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marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
Between three and four stars. Entertaining. I'm curious about Heather Graham's other books because I will admit that a good chunk of my decision to pick this up was due to Chad Michael Murray's involvement and that I recognized her name.
librarycutie's review
3.0
So, I started this on a whim because I wanted something to listen to, and I couldn’t pass it up knowing heart-throb himself, Chad Michael Murray, narrated American Drifter that he co-wrote. I didn’t know a whole lot about the story and didn’t expect it to be like anything that I read but oh-my-wow, this is a very intriguing story with a gorgeous man narrating it. I honestly pictured Chad as the main character, River.
River is in Rio, an ex-military guy crashing at a friends house and picking up a stray. This is an exhilarating story about love, murder, and discovery. I found myself getting really interested about halfway through and I was hooked, I needed to know what happened and why I thought this girl was so sketchy.
By the end of the book, my mouth was hanging out and catching bugs from my shock. I didn’t see it coming, how could I? It’s beautifully written and I am so proud of Chad and Heather for writing this. I recommend if you’re wanting to read something short but hooking and poetic… Honestly if you think Chad Michael Murray isn’t going to have a poetic guy as his main character, DO YOU KNOW WHO HE IS? The characters I know him playing as are handsome, tough, poetic and deep, and know how to love a woman.
River is in Rio, an ex-military guy crashing at a friends house and picking up a stray. This is an exhilarating story about love, murder, and discovery. I found myself getting really interested about halfway through and I was hooked, I needed to know what happened and why I thought this girl was so sketchy.
By the end of the book, my mouth was hanging out and catching bugs from my shock. I didn’t see it coming, how could I? It’s beautifully written and I am so proud of Chad and Heather for writing this. I recommend if you’re wanting to read something short but hooking and poetic… Honestly if you think Chad Michael Murray isn’t going to have a poetic guy as his main character, DO YOU KNOW WHO HE IS? The characters I know him playing as are handsome, tough, poetic and deep, and know how to love a woman.
gregplatt77's review against another edition
2.0
Plot didn't really go anywhere. Ending was trite. Overall kinda blah.
bookgirl_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Δεν γινόταν να γράψει βιβλίο ο αγαπημένος μου Chad και να μη το διαβάσω!!!
Ήξερα ότι δεν είχε καλές κριτικές και ήμουν προετοιμασμένη αλλά είναι το πρώτο του βιβλίο και είπα ας του δώσω μια ευκαιρία!
Αρχικά να πω οτι σε καμία περίπτωση δεν ειναι θρίλερ,θα το έλεγα μυστήριο με αρκετά ρομαντικά στοιχεία.Η γραφή του ήταν καλή για πρώτη προσπάθεια,σαν να τον άκουγες να παίζει στην τηλεόραση(αυτό μου έβγαλε).Η ιστορία δεν είναι κάτι το ιδιαίτερο,δυστυχώς ήξερα τι θα γινόταν σχεδόν απο την αρχή.Ήθελα να το αγαπήσω,αλλά αυτό δεν συνέβη.
Δεν συνδέθηκα με τους χαρακτήρες,μου φάνηκαν αδιάφοροι,ακόμα και ο πρωταγωνιστής..
Να πω οτι η βαθμολογία είναι χαριστική,θα του έβαζα χαμηλότερη αλλα ο Lucas Scott είναι το νούμερο ένα αγόρι μου οπότε καταλαβαίνεται!(Όσοι βλέπατε One Tree Hill ξέρετε).
Ήξερα ότι δεν είχε καλές κριτικές και ήμουν προετοιμασμένη αλλά είναι το πρώτο του βιβλίο και είπα ας του δώσω μια ευκαιρία!
Αρχικά να πω οτι σε καμία περίπτωση δεν ειναι θρίλερ,θα το έλεγα μυστήριο με αρκετά ρομαντικά στοιχεία.Η γραφή του ήταν καλή για πρώτη προσπάθεια,σαν να τον άκουγες να παίζει στην τηλεόραση(αυτό μου έβγαλε).Η ιστορία δεν είναι κάτι το ιδιαίτερο,δυστυχώς ήξερα τι θα γινόταν σχεδόν απο την αρχή.Ήθελα να το αγαπήσω,αλλά αυτό δεν συνέβη.
Δεν συνδέθηκα με τους χαρακτήρες,μου φάνηκαν αδιάφοροι,ακόμα και ο πρωταγωνιστής..
Να πω οτι η βαθμολογία είναι χαριστική,θα του έβαζα χαμηλότερη αλλα ο Lucas Scott είναι το νούμερο ένα αγόρι μου οπότε καταλαβαίνεται!(Όσοι βλέπατε One Tree Hill ξέρετε).
court_of_stars's review against another edition
1.0
One star, and I'm being ridiculously generous.
A little background. "American Drifter" caught my eye at the library because I am a fan of Chad Michael Murray's acting. On the CW show "One Tree Hill" Murray's character Lucas Scott also wrote a book and it seemed magical. I decided to give it a shot. Because how bad could it be? Famous author plus creative actor....
I have never read any of Heather Graham's other books. She has written more than 100, so she must be doing something right... right? I don't know how much contribution Graham added to this novel. I have no idea how this got through editors and was released to the public.
The best way I can describe this novel is a cross between a third grade research paper (you know the ones where you basically just copy facts from the encyclopedia) and a Kindergarten/First Grade learning to read book. I absolutely wish I were joking.
On page 31 of the novel, they write: "He looked at the dog. The dog looked at him and wagged his tail. It was a big tail."
The main character is one dimensional. There is nothing thrilling in this thriller. The ending was blah. The writing was juvenile, no, it was less than that. It makes me wonder about the process this book went through. How much editing had been done before publication? Was there so much that the editor decided to give up half way? "Meh, good enough."
You would think with my above review that I should have given this one star. On any other book this terrible I might, but here's the kicker. This novel was so bad in every obvious way that it became comical. I would openly read off the horrible repetitious lines and have a good laugh with my husband.
I cannot in good conscience recommend this book as a must read book, ever. That is of course, unless you are looking for a "what not to do when writing a novel" read.
Happy reading friends! And do not worry CMM, I'll still watch your acting after this!
A little background. "American Drifter" caught my eye at the library because I am a fan of Chad Michael Murray's acting. On the CW show "One Tree Hill" Murray's character Lucas Scott also wrote a book and it seemed magical. I decided to give it a shot. Because how bad could it be? Famous author plus creative actor....
I have never read any of Heather Graham's other books. She has written more than 100, so she must be doing something right... right? I don't know how much contribution Graham added to this novel. I have no idea how this got through editors and was released to the public.
The best way I can describe this novel is a cross between a third grade research paper (you know the ones where you basically just copy facts from the encyclopedia) and a Kindergarten/First Grade learning to read book. I absolutely wish I were joking.
On page 31 of the novel, they write: "He looked at the dog. The dog looked at him and wagged his tail. It was a big tail."
The main character is one dimensional. There is nothing thrilling in this thriller. The ending was blah. The writing was juvenile, no, it was less than that. It makes me wonder about the process this book went through. How much editing had been done before publication? Was there so much that the editor decided to give up half way? "Meh, good enough."
You would think with my above review that I should have given this one star. On any other book this terrible I might, but here's the kicker. This novel was so bad in every obvious way that it became comical. I would openly read off the horrible repetitious lines and have a good laugh with my husband.
I cannot in good conscience recommend this book as a must read book, ever. That is of course, unless you are looking for a "what not to do when writing a novel" read.
Happy reading friends! And do not worry CMM, I'll still watch your acting after this!
gawronma's review against another edition
3.0
I felt that this book had great potential but it missed the mark. I found the ending better than the beginning and middle of the story.
burnourhistory's review against another edition
2.0
As a fan of Chad Michael Murray, I wanted to love this book and his writing. But I didn't.
It was fine but I was bored for the majority of the book. The surface barely felt scratched - the descriptions, the characters, etc. were scant and redundant. I knew as much about about secondary characters like Beluga and Theo as I did about River and the backdrop of Rio and Carnaval fell a little flat. The editing left a lot to be desired and... the ending read like a lackluster Shutter Island knockoff, sans the intricate psychological game.
It was fine but I was bored for the majority of the book. The surface barely felt scratched - the descriptions, the characters, etc. were scant and redundant. I knew as much about about secondary characters like Beluga and Theo as I did about River and the backdrop of Rio and Carnaval fell a little flat. The editing left a lot to be desired and... the ending read like a lackluster Shutter Island knockoff, sans the intricate psychological game.
eleellis's review against another edition
4.0
American Drifter by Heather Graham and Chad Michael Murray was a very pleasant find.
The novel is about River, an American war veteran battling PTSD while visiting and touring Rio De Janeiro. River has been staying in a local hostel and has been befriended by the owner of the hostel, the hostel maid and a local man happy with just getting by.
River is afflicted with flashbacks and nightmares, while trying to enjoy his time in Rio De Janeiro in the best ways that he can.
River becomes enamored with a local, mysterious, beautiful young woman Natal while running afoul of a local drug kingpin.
American Drifter is an enjoyable crime thriller that keeps the reader engaged and is an excellent, fun novel to read for enjoyment.
The ending comes along with a touching surprise that is neither unbelievable or contrived.
Very recommended.
The novel is about River, an American war veteran battling PTSD while visiting and touring Rio De Janeiro. River has been staying in a local hostel and has been befriended by the owner of the hostel, the hostel maid and a local man happy with just getting by.
River is afflicted with flashbacks and nightmares, while trying to enjoy his time in Rio De Janeiro in the best ways that he can.
River becomes enamored with a local, mysterious, beautiful young woman Natal while running afoul of a local drug kingpin.
American Drifter is an enjoyable crime thriller that keeps the reader engaged and is an excellent, fun novel to read for enjoyment.
The ending comes along with a touching surprise that is neither unbelievable or contrived.
Very recommended.
nesch's review against another edition
I don't wanna read anything other than what I've been trying to read lately... 🎵🎶🎤
Lucas Scott is who brought me here :D
Lucas Scott is who brought me here :D