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eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
When I started reading this book, I had absolutely no idea what it was about. I remember reading the synopis when I requested it, but I read the synopsis of other books as well and they kinda got jumbled enough that I didn't even remember the genre. I think that worked in my favour.
This book has a very emotional beginning. So emotional, in fact, that I started to wonder if maybe the whole book would be just me trying not to cry and failing. I thought it was a contemporary with a pinch of mystery.
Then came the romance element and it was really good so I thought it was perhaps a romance. Then the mystery came back stronger and something happened and I was like "Whaaa...?" Then came the supernatural element which I was very happy with. So this book was a Paranormal Murder Mystery Romance and somehow, everything fit.
I enjoyed this book very much. I loved the chemistry between the protagonists and the nerve-racking tention that was quite consistent. I liked the sudden revelations and the emotion. The writing was good and had me really invested in the story and the characters.
By the time I reached the 75% point, I was prepared to give it five stars. But the grand finale... it wasn't grand enough.
There was a lot of build-up and the ending kinda fell flat compared to it. There were also some things that needed more explanation or an explanation but were just mentioned vaguely. The end was... hurried. And the paranormal aspect wasn't explored enough. Or much at all, really.
I'm aware that this is a standalone with many aspects and only so many of those could be gone into depth with in just one book, but I still feel like we need more. More information, more answers. And preferably another book. I would love that.
So yeah, this is a really good book that could have been better. I still recommend it, though. The flaws won't stop you from loving it.
I do have one question though and that is, What's up with the name? I mean, why this name. I couldn't really connect it to the story. The name could have been something like Empathy, which would give a pun-like quality. But if anyone does find out why this name was chosen, be sure to tell me.
Last but not least, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book has a very emotional beginning. So emotional, in fact, that I started to wonder if maybe the whole book would be just me trying not to cry and failing. I thought it was a contemporary with a pinch of mystery.
Then came the romance element and it was really good so I thought it was perhaps a romance. Then the mystery came back stronger and something happened and I was like "Whaaa...?" Then came the supernatural element which I was very happy with. So this book was a Paranormal Murder Mystery Romance and somehow, everything fit.
I enjoyed this book very much. I loved the chemistry between the protagonists and the nerve-racking tention that was quite consistent. I liked the sudden revelations and the emotion. The writing was good and had me really invested in the story and the characters.
By the time I reached the 75% point, I was prepared to give it five stars. But the grand finale... it wasn't grand enough.
There was a lot of build-up and the ending kinda fell flat compared to it. There were also some things that needed more explanation or an explanation but were just mentioned vaguely. The end was... hurried. And the paranormal aspect wasn't explored enough. Or much at all, really.
I'm aware that this is a standalone with many aspects and only so many of those could be gone into depth with in just one book, but I still feel like we need more. More information, more answers. And preferably another book. I would love that.
So yeah, this is a really good book that could have been better. I still recommend it, though. The flaws won't stop you from loving it.
I do have one question though and that is, What's up with the name? I mean, why this name. I couldn't really connect it to the story. The name could have been something like Empathy, which would give a pun-like quality. But if anyone does find out why this name was chosen, be sure to tell me.
Last but not least, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this copy in exchange for my honest review.
bookdevouringmisfit's review against another edition
3.0
I'm here because I've been attracted to you since the moment I saw you outside the church.
Yes that totally justifies hanging out with a guy who's suspected of murder. Come on, he's cute! Murder? How could he possibly?!
I'm here because you let your guard down around me sometimes, and I don't think you do that with anyone else.
Seeing as you're the only one who talks to him, what with him being a murder suspect and all. I can't imagine anyone else who would willingly offer friendship to him. Well ... except for you so yes, maybe that's why. And also, you're hot!!11
I'm here because you make me feel like I have something to offer the world, instead of being someone who needs to be sheltered away.
Ugh. (
Basically, what I hated about this book was how Charlotte kept romanticizing Thomas and how the first part of the book mainly focuses on her infatuation towards him that it somehow escaped her mind that the guy who's making her all tingly inside is also suspected of murdering his mother. No biggie. These two could not be in a room together without either one of them thinking how hot the other is and wanting to tear each other's clothes off. Like what is even with two of them?
It's not clear who killed Thomas' mother. That's where the mystery begins. What we do know is that he just found her there lifelessly lying in bed. No forced entry. Not even a sign of struggle. Even though Thomas is the main character, I, as a reader, still did not eliminate the chance that he could be the murderer. So yes, I don't care if Thomas gets Charlotte hot every time they're near each other, I still think they were being stupid.
But still I trudged on forward even though it took me almost a month to get to the finish line. And wow I was impressed. Not because the mystery was so mind-blowing in the how did it even level. It was a little predictable actually. I was impressed by how this book hooked me and kept me on the edge of my seat for the second half part of the book. To think that just a few chapters ago, I was almost ready to dismiss this book as another careless mystery that couldn't keep up to the genre (*cough* Never Never *cough*).
I'm no Sherlock and I admit, as soon as bits and pieces of clues were revealed, it was pretty easy to put them all together. But it still kept me wanting more.
All in all, Thicker Than Water is close to being a solid mystery. Like I said, mind-blogging is not what the book is, but what it offered was enough to keep me engaged all the way through the end. I still can't let go of the characters stupidity though.
An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Yes that totally justifies hanging out with a guy who's suspected of murder. Come on, he's cute! Murder? How could he possibly?!
I'm here because you let your guard down around me sometimes, and I don't think you do that with anyone else.
Seeing as you're the only one who talks to him, what with him being a murder suspect and all. I can't imagine anyone else who would willingly offer friendship to him. Well ... except for you so yes, maybe that's why. And also, you're hot!!11
I'm here because you make me feel like I have something to offer the world, instead of being someone who needs to be sheltered away.
Ugh. (
Basically, what I hated about this book was how Charlotte kept romanticizing Thomas and how the first part of the book mainly focuses on her infatuation towards him that it somehow escaped her mind that the guy who's making her all tingly inside is also suspected of murdering his mother. No biggie. These two could not be in a room together without either one of them thinking how hot the other is and wanting to tear each other's clothes off. Like what is even with two of them?
It's not clear who killed Thomas' mother. That's where the mystery begins. What we do know is that he just found her there lifelessly lying in bed. No forced entry. Not even a sign of struggle. Even though Thomas is the main character, I, as a reader, still did not eliminate the chance that he could be the murderer. So yes, I don't care if Thomas gets Charlotte hot every time they're near each other, I still think they were being stupid.
But still I trudged on forward even though it took me almost a month to get to the finish line. And wow I was impressed. Not because the mystery was so mind-blowing in the how did it even level. It was a little predictable actually. I was impressed by how this book hooked me and kept me on the edge of my seat for the second half part of the book. To think that just a few chapters ago, I was almost ready to dismiss this book as another careless mystery that couldn't keep up to the genre (*cough* Never Never *cough*).
I'm no Sherlock and I admit, as soon as bits and pieces of clues were revealed, it was pretty easy to put them all together. But it still kept me wanting more.
All in all, Thicker Than Water is close to being a solid mystery. Like I said, mind-blogging is not what the book is, but what it offered was enough to keep me engaged all the way through the end. I still can't let go of the characters stupidity though.
An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
jordanfincher's review against another edition
3.0
Really struggled between 3 or 4 stars so I guess I'll call it 3.5.
I was convinced I would give it 4 stars until about 70% in when the supernatural element kicked in, feeling incredibly out of place so late in the story. I love the idea, just wish it could have been incorporated sooner.
I was convinced I would give it 4 stars until about 70% in when the supernatural element kicked in, feeling incredibly out of place so late in the story. I love the idea, just wish it could have been incorporated sooner.
chapterswithcheincle's review against another edition
Thicker Than Water
by Kerry Washington
Let me start by saying that I LOVED Scandal and watched that show religiously (with my 🍷 wine). Kerry Washington is a phenomenal actress and I truly did enjoy getting to know more about her. Her family dynamics and relationships are very interesting. I strongly understood her explanation of “playing a role” with her parents. There were many facts about her personal life that I was not aware of. Getting to know her better, made sense of various roles and some of her career choices. Some chapters got boring with the name-throwing and celebrity lifestyle. Although it all made sense in the end, the order of events was sporadic. Kerry tended to skip around which made the timelines confusing especially when she was mixing work and personal life. I prefer a chronological order in memoirs.
I don’t like to rate memoirs but if you like Kerry Washington as an actress, I would recommend this book.
by Kerry Washington
Let me start by saying that I LOVED Scandal and watched that show religiously (with my 🍷 wine). Kerry Washington is a phenomenal actress and I truly did enjoy getting to know more about her. Her family dynamics and relationships are very interesting. I strongly understood her explanation of “playing a role” with her parents. There were many facts about her personal life that I was not aware of. Getting to know her better, made sense of various roles and some of her career choices. Some chapters got boring with the name-throwing and celebrity lifestyle. Although it all made sense in the end, the order of events was sporadic. Kerry tended to skip around which made the timelines confusing especially when she was mixing work and personal life. I prefer a chronological order in memoirs.
I don’t like to rate memoirs but if you like Kerry Washington as an actress, I would recommend this book.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book could almost be a YA contemporary romance and mystery, but there are hints of paranormal that become much more than hints toward the end of the book. If you enjoy both contemporary and paranormal, this book is for you!
I'm not going to spend time recapping the book because I don't want to say much more than the synopsis says, so I'll just jump straight into my review.
What I enjoyed:
The mystery.
I was definitely drawn into the mystery of who killed Thomas's mother. There were several possibilities, but when the truth came out I was completely shocked and eager to learn more!
Charlotte and Thomas.
Thomas reminded me of Kemmerer's Merrick brothers (who I LOVED), so that was a definite plus for me. He was a bit of an outsider with a touch of bad boy to him, but he wasn't a jerk by any means - especially when it came to Charlotte (he did have a bit of an issue with authority). And Charlotte started out kind of weak, but she really came into her own as the book went on.
The romance.
I was a fan of the romance in this one. Even though there were moments when I wondered what Charlotte was thinking (after all, she didn't really know Thomas all that well), and she started out a bit too much like a damsel in distress, there's actually an explanation for a lot of the things I was concerned about - but I can't tell you what that is, of course.
The negatives:
Wanted more paranormal earlier.
For a good portion of the book there were just the tiniest hints of the paranormal aspect of the book. I wanted more!! Plus, this way, once the paranormal elements introduced, it just didn't feel like there was enough time to completely do it justice. It seems like there will be future books where we'll get to learn more, so ...
This book gave us a satisfying end to the mystery but definitely left room for a series. (NOTE: I tweeted Kemmerer about this, and she says that this is hopefully not a standalone. I'm guessing that means it depends on how this one sells, so I hope it does well so I can read more!!) If you're a fan of Kemmerer's Elemental series, I think you'll enjoy this one as well. If you haven't read Kemmerer yet - what are you waiting for? I give this book 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This book could almost be a YA contemporary romance and mystery, but there are hints of paranormal that become much more than hints toward the end of the book. If you enjoy both contemporary and paranormal, this book is for you!
I'm not going to spend time recapping the book because I don't want to say much more than the synopsis says, so I'll just jump straight into my review.
What I enjoyed:
The mystery.
I was definitely drawn into the mystery of who killed Thomas's mother. There were several possibilities, but when the truth came out I was completely shocked and eager to learn more!
Charlotte and Thomas.
Thomas reminded me of Kemmerer's Merrick brothers (who I LOVED), so that was a definite plus for me. He was a bit of an outsider with a touch of bad boy to him, but he wasn't a jerk by any means - especially when it came to Charlotte (he did have a bit of an issue with authority). And Charlotte started out kind of weak, but she really came into her own as the book went on.
The romance.
I was a fan of the romance in this one. Even though there were moments when I wondered what Charlotte was thinking (after all, she didn't really know Thomas all that well), and she started out a bit too much like a damsel in distress, there's actually an explanation for a lot of the things I was concerned about - but I can't tell you what that is, of course.
The negatives:
Wanted more paranormal earlier.
For a good portion of the book there were just the tiniest hints of the paranormal aspect of the book. I wanted more!! Plus, this way, once the paranormal elements introduced, it just didn't feel like there was enough time to completely do it justice. It seems like there will be future books where we'll get to learn more, so ...
This book gave us a satisfying end to the mystery but definitely left room for a series. (NOTE: I tweeted Kemmerer about this, and she says that this is hopefully not a standalone. I'm guessing that means it depends on how this one sells, so I hope it does well so I can read more!!) If you're a fan of Kemmerer's Elemental series, I think you'll enjoy this one as well. If you haven't read Kemmerer yet - what are you waiting for? I give this book 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
chloekeen's review
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
I’m confused?? I get it but I also have no idea wtf happened
neveroutofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
From the cover and the synopsis, this was just the book I was looking for. I figured it was a romantic mystery. I was partly right. It is dark and a bit twisted. It is not lighthearted like the cover suggests. At around 70% this book turned creepy on me. The end didn't leave me feeling very optimistic. Not quite what I was looking for.
On the other hand, it was a quick read. It paced well. I have no complaints with the writing. It was just not what I was looking for. Creepy doesn't work well for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review.
On the other hand, it was a quick read. It paced well. I have no complaints with the writing. It was just not what I was looking for. Creepy doesn't work well for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review.
trennapauni's review against another edition
3.0
idk it just didn’t give me the oomph that i wanted, it was going in a really good direction and then it took a turn that i wasn’t a huge fan of. i liked the characters but i didn’t get enough out of the book to give it anymore than 3 i basically just finished it because i wanted to know how it was going to end
bkassel_'s review against another edition
4.0
I actually really enjoyed this book. I paged through it very quickly. The only thing that bothers me is how some characters are very bland & you dont know much about them, & i feel like the end was very fast. You basically find out everything in the last 30 pages (maybe less). I loved Thomas & Charlotte & their little romance was cute. There's some fun characters & some infuriating ones. But overall i thought it was a refreshing new read.