Bluff by Julie Dill

Release date: February 7, 2017

Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bluff by Julie Dill was one hell of an original, realistic story. The prose was fast-paced, insightful and the protagonist had me on high alert from page one.

The story is narrated by Chelsea, a seventeen-year-old trying to make ends meet when her father is clueless about her expenses and the overall household responsibilities. I just felt he was trying hard, but there was something missing from his life.

My gut twisted with the fact that her father was not an alcoholic or a drug abuser. I expected him to be the usual going-on-a-bender type. But, no, it was his daughter risking her life just for the sake of keeping up with the bills.

​Noooooo, she doesn’t turn into a prostitute either.
She uses her brain! Accept my apologies, if you’re disappointed!

Chelsea is intelligent and finds a way to make some risky money. She is practical and the complete opposite of her laid back father. She knows her problems won’t go away unless she does something about it. She is not expecting anyone to take care of them and finds a way (dangerous way) to make sure her bills are getting paid.

Chelsea is a normal teenager risking her life for something as basic as food. She also does commit silly mistakes that validates her as being a human being and acting her age. She is intelligent and witty.

She doesn’t have answers to all her problems, but she sure is persistent to find the solutions. I really like that about her!

Chelsea is not the generic teary-eyed teenager crying over a boy. However, there are still some slips she makes because of her young age that makes her even more appealing. Her motivation is practical and it broke my heart on countless occasions.

Not once does Chelsea blame her father for not keeping up with the expenses (except in the final chapters). Through her, I could see what a normal teenager would hope her life to be and when it is not, how does the society look at her as well. I was on an emotional trip with her.

Honestly, the narrative was so captivating that even if Nate, the probable love interest in Chelsea’s life didn’t make an appearance, I sure as hell would’ve finished reading her story anyway. She is that powerful.

I love it when such strong female characters are written and I thank Julie Dill for developing Chelsea’s character so well.

Chelsea also strikes an unlikely friendship with Miss Stella and it is beautiful. Both are missing something important in their lives and are filling it up by each other’s company. “Girl Power” for sure!

The last page threw me off completely because I didn’t see it coming. Damn it! I have so many questions.

Most important of all: 
Will there be a sequel?
There has to be…..I hope….Dear, God!

Pre-order your copy of from: Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble