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katwebb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse
augustinedreams's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Chronic illness, Torture, Suicide, Stalking, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Grief, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Blood, Car accident, and Toxic relationship
alba_marie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
I'm not always a mood reader, as I'm usually too focused on my library holds pile. But one of my goals this summer was to read more of my own books. I was in the mood for a dark thriller, so I chose this one, which has been on my shelf for months since I excidedly picked it up from a free book drop.
I appreciated the dark, nebulous atmosphere of husband and wife killing team. Told from the pov of the hubby, who assists his wife in the capture of the women but isn't there for the killing itself, we enter dark suburbia where this team has decided to kill to essentiallybhave better sex.
It isn't all that believable, but it is fast paced, grim, and thrilling. The husband isn't likeable. In fact, he's kind of pathetic and a bit of a doormat. The wife is a venomous viper, a terrifying black widow. It sounds cliche, and it probably is, but maybe that's what made it gripping.
Suburbia is boring, which is kind of the point of the book. They are bored, so they kill. Living in a gated community isn't as all its cracked up to be - or as safe as everyone thinks it is. I guess murder is the easy way out. Instead of admitting and problems or finding excitement in a more legal way, they've discovered they get turned on by becoming serial killers, while also unsuccessful parenting two teens.
My main complaint with the book was the ending.
Graphic: Kidnapping, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Murder, Torture, Violence, and Confinement
Moderate: Blood and Suicide
Minor: Death of parent
cbirv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Murder, Torture, Self harm, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Suicide, Violence, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Death
sadiereads72's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Murder, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Child abuse, and Kidnapping
jaydub0221's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Stalking
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, Body horror, Confinement, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, Torture, and Gore
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Car accident, Dementia, Self harm, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Vomit, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
katiea714's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Vomit, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Torture, Death, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Slavery, Suicide, Blood, Body horror, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, Addiction, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Gaslighting, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Deadnaming, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Bullying, Alcohol, Car accident, Chronic illness, Classism, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol and Vomit
corpseparty's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Torture, Stalking, Self harm, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, and Kidnapping
rainstormdragon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Infidelity, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Murder, Kidnapping, and Death
Moderate: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Sexual content, Gun violence, Gore, Gaslighting, and Blood
magis1105's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a book that really took me out of my comfort zone. It's definitely unconventional, with some of the most disturbing characters I've ever encountered. I won't spoil much, but let's just say that the author doesn't shy away from exploring the dark corners of the human psyche. It's definitely not a book for everyone, but if you're looking for something that will challenge you and make you question your own assumptions about what's morally acceptable, then this is definitely worth checking out.
The twists in the book were executed brilliantly and the dark humor used to develop the characters was both unsettling and captivating. And yes, the conclusion definitely caught me off guard, you need to suspend your disbelief a bit otherwise it's very unrealistic, but that alone did not dampen my enjoyment. It's always refreshing to come across a book that defies expectations and keeps you on your toes until the very end.
Samantha Downing's debut novel was absolutely incredible and left me eagerly anticipating her next work. The way she crafted the story was truly masterful. As for her character development, I am not too sure, but she has a lot of promise and she can only get better, that alone is enticing enough. Can't wait to see where she takes us next!
Full review can be found at: https://bunkerofbooks05.wixsite.com/bunker-of-books/post/my-lovely-wife
Minor: Stalking, Vomit, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Kidnapping, and Death