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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
CLOSER THAN YOU THINK is the first book in a new romantic suspense series by the lovely Karen Rose. The story immediately captured my attention and held it in a severely tight grip the entire book! The criminals are dark and disturbing and the new setting of characters is both entertaining and intriguing.
***I will throw in a little warning though: There are very graphic scenes involving violence against children, women and a sadistic serial killer. I’m not trying to be a spoiler-ed sport but some readers may be uncomfortable with this type of content so I want to make sure it’s mentioned so a reader isn’t blindsided or unintentionally upset***
I loved Faith’s character. She’s been through so much but still remains a fierce fighter and advocate for women and children who’ve been abused. I admired Faith’s strength and her soft heart and I’m excited to see where this series—aptly named for her—will lead us.
Deacon was larger than life and I loved learning about his family. Deacon has a core of steel and although he faces death and unthinkable horrors as an FBI agent, he is determined to bring the bad guys down and give victims and their families’ piece of mind. I thought Deacon complimented Faith well and I’m looking forward to see how their relationship develops.
The secondary characters were outstanding and supported Deacon and Faith well. I’m looking forward to reading every one of their stories. I also appreciated the fact that there was no insta-love between Deacon and Faith. It makes the characters believable and it gives the series somewhere to go.
The suspense aspect of the story was amazing! The author had me guessing until the very end and even when I thought I figured out who the villain(s) was/were, I would be totally wrong! I LOVE when authors challenge the reader and Karen Rose always delivers!
5 Brilliant Stars!
I highly recommend this and any book from Karen Rose!
***I was gifted an eARC and paperback copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***
***I will throw in a little warning though: There are very graphic scenes involving violence against children, women and a sadistic serial killer. I’m not trying to be a spoiler-ed sport but some readers may be uncomfortable with this type of content so I want to make sure it’s mentioned so a reader isn’t blindsided or unintentionally upset***
I loved Faith’s character. She’s been through so much but still remains a fierce fighter and advocate for women and children who’ve been abused. I admired Faith’s strength and her soft heart and I’m excited to see where this series—aptly named for her—will lead us.
Deacon was larger than life and I loved learning about his family. Deacon has a core of steel and although he faces death and unthinkable horrors as an FBI agent, he is determined to bring the bad guys down and give victims and their families’ piece of mind. I thought Deacon complimented Faith well and I’m looking forward to see how their relationship develops.
The secondary characters were outstanding and supported Deacon and Faith well. I’m looking forward to reading every one of their stories. I also appreciated the fact that there was no insta-love between Deacon and Faith. It makes the characters believable and it gives the series somewhere to go.
The suspense aspect of the story was amazing! The author had me guessing until the very end and even when I thought I figured out who the villain(s) was/were, I would be totally wrong! I LOVE when authors challenge the reader and Karen Rose always delivers!
5 Brilliant Stars!
I highly recommend this and any book from Karen Rose!
***I was gifted an eARC and paperback copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you're into romance books and suspense/crime thrillers (not overly police procedural) Karen Rose is your next favorite author. (Seriously, ignore my rating and get one of her books).
Reading Rose's books feels like watching an entire 12-episode season of a show on Netflix or Amazon prime. They are long, layered stories but you keep "tuning in." Unlike other books of this length, I find Rose is able to keep a quick pace and "urgency".
I figured out who did it before 50% which made the second half of this book drag for me anytime I was in the main storyline... I would probably have enjoyed it more if I hadn't.
Per usual, the detailed sex scenes weren't for me and I felt like this book had more than the previous I read by Rose. After the third romp I started to skip ahead a few pages anytime they started to pant and make eyes at each other (staying out of the bedroom with them didn't hurt the story for me).
Sadly, after reading this I know now Rose's books are too much of a time investment for me. I don't love them enough for how long they are (28hours!)
My experience/review here almost identically matches my opinion of [b:Say You're Sorry|39918958|Say You're Sorry (Romantic Suspense, #22; Sacramento, #1)|Karen Rose|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545605244l/39918958._SY75_.jpg|71699099] well (4-stars). Both times I jumped in not knowing this was a "series" and felt fine/not missing things or otherwise "out of the loop"
I DO like the author's writing just not enough for how much investment is required. That "to read" list isn't getting any shorter...
SUMMARY: Faith is a psychologist who counseled criminal pedophiles, or she did until one of her former patients tried to kill her. After changing her identity she returns to the home she grew up in (her late grandma's estate) that she hasn't been back to in 20-ish years. The last day she was there her mother died.
An attack is made on Faith's life again AND dead bodies are found on the property. The FBI is called in (there's your love story FBI guy+ Faith) and as they hunt for the guy responsible for the bodies, and the pedo after Faith (could they be the same person? working together?) Faith has to confront some family history and what really happened to her mother that she's supressed for 20-ish years. The FBI guy also has to deal with some family/personal drama.
There is also a second storyline of one of the victims who is still being held and then tries to escape.
Trigger warnings for rape, child abuse, and torture. It is not graphically described but comes up in interviews as facts.
Reading Rose's books feels like watching an entire 12-episode season of a show on Netflix or Amazon prime. They are long, layered stories but you keep "tuning in." Unlike other books of this length, I find Rose is able to keep a quick pace and "urgency".
I figured out who did it before 50% which made the second half of this book drag for me anytime I was in the main storyline... I would probably have enjoyed it more if I hadn't.
Per usual, the detailed sex scenes weren't for me and I felt like this book had more than the previous I read by Rose. After the third romp I started to skip ahead a few pages anytime they started to pant and make eyes at each other (staying out of the bedroom with them didn't hurt the story for me).
Sadly, after reading this I know now Rose's books are too much of a time investment for me. I don't love them enough for how long they are (28hours!)
My experience/review here almost identically matches my opinion of [b:Say You're Sorry|39918958|Say You're Sorry (Romantic Suspense, #22; Sacramento, #1)|Karen Rose|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545605244l/39918958._SY75_.jpg|71699099] well (4-stars). Both times I jumped in not knowing this was a "series" and felt fine/not missing things or otherwise "out of the loop"
I DO like the author's writing just not enough for how much investment is required. That "to read" list isn't getting any shorter...
SUMMARY: Faith is a psychologist who counseled criminal pedophiles, or she did until one of her former patients tried to kill her. After changing her identity she returns to the home she grew up in (her late grandma's estate) that she hasn't been back to in 20-ish years. The last day she was there her mother died.
An attack is made on Faith's life again AND dead bodies are found on the property. The FBI is called in (there's your love story FBI guy+ Faith) and as they hunt for the guy responsible for the bodies, and the pedo after Faith (could they be the same person? working together?) Faith has to confront some family history and what really happened to her mother that she's supressed for 20-ish years. The FBI guy also has to deal with some family/personal drama.
There is also a second storyline of one of the victims who is still being held and then tries to escape.
Trigger warnings for rape, child abuse, and torture. It is not graphically described but comes up in interviews as facts.
A bit long for a lack luster ending. It felt like the author was as bored writing it as I was reading it towards the end.
Plenty of credible suspects all the way through until the final pieces of evidence come in just before the end.
The sex scenes can be skipped over without missing anything crucial to the mystery crime plot.
The sex scenes can be skipped over without missing anything crucial to the mystery crime plot.
ARC generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
RATING ~ 4.25 Stars.
The story follows Dr. Faith Corcoran and the FBI Agent Deacon Novak in their investigation to find the missing girls in town of Cincinnati.
Faith:
Deacon:
Dr. Faith Corcoran is a thirty-two year psychologist or she was until her she got a stalker who made several attempts on her life. Faith used to be a therapist to criminals until one of them decides to stalk her. Fed up that the local police was not taking her seriously, she decides to change her identity move back to her hometown and to a house (left to her in by her late grandmother) she hasn't visited since she left twenty-three years ago when her mother died. She just gets back into town that trouble has found her again. This is how I imagine the somewhat looks like house:
Agent Deacon Novak has also just returned to town and joined the task force there because of his troublemaker younger brother who no longer listens to his uncle and aunty. Deacon parents died young, he and his siblings were forced to sell their home and move in with their aunty and uncle. He’s bought in when the trouble comes knocking.
Faith and Deacon were both very strong characters with very interesting background. Faith and Deacon’s relationship was also great, it was a slow build up where they went from being strangers to trusting each other to being together as a couple. They also had a definite connection which I always like in my hero and heroine. I thought they were great together.
I don’t want to give away too much but the story follows the investigation of the missing girls and Faith’s stalker/ attempted murderer which leads to pain and old secrets being revealed.
This book is about 700 pages long but you don’t feel that, the story flows smoothly in a typical Karen Rose fashion with twists and turns and mayhem just around the corner. I really enjoyed the suspense and figuring out who-dun-it part of the book and of course faith & Deacon together.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series which I believe also has Faith and Deacon as protagonist, cannot wait for more of their story to unfold.
Karen Rose writes really amazing romantic suspense books, if you have not read any of her books you definitely should. Happy Reading!
P.s Yes I thought them as anime characters because why not?
Review posted 31 Oct'14
Originally posted: http://www.afortressofbooks.com/2014/10/31/arc-review-closer-than-you-think-by-karen-rose/
RATING ~ 4.25 Stars.
The story follows Dr. Faith Corcoran and the FBI Agent Deacon Novak in their investigation to find the missing girls in town of Cincinnati.
Faith:
Deacon:
Dr. Faith Corcoran is a thirty-two year psychologist or she was until her she got a stalker who made several attempts on her life. Faith used to be a therapist to criminals until one of them decides to stalk her. Fed up that the local police was not taking her seriously, she decides to change her identity move back to her hometown and to a house (left to her in by her late grandmother) she hasn't visited since she left twenty-three years ago when her mother died. She just gets back into town that trouble has found her again. This is how I imagine the somewhat looks like house:
Agent Deacon Novak has also just returned to town and joined the task force there because of his troublemaker younger brother who no longer listens to his uncle and aunty. Deacon parents died young, he and his siblings were forced to sell their home and move in with their aunty and uncle. He’s bought in when the trouble comes knocking.
Faith and Deacon were both very strong characters with very interesting background. Faith and Deacon’s relationship was also great, it was a slow build up where they went from being strangers to trusting each other to being together as a couple. They also had a definite connection which I always like in my hero and heroine. I thought they were great together.
I don’t want to give away too much but the story follows the investigation of the missing girls and Faith’s stalker/ attempted murderer which leads to pain and old secrets being revealed.
This book is about 700 pages long but you don’t feel that, the story flows smoothly in a typical Karen Rose fashion with twists and turns and mayhem just around the corner. I really enjoyed the suspense and figuring out who-dun-it part of the book and of course faith & Deacon together.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series which I believe also has Faith and Deacon as protagonist, cannot wait for more of their story to unfold.
Karen Rose writes really amazing romantic suspense books, if you have not read any of her books you definitely should. Happy Reading!
P.s Yes I thought them as anime characters because why not?
Review posted 31 Oct'14
Originally posted: http://www.afortressofbooks.com/2014/10/31/arc-review-closer-than-you-think-by-karen-rose/
This book was TOO DAMN LONG and also much too slow at times. I jumped on the Karen Rose train last year and have bounced around with the order of the books due to my library recommending You Belong to Me first. I started with Baltimore then went to Vartanian. Before finishing Vartanian, I went back to the beginning, but I haven't read Dana and Tess' books because my library doesn't have them available in audio format. *Anyways* I typically rate Karen's books between 3-5 because I don't ever *dislike* them, but sometimes certain aspects of the books get on my nerves. This is the first of her books I'd give a 2.5 if it was possible. The book went on and on so much that I found myself wanting to skip parts just to move the story along. Obviously Karen writes lengthy books, but this one has way too much happening and could *easily* be 150 pages shorter. The killer was easily identified (I recognize we all have different experiences with that. Sometimes I'm oblivious when other folks know almost immediately, and sometimes Karen takes out the guesswork and tells us within the first 2 chapters.), a couple of errors were far too glaring (I am well aware we all have to suspend some beliefs for these novels, but I work for CPS. The children Faith tried to protect by working with sex offenders *WOULD NOT* still be in the care of mothers who did not believe they were sexually abused after the offenders were arrested and mandated to participate in treatment!!!!! That's just bullshit!!!!!), and there was *way too much* of a deep dive into ancillary characters (Dani has *her own Cincinnati book*! I did not need to get to know her so well in this one! That whole subplot with her and Greg was completely unnecessary!). Also, Adam was a *TOTAL ASS* who shouldn't have been on the case (another one of those numerous glaring errors), and I'm *not* excited about him being the love interest later in this series.
