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mbenzz's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! Sure, I figured out what the letter would say before it was revealed, but who cares? The lives of these three women were filled with twists and turns and unexpected emotions. It was real and believable and I absolutely recommend this to anyone interested. It would make an awesome book club selection since these women are so different and there are so many things going on. Very glad I read this. It was recommended to me and I decided to try it on a whim...I couldn't put it down!
lisakerd's review against another edition
2.0
The storyline had potential, but the narrative was exhaustingly repetitive. No character development, everyone is always angry. The book loses momentum early on, and the plot twists, overall, were disturbing and disappointing.
emrodav's review against another edition
1.0
Oh man. I finished this book and wished I hadn’t bothered. It’s just...there’s so much I didn’t vibe with here.
First, the secret was so obvious from the beginning that it took the tension away from the beginning of the book. And then the middle draaaaags forever, and you start to care less and less about each of the characters (especially Tess-I could not care less about Tess by the end of the book). And then the ending. What was that ending?? Mostly the epilogue, which undoes the whole point of the book???
Idk. I would recommend skipping this unless you’re a diehard Liane Moriarty fan. If you wanna know what happens skim it or I can spoil the major plot points for you lol.
First, the secret was so obvious from the beginning that it took the tension away from the beginning of the book. And then the middle draaaaags forever, and you start to care less and less about each of the characters (especially Tess-I could not care less about Tess by the end of the book). And then the ending. What was that ending?? Mostly the epilogue, which undoes the whole point of the book???
Idk. I would recommend skipping this unless you’re a diehard Liane Moriarty fan. If you wanna know what happens skim it or I can spoil the major plot points for you lol.
emilie_andry's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
aceinit's review against another edition
3.0
A nice, brisk bit of light reading that’s not quite as profound as it wishes it was.
The references to Pandora’s Box in the prologue and epilogue have very little to do with the actual story, and Tess’s arc could have been left out entirely because it has so little to do with the other two. Her connection to Cecilia/Rachel/Connor is barely there. The recurring items that flit across all the character’s lives, from The Biggest Loser to Tupperware to hot cross buns to The Berlin Wall only serve to go “oh, well, we’re mentioning this again” and offer no larger thematic suggestions despite being constantly mentioned. We get it, all the characters’ arcs are happening at the same time. Move on.
The references to Pandora’s Box in the prologue and epilogue have very little to do with the actual story, and Tess’s arc could have been left out entirely because it has so little to do with the other two. Her connection to Cecilia/Rachel/Connor is barely there. The recurring items that flit across all the character’s lives, from The Biggest Loser to Tupperware to hot cross buns to The Berlin Wall only serve to go “oh, well, we’re mentioning this again” and offer no larger thematic suggestions despite being constantly mentioned. We get it, all the characters’ arcs are happening at the same time. Move on.
ginaboyer2006's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
katiespooner27's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
becky_mercer93's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
nikki52010's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 Stars.
Audio book.
Review (hopefully) to come.
I have been staring at this book for a while now trying to decide to read it or not. It's not my typical read so I was a bit skeptical going into it. I finally ordered the audio version and took the plunge.
Of course, we all know the general information on it. Wife finds a letter from her husband, only to be opened in the event of his death. Except he is still alive and well. At first I just wanted to know what the secret was, and I declared to myself that if I wasn't feeling the story after I found out, that I would simply just DNF it and be done. But there was more to it. I had to keep reading to see how it would all unfold.
As many have stated, the first part is confusing. It starts off introducing the three main characters each in their own chapter. All the while you are trying to figure out how they are connected by this letter and secret. Slowly the story begins to unfold and the characters start to intertwine with each other. This author knows how to tell a story and how to keep a reader engaged. I found myself not being able to stop listening until I got to the end.
The one and only problem I had with this story was how the main characters Cecilia, Tess and Rachel all came off as weak. Each character gets thrown a dilemma, and I just feel that each one could have and should been stronger during their situations. Yes, I understand life hands you lemons at times, but all I felt from each one was, "Oh woe is me." This might have just been because I was listening to the audio version, and it was all very exaggerated.
I really enjoyed the epilogue, very unique and really got me to think. It actually was my favorite part of the story!
“None of us ever know all the possible courses our lives could have and maybe should have taken. It's probably just as well. Some secrets are meant to stay secret forever. Just ask Pandora.”
I can't wait to read more of this author.
Audio book.
I have been staring at this book for a while now trying to decide to read it or not. It's not my typical read so I was a bit skeptical going into it. I finally ordered the audio version and took the plunge.
Of course, we all know the general information on it. Wife finds a letter from her husband, only to be opened in the event of his death. Except he is still alive and well. At first I just wanted to know what the secret was, and I declared to myself that if I wasn't feeling the story after I found out, that I would simply just DNF it and be done. But there was more to it. I had to keep reading to see how it would all unfold.
As many have stated, the first part is confusing. It starts off introducing the three main characters each in their own chapter. All the while you are trying to figure out how they are connected by this letter and secret. Slowly the story begins to unfold and the characters start to intertwine with each other. This author knows how to tell a story and how to keep a reader engaged. I found myself not being able to stop listening until I got to the end.
The one and only problem I had with this story was how the main characters Cecilia, Tess and Rachel all came off as weak. Each character gets thrown a dilemma, and I just feel that each one could have and should been stronger during their situations. Yes, I understand life hands you lemons at times, but all I felt from each one was, "Oh woe is me." This might have just been because I was listening to the audio version, and it was all very exaggerated.
I really enjoyed the epilogue, very unique and really got me to think. It actually was my favorite part of the story!
“None of us ever know all the possible courses our lives could have and maybe should have taken. It's probably just as well. Some secrets are meant to stay secret forever. Just ask Pandora.”
I can't wait to read more of this author.