No One Else Can Have You (Kippy Bushman)

Witty, clever, driven by anger for sure, but sublimated into page-turning humor. Critics do understand it's a work of FICTION, right? It's kind of like a Seinfeld novel would be written, far-fetched but hilarious scenarios with wicked truth woven throughout. It does mention S-E-X for those shame-based quaking fundamentalists who wish their children had no genitals, lol. I think that those who are bothered by it are simply unwilling to take an honest look at themselves, their actions, and their own desires and motives. Five stars.

After the controversy regarding this book and this author, I wanted to make a decision on its merits for myself, but was reluctant. After all, supporting an author who'd crossed the line with reviewers/bloggers seemed like I was rewarding her bad behavior. But when I read the first couple of preview pages here on Amazon, I was immediately hooked by the book's quirky, first person voice.In the beginning, I wasn't disappointed. I liked Kippy and I enjoyed the story's dark events being told through her eyes. I particularly liked learning about her now deceased "best friend" Ruth through both Kippy's perception and Ruth's own diaries; how our own perception of reality often doesn't match the truth. I didn't mind the book's quirky characters or the smiling campiness with which her small town and its residents were described. I bought it all. But as soon as the character who would later be revealed as the murderer was introduced, I began to lose faith in the story. I thought, if this individual actually turns out to be the murderer, I will seriously have to doubt Ms. Hale's ability to successfully spin tension-filled mystery. And, alas, I was right. Note to author - the killer doesn't always have to be the one who has the clearest means, motive and opportunity while being the most disfigured and dysfunctional character in the whole story.Very soon after Kippy decided to find the murderer herself, the story began to wander, moving from one kooky situation to another like a magical mystery tour. It was as if Ms. Hale knew the book would be too short as the plot she envisioned unfolded, so she crowded her story with the misadventures of Kippy, hoping we wouldn't notice that very often these scenes didn't move the plot forward in the slightest.So when I finished the book, I was disappointed. There is no question that Ms. Hale is a very good writer. Her prose is a pleasure to read, and unlike other reviewers, I really enjoyed the complexities of Kippy. And given that Ms. Hale is so young, I would be inclined to keep an eye the work she produces in the future. I would bet that whatever stories she chooses to tell will be a little more complex and a little more developed plot-wise.I also have to say, that I found other reviewers criticisms of this story as containing slut-shaming, insensitivity to PSTD, as well as being offensive to domestic violence survivors to be utterly ridiculous and distastefully politically correct. This is fiction, people. Let creativity run amok. Don't confuse dark humor with the evil that it mocks.

This book was ok. The cover sold me and the fact that it said Fargo meets Pretty Little Liars.I'm from Fargo so, boom, sold.This was a book about a teenage girl named Kippy from Friendship, Wisconsin who's friend gets murdered in a pretty terrible way. Kippy's mom's friend gives Kippy her daughters journals and said to clean it up a bit so she can read it someday and remember her daughter. There's a lot of mean words in the journal about Kippy and their friendship and it irritated me how they were supposed to be inseparable best friends and how this girl (geez, I think her name is Ruth) was basically a vain bee-yotch.Anyway the whole town is STUPID. Like really dumb. Her dad however is not too quick himself but he is so adorable, I liked him a lot. But the town basically pins the murder on a teenage boy that has the worst reputation and who was dating Ruth. Kippy doesn't buy it and starts her own investigation with the help of Ruth's older brother who seems to like Kippy's company and she has always had a big crush on him.The thing that really bothered me was that the town was gullible and ignorant. I realize Fargo is kind of done in that light as well, but for me, it only works in movies. I don't like unbelievable books unless they're fantasy.Not to mention this book has so many similarities to Jennifer's Body, the movie by Diablo Cody (good movie and done well!)…but I still enjoyed it.

Great read

I was about to give this book four stars but after the last chapter I went with three.The pace of the book was a bit odd but somehow flowed nicely for the most part. Generally, I liked the characters and subtle foreshadowing but there was this depth that was missing that made it hard to connect to Kippy. The plot was also unclear and halfway through the book I was still unsure what the actual point of the book was.It was good and I would recommend it to anyone that likes locked room mysteries but honestly it just ended on an unsatisfying note.

I'm not quite sure anyone would want you! This book was painfully predictable and got a little silly in parts.

I loved Ruth's diary excerpts and such a twist in the end. Never thought that kippy would end up how she did. I would absolutely read this book again

I liked the book except for the profanity. I thought it was for teens and preteens and had planned on giving it to one of my grandchildren (age 14) but decided against it because of the foul language. The story line was done well and was great for a first novel.

bought this for my step daughter and she loved the story!

For a first time author, Hale sure hit it right on the head. I couldn't put this fab find down, and it my heart was pounding and my mind was racing through till the very end. Full of twists and turns, relatable and well-developed characters, "No One Else Can Have You" is the perfect action-packed summer read.

I really enjoyed this book. It was almost impossible to put down!It was interesting and really enjoyable. Young adults will definitely like this book!