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pdewitt115's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
jaimarie's review against another edition
4.0
Reading time: 4:29 | Review: 4
I have mixed feelings about this book! Up until 70% of the book I was loving it, it was creepy and I didn't know what to expect for the ending. As I read it, I was picturing it in my head like a movie, I got anxious and creeped out in some chapters, which I absolutely loved. I had so many theories about what was happening, or what had really happened in the past. But then I reached the ending, which was so anticlimactic. There was so much build-up for a confrontation that ended in a couple of pages, in a way that made no sense. I don't want to get into the details of what I didn't like because of spoilers, but it feels like the writer's idea of the book was fantastic but the execution was not great. I am giving it 4 stars because I really loved most of the book, the ending was the only disappointing part.
I have mixed feelings about this book! Up until 70% of the book I was loving it, it was creepy and I didn't know what to expect for the ending. As I read it, I was picturing it in my head like a movie, I got anxious and creeped out in some chapters, which I absolutely loved. I had so many theories about what was happening, or what had really happened in the past. But then I reached the ending, which was so anticlimactic. There was so much build-up for a confrontation that ended in a couple of pages, in a way that made no sense. I don't want to get into the details of what I didn't like because of spoilers, but it feels like the writer's idea of the book was fantastic but the execution was not great. I am giving it 4 stars because I really loved most of the book, the ending was the only disappointing part.
skylabeouf's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
stephabouttown's review against another edition
It was too dark and messed up
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Fatphobia
mariasanches's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
calliek927's review against another edition
4.0
I did it all in one day. I listened to the Audible version, yes. But I couldn't stop. This was one I certainly thought I had figured out completely, yet I was dead wrong, and still have some questions at that.
I've never read Colleen Hoover before, and if I hear about another one of hers that isn't a YA book, I'll most likely have to give it a chance after this one for sure.
I've never read Colleen Hoover before, and if I hear about another one of hers that isn't a YA book, I'll most likely have to give it a chance after this one for sure.
luminous's review against another edition
4.0
Well-crafted. Wild plot yet doesn't veer into the truly unbelievable (other than the one VERY obviously unbelievable thing involving accidental self-incrimination that any person would have easily avoided, but c'est la vie).
Has the best Gothic feel I've experienced in ages. In fact, most books that promise Gothic atmosphere are so disappointing that I avoid them, because when it's done badly it's such a bore. But not here.
Jeremy's characterization was weak and flat. Lowen's had a lot of hinted at childhood stuff that I think was not satisfactorily revealed - lots of allusions but little hard facts, as if forgotten later amongst the rest of the plot, because the tidbits were there to advance the plot through utterly clichéd means. Also, another major plot point regarding Verity's medical status would be basically impossible. Ofc Verity was pretty fully fleshed out, after a fashion. A really enjoyable listen that I would recommend to any thriller lover and to anyone intrigued by the blurb. It delivers on all that.
Has the best Gothic feel I've experienced in ages. In fact, most books that promise Gothic atmosphere are so disappointing that I avoid them, because when it's done badly it's such a bore. But not here.
Jeremy's characterization was weak and flat. Lowen's had a lot of hinted at childhood stuff that I think was not satisfactorily revealed - lots of allusions but little hard facts, as if forgotten later amongst the rest of the plot, because the tidbits were there to advance the plot through utterly clichéd means. Also, another major plot point regarding Verity's medical status would be basically impossible. Ofc Verity was pretty fully fleshed out, after a fashion. A really enjoyable listen that I would recommend to any thriller lover and to anyone intrigued by the blurb. It delivers on all that.
ridasolangi's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my God. Colleen, you've done it again!
I did not want to like this book, but now I'm left in love with the whole experience of reading it. This is not my preferred genre, but she killed it.
I was hooked from the first line I read and I couldn't put the book down because I was so involved with what might happen next. And at every turn, things just kept on getting more and more interesting.
What I love about this book is that it was not rigid about the characterization and how the characters should be interpreted. It is completely okay to leave the characters in the grey zone, it doesn't always have to be so black and white. Another thing that kept me captivated was how the mystery and thrill was constant till the end. It kept me hooked enough that I read it in one sitting (I was actually lying on my bed the whole time, but don't we all do that?).
The best part is that the plot twist at the end was so unexpected that it felt like a mindf*ck. I don't know how else to describe it. I'm still recovering from the impact of finishing this book and it's been hours already.
I did not want to like this book, but now I'm left in love with the whole experience of reading it. This is not my preferred genre, but she killed it.
I was hooked from the first line I read and I couldn't put the book down because I was so involved with what might happen next. And at every turn, things just kept on getting more and more interesting.
What I love about this book is that it was not rigid about the characterization and how the characters should be interpreted. It is completely okay to leave the characters in the grey zone, it doesn't always have to be so black and white. Another thing that kept me captivated was how the mystery and thrill was constant till the end. It kept me hooked enough that I read it in one sitting (I was actually lying on my bed the whole time, but don't we all do that?).
The best part is that the plot twist at the end was so unexpected that it felt like a mindf*ck. I don't know how else to describe it. I'm still recovering from the impact of finishing this book and it's been hours already.
ohemgee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0