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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
So, this book is dark. Really dark. While there's a romantic subplot, there's a lot of violence. Even the sex scenes are violent.
But it's as good as psychological thrillers get. I did find the book rather long for the genre, but if you're not faint hearted, it's an easy and captivating read.
But it's as good as psychological thrillers get. I did find the book rather long for the genre, but if you're not faint hearted, it's an easy and captivating read.
I picked this book up at the library this week, I had heard great reviews and wanted to read it for a while. I was not disappointed.
The story is split into two sections, the past and the present. Written in the first person, Catherine's present is significantly different from her past. Current day Catherine is suffering from extreme OCD and anxiety, even getting to work in the morning is a chore. The past Catherine was a completely different person, out every night of the week, basically enjoying her life. She meets a new man, and things change from there. The book continues like this, until eventually the two stories meet.
The story goes into domestic violence and abuse in a lot of detail. Which, some might find disturbing. You start to ask the usual questions, why put up with it, why don't you just leave? But the author, really brings you into this and you understand that it is perhaps not that easy.
This book is no literary masterpiece by any means, but it had me gripped right from the start and I couldn't wait to read more. Which, is really all I ask from a book. I gave four stars as I didn't really like the last page, it didn't ruin the book for me but I wish it had finished on the page before.
I recommend this book, but maybe not for the faint hearted as some scenes could be quite upsetting. I will be looking at more from this author.
The story is split into two sections, the past and the present. Written in the first person, Catherine's present is significantly different from her past. Current day Catherine is suffering from extreme OCD and anxiety, even getting to work in the morning is a chore. The past Catherine was a completely different person, out every night of the week, basically enjoying her life. She meets a new man, and things change from there. The book continues like this, until eventually the two stories meet.
The story goes into domestic violence and abuse in a lot of detail. Which, some might find disturbing. You start to ask the usual questions, why put up with it, why don't you just leave? But the author, really brings you into this and you understand that it is perhaps not that easy.
This book is no literary masterpiece by any means, but it had me gripped right from the start and I couldn't wait to read more. Which, is really all I ask from a book. I gave four stars as I didn't really like the last page, it didn't ruin the book for me but I wish it had finished on the page before.
I recommend this book, but maybe not for the faint hearted as some scenes could be quite upsetting. I will be looking at more from this author.
I really loved this book. It was a little slow to begin with which is the main reason I did not give it five stars. I thought that it was very realistic although there was a couple of things that happened that were never explained. There is a lot of sex in the book, although I could understand why some of it was there I cannot make my mind up as to whether it was ALL relevant to the story. I thought that it had a really strong ending.
I love this book for it's narrative and characters. The authors job outside of being an author clearly influenced how well-written this book is.
Very enthralling, keeps me intrigued until the end. Some of the middle parts feel a bit boring and drag on, but I think that’s because I’ve read it a few times. It’s not too confusing jumping back and forth between timelines, and even though I’ve read it a few times already, it keeps me hooked until the end. A great thriller.
I really enjoyed this book compared to some other thrillers I've been reading lately. I thought it was well told and you really sympathize with the main character. I think its also true to real cases where someone is victimized but people won't believe them. Well told and really keeps you interested until the end.
This book was ok. Only ok.
The concept was interesting and the narrative style drew me in, I quite liked the way it switched from story to story, from time period to time period, staying with one thread longing to keep you guessing and to hold your interest but not quite long enough to let you settle into the story. It was an effective way of building suspense and I read the book in only a couple of days, itching to know know how it was going to pan out.
On the other hand I found a lot of the story to be unrealistic, particularly I think, Cathy's relationships with her friends; maybe I'm just lucky in the people I surround myself with but I'm fairly sure if I was ever to tell any of them I was afraid of my partner they would give that concern the time of day. I also felt like there was a lot of gratuitous sex/violence that didn't necessarily add to the plot, but that could just be because reading about domestic violence makes me uncomfortable...
Not a bad read, but not a great one either. I did find it interesting that this was written for NaNoWriMo. I've contemplated NaNo myself before but never signed up because it's a massive commitment...anyone who can write a publishable novel in 30 days deserves a tip of the hat.
The concept was interesting and the narrative style drew me in, I quite liked the way it switched from story to story, from time period to time period, staying with one thread longing to keep you guessing and to hold your interest but not quite long enough to let you settle into the story. It was an effective way of building suspense and I read the book in only a couple of days, itching to know know how it was going to pan out.
On the other hand I found a lot of the story to be unrealistic, particularly I think, Cathy's relationships with her friends; maybe I'm just lucky in the people I surround myself with but I'm fairly sure if I was ever to tell any of them I was afraid of my partner they would give that concern the time of day. I also felt like there was a lot of gratuitous sex/violence that didn't necessarily add to the plot, but that could just be because reading about domestic violence makes me uncomfortable...
Not a bad read, but not a great one either. I did find it interesting that this was written for NaNoWriMo. I've contemplated NaNo myself before but never signed up because it's a massive commitment...anyone who can write a publishable novel in 30 days deserves a tip of the hat.
This book is incredible!!!!! Everything about it was awesome, from the characters to the storytelling. Catherine was an awesome narrator, and I loved how it kept going back and forth from past to present day. You really see how much she has changed, and at times it almost feels like two different characters, but in a good and realistic and believable way. And Lee was so well written, ever so subtly going from charming to absolutely terrifying. I would not categorize this as a mystery, especially going back and forth between past and present you basically know what happens to Cathy and who did it. Not too much is surprising. But it is a THRILLER, and especially the last half I just could not put down. It's so well written, like I said, subtle. Is Cathy crazy or is it really Lee? And the last few chapters had me literally yelling and my heart beating so fast. This book was a roller coaster, so incredible, and I loved every minute of it!
dark
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked this up on Borrowbox as an audiobook after seeing a huge number of 5 star reviews, I'd great expectations but this one left me totally underwhelmed.
First of all to get the audio bit out of the way, that was done very well. I found the narration captivating and held my attention and their were no silly voices which induced eye rolls.
What I didn't enjoy was the level of "that would never happen" I found on every page. Now, I never expect a thriller to be realistic or practical but I do expect some level of possibility there. Event after event I felt like shouting ah here really?!
I think the underlying story was a good one and think in other circumstances I would have enjoyed it if it was pulled back a little. In this case I think less would have certainly been more.
An unpopular opinion but only a 3 star for me.
First of all to get the audio bit out of the way, that was done very well. I found the narration captivating and held my attention and their were no silly voices which induced eye rolls.
What I didn't enjoy was the level of "that would never happen" I found on every page. Now, I never expect a thriller to be realistic or practical but I do expect some level of possibility there. Event after event I felt like shouting ah here really?!
I think the underlying story was a good one and think in other circumstances I would have enjoyed it if it was pulled back a little. In this case I think less would have certainly been more.
An unpopular opinion but only a 3 star for me.
This author REALLY nails the psychological experience that accompanies and follows domestic violence. It was such a good book I kept reading through impending panic attacks but had to skim some parts because they were too intense. If you have experienced domestic violence, you may find this an empowering book, but it also may trigger anxiety and PTSD symptoms, so be advised. I thought the book was completely engrossing -- un-put-downable plot and the character development very fine as well.