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It Takes 1 Second
What started as an innocent curiosity led to a shocking murder in a small Idahoan county bordered by Utah and Wyoming. Evie Janiece Baker was written off to have run away from home, and everybody who cared—which wasn’t much—believed it.
All except Carter Miller, a 17-year-old in her classes that recently moved there after his Dad's disappearance in the same county eight years prior. Carter can’t get anyone to believe she wouldn’t just leave, and it seems hopeless until her body washes up in the local reservoir.
The police point fingers at the 17-year-old, but he knows things the police don’t. Carter knows what goes on inside the Baker’s residence.
Follow Carter as he reveals Evie’s death is just a smaller piece of a much bigger puzzle, intertwined with even more tragedies.
All except Carter Miller, a 17-year-old in her classes that recently moved there after his Dad's disappearance in the same county eight years prior. Carter can’t get anyone to believe she wouldn’t just leave, and it seems hopeless until her body washes up in the local reservoir.
The police point fingers at the 17-year-old, but he knows things the police don’t. Carter knows what goes on inside the Baker’s residence.
Follow Carter as he reveals Evie’s death is just a smaller piece of a much bigger puzzle, intertwined with even more tragedies.
458 pages, Paperback
Published May 20, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 1, 2024
Genre: YA murder mystery, with strong romance subplot
Content warnings: Discussions of murder, parental abuse, mentions of drugs. There is a list of warnings printed inside the book, props to the author for including this. I would say this book is suitable for ages 14+
Rating: 4.5/5, rounded up
Man, I love this book so much. I served a beta reader for it about a year and a half ago before it was published, and loved it so much that I bought myself a paperback copy once it came out. Only now, though, have I decided to read it again and leave a review having now experienced the more polished version.
Set in the area around Bear Lake in Idaho, "It Takes 1 Second" tells the story of seventeen-year-old Carter Miller, who decides to investigate the disappearance of his girlfriend Evie after the police brush her off as a runaway. Carter is so, so dedicated to Evie, and so clearly in love with her, and that's probably the best part of this novel: the love they share, even though it ends so sadly. I say this as someone who doesn't read romance. But the love in IT1S is really what makes it such a touching story; you just can't help but root for Carter in his mission to find the truth, then feel all his grief for yourself when he does discover everything. Carter is such a likable protagonist, and I think he's a realistic one too: he's softer than most teenage boys, but he's not naive or childish, and he's definitely not perfect either, as there are moments where he does snap or become otherwise overwhelmed. Aside from the obvious bad guys, all the characters in this story are likable in their own ways, and all of them feel distinctive, too: the book is told in first-person POV, switching between perspectives, and although Miya's author voice doesn't change much for each of these viewpoint changes, the characters are distinct enough that you can always easily tell them apart.
Now to discuss the other main character, Carter's girlfriend Evie. She is easily my favourite character, and she's such a breath of fresh air: the YA murder mystery/thriller genre is full of victims who are hiding huge secrets and/or are total bullies who often bring their fate on themselves - think Alison DiLaurentis or the Heathers. They're unlikable, and while I love these kind of characters in a lot of cases, it's so refreshing to read a murder mystery where I actually feel outraged about the victim's fate and want them to get justice. Evie is a tragic character, and could be described as such even before her death: she barely speaks, gets teased at school, and has almost given up on life. And yet in her scenes with Carter, she comes out of her shell and becomes a ray of sunshine who lights up his life, never complaining and being appreciative of what little she has. Those traits would make her relatable to a specific subgroup, but she also has some more casual teenage traits, too: a love of cheerleading, a specific order she always chooses at a local restaurant, and a temporary job at a school fair. She's such a well-rounded, believable character, and readers get to see every part of her personality. That only makes it more devastating when we learn just how much she's suffered.
Aside from the characters, the author also does a great job at developing the setting. Everything from the specific shops, streets, houses, and restaurants is described in detail so vivid you can imagine yourself there, and I especially enjoyed reading the scenes set in the canyon and around the lake.
The plotting is yet another thing done well here: the story is, in my opinion, perfectly paced, with only two or three scenes that felt like filler (more on that in a minute.) Yet, it isn't super fast with constant thrills: it follows a medium pace which allows for gradual character introduction and development, but with frequent enough revelations and plot twists that it never feels like it's dragging.
Now onto my main (and only) criticism, and that is with certain aspects of the writing style. Miya, the author, published this book when she was only sixteen years old, and you can tell. Now, that isn't a wholly bad thing - as I already mentioned, the characters feel realistic, more realistic in my opinion than most teenage characters written by older people. However, the fact that she was sixteen means that the writing style isn't as polished as that of most older writers, and she has a few habits as a writer which negatively affect the reading experience. The first of these is how long-winded some of her sentences are, with her having a tendency to repeat descriptions or describe objects that, to be honest, don't really need to be described. At over 450 pages, the book is longer than most YA novels and I think it would benefit from being cut down by about 50 pages - streamlining the sentences should naturally do this. Filler scenes are not a problem here: there are few, if any of them at all. There are some grammar errors, though, that pop up repeatedly (apostrophes being missing or in the wrong place being one of them), and a fair few typos. My advice to Miya - as an author who also started out very young, but is now rewriting some of my old work as an adult - would be to revisit the book in a few years time and see if she can give it a bit of a clean-up, then re-release it as a new edition. There's nothing here that cannot easily be fixed with a bit more writing experience, and perhaps someone else to help her.
The only other negative thing I can say about IT1S is that there are two aspects of the ending that I did not like, although I haven't marked down because of this: they are not issues with the writing, but purely personal taste.
Overall, this is one of my favourite books I have ever read - easily my favourite romance, with characters who will stay with me for a long time, and the mystery element is very strong too. With one more edit in the future, it will be an easy upgrade from a 4.5 to a full 5-star read. I urge anyone who's a fan of small town mysteries, tragic YA romances, and dark stories that are still full of hope and positive messages to give this book a go.
Content warnings: Discussions of murder, parental abuse, mentions of drugs. There is a list of warnings printed inside the book, props to the author for including this. I would say this book is suitable for ages 14+
Rating: 4.5/5, rounded up
Man, I love this book so much. I served a beta reader for it about a year and a half ago before it was published, and loved it so much that I bought myself a paperback copy once it came out. Only now, though, have I decided to read it again and leave a review having now experienced the more polished version.
Set in the area around Bear Lake in Idaho, "It Takes 1 Second" tells the story of seventeen-year-old Carter Miller, who decides to investigate the disappearance of his girlfriend Evie after the police brush her off as a runaway. Carter is so, so dedicated to Evie, and so clearly in love with her, and that's probably the best part of this novel: the love they share, even though it ends so sadly. I say this as someone who doesn't read romance. But the love in IT1S is really what makes it such a touching story; you just can't help but root for Carter in his mission to find the truth, then feel all his grief for yourself when he does discover everything. Carter is such a likable protagonist, and I think he's a realistic one too: he's softer than most teenage boys, but he's not naive or childish, and he's definitely not perfect either, as there are moments where he does snap or become otherwise overwhelmed. Aside from the obvious bad guys, all the characters in this story are likable in their own ways, and all of them feel distinctive, too: the book is told in first-person POV, switching between perspectives, and although Miya's author voice doesn't change much for each of these viewpoint changes, the characters are distinct enough that you can always easily tell them apart.
Now to discuss the other main character, Carter's girlfriend Evie. She is easily my favourite character, and she's such a breath of fresh air: the YA murder mystery/thriller genre is full of victims who are hiding huge secrets and/or are total bullies who often bring their fate on themselves - think Alison DiLaurentis or the Heathers. They're unlikable, and while I love these kind of characters in a lot of cases, it's so refreshing to read a murder mystery where I actually feel outraged about the victim's fate and want them to get justice. Evie is a tragic character, and could be described as such even before her death: she barely speaks, gets teased at school, and has almost given up on life. And yet in her scenes with Carter, she comes out of her shell and becomes a ray of sunshine who lights up his life, never complaining and being appreciative of what little she has. Those traits would make her relatable to a specific subgroup, but she also has some more casual teenage traits, too: a love of cheerleading, a specific order she always chooses at a local restaurant, and a temporary job at a school fair. She's such a well-rounded, believable character, and readers get to see every part of her personality. That only makes it more devastating when we learn just how much she's suffered.
Aside from the characters, the author also does a great job at developing the setting. Everything from the specific shops, streets, houses, and restaurants is described in detail so vivid you can imagine yourself there, and I especially enjoyed reading the scenes set in the canyon and around the lake.
The plotting is yet another thing done well here: the story is, in my opinion, perfectly paced, with only two or three scenes that felt like filler (more on that in a minute.) Yet, it isn't super fast with constant thrills: it follows a medium pace which allows for gradual character introduction and development, but with frequent enough revelations and plot twists that it never feels like it's dragging.
Now onto my main (and only) criticism, and that is with certain aspects of the writing style. Miya, the author, published this book when she was only sixteen years old, and you can tell. Now, that isn't a wholly bad thing - as I already mentioned, the characters feel realistic, more realistic in my opinion than most teenage characters written by older people. However, the fact that she was sixteen means that the writing style isn't as polished as that of most older writers, and she has a few habits as a writer which negatively affect the reading experience. The first of these is how long-winded some of her sentences are, with her having a tendency to repeat descriptions or describe objects that, to be honest, don't really need to be described. At over 450 pages, the book is longer than most YA novels and I think it would benefit from being cut down by about 50 pages - streamlining the sentences should naturally do this. Filler scenes are not a problem here: there are few, if any of them at all. There are some grammar errors, though, that pop up repeatedly (apostrophes being missing or in the wrong place being one of them), and a fair few typos. My advice to Miya - as an author who also started out very young, but is now rewriting some of my old work as an adult - would be to revisit the book in a few years time and see if she can give it a bit of a clean-up, then re-release it as a new edition. There's nothing here that cannot easily be fixed with a bit more writing experience, and perhaps someone else to help her.
The only other negative thing I can say about IT1S is that there are two aspects of the ending that I did not like, although I haven't marked down because of this: they are not issues with the writing, but purely personal taste.
Overall, this is one of my favourite books I have ever read - easily my favourite romance, with characters who will stay with me for a long time, and the mystery element is very strong too. With one more edit in the future, it will be an easy upgrade from a 4.5 to a full 5-star read. I urge anyone who's a fan of small town mysteries, tragic YA romances, and dark stories that are still full of hope and positive messages to give this book a go.
June 20, 2023
Before I read IT1S, I told Miya that my thoughts were going to be totally honest, so here you go girl :)
This book is absolutely wonderful.
I'll have to admit, at first, I thought that this book may not have been the one for me. I might have rated it 3 stars at that point, because it was good, but not good enough for a 5 star rating (Sorry Miya, but that's how I am with mysteries). But it was. It really was. It got to me. It was so emotional. Everything Carter and Evie and every single other character felt, it was all too real. It was so easy to connect with the characters and understand them. Even the murderers and the bad guys who did bad things, some of them did it for reasons and I was able to see that and really feel why most people did what they did.
The way Carter loves Evie is so beautiful. They needed each other and they completed each other, and seeing that through both of their perspectives was absolutely heartbreaking, yet beautiful. Their love was just so pure and so meaningful, and I don't think I'll ever stop thinking about it.
As Carter broke down, I broke down with him. As he was excited, I felt the exact same. The same goes for Evie. Miya did SO GOOD at explaining and showcasing their personalities and how much they truly mean to each other, and that's something that is hard to find in books.
I never cry when I read books, but I sobbed so hard when I got to certain parts in this one. It was all just so meaningful, and I couldn't help but sympathize and relate to the feelings they felt. Miya wrote it all down so beautifully, but it wasn't too overpowering. It was all so raw and honest, but not to the point where it was choppy. It was just perfect writing in the end, and it was incredible.
Finally, the message. IT1S's message is so important, and as you read it, you'll understand it even more. I LOVE that Miya is sharing this through the story and I just think it's so wonderful.
Thank you so much for writing this book, Miya, the story you needed to share was beautiful and I think all of us need to hear it too <3
This book is absolutely wonderful.
I'll have to admit, at first, I thought that this book may not have been the one for me. I might have rated it 3 stars at that point, because it was good, but not good enough for a 5 star rating (Sorry Miya, but that's how I am with mysteries). But it was. It really was. It got to me. It was so emotional. Everything Carter and Evie and every single other character felt, it was all too real. It was so easy to connect with the characters and understand them. Even the murderers and the bad guys who did bad things, some of them did it for reasons and I was able to see that and really feel why most people did what they did.
The way Carter loves Evie is so beautiful. They needed each other and they completed each other, and seeing that through both of their perspectives was absolutely heartbreaking, yet beautiful. Their love was just so pure and so meaningful, and I don't think I'll ever stop thinking about it.
As Carter broke down, I broke down with him. As he was excited, I felt the exact same. The same goes for Evie. Miya did SO GOOD at explaining and showcasing their personalities and how much they truly mean to each other, and that's something that is hard to find in books.
I never cry when I read books, but I sobbed so hard when I got to certain parts in this one. It was all just so meaningful, and I couldn't help but sympathize and relate to the feelings they felt. Miya wrote it all down so beautifully, but it wasn't too overpowering. It was all so raw and honest, but not to the point where it was choppy. It was just perfect writing in the end, and it was incredible.
Finally, the message. IT1S's message is so important, and as you read it, you'll understand it even more. I LOVE that Miya is sharing this through the story and I just think it's so wonderful.
Thank you so much for writing this book, Miya, the story you needed to share was beautiful and I think all of us need to hear it too <3
January 13, 2024
As someone who grew up in the Bear Lake Valley, this was such a fun read to be able to fully picture the setting. Miya does a phenomenal job at creating well developed characters and using their unique perspectives to tell this multi-level murder mystory. I can't wait to read future novels!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews