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tatyanavogt's review against another edition
4.0
I'm giving this a high 4 stars but I feel like I should start off this review by saying that of course this book isn't going to be for everyone. I picked it up after reading The Haunting of Brynn Wilder also by Wendy Webb because although there were many story flaws with that book I REALLY enjoyed the writing. And I felt that she would probably do a great job writing a more "haunted house" type novel. And it looks like I was right. Not only did I think her writing style was well suited for the theme but I think in general this was a stronger better done book than the Haunting of Brynn Wilder (which I also enjoyed).
This story is basically about a woman who after hitting rock bottom finds herself baby sitting an elderly woman in a big spooky house as a way to escape the shit show that her life had become. Questioning her decision to take on her new roll she finds herself uncovering spooky things about the house while learning more about why she is really there in the first place.
It's spooky, cozy and fun. I really enjoyed the spooky house vibes although I wouldn't consider the book particularly scary or thrilling so if that is what you're looking for this might not be the best book. (I also don't scare super easily so it may be a little scary to some people, I don't know). There was a romance aspect to the book that was okay, not may favorite. I feel like it could have done better but I also wasn't surprised by how it played out having read her other book.
Again I really enjoyed this book, quite a lot.
Spoiler thoughts:
First off I dont think anything was really a mystery. It was clear that she had been there before, it was obvious that she was the one who was hospitalized, it was clear she had a previous relationship with drew before hand that she just couldn't remember. And it was clear that she was related to the physic.
I did NOT realize that the tracks where whats-his-faces daughter, that was a surprise...
I do think the whole demon thing was pretty weak, the fact that it was this big powerful entity that caused so much trouble but was barely around and then SUPER easy to get rid of..
The super insta love romance was annoying. SO many opportunities to make us feel a connection between the two of them that was poorly handled. The mentioning of "sparks" when they touched was weird. AND the fact that they had that intense, it too soon moment BEFORE they spent the full day together and not after was stupid. Move that to the end of the day and I would have believed it.
Also I wish there was more hints at her having physic abilities. Like she apparently lived her WHOLE life with it and then after the event she completely forgot. Even with pills to dull her connection you would think she would have some strange encounters in the 10 years since that at least made her question stuff. AND what about her childhood. She just blocked out that part but nothing else?.
The ending was awesome. Her somehow being at the house when it was run-down as if it was from another time but waking up like it was a dream only to see that she was actually injured from the experience. I LOVED it and totally wanna know what that was all about. Totally spooky and fun.
Okay thats all I can think for now. As usual its late and I am pretty tired so I am sorry if most of what I said doesn't make sense and I am sure I have some pretty awful spelling and grammar errors, anytime I re-read these I am ashamed at myself. lol.
This story is basically about a woman who after hitting rock bottom finds herself baby sitting an elderly woman in a big spooky house as a way to escape the shit show that her life had become. Questioning her decision to take on her new roll she finds herself uncovering spooky things about the house while learning more about why she is really there in the first place.
It's spooky, cozy and fun. I really enjoyed the spooky house vibes although I wouldn't consider the book particularly scary or thrilling so if that is what you're looking for this might not be the best book. (I also don't scare super easily so it may be a little scary to some people, I don't know). There was a romance aspect to the book that was okay, not may favorite. I feel like it could have done better but I also wasn't surprised by how it played out having read her other book.
Again I really enjoyed this book, quite a lot.
Spoiler thoughts:
Spoiler
First off I dont think anything was really a mystery. It was clear that she had been there before, it was obvious that she was the one who was hospitalized, it was clear she had a previous relationship with drew before hand that she just couldn't remember. And it was clear that she was related to the physic.
I did NOT realize that the tracks where whats-his-faces daughter, that was a surprise...
I do think the whole demon thing was pretty weak, the fact that it was this big powerful entity that caused so much trouble but was barely around and then SUPER easy to get rid of..
The super insta love romance was annoying. SO many opportunities to make us feel a connection between the two of them that was poorly handled. The mentioning of "sparks" when they touched was weird. AND the fact that they had that intense, it too soon moment BEFORE they spent the full day together and not after was stupid. Move that to the end of the day and I would have believed it.
Also I wish there was more hints at her having physic abilities. Like she apparently lived her WHOLE life with it and then after the event she completely forgot. Even with pills to dull her connection you would think she would have some strange encounters in the 10 years since that at least made her question stuff. AND what about her childhood. She just blocked out that part but nothing else?.
The ending was awesome. Her somehow being at the house when it was run-down as if it was from another time but waking up like it was a dream only to see that she was actually injured from the experience. I LOVED it and totally wanna know what that was all about. Totally spooky and fun.
Okay thats all I can think for now. As usual its late and I am pretty tired so I am sorry if most of what I said doesn't make sense and I am sure I have some pretty awful spelling and grammar errors, anytime I re-read these I am ashamed at myself. lol.
eileenthecrow's review against another edition
1.0
remind me to not be fooled by books with pretty covers again.
this was awful. the writing was a joke.
here is what I think: a decent gothic novel should not have multiple twists and turns EVERY CHAPTER to keep the reader interested. look at any great gothic novel and you'll see they accomplish much more with just one big twist toward the end. while reading it, there was a moment when I thought to myself that this was painfully unrewarding and a complete waste of my time. I don't recommend this book to anyone. pick up rebecca or the haunting of hill house instead.
this was awful. the writing was a joke.
here is what I think: a decent gothic novel should not have multiple twists and turns EVERY CHAPTER to keep the reader interested. look at any great gothic novel and you'll see they accomplish much more with just one big twist toward the end. while reading it, there was a moment when I thought to myself that this was painfully unrewarding and a complete waste of my time. I don't recommend this book to anyone. pick up rebecca or the haunting of hill house instead.
shawniebooks's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the mansion in the woods setting in this gothic ghost story. I felt the ending was rushed but enjoyed the overall story and characters.
barkingspiders_books's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this one, not as much as Wendy's other books... maybe... some of it might have to do with genuinely get a bit spooked by this book. Had a hard time walking by a window at night that did not have the curtain closed.
jilligin's review against another edition
2.0
It was ok compared to so many others by Webb. I wasn’t as impressed with this one, and had to suspend reality a LOT for this one.