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clawson2's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
jessicabeckett's review
4.0
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As a note, a review copy of this novel was provided on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way. Thank you! Review also posted here.
Lisa Regan effortlessly pens a second installment to her delightfully painful and thrilling Claire Fletcher series. As you would suspect, it comes with just as much tension and suspense as the previous chapter. While I enjoyed Losing Leah Holloway--and this new mystery--I did prefer the first book in the series in terms of pacing.
Five years after escaping her personal terror, recovering from years in captivity, Claire Fletcher takes a chance in rescuing a car full of five children after a mother drives them off a bridge. Losing Leah Holloway is undeniably a different story--new mysteries, old struggles--but still has that bizarre/creepy vibe that its predecessor had. Regan is able to showcase once more how rich her writing is and will leave you captivated; the hairs on the back of your neck sticking up from various chills and thrills. Lisa Regan has a way with making you feel on edge throughout the pages and this is her biggest gift. Her own personal calling card.
Much like with Finding Claire Fletcher, Losing Leah Holloway is more than its mystery and layers. It is about connection. It is about resolution. It is about hope. It is about horror. Regan pens facts and questions together easily and vividly; tying things up in a way that is satisfying to even the most picky of readers. She doesn't make things too difficult to solve nor does she make them blatantly obvious. As you watch the mystery unfold, you discover more and more about characters and the cruelty of life. It's very striking and at the end of the day, very fulfilling.
One of the things that I loved most about the continuation of Claire Fletcher was her past still lingering in the background. I don't care what you say (I have seen a critic of this) a victim does NOT forget or move on entirely. This is supposed to make your stomach turn, because it is true to life and all its horrors. It's perfectly accurate to have these flashbacks to her time in captivity. What she went through was traumatic and while it does not define her to a volume, it still is a huge part of her. Lisa Regan did the most appropriate thing she could in making sure this element to the story was still, at the very least, background notes.
And with the new mystery, it not only reminds readers of the novels roots--and introduces the newer readers to the first story, in case they had no read it--it balances out this new mystery and case. Plus, it offers a great amount of depth and the like to Claire's mindset, heart and relationships.
Overall, I really enjoyed Losing Leah Holloway and found myself on the edge of my seat once more. I am definitely looking forward to the possibility that this series will continue with a third book, though I haven't the slightest idea if it will. The perfect mystery for autumn.
As a note, a review copy of this novel was provided on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way. Thank you! Review also posted here.
Lisa Regan effortlessly pens a second installment to her delightfully painful and thrilling Claire Fletcher series. As you would suspect, it comes with just as much tension and suspense as the previous chapter. While I enjoyed Losing Leah Holloway--and this new mystery--I did prefer the first book in the series in terms of pacing.
Five years after escaping her personal terror, recovering from years in captivity, Claire Fletcher takes a chance in rescuing a car full of five children after a mother drives them off a bridge. Losing Leah Holloway is undeniably a different story--new mysteries, old struggles--but still has that bizarre/creepy vibe that its predecessor had. Regan is able to showcase once more how rich her writing is and will leave you captivated; the hairs on the back of your neck sticking up from various chills and thrills. Lisa Regan has a way with making you feel on edge throughout the pages and this is her biggest gift. Her own personal calling card.
Much like with Finding Claire Fletcher, Losing Leah Holloway is more than its mystery and layers. It is about connection. It is about resolution. It is about hope. It is about horror. Regan pens facts and questions together easily and vividly; tying things up in a way that is satisfying to even the most picky of readers. She doesn't make things too difficult to solve nor does she make them blatantly obvious. As you watch the mystery unfold, you discover more and more about characters and the cruelty of life. It's very striking and at the end of the day, very fulfilling.
One of the things that I loved most about the continuation of Claire Fletcher was her past still lingering in the background. I don't care what you say (I have seen a critic of this) a victim does NOT forget or move on entirely. This is supposed to make your stomach turn, because it is true to life and all its horrors. It's perfectly accurate to have these flashbacks to her time in captivity. What she went through was traumatic and while it does not define her to a volume, it still is a huge part of her. Lisa Regan did the most appropriate thing she could in making sure this element to the story was still, at the very least, background notes.
And with the new mystery, it not only reminds readers of the novels roots--and introduces the newer readers to the first story, in case they had no read it--it balances out this new mystery and case. Plus, it offers a great amount of depth and the like to Claire's mindset, heart and relationships.
Overall, I really enjoyed Losing Leah Holloway and found myself on the edge of my seat once more. I am definitely looking forward to the possibility that this series will continue with a third book, though I haven't the slightest idea if it will. The perfect mystery for autumn.
keribchilders's review
4.0
A wild ride, I was very invested in the characters. Check trigger warnings before you read. A few major ones: suicidal ideation, suicide, abuse, rape, infidelity
geeky_erin's review
3.0
Fast follow-up to [b:Finding Claire Fletcher|34330657|Finding Claire Fletcher (Claire Fletcher, #1)|Lisa Regan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497548424l/34330657._SY75_.jpg|56823441] for those who wonder, "Hey - what are these characters like after the events of the last book?" The events went OTT for me, and romantic suspense isn't really my genre of choice, but it was a good way to pass a chilly evening. Still pretty graphic, though, as a warning for others.
readbyredhead's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the first book in this duo (Finding Claire Fletcher) and it was exciting to jump back in with Claire and Parks, but it didn’t have quite the same draw. It’s a mysterious crime novel that’s quick paced and keeps you wanting more, but my biggest complaint is the order of the flashback chapters. If set up a little differently the storyline could have been perfection, but they give up the twist a bit too early leaving the rest to fall a little flat. I still really enjoyed it though.
calliekay's review against another edition
4.0
I am not sure that I knew this the second book in a series when I started it, but it didn’t really make a difference. It was implied enough throughout the book what happened in the first book I felt!
I liked this a lot! The storyline pieced together the mystery throughout the book so you’re not waiting for the very end to figure it all out. The reason of “why” Leah felt that the decision she made was the only one still didn’t make sense to me, but I’m assuming that was intended. Although I was angry and didn’t understand her decision, I felt bad for her and found the whole story to be sad.
I liked this a lot! The storyline pieced together the mystery throughout the book so you’re not waiting for the very end to figure it all out. The reason of “why” Leah felt that the decision she made was the only one still didn’t make sense to me, but I’m assuming that was intended. Although I was angry and didn’t understand her decision, I felt bad for her and found the whole story to be sad.
tracy_lianne's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5