Review: Carrie Jones - Need

Goodreads synopsis:
Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.
 

Review:
God, I loved this book!  I literally had to read it in one sitting because I couldn't tear myself away.  I am in love with Carrie Jone's incredible writing.  I feel the immense need to go out and buy all of her other books immediately, including 'Captivate' the follow-up to Need.  I'm even more thrilled that there's going to be a third book too called 'Entice'.  I must have them now!!  Plus everything else that Carrie Jones has ever written.
 
The story centres around a young girl called Zara, who goes to live with her grandmother in Maine, after the death of her step-father.  She soon becomes embroiled in the mystery of a strange stalker who seems to be following her everywhere but is distracted by the even more mysterious boy at school, Nick, who she's attracted to immediately.  Instead of wallowing in the feelings of emptiness and fear she's been experiencing since her father's death, she finds herself welcomed into a friendship at her new school, battling with her emotions for hot guy (no, make that very hot guy) Nick and trying to get life back on track...even with her stalker following her every step.
 
This book is described on the back cover as a fusion of Stephen King with Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series but I think it stands on it's own as a truly wonderful read.  If you want a generous dash of the paranormal, served up with a whole heap of romance then you need to go and get yourself a copy of this book pronto!  I loved how mysterious and magical it felt and I literally could not put it down because I had to keep turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next.  It was a real rollercoaster ride of a book, with no chance to gather yourself before the next twist and turn.

I loved the way in which Jones perfectly captured the cold and misery of Maine, reflecting Zara's initial feelings on arriving in the small town.  It made me want to shiver alongside her and curl up into a ball under my duvet!  The characterisations were brilliant and I also liked the way in which each chapter was named after a particular phobia - very different and inventive.

This is an outstanding start to the series and I have a feeling I'm going to be heading out tomorrow to buy book 2!