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khaleesimod93's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The reviews are definitely mixed in regards to this novel, but I loved it! It dragged in some areas, but I couldn't stop turning the page. I wanted to put it down so many times, but there was always a little tid bit that kept me going. There was a lot going on and a lot of distrust and shaken foundations and hard truths. I'm glad that Emma was able to fully unburden herself and that the truth came out about Charlie. I know how much guilt she had in regard to him. She deserves to be free of that. It makes me so angry what Janice did, but she was broken too. So many lives changed and broken over one lie. I'm glad Leo and Emma were able to work their issues out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility
okevamae's review
5.0
Leo is an obituary writer, happily married to Emma, a marine ecologist. When a cancer diagnosis makes her future uncertain, Leo secretly starts writing her obituary as a form of therapy and tribute. But when he researches the details of her past, everything he knows about her seems to fall apart under scrutiny.
This book is part domestic drama, part compelling mystery. It was little bit slow to get started, but by the end I was flying through it, unable to put it down. In the first section, POV switches back and forth between Leo and Emma. We slowly get little clues about what Emma is hiding, starting with oblique references in Emma’s POV sections, then bleeding over into Leo’s as he starts to discover Emma’s lies. The second section is a flashback to twenty years ago, and the third section is back to the present, again in rotating POV. In each section, the complex web of secrets the author has created is revealed bit by bit, which keeps things interesting – but every time you think you know what’s going on, along comes a twist that turns everything upside down. I never fully knew what was coming, which I absolutely loved.
I honestly had very little sympathy for Emma at the beginning, but the flashback section changed everything. She still bears responsibility for many of her actions in later years, of course, but finding out the backstory and the truth behind the lies puts things into perspective and makes her character far more sympathetic.
CW: Cancer, first-person depiction of mental illness, gaslighting
I received an advance copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is part domestic drama, part compelling mystery. It was little bit slow to get started, but by the end I was flying through it, unable to put it down. In the first section, POV switches back and forth between Leo and Emma. We slowly get little clues about what Emma is hiding, starting with oblique references in Emma’s POV sections, then bleeding over into Leo’s as he starts to discover Emma’s lies. The second section is a flashback to twenty years ago, and the third section is back to the present, again in rotating POV. In each section, the complex web of secrets the author has created is revealed bit by bit, which keeps things interesting – but every time you think you know what’s going on, along comes a twist that turns everything upside down. I never fully knew what was coming, which I absolutely loved.
I honestly had very little sympathy for Emma at the beginning, but the flashback section changed everything. She still bears responsibility for many of her actions in later years, of course, but finding out the backstory and the truth behind the lies puts things into perspective and makes her character far more sympathetic.
CW: Cancer, first-person depiction of mental illness, gaslighting
I received an advance copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
fernandfay's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jansbookcorner's review
3.0
A slow developing domestic drama with a little mystery thrown in. I found it to be a quick read that kept me engaged but there were a few twists that had me thinking - “what are the odds?!” It was fairly easy to see where the story was headed but overall an enjoyable read.
rooreerosales's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt