Lifted by Hilary Freeman

How did I get the book?  I bought it.

Genre: Contemporary

First Impression: Ohh I like that idea.

Synopsis: Robyn is a compulsive shoplifter – with a difference. Everything she steals, she donates to charity shops – then blogs about it. She doesn’t need to steal, but shoplifting gives her a buzz like no other. Soon everybody’s talking about the mystery blogger. At last Robyn has the fame she craves – but only one person knows who she really is, and he’s sworn to secrecy … Will Robyn risk revealing her true identity – and can she stop shoplifting before she gets caught?

200words (or less) review: Lifted starts with Robyn’s first blog entry, telling us about how she steals a pair of tights from a clothes shop, which she subsequently donates to a charity shop because she feels guilty. The narration shifts between Robyn’s blog entries and a third person narrative following Ruby (aka Robyn) and Noah, her across-the-road-geeky neighbour.

The blog entries in Lifted are great, Robyn is instantly likable in the first few pages and you understand why she did it (for the most part). Personally I would have preferred more blog entries as Ruby outside her Robyn persona wasn’t as endearing as the girl you get to know in the blog.

Both Ruby and Noah develop well throughout the story, Noah in particular grows a lot from the first introduction. I felt that Ruby’s parents weren’t as rounded as they could have been, particularly as they have such a huge impact on her actions.

Lifted is well written with a good premise and believable characters.

Recommend it?

Yes.