Having read We Were Liars by the author which I really enjoyed, I jumped at the opportunity to read her latest novel. From the blurb I knew it would be very different from her previous book of which was no issue.

The story goes backwards from present day to where it all began and then ends back in the present day. I've never seen this done in a book before and I have to say it just didn't work for me. Some parts grabbed me but then because we were going back in time I kept getting really confused as to what was happening.

The main character herself is someone who is very self absorbed and I didn't take to her. In fact none of the characters really appealed to me. To be fair they probably arn't supposed to but I really need to connect in someway with at least one of the characters to enjoy a novel and sadly I just didn't with this one.

Genuine Fraud I am sure will appeal to many readers, it just wasn't for me. Having really enjoyed We Were Liars though I would certainly read other books by the author.

Previously reading reviews of this book written already they have noted that it relates to another book, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Thankfully I haven't read the book to have make any comparative notes, and I'm grateful for that because for me it was a different book to what I have read before. For instance the structure of it, the beginning is the end of the novel and as the chapters go on we go back in time to where all the drama started. I think this was perhaps a little bit of a drawback for me because I was aware of what has happened so there wasn't much suspense or tension that I was expecting.

However because of this structure we're much more interested in the characters themselves rather than the plot, and I don't think I've been so puzzled by a character such as Jule before. Throughout the novel we know Jule to be a compulsive liar throughout, as she dresses up as her friend Imogen and lies to their friends of her whereabouts. I was constantly asking myself why? Is Jule in love with Imogen? Is she jealous of her? Why Imogen? All of this becomes clear as the book progresses. I enjoyed the revelations that unfolded and getting to known Jule, and you definitely feel sympathy towards her from the beginning but even more so towards the end. You can see why Imogen was perhaps her target, the girl is simply up herself. A girl who takes everything she has around her for granted, and I think anyone would be sick of her throwing around money like it grows on trees. Both characters were polar opposites, and it seemed upsetting to me that Jule would want to become someone she isn't.

I wasn't a huge fan of We Were Liars but E. Lockhart's style and social commentary is always enticing and addictive, and I simply couldn't put this book down!

Genuine Fraud is about the outcasts, kids who are from very plain backgrounds and who aren't rich or perfect in every way. To an extent it is about how far someone could go to achieve their own happy and wealthy life in bitter and twisted ways that are realistic. If you like books with a bit of mystery then this is a book you should certainly pick up.

Not as fast paced a book as I would like. I found the changing timelines and reverse order a little confusing at times! Still a compelling and interesting read, not what I expected at all!