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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Five+ Let Jesus (aka Huss) take the wheels stars. Don't try to guess the ending. You will be wrong.
Anyone that knows me knows that I set my life around this author. Not only is she one of the most gifted writers that I read but she is also one of the best. She is a straight shooter and follows the voices and doesn't ever try to write for "the genre". I admire this about her and her ability to create a world where crazy stuff like this exists. She pushes me to the point where as a reader I get so lost in this "real" world that it startles me to realize it was fiction. That, my friends, is a gift.
In typical Huss format, she has left me gobsmacked. I had no idea going into this what was the premise. I was thinking like a play on "I Know What You Did Last Summer" or whatever it was titled. That quickly went out the window as did my second and third ideas. I gave up after that and just let Jesus (aka Huss) take the wheel. I'd advise everyone to do that because trust me when I say you won't figure this story out.
The characters, The Dirty Ones, were excellent as usual. Each character was reminiscent in some way of other characters even if not directly (often in their vulnerability or a situation). I was glad I was right after seeing the EOBS because one character, in particular, had me loving him because of how he behaved.
Speaking of EOBS, again she knocks it out of the park. I love getting in her mind and figuring out how she got from point A to point B and hiccups that might have happened in addition to answering any questions left over. I'm a little sad that this book isn't going to a series because she excels at giving intricate clues or details in one book that make sense in the book to only come back in book four where they are revealed and truly show their purpose. Those moments leave you with your mouth agape as it all comes together. Yet, even just being a single book, she completed it and still gave me those moments.
Hands down, one of my favorites from this author, which says something because I love everything she writes but I really LOVED this one because when she screws with my head more than normal.
Anyone that knows me knows that I set my life around this author. Not only is she one of the most gifted writers that I read but she is also one of the best. She is a straight shooter and follows the voices and doesn't ever try to write for "the genre". I admire this about her and her ability to create a world where crazy stuff like this exists. She pushes me to the point where as a reader I get so lost in this "real" world that it startles me to realize it was fiction. That, my friends, is a gift.
In typical Huss format, she has left me gobsmacked. I had no idea going into this what was the premise. I was thinking like a play on "I Know What You Did Last Summer" or whatever it was titled. That quickly went out the window as did my second and third ideas. I gave up after that and just let Jesus (aka Huss) take the wheel. I'd advise everyone to do that because trust me when I say you won't figure this story out.
The characters, The Dirty Ones, were excellent as usual. Each character was reminiscent in some way of other characters even if not directly (often in their vulnerability or a situation). I was glad I was right after seeing the EOBS because one character, in particular, had me loving him because of how he behaved.
Speaking of EOBS, again she knocks it out of the park. I love getting in her mind and figuring out how she got from point A to point B and hiccups that might have happened in addition to answering any questions left over. I'm a little sad that this book isn't going to a series because she excels at giving intricate clues or details in one book that make sense in the book to only come back in book four where they are revealed and truly show their purpose. Those moments leave you with your mouth agape as it all comes together. Yet, even just being a single book, she completed it and still gave me those moments.
Hands down, one of my favorites from this author, which says something because I love everything she writes but I really LOVED this one because when she screws with my head more than normal.
Kept me glued to it from the start!
I thought it was a simple naughty secret... I definitely was surprised and didn’t have it figured out!
I really enjoyed it!
Interesting, sexy and twisty!!
I thought it was a simple naughty secret... I definitely was surprised and didn’t have it figured out!
I really enjoyed it!
Interesting, sexy and twisty!!
****edited to add - the more I think on this book, the more Whys? I come up with. The ending takes a BIG suspension of disbelief, its very 'fictional'. I did love it immediately, but fine tooth inspection reveals lots of potential plot holes/ unexplained actions.
Downgraded to 2.5 stars
Wow, golly, gosh and - *pow*, mind totally blown
I very, very nearly didn't finish this. I reached a point where it really felt like it was going to be one of those 'there's a big secret and the whole book will just be filler until we get to that secret' stories.
Turns out that very much wasn't the case. I'm massively pleased that I pushed through that 30 - 40% bit that dragged a little for me, and read until the very twisted and heart wrenching ending. The suspense was amazing and really kept you on the edge of your seat. I can be quite impatient and struggle with books where I have to 'wait' for answers, so I'm sure this fed into the feeling of not being sure if the book was for me.
It's both about what the blurb says and yet not about it at all. AVOID SPOILERS AT ALL COSTS. I actually tried to find some when I got stuck in the mud, I'm so glad I failed in that quest! This whole story hinges on those twists and the ensuing mind jiggery pokery that ensues.
It didn't get 5 stars because whilst I liked the characters, I just didn't feel much of a connection to them nor was I convinced that they were in love. Normally that would demote a book to 2.5 stars tops, so again hats of to the quality of writing and the amazing plot for making me not really mind those two issues. I did find myself skimming the superfluous descriptions of furniture and floor coverings (especially when 2 different characters described the same room to me).
I loved this book, there are dark themes, mainly in the past, and a huge mind-fruck of an ending. That ending did leave me questioning two events that occurred at Hayes' mansion. They made sense as they happened but hindsight shifted their meaning..
To sum up? Read this book, you won't regret it but you will enjoy it.
Spoiler
After a few days of consideration on the ending (a) the more unbelievable it becomes, it really is far fetched, (b) it makes other parts of the book suddenly uncomfortable - why did Hayes go for the 4some when he knew the truth? and (c) I have so many whys? Why did his psychologist allow the heroine's memories to remain suppressed but get her to write the book? Why not gradually allow her to remember? Why not contact them all and return their memories instead? Why implant such bizarre memories in the first place? Who gained from them all thinking they'd been forced to have sex with each other?Downgraded to 2.5 stars
Wow, golly, gosh and - *pow*, mind totally blown
I very, very nearly didn't finish this. I reached a point where it really felt like it was going to be one of those 'there's a big secret and the whole book will just be filler until we get to that secret' stories.
Turns out that very much wasn't the case. I'm massively pleased that I pushed through that 30 - 40% bit that dragged a little for me, and read until the very twisted and heart wrenching ending. The suspense was amazing and really kept you on the edge of your seat. I can be quite impatient and struggle with books where I have to 'wait' for answers, so I'm sure this fed into the feeling of not being sure if the book was for me.
It's both about what the blurb says and yet not about it at all. AVOID SPOILERS AT ALL COSTS. I actually tried to find some when I got stuck in the mud, I'm so glad I failed in that quest! This whole story hinges on those twists and the ensuing mind jiggery pokery that ensues.
It didn't get 5 stars because whilst I liked the characters, I just didn't feel much of a connection to them nor was I convinced that they were in love. Normally that would demote a book to 2.5 stars tops, so again hats of to the quality of writing and the amazing plot for making me not really mind those two issues. I did find myself skimming the superfluous descriptions of furniture and floor coverings (especially when 2 different characters described the same room to me).
I loved this book, there are dark themes, mainly in the past, and a huge mind-fruck of an ending. That ending did leave me questioning two events that occurred at Hayes' mansion. They made sense as they happened but hindsight shifted their meaning.
Spoiler
I'm referring to the delivery of the notebook 'for a new story' (who sent that and why?) and the foursome. Hayes knew the truth of their shared past so why would he have instigated this situation?To sum up? Read this book, you won't regret it but you will enjoy it.
"But I think giving us this story gave us power too. They wanted to divide us that night. Make us hate each other. But that's not what happened. We fell in love. As a group, I guess. We grew closer. We became friends. These special people who were raised in privilege took my side and saved my life. That's my story, anyway. That's the happy ending I need to write."
I need to preface this review with a warning. As I've noted on my blog page, I am a writing professor. I earned my bachelor's and master's degree in literature. When reading romance, which I oft do nowadays, much to the detriment of my grading sadly, I am not always looking to analyze it deeply. I like to sit back and "enjoy the ride," so to speak. This post won't be me "sitting back and enjoying the ride." JA Huss's book pushed my internal literature student out of hibernation with her newest book, The Dirty Ones.
To me, this book is not a standard romance. Yes. There are seemingly a main male and female protagonist, Connor and Keira. (I say "seemingly" because there are other characters who figure in prominently to this story). And yes, we encounter their love relationship. However, if you read this book and only see that relationship, then you have missed the genius of Huss's book.
Okay, I am going to book nerd out hard right now. Firstly, I have a love-hate relationship with looking deeper into books. I did it for so many years, I teach students to do it every day, and I don't really want to do it with my leisure reading. But Huss wouldn't allow me to put my mind on pause with her story. From the outset, the cover is suggestive of something meatier within her story. Styled in 1920s Art Deco, it looks very MUCH like the most recent cover of The Great Gatsby (post-2013 Leo Dicaprio movie version Gatsby). You should initially ask yourself "why." As you read, however, other than a nod to The Great Gatsby later in the story, you cannot initially see the connection. At least, until the end. This book has given me a bit of a book hangover, as I ponder its depth. In many ways, this story IS The Great Gatsby (TGG) of modern romance. Keira is the Nick of TGG. Her family has some wealth, but it is nowhere close to the other members of their group, The Dirty Ones. They are wealthy and come from "old money." As such, it doesn't allow her to be fully integrated and accepted into their group. This is mentioned multiple times through the words of the other characters that you start to believe it. Like Nick, Keira skirts the perimeter of this group as an observer, at least, seemingly so.
Like TGG, nothing is at all as it seems. I have to admit. I was worried I wouldn't like the book after reading the first couple of chapters. Like the characters in the book, I felt confused. I didn't really know what was going on, and I worried it wouldn't be remedied. I was completely wrong. I will not be offering any kind of true summary or synopsis of this book because there is so much that transpires in the story I don't want to ruin any of it. All I can say is...read it. And be prepared to feel confused. I believe that's intentional. Like TGG, we have an unreliable narrator who makes you question everything that happens in the story.
This story doesn't shy away from hedonism. There were times when my straight-edged brain struggled with the hedonistic tendencies of the characters. But, again, this is so The Great Gatsby. While this book sits in a different era from TGG, people's lust for each other hasn't changed. Be prepared to cool off after reading this book.
Finally, the allusion to The Great Gatsby aside, this book is a book about writing one's truth. It is a meta-offering of writing. The story asks the question of responsibility to self. Is it ethical to allow others to write your story or co-opt it? There are so many moments in the story when Keira tasked with writing the story of their group, The Dirty Ones, will not take responsibility for it. She recognizes that it was written outside of her, and it lacked the truth of their situation. These moments made my head hurt in all the best ways as I thought about the ethics of authorial agency. And morality.
Now, if you've come this far in my review, and you're either bored or confused, I am sorry, dear reader. I LOVE a book that challenges my thinking while satiating my lust for romance. Most people will read this book and see something completely different from me. And that is fine. That is the beauty of writing. There are some amazing moments between the characters. There are some moments when you really don't like them. And there are moments when your heart will hurt for The Dirty Ones. In the end, though, I think you will see that this story is something more than the average romance. It holds a little bit of Gatsby's magic.
Overall: 5 stars
I need to preface this review with a warning. As I've noted on my blog page, I am a writing professor. I earned my bachelor's and master's degree in literature. When reading romance, which I oft do nowadays, much to the detriment of my grading sadly, I am not always looking to analyze it deeply. I like to sit back and "enjoy the ride," so to speak. This post won't be me "sitting back and enjoying the ride." JA Huss's book pushed my internal literature student out of hibernation with her newest book, The Dirty Ones.
To me, this book is not a standard romance. Yes. There are seemingly a main male and female protagonist, Connor and Keira. (I say "seemingly" because there are other characters who figure in prominently to this story). And yes, we encounter their love relationship. However, if you read this book and only see that relationship, then you have missed the genius of Huss's book.
Okay, I am going to book nerd out hard right now. Firstly, I have a love-hate relationship with looking deeper into books. I did it for so many years, I teach students to do it every day, and I don't really want to do it with my leisure reading. But Huss wouldn't allow me to put my mind on pause with her story. From the outset, the cover is suggestive of something meatier within her story. Styled in 1920s Art Deco, it looks very MUCH like the most recent cover of The Great Gatsby (post-2013 Leo Dicaprio movie version Gatsby). You should initially ask yourself "why." As you read, however, other than a nod to The Great Gatsby later in the story, you cannot initially see the connection. At least, until the end. This book has given me a bit of a book hangover, as I ponder its depth. In many ways, this story IS The Great Gatsby (TGG) of modern romance. Keira is the Nick of TGG. Her family has some wealth, but it is nowhere close to the other members of their group, The Dirty Ones. They are wealthy and come from "old money." As such, it doesn't allow her to be fully integrated and accepted into their group. This is mentioned multiple times through the words of the other characters that you start to believe it. Like Nick, Keira skirts the perimeter of this group as an observer, at least, seemingly so.
Like TGG, nothing is at all as it seems. I have to admit. I was worried I wouldn't like the book after reading the first couple of chapters. Like the characters in the book, I felt confused. I didn't really know what was going on, and I worried it wouldn't be remedied. I was completely wrong. I will not be offering any kind of true summary or synopsis of this book because there is so much that transpires in the story I don't want to ruin any of it. All I can say is...read it. And be prepared to feel confused. I believe that's intentional. Like TGG, we have an unreliable narrator who makes you question everything that happens in the story.
This story doesn't shy away from hedonism. There were times when my straight-edged brain struggled with the hedonistic tendencies of the characters. But, again, this is so The Great Gatsby. While this book sits in a different era from TGG, people's lust for each other hasn't changed. Be prepared to cool off after reading this book.
Finally, the allusion to The Great Gatsby aside, this book is a book about writing one's truth. It is a meta-offering of writing. The story asks the question of responsibility to self. Is it ethical to allow others to write your story or co-opt it? There are so many moments in the story when Keira tasked with writing the story of their group, The Dirty Ones, will not take responsibility for it. She recognizes that it was written outside of her, and it lacked the truth of their situation. These moments made my head hurt in all the best ways as I thought about the ethics of authorial agency. And morality.
Now, if you've come this far in my review, and you're either bored or confused, I am sorry, dear reader. I LOVE a book that challenges my thinking while satiating my lust for romance. Most people will read this book and see something completely different from me. And that is fine. That is the beauty of writing. There are some amazing moments between the characters. There are some moments when you really don't like them. And there are moments when your heart will hurt for The Dirty Ones. In the end, though, I think you will see that this story is something more than the average romance. It holds a little bit of Gatsby's magic.
Overall: 5 stars
I’ll just say that this was one of my favorite books of 2018, and tell you all that you should definitely read it. So good! Loved it!
What I love about a J.A. Huss book is nothing is as it seems. Seriously you go in thinking one thing and then she gives you these twists and turns and but the time you are done reading it was nothing like you thought it was going to be, in all the good ways.
We have to talk about the sex scenes because holy mother of love they were hot, I wasn’t expecting what came and the dirty talking yes please, more and more of that.
Of the seven people, this story revolves around I have to say I really enjoyed the not knowing until you know. I would guess in my head and I would be totally wrong. Was it farfetched maybe but it's fiction people that is what I loved about it?
The narration… YES please more of both of them. I am newish to Savannah and I am really enjoying her voice and inflection. I am an old pro with Teddy he is a favorite of mine so of course, I loved his performance.
We have to talk about the sex scenes because holy mother of love they were hot, I wasn’t expecting what came and the dirty talking yes please, more and more of that.
Of the seven people, this story revolves around I have to say I really enjoyed the not knowing until you know. I would guess in my head and I would be totally wrong. Was it farfetched maybe but it's fiction people that is what I loved about it?
The narration… YES please more of both of them. I am newish to Savannah and I am really enjoying her voice and inflection. I am an old pro with Teddy he is a favorite of mine so of course, I loved his performance.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2.5 stars, and rounding it up to 3 is being charitable.
I generally don't rate lower than a 3. I DNF a lot of books, so my reasoning has always been if I finish something, it had to have enough redeeming qualities to warrant 3 stars. That logic has always worked for me... until this book. The reason I didn't DNF it is because it was actually pretty good until the end. The writing was good enough and the suspense was definitely there. It was pretty hot in parts, too. I didn't feel a deep connection to the characters, but generally that is the case when a book is mysterious and suspenseful, so that didn't really bother me. It was well on it's way to being a solid 4 stars when it all crashed and burned at the end. There were A LOT of plot holes, and the explanation of the "big mystery" made no goddam sense. I still don't really understand the ending, but I don't care enough to go back and try to figure it out. I have liked other books by this author, especially [b:Eighteen: 18|27838211|Eighteen 18|J.A. Huss|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1447647108l/27838211._SY75_.jpg|47821274], so I will try her again. But suffice it to say that the conclusion of this one did NOT work for me.
I generally don't rate lower than a 3. I DNF a lot of books, so my reasoning has always been if I finish something, it had to have enough redeeming qualities to warrant 3 stars. That logic has always worked for me... until this book. The reason I didn't DNF it is because it was actually pretty good until the end. The writing was good enough and the suspense was definitely there. It was pretty hot in parts, too. I didn't feel a deep connection to the characters, but generally that is the case when a book is mysterious and suspenseful, so that didn't really bother me. It was well on it's way to being a solid 4 stars when it all crashed and burned at the end. There were A LOT of plot holes, and the explanation of the "big mystery" made no goddam sense. I still don't really understand the ending, but I don't care enough to go back and try to figure it out. I have liked other books by this author, especially [b:Eighteen: 18|27838211|Eighteen 18|J.A. Huss|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1447647108l/27838211._SY75_.jpg|47821274], so I will try her again. But suffice it to say that the conclusion of this one did NOT work for me.
The Dark Ones by J.A. Huss could possibly be her best book yet. I have read a lot of her books and, as always, people grow as they read and write more books. And this one has so much that honestly I don't truly have any complaints. I don't like mysteries. At all of any kind. But this one captured me and held me captive until I looked up from the words and realized I had to get up to go to work in less than two hours. It was dark and hot and intriguing. It was captivating and lyrical and twisty. I loved it.
The book deals with a group of adults and their past from when they were in college together. They had "seemingly" belonged to a club that could ruin their adult lives if anyone ever found out about what they had been doing. The characters were all well -to-do in the world. All accomplished people. Most had kept in touch throughout the ten years since the last "club meeting" and when the book starts, except for the main character, Connor. He had become isolated, truly only interacting with one member of The Dirty Ones and ignoring that area of his life. Connor was set to become a US Senator and his past could ruin him more than anybody else's. On the way back home, he notices that his secret is splashed across the pages in a New York Times Bestseller.
With that realization, the whole of the "club" comes back together and tries to figure out who wrote the book. One of them had to have been the one to do it since they were the only ones who knew what they had done.
The ending shocked me. I had to pause for several minutes before continuing when I realized what had actually happened. It was totally out of left field while, at the same time, being the only explanation. The relationships that had been forged during their stay in college were still strong, their ties still tied. It was evident from the beginning that their experience in The Dark Ones club had marked, not just Connor, but Kiera and Sofia and Camille and Hayes and Bennett and Emily. Their true story was tragic but the book doesn't focus in too much on the tragedy. It focused more on how the characters reacted to the tragedy.
It was so good. The sex was necessary to the story line (for reasons that are spoileryish) and honestly it wasn't even gratuitous. It was kind of said matter-of-factly and as though it was the next obvious progression. The characters weren't toxic to one another. Yeah maybe Hayes should have handled it a little differently but that was truly the only problem I could see.
It even had an HEA and I love those! Honestly, I kind of want a sequel even though Huss totally tied up any loose ends.
I totally recommend this everyone. I'll probably re-read it later cause it was that good.
The book deals with a group of adults and their past from when they were in college together. They had "seemingly" belonged to a club that could ruin their adult lives if anyone ever found out about what they had been doing. The characters were all well -to-do in the world. All accomplished people. Most had kept in touch throughout the ten years since the last "club meeting" and when the book starts, except for the main character, Connor. He had become isolated, truly only interacting with one member of The Dirty Ones and ignoring that area of his life. Connor was set to become a US Senator and his past could ruin him more than anybody else's. On the way back home, he notices that his secret is splashed across the pages in a New York Times Bestseller.
With that realization, the whole of the "club" comes back together and tries to figure out who wrote the book. One of them had to have been the one to do it since they were the only ones who knew what they had done.
The ending shocked me. I had to pause for several minutes before continuing when I realized what had actually happened. It was totally out of left field while, at the same time, being the only explanation. The relationships that had been forged during their stay in college were still strong, their ties still tied. It was evident from the beginning that their experience in The Dark Ones club had marked, not just Connor, but Kiera and Sofia and Camille and Hayes and Bennett and Emily. Their true story was tragic but the book doesn't focus in too much on the tragedy. It focused more on how the characters reacted to the tragedy.
It was so good. The sex was necessary to the story line (for reasons that are spoileryish) and honestly it wasn't even gratuitous. It was kind of said matter-of-factly and as though it was the next obvious progression. The characters weren't toxic to one another. Yeah maybe Hayes should have handled it a little differently but that was truly the only problem I could see.
It even had an HEA and I love those! Honestly, I kind of want a sequel even though Huss totally tied up any loose ends.
I totally recommend this everyone. I'll probably re-read it later cause it was that good.
"When you go in with us you go all in. So make a decision before you turn this page."
I am a huge Huss fan, I have read most if not all her books. The Dirty Ones is a Huss classic. It is filled with suspense, angst and shocking turns. But the writing style is some of her finest work to date. The scenes, character development and momentum just unfolds so eloquently, you are sucked in. I love the introduction to the book. Just like many, you read the opening and laugh. You think Huss is up to her tricks, but you ignore it. When you turn that page you are just entwined with the story of Keira the scholarship student and her college friends from Essex, The story line is centered on what events took place their senior year in college and how those events have shaped, influenced and dictated their present lives.
If you enjoy mystery games, this is the book for you. The twists are sharp, and if you read Huss you need to catch every little element, because you know it has meaning. The book is so well thought out and presented. I wanted to know everything at once. The other major point I will make, there was never a feeling of let down, just more suspense and that made it a thriller!!
I received this ARC from Netgalley.