***Spoiler Alert—do not answer this question until you have finished the book***

[Roy Nick]

Justin was an unknown character until the ending segments. I, too, thought Tiffany did it out of envy. Too bad she was caught up in a blackmail situation. It was a pretty good surprise; otherwise, the plot would have been obvious.

[Kirsti Friesen]

I honestly thought it was Tiffany as well. I think the author meant to put that in your head due to the jealousy that was happening with Penelope and Mary Grace. I think Justin would have been a contender as well if the author would have mentioned him prior. It's definitely a character that could have been developed a little earlier on in the story.

[Shally Z]

I also suspected Tiffany at first especially since the author mentioned that she was jealous of Mary Grace's friendship with Penelope but was less sure when the notes became more threatening... I'm glad there was a twist though!

[Brian Ruguru]

I thought the bully revealing twist came as a good surprise. I thought Tiffany was the one behind all Mary Grace's trauma, only to find out she herself was a victim. Justin was unknown until his revelation, so I wouldn't have guessed.

[Meghan Soderholm]

I felt in my gut that Tiffany played a role in the notes, but it was unexpected to read she was "blackmailed" by Justin. While reading the conversation between Tiffany and Ms. Root, I felt sick to my stomach, imagining when Tiffany found out that Justin dragged Penelope (her supposed best friend) into the mix. Her jealousy of Mary Grace and Penelope's friendship sparked something much worse. Jealousy is never a good feeling, and we never think straight when our minds are in a negative headspace.

[MsH2k]

I felt in my gut that Tiffany played a role in the notes, but it was unexpected to read she was "blackmailed" by Justin. While reading the conversation between Tiffany and Ms. Root, I felt sick to my stomach, imagining when Tiffany found out that Justin dragged Penelope (her supposed best friend) into the mix. Her jealousy of Mary Grace and Penelope's friendship sparked something much worse. Jealousy is never a good feeling, and we never think straight when our minds are in a negative headspace.

Meghan, your comment that Tiffany's jealousy "sparked something much worse" is an astute observation. Indeed, jealousy is not a good feeling, and while Tiffany did not intend to act on her jealousy, events were inadvertently put into motion that ended up affecting her friend.

[MsH2k]

I honestly thought it was Tiffany as well. I think the author meant to put that in your head due to the jealousy that was happening with Penelope and Mary Grace. I think Justin would have been a contender as well if the author would have mentioned him prior. It's definitely a character that could have been developed a little earlier on in the story.

As much as I enjoyed the story, I also thought there were a few characters that could have been developed further. For example, I expected to hear about Father Randall and Bill once they got to California. Perhaps they will be in the next book in the series.

[MsH2k]

I thought it was Tiffany, too. There were no other potential kids introduced for us to suspect. This was a pleasant surprise; otherwise, the story would have been predictable and a bit boring.

Justin was an unknown character until the ending segments. I, too, thought Tiffany did it out of envy. Too bad she was caught up in a blackmail situation. It was a pretty good surprise; otherwise, the plot would have been obvious.

I also suspected Tiffany at first especially since the author mentioned that she was jealous of Mary Grace's friendship with Penelope but was less sure when the notes became more threatening... I'm glad there was a twist though!

I thought the bully revealing twist came as a good surprise. I thought Tiffany was the one behind all Mary Grace's trauma, only to find out she herself was a victim. Justin was unknown until his revelation, so I wouldn't have guessed.

It was hard to ignore Tiffany as a prime suspect, but I hoped it would not be that simple. Like you (or all y’all ), I was glad there was a twist. And a good one, at that!

[Shally Z]

Definitely agree with you there! The twist was what made the book so much more interesting

[Josephe-Anne]

Yes, I thought Tiffany wrote the notes too. As you mentioned, she seemed to be the most likely culprit because of her jealousy. However, I wasn't quite sure if Tiffany was mean enough to call Donny such an awful slur. If there was some foreshadowing, perhaps I would have suspected Justin.

[MsH2k]

Yes, I thought Tiffany wrote the notes too. As you mentioned, she seemed to be the most likely culprit because of her jealousy. However, I wasn't quite sure if Tiffany was mean enough to call Donny such an awful slur. If there was some foreshadowing, perhaps I would have suspected Justin.

When Justin's character suddenly came into play, it reminded me of those TV shows where the mystery is solved, and then they go back and explain all the other things that happened that we had no clue about. I used to love that part when watching Murder She Wrote. (I don't watch much TV these days, so my references are kind of dated. )

[Abi_rami]

No, Justin wasn't even mentioned before so I had no idea that he even existed. I thought it was Tiffany. As soon as Mary Grace shows the notes to her grandmother, I was positive that it was Tiffany. I thought that she wrote as well as placed it secretly. But I was surprised to learn that it was Justin behind it.

[MsH2k]

No, Justin wasn't even mentioned before so I had no idea that he even existed. I thought it was Tiffany. As soon as Mary Grace shows the notes to her grandmother, I was positive that it was Tiffany. I thought that she wrote as well as placed it secretly. But I was surprised to learn that it was Justin behind it.

I thought maybe they could trace the notes back to the bully if the bully put a note in the suggestion box with the same marker and same handwriting. I was relieved that Tiffany didn't write the notes, and I was glad she was sorry for hurting her friend.

[Leasa Ana Maria]

I also thought that it was Tiffany and I was surprised to find out it was Justin.

[Smrithi Arun]

I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted Justin to be the one as he was never mentioned earlier in the book. Now, a character introduction like Justin at a crucial plot point isn’t typical. But I liked the unique path the author took for the same.