Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

 

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

“For Gemma's whole life, it has always been her and her mom against the world. As far as she knew, all her grandparents—and thus her ties to Taiwanese culture—were dead. Until one day when a mysterious man shows up at her door with two shocking the news that her grandfather has just recently passed, and the first clue to a treasure hunt that Gemma hopes will lead to her inheritance.

There's just one major problem: to complete the hunt, she has to go to her grandfather's home in Taiwan. And the only way she can get there is by asking her ex and biggest high-school rival, Xander, for help. But after swallowing her pride, Gemma finds herself halfway across the world, ready to unearth her life-changing prize. Soon Gemma discovers that the treasure hunt is about much more than money—it's about finally learning about her family, her cultural roots, and maybe even finding true love.” - taken from Goodreads.

Visit Gloria Chao’s website.

Love & Other Great Expectations by Becky Dean

 

“Britt Hanson has always preferred scoring goals on the soccer field to analyzing dusty old books. But when an injury ends her dream to play in college, she jumps at the chance to compete in a scavenger hunt in England that takes her to the locations of classic novels—the prize money would change her life!

Once in the UK, she meets bookish and very British Luke Jackson. He can't actually help her with any of the clues (against the rules), but something about Luke compels her to invite him to join her. She wouldn't mind getting to know him—and listening to his accent.

To win, Britt must outsmart three competitors who aren't afraid to play dirty while solving clues and traveling around the English countryside. With Luke as her partner, the trip takes some unexpected turns, and Britt learns that sometimes you have to follow the map—and other times, you need to throw caution to the wind and go wherever the cobblestoned road leads you.” - taken from Goodreads.

Due to a life-altering injury, soccer player Britt Hansen sees her college plans go up in smoke. When she is offered the opportunity to participate in its literary scavenger hunt in England with a significant monetary prize, Britt jumps at the chance. Starting on her quest, she meets the handsome Luke Jackson, who tags along but isn't allowed to help her on her journey. As she deciphers the clues, Luke helps Britt see that she can have a different future than she planned and vice versa. A meet-cute that ends on a high note 

Visit Becky Dean’s website.

These Deadly Games by Diana Urban

 

“Let’s play a game.

You have 24 hours to win. If you break my rules, she dies. If you call the police, she dies. If you tell your parents or anyone else, she dies.

Are you ready?

When Crystal Donavan gets a message on a mysterious app with a video of her little sister gagged and bound, she agrees to play the kidnapper’s game. At first, they make her complete bizarre tasks: steal a test and stuff it in a locker, bake brownies, make a prank call.

But then Crystal realizes each task is meant to hurt—and kill—her friends, one by one. But if she refuses to play, the kidnapper will kill her sister. Is someone trying to take her team out of the running for a gaming tournament? Or have they uncovered a secret from their past, and wants them to pay for what they did…

As Crystal makes the impossible choices between her friends and her sister, she must uncover the truth and find a way to outplay the kidnapper… before it’s too late.” - taken from Goodreads.

Another great Diana Urban mystery where the reader will question the actions of our main character. How far will Crystal go to save her little sister in a deadly game of choice? 

I always had the real culprit in the back of my mind even when the author kept me second guessing myself. Crystal’s torturer was a complete shock as was that ending reveal. 

Visit Diana Urban’s website.

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan (Dash & Lily book 1)

“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?” - taken from Goodreads.com

I really enjoyed reading this book especially, before Christmas. It was basically a scavenger hunt between two people who have never met that takes place the week before Christmas through New Year's. This book was a quick read and I cannot wait to see what the sequel, The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily will bring to these characters.