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filemanager's review against another edition
DNF @ 58%
Just lost interest...interesting how the narrative kind of flipped about halfway through, but I can't get over the massive plot hole which is: What is the point of Rose getting her laptop back? Files can be copied, transferred, saved on servers, backup copies made... the physical laptop isn't really going to help her any. I also don't want to hear "sweetie" or "you're very sweet" ever, ever again. SO repetitive!!
The narrator was phenomenal though. The voice she did for Emily reminded me so much of my daughter's teacher, who has a very similar voice. ha.
Just lost interest...interesting how the narrative kind of flipped about halfway through, but I can't get over the massive plot hole which is: What is the point of Rose getting her laptop back? Files can be copied, transferred, saved on servers, backup copies made... the physical laptop isn't really going to help her any. I also don't want to hear "sweetie" or "you're very sweet" ever, ever again. SO repetitive!!
The narrator was phenomenal though. The voice she did for Emily reminded me so much of my daughter's teacher, who has a very similar voice. ha.
heatheradoresbooks's review against another edition
4.0
4⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Publication date ~ ebook ~ August 26, 2023, audio ~ September 19, 2023
Page Count ~ 322 (52 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 40 minutes
Narrator ~ Rachel Leblang
POV ~ single 1st & 3rd
Featuring ~ 2 part story, dual timeline, gaslighting, manipulation
Rose is strolling along when she notices a book display for Diary of an Octopus, but wait that sounds familiar. How did her personal diary get published by someone named Emily? It must be because she left her laptop at the airport 2 years ago and she swiped it.
Rose, calling herself Iris, weasels her way into Emily's life in order to get her laptop back, which is not an easy task. Emily was really grating on my nerves calling her sweetie all the time in her condescending tone, I just wanted to cut her tongue out.
In part 2 we get the POV of Mr. B, who is the star of the diary, and we dive deeper into what happened back when she had a crush on him.
Overall, this was a nice, fast paced one with some nice twists, and that's all I'm going to say.
Narration notes:
She did an okay job. Some voices weren't great at all, maybe I'm still just trying to clear my ears of the sweetie crap, but others were perfect.
*Thanks to the author, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Publication date ~ ebook ~ August 26, 2023, audio ~ September 19, 2023
Page Count ~ 322 (52 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 40 minutes
Narrator ~ Rachel Leblang
POV ~ single 1st & 3rd
Featuring ~ 2 part story, dual timeline, gaslighting, manipulation
Rose is strolling along when she notices a book display for Diary of an Octopus, but wait that sounds familiar. How did her personal diary get published by someone named Emily? It must be because she left her laptop at the airport 2 years ago and she swiped it.
Rose, calling herself Iris, weasels her way into Emily's life in order to get her laptop back, which is not an easy task. Emily was really grating on my nerves calling her sweetie all the time in her condescending tone, I just wanted to cut her tongue out.
In part 2 we get the POV of Mr. B, who is the star of the diary, and we dive deeper into what happened back when she had a crush on him.
Overall, this was a nice, fast paced one with some nice twists, and that's all I'm going to say.
Narration notes:
She did an okay job. Some voices weren't great at all, maybe I'm still just trying to clear my ears of the sweetie crap, but others were perfect.
*Thanks to the author, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
annie_1330's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
I really like this author but this took a long time to get good around page 100 it got interesting at that's along time to really enjoy or be drawn in. Even then it was a slow burn. The ending did surprise me and overall I enjoyed it.
hannagg's review against another edition
5.0
Rose, the 23-year-old protagonist of "Finders Keepers," is one of those female characters that I instinctively like. She's a mixture of vulnerability, a survivor of a challenging childhood, and a girl who blames herself to the point of believing she might be a psychopath. Judging from her recollection of the past, a reader must be convinced that Rose isn't. Somehow, we feel that Rose is the victim here and that something went wrong. Is she strong enough to uncover what happened when she was a teenager? Was she a killer?
One day, Rose enters a bookstore where there is a book signing. A famous, beautiful influencer, Emily is signing her bestseller "Diary of an Octopus." The problem is this is not Emily's book; it's Rose's old teenage diary, where she documented her crush on a teacher. Terrified that Emily knows about Rose's crush and other events that can land her in jail, Rose decides to do everything to recover her stolen laptop. The game of cat and mouse begins.
This was the first novel by Natalie Barelli that I read, and I was shocked at how good it was. The fast-moving plot and twists and turns make this book very engaging. I was constantly surprised by new information and new accusations. Everybody could have been a killer because they all had a motive and opportunity. It's an excellent thriller for the fans of such novels as "The Maid" and "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine." What a ride!
One day, Rose enters a bookstore where there is a book signing. A famous, beautiful influencer, Emily is signing her bestseller "Diary of an Octopus." The problem is this is not Emily's book; it's Rose's old teenage diary, where she documented her crush on a teacher. Terrified that Emily knows about Rose's crush and other events that can land her in jail, Rose decides to do everything to recover her stolen laptop. The game of cat and mouse begins.
This was the first novel by Natalie Barelli that I read, and I was shocked at how good it was. The fast-moving plot and twists and turns make this book very engaging. I was constantly surprised by new information and new accusations. Everybody could have been a killer because they all had a motive and opportunity. It's an excellent thriller for the fans of such novels as "The Maid" and "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine." What a ride!
cschmitz3's review against another edition
3.0
not what I expected
I love Natalie Barelli books and couldn’t wait to read this. In fact I put down another book I had been reading to buy this and read it. It is not as good as her others. I found myself struggling to keep going. It was interesting but I figured it out and it was just so so. I hope the next one is better.
I love Natalie Barelli books and couldn’t wait to read this. In fact I put down another book I had been reading to buy this and read it. It is not as good as her others. I found myself struggling to keep going. It was interesting but I figured it out and it was just so so. I hope the next one is better.
jessicar86's review
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.0
marcirenee1974's review against another edition
3.0
This was a weird one and reminds me a bit of another book, but I can't remember the name! I wasn't super locked into this one but I will definitely give Natalie Barelie another try! This was well written I think this was just a me problem.
#FindersKeepers
#NetGalley
#FindersKeepers
#NetGalley
bethreneereadsbooks's review
4.0
4.25⭐️
Rose happens along a book for sale and realizes it’s a novel based on her long-missing childhood diary. She works her way into the author’s life in an attempt to reclaim what’s hers- both because it was hers, and because it contains clues to a murder.
Wow, did this have twists! Just when you think you know where things stand, everything changes. I got sucked right into this suspense-filled story and ended up listening to it all in one go, needing to know what would happen and how it would end.
Rachel Leblang did a good job narrating the audiobook.
Thank you Natalie Barelli, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
Rose happens along a book for sale and realizes it’s a novel based on her long-missing childhood diary. She works her way into the author’s life in an attempt to reclaim what’s hers- both because it was hers, and because it contains clues to a murder.
Wow, did this have twists! Just when you think you know where things stand, everything changes. I got sucked right into this suspense-filled story and ended up listening to it all in one go, needing to know what would happen and how it would end.
Rachel Leblang did a good job narrating the audiobook.
Thank you Natalie Barelli, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.