Regan Flay is a bully. She lies, manipulates, and schemes to get her way, just as her political mother taught her. Day and after, she tries to live up to her mother's high expectations of perfection, even when it means taking someone else down. When all of her messages are printed and distributed to her high school, her world shatters. Everyone now hates her except for her former best friend's brother, Nolan, the weird artsy guy she thought was freaky but cute. Regan will have to learn what it takes to end a bully cycling if she wants to find peace again.

LIFE UNAWARE spares no emotion left untouched. Cole Gibsen introduces an anti-heroine that embodies all the typical high school mean girl qualities and turns everything around. Regan's layers are slowly pulled back as she learns that her actions have more consequences than she ever imagined. Even beyond Regan, the cast of characters provides perspective upon perspective of the human condition when it comes to both being a bully and being bullied. Just like real life, no one person is one dimensional, and Gibsen's story is sure to inspire many to take a step back and reflect on the immense powers that come with being mean or being kind.

Through the heartbreaking roller coaster of the story, the writing is simply beautiful. The dialogue feels real, witty, sincere, and occasionally, provides a much needed giggle or two. Some plot points feel a tad rushed, but some of that comes from just wanting to know more and more about the characters and their lives. The romance between Nolan and Regan adds right amount of swoon, and the friendship between Payton and Regan is wonderfully presented with the same level of importance.

I highly recommend LIFE UNAWARE by Cole Gibsen for readers who enjoyed TEASE by Amanda Maciel, and I highly do not recommend readers to read this during work, in public, or while doing any activity where crying uncontrollably is frowned upon.

Book Summary

Regan Flay has been talking about you.

Regan Flay is on the cusp of achieving her control-freak mother's "plan" for high school success--cheerleading, student council, the Honor Society--until her life gets turned horribly, horribly upside down. Every bitchy text. Every bitchy email. Every lie, manipulation, and insult she's ever said have been printed out and taped to all the lockers in school.

Now Regan has gone from popular princess to total pariah.

The only person who even speaks to her is her former best friend's hot but socially miscreant brother, Nolan Letner. Nolan thinks he knows what Regan's going through, but what nobody knows is that Regan isn't really Little Miss Perfect. In fact, she's barely holding it together under her mom's pressure. But the consequences of Regan's fall from grace are only just beginning. Once the chain reaction starts, no one will remain untouched...

Especially Regan Flay.