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3.07 AVERAGE
3.07 AVERAGE
This novel only reached me due to the movie being released this September. The trailers and advertising Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick released on social media were intriguing. Unfortunately, the book fell flat and I hope this will be one of the rare occasions that the movie is better than the book.
This book should be read as an example of what NOT to do for a mystery novel. The plot was 100% predictable and solved within a few chapters (even though there is nothing really to solve). I had to take a 3 day break to even start reading again. I enjoyed Emily's POV the most, and even that was boring. The husband's character was spineless and boring. The "friend" of Emily (Stephanie) was whiny and unintelligent and then smart, then dumb, then smart... yeah the author couldn't keep the character straight. The only other lead character I despised more for similar behavior was in Last Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.
Do yourself a simple favor, and don't read this book.
This book should be read as an example of what NOT to do for a mystery novel. The plot was 100% predictable and solved within a few chapters (even though there is nothing really to solve). I had to take a 3 day break to even start reading again. I enjoyed Emily's POV the most, and even that was boring. The husband's character was spineless and boring. The "friend" of Emily (Stephanie) was whiny and unintelligent and then smart, then dumb, then smart... yeah the author couldn't keep the character straight. The only other lead character I despised more for similar behavior was in Last Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.
Do yourself a simple favor, and don't read this book.
I read this after watching the movie (which I very much enjoyed). I do not recommend reading it that way. I had a lot of little issues with this book that were not present in the film. If you are interested by all means read it, but I think I am coming to the conclusion that domestic thrillers are really not my cup of tea.
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:
Yes
It's not often I'll say this, but the movie was definitely better than the book. Just... yikes, so boring and flat
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Like a bargain hunt Gone Girl. Maybe the movie is better?
2.5/5... ugh do I hate multiple POVs with them all being unreliable narrators, just stop
dark
mysterious
tense
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
Each character is somehow less likeable than the one before. Wants to be a psychological thriller, but it's just....wrong.
Great beginning. Very intriguing, but midway through I was sure I already knew what was going to happen. I was waiting for a big shock but didn’t really get one. The book ended differently then I thought it would but was still a little confusing to follow with how unreliable the characters were. Overall, a quick read for anyone wanting to read this novel before the movie comes out.
I'm not sure if it was listening to this book on Audible or if it was the fact that I saw the movie first, but I didn't love this one. I thought the movie made some compelling changes that enhanced the story, while the book just didn't get to that level. In both instances, the story felt a bit like a Gone Girl ripoff, though there were fun twists that made it its own. Overall, I'm glad I "read" the book to be able to compare it to the movie.