Books like Limetown: The Prequel to the #1 Podcast

As someone who has never listened to a podcast before (I know, I know.. I'll get there!), I was a little hesitant to read this book. However, as a prequel, it states you don't need to listen to the podcast to read this. I'm not sure I entirely agree with that, but how could I really know since I never listened to it, right?There's two POVs - Emile and Lia, uncle and niece. He's disappeared in the mystery that is Limetown and Lia is looking for answers. Honestly, I felt lost most of the time. I was intrigued with certain topics that came up and the thought of opening up intellect and brain power from those who are gifted. Maybe the back and forth in timelines, or the offset potential romantic (though extremely slight and left somewhat hanging) parts left me a bit bewildered. The cliffhanger wasn't quite what I wanted or needed from this book. Sometimes I don't mind them, sometimes I do. I'm not sure how I feel particularly in this case since clearly it's a prequel and my thinking is that they're leaving it wanting for those who haven't listened to the podcast to search it out. Unfortunately it just didn't quite work for me and I can't quite pinpoint the exact things that did not. Maybe it was the confusion of the back and forth timelines. Maybe it was the interweaving of what seemed like a variety of different things... or maybe it just didn't clique for the me the way that I hoped that it would. I don't feel the need to run to the podcast to see what happens but if you've listened to it and want to enlighten me, please do ;).