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dipikap's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A great quick read.
litwithleigh's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Union Square & Co. for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
3.5 rounded up to a 4
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 3/5
SYNOPSIS
Strangers on a Train with a modern twist: Tasha Jenkins is stuck in an abusive relationship with her husband, unable to abandon her teenage son. Madison Gingell is a politician's trophy wife with a few screws loose. Both want their mans gone. So when they fatefully meet, Madison proposes they can solve each other's problems and get away with it.
MY OPINION
I did a happy twerk when I got this baddie in the mail (the cover is gorg btw), because I was super keen to read a thriller by a BIPOC author that takes on race and gender politics. It's always a gamble, but I believe this one paid off... mostly. I know some readers are averse to reading political thrillers, but fear not, this is not your standard "Ted Talk" approach.
The differences between Tasha (African American) and Madison's (unspecified Caucasian) environments are illustrated subtly; more showing, less telling. The author doesn't go all Lessons In Chemistry and or The Last Housewife by concocting OTT social situations to make a point. My brain is honestly mush right now, but I liked how L.S. Stratton compared and contrasted Tasha and Madison's lives without having them both in the same scene. For example, the most "obvious" route would be to have them both in Louis Vuitton, where Madison is doted over, and Tasha is accused of stealing. But instead, Stratton takes us through their own individual lives and shows how their race and gender can either be barriers or open doors. Big kudos for this.
I also appreciated how Stratton demonstrated the role of religion in each of their lives. Tasha is a devout believer, despite her less than favourable circumstances. And Madison has yeeted God out the window after her traumatic childhood. Again, this was done without any "agenda." You could look at Tasha and think: without your stringent religious beliefs, you would've had more courage to move tf on. And you could look at Madison and think: gwurl you need to repent ASAP. Stratton shows you how trauma can lead you toward or away from God; there's no framework for coping.
Now, I don't wanna get into some spoilies, so I'll just say, the end-ish part kinda lost me. I got a lil emotional with the drama between Tasha and her son, but that felt swept to the side at the end. Also, Stratton needs to chill with the exclamation marks. It wasn't like Gillian McAllister in Wrong Place, Wrong Time, but it was damn near close LOL. But I'll lay the blame on the editor... it's their job to say aht aht.
All in all, if you're looking for a thriller with a social commentary take that's not Ted Talk preachy, give this one a whirl.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: unique spin on Strangers on a Train, well-executed theme and messaging without banging us over the head with it
Cons: got a lil questionable at some parts
3.5 rounded up to a 4
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 3/5
SYNOPSIS
Strangers on a Train with a modern twist: Tasha Jenkins is stuck in an abusive relationship with her husband, unable to abandon her teenage son. Madison Gingell is a politician's trophy wife with a few screws loose. Both want their mans gone. So when they fatefully meet, Madison proposes they can solve each other's problems and get away with it.
MY OPINION
I did a happy twerk when I got this baddie in the mail (the cover is gorg btw), because I was super keen to read a thriller by a BIPOC author that takes on race and gender politics. It's always a gamble, but I believe this one paid off... mostly. I know some readers are averse to reading political thrillers, but fear not, this is not your standard "Ted Talk" approach.
The differences between Tasha (African American) and Madison's (unspecified Caucasian) environments are illustrated subtly; more showing, less telling. The author doesn't go all Lessons In Chemistry and or The Last Housewife by concocting OTT social situations to make a point. My brain is honestly mush right now, but I liked how L.S. Stratton compared and contrasted Tasha and Madison's lives without having them both in the same scene. For example, the most "obvious" route would be to have them both in Louis Vuitton, where Madison is doted over, and Tasha is accused of stealing. But instead, Stratton takes us through their own individual lives and shows how their race and gender can either be barriers or open doors. Big kudos for this.
I also appreciated how Stratton demonstrated the role of religion in each of their lives. Tasha is a devout believer, despite her less than favourable circumstances. And Madison has yeeted God out the window after her traumatic childhood. Again, this was done without any "agenda." You could look at Tasha and think: without your stringent religious beliefs, you would've had more courage to move tf on. And you could look at Madison and think: gwurl you need to repent ASAP. Stratton shows you how trauma can lead you toward or away from God; there's no framework for coping.
Now, I don't wanna get into some spoilies, so I'll just say, the end-ish part kinda lost me. I got a lil emotional with the drama between Tasha and her son, but that felt swept to the side at the end. Also, Stratton needs to chill with the exclamation marks. It wasn't like Gillian McAllister in Wrong Place, Wrong Time, but it was damn near close LOL. But I'll lay the blame on the editor... it's their job to say aht aht.
All in all, if you're looking for a thriller with a social commentary take that's not Ted Talk preachy, give this one a whirl.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: unique spin on Strangers on a Train, well-executed theme and messaging without banging us over the head with it
Cons: got a lil questionable at some parts
zuly's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
frostybee_bookcase's review against another edition
4.0
A twisty and suspense-filled ride that will leave you guessing what everyone's role in the plot is. I enjoyed this book, the last 100 pages I couldn't put it down and binge-read it!
I rated it 4 stars because of how the middle seemed to drag, but it was only for a couple of chapters. Otherwise, I was surprised at the plot twists in the book and thoroughly enjoyed that the plot reveals were not at all what I had been guessing before.
A chance encounter between two women, one proposing they help each other out and off each other's husband. Women should help each other out, right?
"Don't back me into a corner Madison. You won't like me when you do"
Tasha's character development over the book is amazing. This was probably my favorite development from a character in a book. She realizes just how strong she is and how she really can stand on her own two feet
If anyone is looking for a thriller/suspenseful book to read that isn't too long then this is the book for them. This book could also help get you out of a slump because of how the story is so well written.
I rated it 4 stars because of how the middle seemed to drag, but it was only for a couple of chapters. Otherwise, I was surprised at the plot twists in the book and thoroughly enjoyed that the plot reveals were not at all what I had been guessing before.
A chance encounter between two women, one proposing they help each other out and off each other's husband. Women should help each other out, right?
Spoiler
Tasha and Madison are both women driven to do whatever it takes to live their own lives. Each feels that their husbands have hampered their ability to live how they want. However, where Madison is cunning, ruthless, and selfish, Tasha is trying to save her son as much as herself."Don't back me into a corner Madison. You won't like me when you do"
Tasha's character development over the book is amazing. This was probably my favorite development from a character in a book. She realizes just how strong she is and how she really can stand on her own two feet
If anyone is looking for a thriller/suspenseful book to read that isn't too long then this is the book for them. This book could also help get you out of a slump because of how the story is so well written.
edshara's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this one. I will say most of the characters annoyed me at some point, but not to the point of frustration. I wasn’t really sure how things were going to go and that’s a good thing, when reading a thriller. The ending was interesting and worked well for the plot.
*Their was some sexual content. It wasn’t overly descriptive and most of it was pretty much fade to black. Their was one scene, early in the book, that was only about half a page, that kind of fell somewhere in the middle. Not too much, but enough to know what was going down. I personally think it could’ve been left out, but it didn’t ruin the reading experience.
*Their was some sexual content. It wasn’t overly descriptive and most of it was pretty much fade to black. Their was one scene, early in the book, that was only about half a page, that kind of fell somewhere in the middle. Not too much, but enough to know what was going down. I personally think it could’ve been left out, but it didn’t ruin the reading experience.
linnaboobooks's review against another edition
4.0
content warnings for abuse, child abuse, domestic abuse, domestic violence, CSA, drug abuse, disordered eating / diet culture.
rachaellaurenpotts's review against another edition
4.0
A really good book with a twist you won’t see coming! I definitely enjoyed this one!
mayahill22's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse