ALA Booklist (Fri May 27 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Heard's atmospheric, heart-jolting thriller follows Maude, a white teenager trying to escape a toxic family by faking her own death. But then, despite years of Maude's meticulous research and preparation, her stepcousin Frankie finds out about her plot, and instead of ratting her out, Frankie actually wants in on the plan. Maude and Frankie dive into the unknown of the wide, wide world as they escape an avaricious, homophobic family that ruthlessly hunts them down and tries to prevent their escape. As the two of them bond, Maude notices that she's finally figuring out her own answers to questions about her sexuality. Can they outwit their relatives and continue crafting their love story before time runs out? The book alternates between Maude's and Frankie's perspective as they explore their relationship, identities, and what it means to be truly free from people who don't want you to be yourself or pursue happiness.

Kirkus Reviews

In search of autonomy, two teens take desperate action to get away from their terrible families.After two years of careful planning, research, and Machiavellian orchestration, Maude is now ready to die-or at least to let everyone think she is dead. Then she'll finally be free to be the person she is supposed to be. But just before her plan comes to fruition, her wealthy stepcousin, Frankie, figures out her plot. Maude thinks her plan has been destroyed, but to her surprise, Frankie just wants in, equally eager to escape their family. Readjustments of the timeline and finances are required before the two embark on a dangerous journey of blood, tears, and love during a family holiday in Hawaii. This fun, dark, fully queer thriller embraces its premise without pulling any punches. The two main characters thirst for revenge, freedom, and self-affirmation in the face of truly horrible families who alienate and oppress them, and they eventually find love and acceptance in one another-all while committing crimes. The story incorporates the protagonists' welcome awareness of their privilege as financially comfortable White people while exploring their queerness and the oppression they experience because of it (Maude's aware of her sexuality but not out as a lesbian yet, and Frankie questions their gender identity).A romantic thriller that takes "Be Gay, Do Crime" to heart. (Thriller. 14-18)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Feeling unloved and unwanted by her divorced parents, 17-year-old Maude Hendricks, who is gay and white, arranges to fake her own death in a boating accident while vacationing in Hawaii. It’s a complicated plan, one that she’s patiently researched for the last two years. Just as she’s about to initiate the deception, though, her white step-cousin Frankie Maxwell (also gay and 17), whom she barely knows, uncovers Maude’s scheme and demands that she take Frankie with her. After she reluctantly agrees, the girls rent kayaks to begin carrying out their plan. The ploy immediately hits a dangerous snag when a shark appears, lured by a bleeding cut on Maude’s foot. Managing to escape and check in to a motel, they are thrilled when a television broadcast reports them missing following a boating incident. On the run, the pair encounter further troubles, including a harrowing accident, a murder, and many narrow escapes, while navigating a blossoming romance. Both Maude and Frankie are quick-witted heroines whose respective quests for autonomy and internal struggles regarding sexuality and gender identity provide depth. Culminating in a suspenseful ending, Heard’s (She’s Too Pretty to Burn) alluring novel is an invigorating ride. Ages 14–up. Agent: Lauren Spieller, Triada US. (May)

School Library Journal (Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Gr 9 Up An action-packed LGBTQIAIA+ thriller. Forced to live out of a suitcase and shuffled between her divorced parents each week, Maude is fed up with her life. But all that is about to change; Maude has found her way out by faking her death. However, her perfect plan goes awry when her step-cousin, Frankie, discovers her false passport. Maude thinks everything is ruined, but Frankie offers her a deal: help her fake her death, too, or she'll rat Maude out to her parents. Frankie has her own reason for wanting to start over, but she keeps it to herself. Maude decides she's put too much time and effort into the plan to stop now. So, with an unexpected companion, Maude fakes her death, and the first part of the plan goes off without a hitch. But now she realizes just how many complications Frankie's presence brings. Worst of all? Maude is enjoying Frankie's company way more than she thinks she should. While this title is compulsively readable, readers will have to set aside disbelief to enjoy the story. Two teenagers faking their deaths and coming up with the necessary paperwork to escape their families and start new lives in another country is a stretch. The other situations in the novel make it even less believable. However, readers who enjoy stories with high drama and action will easily forgive this flaw. Race of characters is not mentioned. VERDICT A fast-paced, enjoyable read for those who can suspend disbelief. Lisa Buffi