this book for sure.

Positives: I really liked the animals in the story. They were a huge part of the story, and they were treated and respected as they should be. I also like that this book is appropriate for all ages, unlike some books that are labeled for kids.. and, you know...really, uhm, shouldn't be.

Overall this was a really fun story for all ages. BUT be warned: the characters are terribly immature and whiny. Even after all of that, this was an easy breezy and overall fun read.

On a side note, Fall Out Boy's new CD came out today! It's called Save Rock N Roll. Buy it on Amazon here. :)

Come again soon!