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lolamuy's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I must say, when I picked up this book, I didn't expect what I was going to read. But I thought it was really good, a good page-turner with good suspense and some disturbing elements. I thought the ending was a bit superfluous though.
Nonetheless I would recommend this story.
Nonetheless I would recommend this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Miscarriage, Infertility, Pregnancy, and Child death
Moderate: Ableism
terrie_412's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility
Minor: Child death, Pregnancy, Abortion, and Miscarriage
taliatalksbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The Cottage by Lisa Stone wasn’t at all what I expected, and I was definitely disappointed in how it turned out. While I think the premise is an important topic to talk about, I think the different POVs really took away from the underlying horror of this book. This didn’t need to be a what’s outside the window in the dark mystery, and I think it would have actually been a lot better without this added element. The story seemed disjointed, and I often wondered to myself what Jan’s purpose actually was other than to be scared. Again, I think this took away from the overall messaging, and I think the story could have really benefited from leaving out this POV entirely. Ultimately, it was underwhelming and cringy, but did make some important points about what can happen when medical practices are family operated and not properly licensed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Miscarriage, Incest, Pregnancy, and Medical content
memydogandbooks's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I've never written a book, Lisa Stone has so at least 1 star ⭐️ for that.
SYNOPSIS:
"An isolated cottage…
After losing her job and boyfriend, Jan Hamlin is in desperate need of a fresh start. So she jumps at the chance to rent a secluded cottage on the edge of Coleshaw Woods.
A tap at the window…
Very quickly though, things take a dark turn. At night, Jan hears strange noises, and faint taps at the window. Something, or someone, is out there.
A forest that hides many secrets…
Jan refuses to be scared off. But whoever is outside isn’t going away, and it soon becomes clear that the nightmare is only just beginning…" Goodreads synopsis
MY THOUGHTS
🤦🏼♀️ The title and cover of this book are misleading.
🤦🏼♀️ Two stories are being told from the outset and you spend a lot of time wondering how the heck they are connected, but this does soon become clear.
🤦🏼♀️ The plot of this thriller is utterly ridiculous - I can take an out-there story and go with this but this was just utterly unbelievable. Where I shouted out loud "oh c'mon" a few times when reading.
🤦🏼♀️ TRIGGER WARNING for anyone with fertility issues or pregnant - DO NOT READ.
🤦🏼♀️ The concept of **SPOILER AHEAD** of "normal babies" and their opposite being "creatures" or "monster children" "defected in some way" is utterly abhorrent and made me so angry the negativity this does to disability rep is mindblowing.
🤦🏼♀️ **SPOILER AHEAD** The likelihood of a fertility doctor creating so many related children (I KNOW THIS HAS HAPPENED IRL but bear with me...) that then go on to all be in relationships with each and have children that are "genetic throwbacks" if just so ridiculous it makes me wonder how this passed the editing process!?
🤦🏼♀️ The only reason I finished this was that I was reading it with friends and thought maybe it will have a more believable plot twist/ending. NOPE, IT DID NOT.
I rarely write reviews that are this negative, but too many plotlines in this book angered me not to. So yeah decided for yourself if you wish to read it - this was my opinion only (well and that of all my friends I read it with!)
SYNOPSIS:
"An isolated cottage…
After losing her job and boyfriend, Jan Hamlin is in desperate need of a fresh start. So she jumps at the chance to rent a secluded cottage on the edge of Coleshaw Woods.
A tap at the window…
Very quickly though, things take a dark turn. At night, Jan hears strange noises, and faint taps at the window. Something, or someone, is out there.
A forest that hides many secrets…
Jan refuses to be scared off. But whoever is outside isn’t going away, and it soon becomes clear that the nightmare is only just beginning…" Goodreads synopsis
MY THOUGHTS
🤦🏼♀️ The title and cover of this book are misleading.
🤦🏼♀️ Two stories are being told from the outset and you spend a lot of time wondering how the heck they are connected, but this does soon become clear.
🤦🏼♀️ The plot of this thriller is utterly ridiculous - I can take an out-there story and go with this but this was just utterly unbelievable. Where I shouted out loud "oh c'mon" a few times when reading.
🤦🏼♀️ TRIGGER WARNING for anyone with fertility issues or pregnant - DO NOT READ.
🤦🏼♀️ The concept of **SPOILER AHEAD** of "normal babies" and their opposite being "creatures" or "monster children" "defected in some way" is utterly abhorrent and made me so angry the negativity this does to disability rep is mindblowing.
🤦🏼♀️ **SPOILER AHEAD** The likelihood of a fertility doctor creating so many related children (I KNOW THIS HAS HAPPENED IRL but bear with me...) that then go on to all be in relationships with each and have children that are "genetic throwbacks" if just so ridiculous it makes me wonder how this passed the editing process!?
🤦🏼♀️ The only reason I finished this was that I was reading it with friends and thought maybe it will have a more believable plot twist/ending. NOPE, IT DID NOT.
I rarely write reviews that are this negative, but too many plotlines in this book angered me not to. So yeah decided for yourself if you wish to read it - this was my opinion only (well and that of all my friends I read it with!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Miscarriage
echosong's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Incest, and Miscarriage
Minor: Pregnancy
hellothereforeitsalex's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Incest, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
jodi_xo's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Such a good book. The writing quality itself wasn’t the best but the story was great. Definitely has a few trigger warnings but overall a good book. With a decent amount of twists. Definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Incest, and Infertility
Moderate: Abortion, Vomit, and Alcohol
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