Cover Image: The Scam List

The Scam List

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This is not my usual type of read but I was intrigued by the concept behind it. I was a little bit disappointed as I thought the concept allowed for a fast paced book, especially in such a short number of pages, but I actually felt the pace quite slow. The enjoyable part was definitely the ending where Boone saw the error of his ways and decided to do something out of the goodness of his heart. I was hoping to hear more about saving the business. Overall, not my sort of book but definitely an easy read with an appropriate ending.

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"The Scam List" by Kurt Dinan is a fast-paced and entertaining young adult novel that combines the excitement of a heist with the relatable struggles of high school life. Dinan, with his sharp wit and clever plotting, delivers a thrilling narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

One of the most captivating aspects of "The Scam List" is its protagonist, Alex. As a smart and resourceful teenager navigating the complexities of high school, Alex is a character that readers will instantly root for. His quick thinking and dry humor make him a joy to follow, while his vulnerabilities and insecurities add depth and relatability to his character.

Dinan's writing style is engaging and accessible, with snappy dialogue and vivid descriptions that bring the story to life. He expertly balances moments of tension and suspense with moments of humor and heart, creating a narrative that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. From the adrenaline-pumping heist scenes to the quieter moments of self-reflection, Dinan keeps readers engaged and invested in Alex's journey from start to finish.

Moreover, "The Scam List" is not just a thrilling adventure—it's also a nuanced exploration of friendship, betrayal, and the complexities of teenage life. Dinan deftly navigates the social dynamics of high school, exploring themes of loyalty, identity, and the pressure to fit in. Through Alex's interactions with his friends and classmates, readers are reminded of the importance of staying true to oneself and standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.

The novel is also notable for its intricate plot and well-developed cast of characters. Dinan keeps readers guessing with a series of twists and turns that keep the suspense high until the very end. As Alex and his friends embark on their daring scheme to expose a corrupt teacher, they encounter obstacles and challenges that test their courage and ingenuity, making for a thrilling and satisfying read.

In conclusion, "The Scam List" by Kurt Dinan is a must-read for fans of young adult fiction and heist novels alike. With its engaging characters, clever plotting, and heartfelt message of friendship and redemption, it's a book that will appeal to readers of all ages. Dinan has crafted an entertaining and thought-provoking novel that is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers long after they've turned the final page.

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A breath of fresh air, especially with everything that was going on with the covid situation. This book was a much needed distraction. I love books that are easy and light to read and yet entertaining. Get this if you want a light,fun holiday read.

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This was so light hearted and quick to read! I felt like it was a breath of fresh air when I finished the book because everything was resolved and I loved every minute of it

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I liked it. Not my typical book genre but it’s very well done. I think my child would enjoy it as well. I would recommend it.

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I enjoyed this book. Dinan did a great job bringing his characters to life. I felt connected to the main characters and I was rooting for them. Even though they were scamming people, I wanted them to succeed. Great lessons throughout the book.

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This is a light book with a topic that is best not drilled into for deeper meaning. The lead protagonist is a smart-talking boy whose father is in prison for the very thing he sets out to do.
The legal boundaries of the narrative are blurred, and the whole situation is very filmy. Boone ends up with a deadline to come up with extra money, and he teams up with his ex to try and make up the deficit. This is a coming of age story of how Boone realises his potential, figures out what he is doing wrong with his life (minus the cons). The cons/scams are central to the plot.
The writing was fun and quippy. Some quips got old after a few iterations but not enough to make me dislike the book. It also took me a while to figure out the character's age, given the behaviour and the speech patterns (even if he did mention his school). This always bothers me a little, but I am sure that it will be easy to ignore for most people. The relationships between some of the characters were deeper than I expected, which made for good reading. This is a one-sitting read and entertaining.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

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This was really not for me. Sure it was some parts here and there that was a bit funny but not laugh-out-loud funny. Boone was alright, but i felt he tried too hard to be funny and i didn`t find it funny, so there we go. Darby was alright, but not too interesting, sadly.

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Thank you Netgalley for approving me for a free review copy.
I requested to read this book because it sounded right up my sleeve but I just couldn’t get into it , maybe it was a bit too juvenile for me. I’m sure teenagers would like it but it just wasn’t for me

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Boone McReedy is a self-proclaimed conman, proud of his abilities and confident to a fault. When he gets scammed out of the $15,000 night deposit for his mother's business, will Boone be able to retrieve the money and redeem his reputation. He teams up with Darby West, whose parent's money was part of the funds that were taken. Complicating matters are the fact that she is his ex-girlfriend and the fact that his father is in prison for one scam too many. Will Boone be able to run the most epic scam and save the day?

Boone is definitely a character, with a wisecracking mouth and a slick exterior. Boone's way of looking at the world was skewed by father, so it is not a wonder how he has turned out. I was not really a fan of the novel, but the characterization really stands out. I did not like the scamming and the scheming, especially because Boone did not seem to learn any kind of a lesson. Overall, I liked The Scam List, but not as much as I was hoping.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Scam List by NetGalley and the publisher. The choice to review this book was my own.

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I wanted a quick book to read in a day, and I'm so glad I gave this one a go. It's a light-hearted read with a lot of fun characters. Recommended!

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Not my usual genre of book but I could see this book being made into a movie.
Many thanks to both netgalley and the author for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Boone McReedy is a smooth-talking, too-smart-for-his-own-good conman just like his dad. Who is in jail. For a con that went too far. Boone helps his mother manage a flea market that is on the verge of going out of business when he makes an epic mistake and loses a sizable deposit that would have allowed the business to stay open for another month. On the verge of losing it all, Boone convinces ex-girlfriend Darby and booth friends from the flea market to help him pull off a Big Con to get the money back and save the business.

I always love a story about a con - mainly, I think, because I wish I was smart enough to pull one off! Although it could be argued that Boone's ethics and morals fall on the shady side, his heart is clearly in the right place as his cons very seldom are for him; they are to help others. Throughout the story, Boone worries that he is too much like his dad who shows no remorse for his cons and doesn't worry about who he "takes." Boone and Darby's rules are more of a Robin Hood style in that the people they con are ones who are shady and a little unethical themselves. Good book - kept me hooked to see how he was going to get away it!

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DNF 20%
I'm sorry but this one wasn't for me. I couldn't connect with the characters, setting or storyline. Just not my personal cup of tea.

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Cute, quirky, funny, and a little weird. A great book when you need a light read. The idea behind this book was interesting. I look forward to more from this author!

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I LOVED this! It's clever, charming, realistic, funny, and hits you right in the feels. Would highly recommend this to anyone who likes con artist movies, Robin Hood vibes, enemies-to-lovers, that show Lie To Me, charming teenage boys who are whip-smart with a streak of dumb AF, teenage girls who literally will kick your ass, subverting expectations, great single parent fam rep, and the working poor taking the rich fucks to the cleaners. Will definitely be getting Kurt Dinan's book ASAP!

ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a fantastic read that had great element of YA banter, a little bit of romance, con artistry, and getting the bad guys in the end. I loved every minute of this book and was cheering for Boone and Darby. The character name, Gompers, had me chuckling every time. Fantastic book and will DEFINITELY read more by this author!!!

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i really enjoyed reading this book, the characters were great and I loved the humor in the book. It had me laughing for hours.

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This is exactly that kind of book you need when you just finished a big and tough book!
It is so lighthearted and fun to read! I really enjoyed it!

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Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Scam List was a really interesting concept, I really enjoyed reading this book and would definitely consider picking up other books from this author.

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