Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - The End of Her

This was an okay story, but I kept waiting for the big climax moment that seemed to come really late. Like it seemed kinda clear what was ~going on~, and I was waiting for the reveal. But I do love a little wrap-up epilogue.

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bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I was pulled in right away as always from Lapena. I read almost all of it in one day!

Multiple POVs told in 3rd person, but there wasn’t a lot of character development-compared to some of her other novels, we really don’t get to know the characters that well, which I would’ve liked. I think we could’ve had more depth if there were fewer characters to look at.

I predicted some plot twists very early on, especially the big twist, but a couple others were a surprise. So that was kind of a let down and why I didn’t rate it 5 stars. Ending was slightly rushed as it quickly tied up most of the story but left one piece open. The “cliffhanger” worked well in my opinion though.

Overall a fast paced story that held my attention and helped me finally read again after being sick, but not my favorite from Lapena.

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frantically's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

boooh, boooring

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katyannreads's review

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Good story line, enjoyed the ending twists. Just very repetitive.

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cpachet's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Good psychological thriller that moved along fast enough that I didn’t feel like I was losing my mind along with the characters. Good “bad guy” that was easy to hate. A lot of common tropes like completely orphaned adult, husband with a mysterious past. I had some questions that were never addressed (or I just spaced completely) and some things that made no sense

like why Niall and Nancy were so afraid of Erica? She seemed to have nothing on them. Or where Patrick’s family is at?

Would recommend for a quick compelling read.

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jesscoast's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It's been so refreshing to know that I could grab a Shari Lapena book again and be promised an enthralling story that I just couldn't put down. The domestic thriller is her realm, and she doesn't disappoint.

This story was a bit more of a procedural drama than I expected, but it didn't make it and less of a thrill. Right up to the last page she's tying threads together and taking new directions. Her way of making sleepy suburbs and safe family communities and making them the scene of many crimes will have you looking over your shoulder. I find her style and characters irresistible. Each one has their own interests to look out for, and she doesn't settle for "good" and "bad" but rather a dynamic mix of prioritizing and self preservation where no one can trust anyone but themselves.

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soobooksalot's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is the fourth Shari Lapena book I've read and just about on par with The Couple Next Door!
Patrick and Stephanie are happily married, and the new parents of twins. Foggy-brained and sleep-deprived from the babies' colic, their lives are turned inside out by the reappearance of a woman from Patrick's past.
Erica Voss knows Patrick has been married before and the circumstances by which that came to an end. And she's not keeping that information to herself.
The End Of Her drew me in right away, and held my attention with every page. There are a lot of roots sprouting out from the main storyline here and all tie together in the end.
There's plenty of unreliability and double-crossing in this one - domestic thriller fans, do check this out!
And it's obviously time I check out the remaining Lapena (did I mention she's Canadian?) book I haven't read of hers, An Unwanted Guest.
Recommended!

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shelbyjo's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars. Loved it, and honestly didn't figure everything out until it was all laid out for us at the end. One thing though...

like, is everyone in the world pretty much a murderer just waiting for their opportunity? MY GOODNESS the morals of these fictional people...lol.

Definitely entertaining though and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

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