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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Thank you to #NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks/Harper Paperbacks for providing me an advance copy of Sarina Bowen’s #domesticthriller, The Five Year Lie, in exchange for an honest review.
Title: A Riveting Blend of Mystery and Romance: "The Five Year Lie" by Sarina Bowen
Rating: ★★★★☆
In "The Five Year Lie," Sarina Bowen delivers a captivating tale that seamlessly blends elements of mystery and romance. For Ariel, a 30-year-old single mother in Maine, life takes an unexpected turn when she receives a mysterious text from Drew, the father of her four-year-old son Buzz, who left her without a word years ago and tragically passed away soon after. As Ariel grapples with the shock of this unexpected message, she finds herself drawn into a web of intrigue and uncertainty.
Bowen's narrative unfolds with skillful pacing, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Ariel navigates the complexities of her past and the uncertain future that awaits her. The tension builds steadily as Ariel seeks answers, unsure if she's the victim of a cruel prank or if something more sinister is at play.
What sets "The Five Year Lie" apart is Bowen's ability to infuse the story with genuine emotion and depth. Despite its thrilling premise, the novel is grounded in the very real struggles and triumphs of its characters, particularly Ariel as she grapples with the complexities of motherhood, love, and loss.
While the romance in the story may not be the typical go-to genre for some readers, Bowen's deft touch ensures that it feels organic and heartfelt, adding an extra layer of depth to the narrative. The relationship between Ariel and Drew is portrayed with authenticity and tenderness, making it a compelling centerpiece of the story.
Overall, "The Five Year Lie" is a captivating read that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. With its blend of mystery, romance, and genuine emotion, Sarina Bowen's latest novel is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Title: A Riveting Blend of Mystery and Romance: "The Five Year Lie" by Sarina Bowen
Rating: ★★★★☆
In "The Five Year Lie," Sarina Bowen delivers a captivating tale that seamlessly blends elements of mystery and romance. For Ariel, a 30-year-old single mother in Maine, life takes an unexpected turn when she receives a mysterious text from Drew, the father of her four-year-old son Buzz, who left her without a word years ago and tragically passed away soon after. As Ariel grapples with the shock of this unexpected message, she finds herself drawn into a web of intrigue and uncertainty.
Bowen's narrative unfolds with skillful pacing, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Ariel navigates the complexities of her past and the uncertain future that awaits her. The tension builds steadily as Ariel seeks answers, unsure if she's the victim of a cruel prank or if something more sinister is at play.
What sets "The Five Year Lie" apart is Bowen's ability to infuse the story with genuine emotion and depth. Despite its thrilling premise, the novel is grounded in the very real struggles and triumphs of its characters, particularly Ariel as she grapples with the complexities of motherhood, love, and loss.
While the romance in the story may not be the typical go-to genre for some readers, Bowen's deft touch ensures that it feels organic and heartfelt, adding an extra layer of depth to the narrative. The relationship between Ariel and Drew is portrayed with authenticity and tenderness, making it a compelling centerpiece of the story.
Overall, "The Five Year Lie" is a captivating read that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. With its blend of mystery, romance, and genuine emotion, Sarina Bowen's latest novel is sure to leave a lasting impression.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was just ok for me. I thought the mystery was pretty predictable and the story could have been a good 100 pages shorter. Things just really dragged on until everything wrapped up very quickly and easily in the end. I also felt pretty ambivalent about the characters and the romance. Props to the author though for venturing into a new genre.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
fast-paced
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
tense
I didn’t realize that this author typically writes romance until after I finished this book - but now it makes a lot of sense. For it being a mystery - the romance peace was a little bit cheesy and too much of a focus. But overall, it was a really fast read, the bulk of it is super interesting and then the ending fell flat. Mostly because the author packaged everything up in a perfect little box with a pretty little bow and it seemed a bit a stretch, but I did enjoy the pace and the storyline until then.