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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This isn't a thriller. It's a drama wearing a thriller costume. It's the setup for the thriller, but the thriller itself was ultimately abandoned.
There's a reason the question of whodunnit is more interesting than who died (although this wasn't particularly surprising itself). An entire novel of alternating first person perspectives that all sound the same, people who are apparently skirting around the full truth even in their own minds (which comes across completely contrived, especially when the information they're withholding is so blatantly obvious), all leading up to a rushed murder/murderer reveal is exceedingly uninteresting.
The writing is not the worst I've read, but I do have an issue with Foley constantly telling me information she's already clearly indicated by other means. For example, describing a character as trembling in anger and then going on to describe her angry thoughts. It felt like I was being treated as stupid, as if I'm too dumb to pick up the information on my own. And all of the points of view do this, constantly.
Another point about the writing: some authors need to be banned from using the em dash until they prove they understand how to use the full array of English punctiation.
I also find the way the abortion is handled to be very distasteful. Different women have different experiences with abortion, so I don't take offense to a woman finding it traumatizing. But hinting at it as a potential murder or death in a thriller novel only for it to be a red herring and actually an abortion left a bad taste in my mouth, personally.
The characters are mostly unlikeable, which is generally fine, especially in this genre, but I do want a reason to want to hear from at least someone. Make them charismatic or interesting or give them a unique perspective/narrative voice. The only two likeable characters, Olivia and Hannah, are both stuck in a loop of self-pity, which gets very tiring to read after a while.
I will say that it was a very easy read, and it was easy to get invested in the characters' drama. If this had been perhaps marketed as a dark drama that ends in a murder, maybe I would have received it better. I feel as though marketing is not really doing many books a favor these days. Don't compare your novel to Agatha Christie if you don't want people to hold it up to that standard.
I did like when Hannah told Charlie off. He seriously had it coming. I also commend Foley for trying something different, but since every reveal was predictable and there's no tension since the murder doesn't happen until the very end of the book, it really didn't work for me. For something to be a thriller, there has to be a bit of a thrill or tension, but ultimately, I felt as if she didn't trust herself to be able to write an interesting enough thriller novel, and settled just for the setup to one.
There's a reason the question of whodunnit is more interesting than who died (although this wasn't particularly surprising itself). An entire novel of alternating first person perspectives that all sound the same, people who are apparently skirting around the full truth even in their own minds (which comes across completely contrived, especially when the information they're withholding is so blatantly obvious), all leading up to a rushed murder/murderer reveal is exceedingly uninteresting.
The writing is not the worst I've read, but I do have an issue with Foley constantly telling me information she's already clearly indicated by other means. For example, describing a character as trembling in anger and then going on to describe her angry thoughts. It felt like I was being treated as stupid, as if I'm too dumb to pick up the information on my own. And all of the points of view do this, constantly.
Another point about the writing: some authors need to be banned from using the em dash until they prove they understand how to use the full array of English punctiation.
The characters are mostly unlikeable, which is generally fine, especially in this genre, but I do want a reason to want to hear from at least someone. Make them charismatic or interesting or give them a unique perspective/narrative voice. The only two likeable characters, Olivia and Hannah, are both stuck in a loop of self-pity, which gets very tiring to read after a while.
I will say that it was a very easy read, and it was easy to get invested in the characters' drama. If this had been perhaps marketed as a dark drama that ends in a murder, maybe I would have received it better. I feel as though marketing is not really doing many books a favor these days. Don't compare your novel to Agatha Christie if you don't want people to hold it up to that standard.
I did like when
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
it didn’t hold my attention the whole time, but i thought the setting was very cool
It was a good story.
I wish it had dived deeper into Olivia and Will and gave a more satisfying ending with Jules and Olivia being able to talk. Olivia seemed like her story was never really closed … she was going through so much keeping it to herself. I would have loved to see her and Hannah come together to have that final big reveal together.
I feel like the ending came quickly, but, the wedding and the constant POV shifts prolonged it. The twist with the wedding planner I feel deserved a little more than just an oh surprise I’m his sister and my husband was this guy.
Hannah and Charlie had one big blow up and I could see that coming. But also Hannah seemed like such a strong woman who deserved more time in the story. The reveal with her sister ultimately taking her own life after the video - and Will being the one behind it - could have been touched on more.
Overall, everything felt wrapped up too quickly. But getting there took too long, the plot twists could’ve been expanded instead of the long wedding and pov shifts.
I wish it had dived deeper into Olivia and Will and gave a more satisfying ending with Jules and Olivia being able to talk. Olivia seemed like her story was never really closed … she was going through so much keeping it to herself. I would have loved to see her and Hannah come together to have that final big reveal together.
I feel like the ending came quickly, but, the wedding and the constant POV shifts prolonged it. The twist with the wedding planner I feel deserved a little more than just an oh surprise I’m his sister and my husband was this guy.
Hannah and Charlie had one big blow up and I could see that coming. But also Hannah seemed like such a strong woman who deserved more time in the story. The reveal with her sister ultimately taking her own life after the video - and Will being the one behind it - could have been touched on more.
Overall, everything felt wrapped up too quickly. But getting there took too long, the plot twists could’ve been expanded instead of the long wedding and pov shifts.
dark
mysterious
slow-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
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Self harm, Suicide, Vomit, Abortion, Murder
4.5 yess. Always a slut for horrible people getting what they deserved.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gorgeous twist at the end! Incredible character building, love the multiple POV storytelling framework
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nice, quick, fast paced story. Great for a palate cleanser. Wish the ending had more substance.