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readrienne's review
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Murder
Moderate: Eating disorder and Death of parent
glabour's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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
3.5
Geez, this book was one hell of a sad, emotional ride for me. There’s a lot to think about with this one, and the author pulls it off well. The writing isn’t anything to write home about and there aren’t any standout characters except for Jackie. Everyone’s voice blends together into one, unified sad mess. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it made it hard to sometimes distinguish who had said what and when.
“Hot Springs Drive” raises questions about the roles society puts on women and the expectations put on parents to take care of their children. Hunter shows how fragile the family dynamic and structure can be; how easily it can crumble when someone tries to step outside of it.
It also looks into where true intimacy comes from, and how sex becomes the only way that these desperate and lonely characters know how to feel and get affection; it’s the only expression that is real for them.
The first half of the book was more exciting than the second half since it read like an Enquirer article, but the second half was more nuanced, slow, and emotional.
“Hot Springs Drive” raises questions about the roles society puts on women and the expectations put on parents to take care of their children. Hunter shows how fragile the family dynamic and structure can be; how easily it can crumble when someone tries to step outside of it.
It also looks into where true intimacy comes from, and how sex becomes the only way that these desperate and lonely characters know how to feel and get affection; it’s the only expression that is real for them.
The first half of the book was more exciting than the second half since it read like an Enquirer article, but the second half was more nuanced, slow, and emotional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Body shaming, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Murder, Abandonment, and Mental illness
dogsbooksandpizza's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
I couldn’t put this down! I finished it easily in two days. I enjoyed the structure and the way the story unfolded. I did guess who the murderer was pretty quickly, and I’m not sure if that was supposed to be a bigger reveal, but I did like that it’s revealed halfway through the book instead of at the end. I did feel like some aspects needed further development, especially regarding Jackie’s and Douglas’ characters, and I think seeing Theresa more through the other characters could have made her fate more significant. Jackie’s need for control over Douglas never quite clicked for me - I think showing her jealousy for what Theresa had or a need to just destroy another family would have made more sense, and what about Douglas “going on errands” with her? What about the box under his bed? I also thought the Jayson and Cece thing ended abruptly - then we find out he heard what his mom said? Was the implication that he wasn’t that great, and that he was ultimately getting Cece out of his system by going to see her, and now they were over? I really enjoyed reading this, but I feel like now that I’ve finished it, I don’t want to scrutinize it too much for fear of finding too much fault.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
brdwilliams's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Fatphobia, and Murder
emmas_bookshelf's review
dark
fast-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
5.0
This book immediately had me hooked and wondering what would unravel as the two women and their families collided. And there was a surprise at every turn. It explores the dark side of motherhood, as well as other topics: beauty, weight loss, eating disorders, and the impact of parents on children. Absolutely riveting. Would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Violence, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Murder, and Stalking
amybradbury's review
dark
tense
medium-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
4.0
This book came onto my radar since it's on Roxanne Gay's imprint and I am a huge fan of her work, and it didn't disapppoint. I would definitely read more from this author.
She kept me reading to see where the story would go. I read it on a day when my young daughter was home sick from school and I was glad she just wanted to snuggle and sleep so I could keep turning the pages.
Very dark and open door spice, with lots of trigger warnings, wrapped in a story of friendship and the darkness in families. Not a lot of resolve at the end of the story, but I feel that's true to life and appreciate when an author doesn't give us everything in a nice bow.
The combination of a compelling plot line and a story that kept moving along with well developed (although totally unlikeable) characters was a hit for me. I enjoyed the reading experience I had with this book, and if the story/characters stick with me further into the year, I would increase my rating to 4.25.
She kept me reading to see where the story would go. I read it on a day when my young daughter was home sick from school and I was glad she just wanted to snuggle and sleep so I could keep turning the pages.
Very dark and open door spice, with lots of trigger warnings, wrapped in a story of friendship and the darkness in families. Not a lot of resolve at the end of the story, but I feel that's true to life and appreciate when an author doesn't give us everything in a nice bow.
The combination of a compelling plot line and a story that kept moving along with well developed (although totally unlikeable) characters was a hit for me. I enjoyed the reading experience I had with this book, and if the story/characters stick with me further into the year, I would increase my rating to 4.25.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Eating disorder
Moderate: Death of parent
bella_cavicchi's review
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
HOT SPRINGS DRIVES occupies the same space in my brain as the trailer for Sydney Sweeney's ANYONE BUT YOU, except 10x darker. Roll with me.
In all seriousness, this was a compelling and well-crafted contribution to the growing cross-genre of domestic thriller and literary fiction. I really enjoyed it and managed to devour it in mere days!
In all seriousness, this was a compelling and well-crafted contribution to the growing cross-genre of domestic thriller and literary fiction. I really enjoyed it and managed to devour it in mere days!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Infidelity, Grief, Fatphobia, Death of parent, Body shaming, Murder, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
lorit1227's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Body shaming, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Eating disorder, and Emotional abuse
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