REVIEW: The Naturals by Jennifer Lynne Barnes

Cassie is a natural at reading people.  Telling people who they are and what they want.  At 17, she never expected the FBI would be interested in her talent, but she's surprised to learn that she's been recruited, along with other gifted teens, into a secret program to assist in cracking infamous cold cases.  Intrigued and desperate to discover the truth behind her own mother's disappearance, Cassie readily accepts the offer.

She meets the rest of the team including two potential romantic interests: Michael, adept at reading emotions, and Dean, broody but sharing Cassie's knack for profiling.  Soon it becomes apparent that there's a connection between recent murders and Cassie is a target.  Some shocking revelations are in store before she gets answers to the questions she's been seeking.

This is a great book featuring just enough Criminal Minds drama and the perfect amount of teenage angst. Cassie is likable and her struggles come across as very real.

I thought the pacing was great as were the other characters.  I think the love triangle makes for interesting reading and I love the rest of the team too!  There was just enough creepy, crime scene description to give the novel an authentic, crime thriller vibe but it wasn't so over the top that I wouldn't recommend this to middle school and older readers.

Be prepared for some fantastic plot twists!  I can't wait to read the next book :0)

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @jenlynnbarnes



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