Arc: The Long Con by Jenna Voris

I was really excited to pick this one up because the premise was genuinely intriguing, and it’s clear the author put a lot of thought into the overall concept. There’s a strong foundation here, even if the execution didn’t fully land for me.

At times, the tone felt a little uneven. While this is the author’s first adult novel, some of the characters still leaned more YA in their emotional intensity, with reactions that felt a bit heightened for the situations. That said, the emotional stakes were clear, and it’s obvious the author cares deeply about these characters and their inner lives.

I also had mixed feelings about the mystery elements. A few twists felt easy to predict, which made some of the reveals less impactful for me, but the story does keep moving and clearly aims to entertain. The antagonists didn’t always feel as dangerous as the narrative suggested, and the resolution wrapped up fairly smoothly, though I can imagine some readers appreciating that sense of closure.

Character-wise, there were moments that worked well and others that felt less consistent. Harper’s characterization shifted throughout the story, which didn’t always click for me, but Chloe was at least memorable in a very intentional way. The dynamic between the characters was engaging, even when I wished for a bit more nuance.

The setting, particularly Miami, felt more like a backdrop than a fully realized character of its own, though the choice of location made sense for the story being told. With a bit more specificity, it could really shine in future books.

Overall, I don’t think this is a bad book at all. In fact, it’s an ambitious first step into adult fiction, and I can easily see many readers enjoying it. While it didn’t completely work for me, I appreciate what the author was trying to do and would be curious to see how her writing continues to evolve.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House, for sharing an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.