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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
So close to a 5-star book, but just a few little things bothered me. Not a lot, but the wrap up at the end had a big flaw to me. Overall, a really good plot and some great twists.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Personally, not a fan of the book. It was such a slow and slow buildup. I got bored three-quarters of the way through. I didn't pick it up again until today just to force myself to finish it.
I know I'm not going to be reading stuff by this author again.
Natalie doesn't even show up until the third to the last chapter. That's how long I waited for Jake and Natalie's reunion.
I know I'm not going to be reading stuff by this author again.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
No
What. A. PLOT. Such a gripping and fast-paced popcorn read 🍿. So happy to have finally dipped my toes into Coben’s work, and extra glad I started with this one as there was no time to get bored or wish away the pages. It was so easy to read and full of cliff hangers at the end of chapters too which just made it impossible to put down. I’m not surprised in the slightest that his work has been made in to multiple shows - perfect mystery thrillers. Our protagonist Jake Fisher was very endearing in his quest to figure out the truth surrounding his beloved Natalie; you really are rooting for him the whole time, hoping he’ll find her again. I wouldn’t say this is a big character development kind of book, but is very character centric. A lot of dialogue, meaning quite a connection is made between the reader and, especially, Jake. This is a great little book if you’re in need of a quick, actioned packed read!
3.5 stars. Harlan Coben's book have a way of pulling you in. This one was no exception. It was one of those books that keep you reading late into the night just to try to figure out what happened.
What a joy to read a book that creates a narrative with believable characters and without any jiggery-pokery literary tricks. The whole thing moved with speed and increasing tension as the differing strands were reeled into the plot line. As always Coben can be relied upon to provide a great read
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This one really annoyed me. The main character was truly one of the most bothersome and frustrating narrators I’ve ever read. Did we even learn anything real about him other than he was tall and (stupidly) persistent? I also could not get past the fact that he was madly in love with someone he only knew for three months and this entire plot was based around that love (obsession?). I found myself basically rolling my eyes at the amount of ridiculous metaphors or attempts at catchy one-liners. There’s something to be said for the book in that I needed to know how it ended, but if it weren’t for that bit of suspense I’d have given not even one star.
Supposed thriller. Hidden lies. Mystery.
Story: Jake Fisher sits in the back of a church while the love of his life, Natalie, gets married to another man. As he leaves after the ceremony, Natalie stops him and asks him to promise he will leave the newly married couple alone completely, not even call or email. He follows through on his promise until six years later something causes him to break that promise, and the truths of the past start to crumble around him.
Language: Told in first person from Jakes perspective, present tense with flashbacks. At one point in the book Jake comments that when he is nervous he makes bad jokes. Well, he must have been nervous throughout the whole book. This book is filled with dry humor, old technology and outdated and false stereotypes (why does a computer geek talk like an 80's California surfer?), despite being written in 2013. The characters responses do not match their actions, the suspense and action are lackluster, and the ending is abrupt and unfulfilling.
Characters: Jake is a professor at a small college. He lives an ordinary, boring and contained life. Natalie is an artist he met years ago as a student. Aside from that we really don't know anything else about her, other than that Jake can't let her go. All of the characters in this book are one dimensional and flawless.
This was my first Coben read and it fell flat for me. Probably won't pursue anymore of his works.
Story: Jake Fisher sits in the back of a church while the love of his life, Natalie, gets married to another man. As he leaves after the ceremony, Natalie stops him and asks him to promise he will leave the newly married couple alone completely, not even call or email. He follows through on his promise until six years later something causes him to break that promise, and the truths of the past start to crumble around him.
Language: Told in first person from Jakes perspective, present tense with flashbacks. At one point in the book Jake comments that when he is nervous he makes bad jokes. Well, he must have been nervous throughout the whole book. This book is filled with dry humor, old technology and outdated and false stereotypes (why does a computer geek talk like an 80's California surfer?), despite being written in 2013. The characters responses do not match their actions, the suspense and action are lackluster, and the ending is abrupt and unfulfilling.
Characters: Jake is a professor at a small college. He lives an ordinary, boring and contained life. Natalie is an artist he met years ago as a student. Aside from that we really don't know anything else about her, other than that Jake can't let her go. All of the characters in this book are one dimensional and flawless.
This was my first Coben read and it fell flat for me. Probably won't pursue anymore of his works.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Loved this book - definitely one of Coben's best. Lots of good twists and turns. I read it all in one sitting, and it was worth it! Couldn't put it down.