Review: The Dead Boyfriend (Fear Street Relaunch #5) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Dead Boyfriend

Series: Fear Street Relaunch #5

Previous books in the relaunch: Party Games (#1) | Don't Stay Up Late (#2) | The Lost Girl (#3) | Can You Keep a Secret? (#4) (can be read as standalones)

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: September 2016

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

R.L. Stine's Fear Street series is back, and in The Dead Boyfriend, he tells the frightening tale of teenage love - and how it can go terribly, murderously wrong.

Caitlin has never had a real boyfriend before. When she starts seeing Colin, she throws herself into the relationship with fervor. She ignores her friends who warn her that Colin may be a phony and that she is taking the whole thing too seriously. Caitlin is smitten. She doesn't care if she loses her friends. All she wants is Colin. When Caitlin approaches Colin with another girl, she completely loses it. She snaps. Everything goes red. When she comes back to her senses, she realizes that Colin is dead - and she has killed him.

But if Colin is dead, how is he staring at her across a crowded party?

My rating: ★★★☆☆
The Dead Boyfriend has such a gorgeous cover and when I first heard about it, I thought it sounded amazing! Plus, it’s freaking Fear Street! I had high hopes for this one, though I don’t know why since the relaunch, overall, has been pretty meh.

I really loved the premise of this book--a boyfriend back from the dead to haunt his girlfriend because she killed him after she saw him with another girl? Oh my gods YES PLEASE! So yeah, the premise was great and the execution was pretty good... up until the end. I still don’t know what to think. It was an interesting plot twist for sure, but not in a good way? The reveal left me feeling very conflicted. I was extremely confused and frustrated because it almost felt like we went through all that for nothing! Up until the end I was actually really enjoying it. I wish I could say more, but spoilers, so I won’t.

My immediate thoughts after finishing the book: “What the hell?! You’ve got to be f*cking kidding me!” I just--ugh! Fear Street relaunch, why do you do this to me?? I want to love you, but your plot twists are so disappointing *cries*

I even liked that there was an actual Fear involved! It was so cool! Even though she was kind of a psychotic witch of sorts. As for the boyfriend himself, I hated him. I thought he totally deserved what he got.

The Dead Boyfriend was very thrilling and suspenseful with a great premise but a weird, frustrating ending I’m still trying to get over. Which is why it’s getting three stars from me--because I loved it up until the end. Do I recommend it? Look, I never say “don’t read this book!” because no two people ever read the same book. We all have our own interpretations. We all have our preferences. I love Fear Street, but I just happened to not like this plot twist very much. So I will leave that decision up to you ;) However, I will also probably read all the Fear Street books that are yet to be released because I can’t stay away ;)

The Fear Street connection: We meet a member of the infamous Fear family, Deena Fear... or do we? Look it's complicated. But she lives on Fear Street in guest house behind burned down Fear mansion.

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a link to your review or comment below! :)