Reviews

Home, sweet home by Joy Fielding

eedunn18's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective tense 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

Happy with the ending 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and War

readtome_sheri's review against another edition

5.0

This was definitely a riveting listen…probably a four-star thriller for me. But I’m adding an extra star for the accurate portrayal of PTSD. So often we hear that when the amygdala turns on the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in response to a life-threatening trauma, it activates the “fight-or-flight” response. If you google anything about the SNS, “fight-or-flight” is how it is typically defined. In reality, it is actually the fight / flight / freeze response. My issue with leaving out the third F—the freeze—is that unless the victim of a violent crime is lucky enough to find a brilliant therapist that helps them understand that it’s not just fight or flight—it is also freeze, he or she will carry around even more shame throughout their life as they hear people referring to only “fight or flight.” Because then they can’t help but believe the assault was definitely their fault because they know that they did not fight or flee…they froze. No one needs any extra shame!

teresainohio10's review against another edition

3.0

5 houses, 5 families, 5 stories, no interaction except for being neighborly so no substance.


The book blurb made it sound like something happened on a July night and that the book would tell the aftermath.


Well it was the opposite, we got the story of each family in each house, the late July night happened a couple chapters from the end, and wasn't that shocking.


It was nice to get a chapter that told you where the characters went after that night

theresaa's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

i_dont_read_blurbs's review against another edition

5.0

The story is told in multiple POVs, which, I love! I really enjoyed the character development throughout the story. I didn’t like them all but was definitely intrigued by their stories. I was grabbing for my Kindle any time I got a chance. The story begins by telling you someone dies. That didn’t discourage me at all. Normally, I’d be trying to figure out who did it, but instead I just sat back and soaked up the drama! There is so much drama in a small Cul-de-sad with only 5 houses! There are some really dark stories weaved within as mentioned in other reviews. So beware of that if you have any triggers. Other than that, I say go for it, It was really good.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for my honest opinion.

i_dont_read_blurbs's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 rounded to 5!!!

This was a compelling story! Lies, lies and more lies. The story is told in multiple POVs, which, I love! I really enjoyed the character development throughout the story. I didn’t like them all but was definitely intrigued by their stories. I was grabbing for my Kindle any time I got a chance. The story begins by telling you someone dies. That didn’t discourage me at all. Normally, I’d be trying to figure out who did it, but instead I just sat back and soaked up the drama! There is so much drama in a small Cul-de-sad with only 5 houses! There are some really dark stories weaved within as mentioned in other reviews. So beware of that if you have any triggers. Other than that, I say go for it, It was really good.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for my honest opinion.

puzzles_and_pages's review against another edition

4.0

People have categorized this as a thriller and psychological thriller, but this is really not that. I went into it with slightly different expectations than I should have, but once I really settled into the fact that this is a domestic drama, I was able to appreciate it for what it was. Each family in the cul-de-sac is so flawed, some in more serious and damaging ways than others. There were so many deep issues addressed in this book and SO MANY completely unlikeable characters. But at the same time, there were some characters that you couldn't help supporting and hoping for. This book does end with a bang and I felt pretty satisfied at the end. I don't read a lot of domestic drama, but if I'm ever in the mood again I'll pick up another book from this author!

suzylibrarian's review against another edition

3.0

Not sure what it says about the characters that you'd be happy with quite a few being murdered...but it definitely keeps your attention and was worth the read.

I haven't read a lot of Fielding's novels (though do remember LOVING [b:See Jane Run|253993|See Jane Run|Joy Fielding|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441730463l/253993._SY75_.jpg|559710]) and the theme of domestic violence does seem to be a familiar thread.

canadianbookworm84's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars. Not quite enough to round up to 4 stars. It was a long road to the twist but still an enjoyable read.

denisestone's review against another edition

4.0

Great book which had me refusing to put the book down. I spent two late nights finishing this book to figure out which one of the neighbours was shot dead in the middle of the night.
Told from the perspectives of all of the neighbours, each of them with troubles that could leave them either the culprit or victim!
Great character development had me invested in each of the neighbours lives.
Highly recommended for an addictive read.
* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada in exchange from my honest review