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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Sarina Bowen does romance, and she does it well; so when I found out that she was venturing outside the proverbial box, there was a mix of a lot of anticipation with a hint of apprehension on my end. In my years of reading fiction--romance, in particular--I've seen a number of authors try their hand at a different genre and not have the same impact. But in Bowen's case, that anticipation was well rewarded and any apprehension quickly fizzled away within the first couple of pages of the prologue, thanks to her fantastic storytelling in her new standalone, The Five Year Lie. After all, experience has taught me that I can trust in this author's writing because she hasn't disappointed me yet.
The Five Year Lie is the story of Ariel Cafferty, a woman who receives a text from the only man she's ever loved on what should have been just another Monday. The thing is, it's been five years since Ariel was informed that Drew Miller was dead. One text message leads to her questioning everything connected to what happened to Drew and beyond. But the deeper Ariel tries to find answers, the more precarious her situation. She doesn't have only herself to worry about. What is Ariel willing to risk, and what will the truth, especially about Drew's disappearance, cost her--and her son--when all is said and done?
I went into this book thinking I would be able to read a few chapters just to temporarily satiate my curiosity, but I should have known better than to start a Sarina Bowen novel when I have errands pre-scheduled. I had to shuffle things around because I was just like female main character Ariel, needing answers to the increasing number of questions and trying to distinguish what were the lies and what were the long buried truths. Bowen delivered a good balance of romance and suspense in this domestic thriller, and with twists and turns that had left me with bated breath, I was a more than willing hostage by this gripping story and its characters. The truth is, The Five Year Lie is a five-starred read.
The Five Year Lie is the story of Ariel Cafferty, a woman who receives a text from the only man she's ever loved on what should have been just another Monday. The thing is, it's been five years since Ariel was informed that Drew Miller was dead. One text message leads to her questioning everything connected to what happened to Drew and beyond. But the deeper Ariel tries to find answers, the more precarious her situation. She doesn't have only herself to worry about. What is Ariel willing to risk, and what will the truth, especially about Drew's disappearance, cost her--and her son--when all is said and done?
I went into this book thinking I would be able to read a few chapters just to temporarily satiate my curiosity, but I should have known better than to start a Sarina Bowen novel when I have errands pre-scheduled. I had to shuffle things around because I was just like female main character Ariel, needing answers to the increasing number of questions and trying to distinguish what were the lies and what were the long buried truths. Bowen delivered a good balance of romance and suspense in this domestic thriller, and with twists and turns that had left me with bated breath, I was a more than willing hostage by this gripping story and its characters. The truth is, The Five Year Lie is a five-starred read.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
No
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is an average thriller. Ariel is an artist and also works for her cruel and abusive father’s company, Chimeco (the doorbell security camera). There she meets Drew and embarks on a whirlwind romance. But, then one day he just ghosts her. Then her father overdoses and she discovers she’s pregnant. But she can’t see Drew and tell him because she finds out he died. So, Ariel lives her life as a single mom for four years. But one day at a business meeting where she now works for her benevolent uncle and soon to be step-father, she gets a text that makes her question everything. Did Drew actually die and if he did why? Who was he really? Does he have anything to do with sketchy things happening at work? I liked Zane who is the security geek that is helping her get to the bottom of it all. I liked the main characters. Their motivations make sense. But there is no big twist. It’s pretty obvious who one of the bad guys is from the beginning. As for the other, I kept going back and forth between one character and an unknown. When I learned it, it wasn’t a twist because who cares he’s the bad guy. It did make me question the technology we use and how quickly it can go from helpful to villainous. It was a good listen while doing chores and such but wasn’t a riveting listen by any means.