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jdavis147's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Jade and Cam Lasky look like the perfect Atlanta couple, he is a "celebrity" chef and they have two wonderful kids. A masked home invader holds Jade and the kids hostage and Cam must gather the ransom and save them while secrets are coming out and the perfect personas are unraveling.
For me this book moved so quickly and the minute one chapter ended, I had to jump into the next to find out what would happen. I loved how the author built the story and unraveled the clues - it just worked so well. I often judge a mystery/thriller book by the final suspect and this one did not disappoint. I loved the finale and how it unfolded and how the author revealed who it was and their motive. Kimberly Belle gives the reader the pieces to the puzzle at just the right time.
Jade and Cam Lasky look like the perfect Atlanta couple, he is a "celebrity" chef and they have two wonderful kids. A masked home invader holds Jade and the kids hostage and Cam must gather the ransom and save them while secrets are coming out and the perfect personas are unraveling.
For me this book moved so quickly and the minute one chapter ended, I had to jump into the next to find out what would happen. I loved how the author built the story and unraveled the clues - it just worked so well. I often judge a mystery/thriller book by the final suspect and this one did not disappoint. I loved the finale and how it unfolded and how the author revealed who it was and their motive. Kimberly Belle gives the reader the pieces to the puzzle at just the right time.
nixerix's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. After being such a big fan of both The Marriage Lie and Dear Wife, I was really excited for this. Unfortunately, it ended up falling flat for me in nearly every single way.
The major issue I have with this is that it simply feels too repetitive. The book takes place in only a 5-6 hour time span (with the exception of the Interview sections). Perspectives switch between Jade and her husband Cam as they try to deal with their individual ordeals. Cam's whole sub-plot about was really boring. His whole story needed to be told for the sake of the plot, but it still didn't thrill me at all. I couldn't feel sorry for him in the slightest.
I don't like to admit that I didn't really care for Jade either, because it probably makes me seem like a bit of a jerk. But this "supermom" trope in books is just starting to feel incredibly old and tired for me. Every time it's included as a major part of the plot I just feel myself internally groaning. The idea of this incredibly gifted and special "wise beyond her years" kid also felt very cliché. I've stated in other reviews that this is simply another plot device that isn't for me. It ALWAYS feels lazy and much too convenient.
Action does get pushed along in steady increments to keep the plot moving, but even that didn't really excite me. The ending didn't feel complete either. I was curious about the ending and did wonder all the way along about the book's conclusion. It wasn't a bad ending, necessarily, but I guess after such a mediocre experience all the way through it didn't change how I felt about it by the end. Jade's fate is kind of forgotten about and left out of the ending, which feels odd, considering that much of the book surrounds her and her children.
This just feels like a bad cocktail of techniques and writing that rub me the wrong way. Pair this with all its others flaws and you have an underwhelming reading experience. I would say that this book is painfully average and it's frustrating to me that I just couldn't bring myself to feel more into it. I would rate this a 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.
Does this mean that I will give up on Kimberly Belle? Certainly not. This is the only thing from her I haven't enjoyed, so this still gives me hope that I will enjoy the next thing I read from her once again. I'm calling this a stroke of bad luck and moving on.
The major issue I have with this is that it simply feels too repetitive. The book takes place in only a 5-6 hour time span (with the exception of the Interview sections). Perspectives switch between Jade and her husband Cam as they try to deal with their individual ordeals. Cam's whole sub-plot about
Spoiler
his failed restaurants, loan sharking, arson and being a general POSI don't like to admit that I didn't really care for Jade either, because it probably makes me seem like a bit of a jerk. But this "supermom" trope in books is just starting to feel incredibly old and tired for me. Every time it's included as a major part of the plot I just feel myself internally groaning. The idea of this incredibly gifted and special "wise beyond her years" kid
Spoiler
being able to outsmart all the adults and save the dayAction does get pushed along in steady increments to keep the plot moving, but even that didn't really excite me. The ending didn't feel complete either. I was curious about the ending and did wonder all the way along about the book's conclusion. It wasn't a bad ending, necessarily, but I guess after such a mediocre experience all the way through it didn't change how I felt about it by the end. Jade's fate is kind of forgotten about and left out of the ending, which feels odd, considering that much of the book surrounds her and her children.
This just feels like a bad cocktail of techniques and writing that rub me the wrong way. Pair this with all its others flaws and you have an underwhelming reading experience. I would say that this book is painfully average and it's frustrating to me that I just couldn't bring myself to feel more into it. I would rate this a 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.
Does this mean that I will give up on Kimberly Belle? Certainly not. This is the only thing from her I haven't enjoyed, so this still gives me hope that I will enjoy the next thing I read from her once again. I'm calling this a stroke of bad luck and moving on.
araymond1650's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, this was a very solid read for me. I’m rounding up from 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the plot, the twist was pretty good, but it also predictable. The biggest saving grace in this book was Beatrix. If I could have gotten a chapter or two from her perspective, this may have pushed my rating to a 5. It’s so fun to read about a spunky, charismatic and heroic character especially one so young.
gigie125's review against another edition
3.0
This book definitely wasn’t a thriller. Point of views from every character ruined any suspense the reads would have.
I hated the husbands point of view, rather enjoyed his interviews parts better.
Terrible ending, you barely get any information on the ending of the mess.
I hated the husbands point of view, rather enjoyed his interviews parts better.
Terrible ending, you barely get any information on the ending of the mess.
susanthebookbag's review against another edition
5.0
Kimberly Belle has done it again! She has penned another amazing thriller that had my heart racing. Who wouldn't be super stressed when a masked man invades your home and keeps you and your children hostage? And as I was reading this book, I felt like I was there with Jade, just trying to keep the kids safe and figure out a way to escape. Whew!
I have loved all of Ms. Belle's stories and this one has to be right up there at the top as one of my favorites. It will keep you on the edge of your seat as, in the midst of all the drama, the real truth of Jade and Cam's lives comes out. Things are not what they seem.
My Darling Husband is a book that you will not be able to put down once you start, so be prepared! I highly recommend it!
I have loved all of Ms. Belle's stories and this one has to be right up there at the top as one of my favorites. It will keep you on the edge of your seat as, in the midst of all the drama, the real truth of Jade and Cam's lives comes out. Things are not what they seem.
My Darling Husband is a book that you will not be able to put down once you start, so be prepared! I highly recommend it!
khowey's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
filemanager's review against another edition
4.0
This would make a great movie.
Also, this would be a great read for a book club, as it has a lot of good discussion points. Trust, ethics, etc.
Also, this would be a great read for a book club, as it has a lot of good discussion points. Trust, ethics, etc.