Reviews

Red Leaves by Paullina Simons

gerda7's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Good, interesting, setting and descriptions, nasty friends.

anam_ali's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Whatever anyone says, this book will always be one of my favorites because I associate it with a very special period of time in my life.

cowmingo's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Predictable and slow.

torridgambit's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

The ending was disappointing. Too simple. Not deep

but I loved the writing and I loved the complexity of everyone

I just wish the epilogue was different. It wasn't satisfying nor tragic. It was meh

nononanette's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Since reading The Girl in Times Square haunted me a bit, I looked through Simmon's book list and discovered Spencer is a main character in this book which takes place 13 years earlier. Its another mystery, one that reminds me a bit of Gone Girl. Spencer was a fascinating character in GITS and meeting his much younger self (30) was illuminating and a bit heartbreaking. In fact I would recommend reading GITS first.

I found the beginning basketball game frustrating but since I was familiar with her style, I persevered and was richly rewarded. The plot in this one is equally complex (it has issues also) and depends on a great deal from 1 character but it will keep you guessing and if you like interrogation, you could learn a lot from it here!

iwanttoreadallthebooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

I always hesitate to say that a book is bad so I'll say this instead: this book was not very good. The premise sounded promising and the comparison to Donna Tartt had me intrigued. Frankly, Tartt should be insulted because the comparison is an insult to Tartt's body of work. Simons has created characters that are so unlikable and unrelatable that they become unbelievable in their actions and thoughts. If the narrative had been more fast-paced, maybe I could have gotten on board. But the narrative was slow and I just really didn't like the characters. I also enjoy twists and turns. But unfortunately, the twists and turns were not that exciting and fairly predictable. And the ending was a disappointment, just like the rest of the book. I have heard good things about some of Simons' other books but I would definitely hesitate to read any of them as Red Leaves really did not work for me.

paulina_aspiringliterati's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I want to smother Paullina. I want to smother her with a fucking leather coat right now, for fuck's sake. You have no idea NO FUCKING IDEA how heartbroken I am. It won't go away. This will haunt me until the end of time.

What have you done to me with this book, Paullina Simons. I can't believe you've done THIS to me. How COULD you.

She fucking loved him. They LOVED each other. Why. WHY was he so heartless. I refuse to acknowledge this. I refuse to see it as the truth. He couldn't have done this for money. This is awful. This is the worst, most tragic story I've ever heard. HE LEFT HER THERE. ALONE. IN. THE. DARK. And she would have gone anywhere after him. Anywhere.

I can't. I can't live with this.


[I will review this properly once I've calmed down. Which might not happen. Ever.]

hayleyshortcake's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I wasn't prepared for how much I'd enjoy this book,the twisted web of lies kept me completely gripped.

eeb123's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Liked:
- good pacing and intriguing mystery that made me keep wanting to read more

Disliked:
- frustrating dialogue where no one would directly address anything--not just the potential suspects, who may have been obfuscating, but the detective as well (however, note: I've never been a detective, so for all I know this is how it really is)
- the last chapter or so

I tend to like mysteries, and overall, despite some frustrations, enjoyed this book and watching (reading) the plot unfold. I think readers who enjoy mysteries will enjoy, but readers who get frustrated by unrealistic character behavior (such as dialogue) should probably avoid.

(Thank you William Morrow and GoodReads for the copy of this book.)

megmcreads's review

Go to review page

2.0

I read The Girl in Time Square first and it's one of my favourite books...this book however was a bit slow and I had a hard time getting into it.