“Paper Valentine,” by Breyanna Yovanoff, tells the thrilling tale of Hannah Wagnor, who with the help of a dead friend, investigates the string of murders that plagues her community.

Hannah’s summer has been anything but simple. With the intense July heat, a mysterious disease that is killing birds and the pain of dealing with the death of her best friend Lillian, Hannah struggles to maintain her position as one of the “populars.”

Hannah’s life takes a twisted turn when a criminal, known as the Valentine Killer, begins to terrorize her peaceful suburban community of Ludlow, leaving cheap children’s toys and a red heart next to victims’ bodies.

The tense atmosphere worsens when Lilian’s spirit begins to follow Hannah, pushing her to find the killer.

Along with her demons, Hannah begins to have feelings for Finny Boone, one of Ludlow’s many delinquents who dyes his hair and commits random acts of kindness. Although many suspect Finny of being the Valentine Killer, Hannah cannot help but feel a certain attraction to him.

With the neverending thoughts of Finny, the broken relationship with Lillian and the constant threat of the murderer looming over her, Hannah soon discovers that the Valentine Killer is much closer than she thinks.

“Paper Valentine” provides readers with a gripping, page-turning mystery that will keep them on the edge of their seats. With realistic relationship problems, the novel indirectly tells audiences the consequences of judging a book by its cover and the necessity of trust.

“Paper Valentine” is recommended for readers 12 and older due to graphic imagery, language and violence.