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thephdivabooks's review
5.0
A twisting, tantalizing ride that had me glued to this book to the very final page. What a story!!! What an ending!!! T. M. Logan is one of my favorite writers and this was probably my favorite book yet. In 29 Seconds, a good deed leads to an offer that is hard to turn down, and those 29 seconds set a plan in motion that will change everything…
About the Book
Sarah Haywood is working hard to get a permanent position at Queen Anne University for two years. She gets top marks from her students, has a steady publication record, has helped launch a new program, and has even found leads for grant funding for their department. But all of her hard work won’t matter as long as Alan Hawthorne is in charge of the department. Given his TV fame, high grant funding, and social connections with the University bigwigs, no one goes anywhere without Alan’s approval.
When Sarah is picking her kids up from daycare one day and witnesses something horrible, she acts on instinct and saves the life of a young girl. A few days later, Sarah is contacted by someone who knows what she did. He wants to reward a rare act of selflessness in a very unique way. He gives Sarah and phone and he tells her that she has 72 hours to call the number in the phone and give them a name. Any name. And that person will disappear.
No second chances. Once the decision is made, Sarah can’t change her mind. Sarah can’t imagine herself taking the deal. Until she gets pushed too far. Sarah makes a 29 second phone call, and it sets in motion a series of events that can’t be stopped…
Reflection
The premise of this book gives me chills whenever I think about it. When I first thought about the deal I felt like Sarah did. Sure, there are people I’d prefer to not have to deal with. But making that call would mean I took action that adversely impacted someone else. But as the story unfolds, we see the terrifying events that push Sarah to her limits.
Alan Hawthorne is QUITE a character. As a doctoral student myself, Logan’s portrayal of the university environment really resonated with me. When you are lower in academia—a grad student or a new professor trying to make tenure—the system rarely works for you. Academia allows power and influence to thrive. A bad track record in academia, even when undeserved, blacklists you from the industry.
Alan Hawthorne was flawlessly written. He is the perfect villain—manipulative, seductive, and diabolical enough that I fell into the trap over and over thinking he might have a limit to his behavior. I can’t wait for readers to see the way Hawthorne works—it is terrifying and brilliant!
Sarah is such a wonderful character as well. She has so much complexity to her story. I didn’t share quite a bit about Sarah in my teaser and I think I will hold off, because her life situation is so fascinating. Her family dynamics, her background in her field, and where she is at in her career—these all made Sarah’s character leap right off the page. And as the book unfolds, from her good deed to the phone call to the aftermath, Sarah is full of surprises. She is a delightful character. I’d read a whole series about Sarah if I could!
The ending…it’s quite frankly jaw-dropping!!! The entire book is twisted, fast-paced, and completely diabolical!!! A must-read thriller with a fascinating premise and an even better delivery!!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my copy. Opinions are my own.
About the Book
Sarah Haywood is working hard to get a permanent position at Queen Anne University for two years. She gets top marks from her students, has a steady publication record, has helped launch a new program, and has even found leads for grant funding for their department. But all of her hard work won’t matter as long as Alan Hawthorne is in charge of the department. Given his TV fame, high grant funding, and social connections with the University bigwigs, no one goes anywhere without Alan’s approval.
When Sarah is picking her kids up from daycare one day and witnesses something horrible, she acts on instinct and saves the life of a young girl. A few days later, Sarah is contacted by someone who knows what she did. He wants to reward a rare act of selflessness in a very unique way. He gives Sarah and phone and he tells her that she has 72 hours to call the number in the phone and give them a name. Any name. And that person will disappear.
No second chances. Once the decision is made, Sarah can’t change her mind. Sarah can’t imagine herself taking the deal. Until she gets pushed too far. Sarah makes a 29 second phone call, and it sets in motion a series of events that can’t be stopped…
Reflection
The premise of this book gives me chills whenever I think about it. When I first thought about the deal I felt like Sarah did. Sure, there are people I’d prefer to not have to deal with. But making that call would mean I took action that adversely impacted someone else. But as the story unfolds, we see the terrifying events that push Sarah to her limits.
Alan Hawthorne is QUITE a character. As a doctoral student myself, Logan’s portrayal of the university environment really resonated with me. When you are lower in academia—a grad student or a new professor trying to make tenure—the system rarely works for you. Academia allows power and influence to thrive. A bad track record in academia, even when undeserved, blacklists you from the industry.
Alan Hawthorne was flawlessly written. He is the perfect villain—manipulative, seductive, and diabolical enough that I fell into the trap over and over thinking he might have a limit to his behavior. I can’t wait for readers to see the way Hawthorne works—it is terrifying and brilliant!
Sarah is such a wonderful character as well. She has so much complexity to her story. I didn’t share quite a bit about Sarah in my teaser and I think I will hold off, because her life situation is so fascinating. Her family dynamics, her background in her field, and where she is at in her career—these all made Sarah’s character leap right off the page. And as the book unfolds, from her good deed to the phone call to the aftermath, Sarah is full of surprises. She is a delightful character. I’d read a whole series about Sarah if I could!
The ending…it’s quite frankly jaw-dropping!!! The entire book is twisted, fast-paced, and completely diabolical!!! A must-read thriller with a fascinating premise and an even better delivery!!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my copy. Opinions are my own.
pam2375's review
5.0
29 Seconds is all it will take. Just give me a name. Could you/would you do it? How desperate do you have to be to make this decision? Those questions and so much more...
My thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy. This book is set to release in September 2019.
My thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy. This book is set to release in September 2019.
nat22's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
robertjackson's review
5.0
A roller coaster of life dilemmas! All through the book I found myself wondering what I would do if I found myself in similar circumstances. This was particularly difficult because of the gender role-reversal on my part. I can however totally relate to the difficulties faced by females when trying to advance their careers. How on earth doe change society for the better?
Back to the book! Despite being drawn into the male patriarchal conflict there was a superb action film in the making. I found myself reading faster to try to keep pace!.
The outcome was most satisfying and karma took precedence over “right and wrong”.
The author has jumped on to my favourites list and I look forward to reading more!
Back to the book! Despite being drawn into the male patriarchal conflict there was a superb action film in the making. I found myself reading faster to try to keep pace!.
The outcome was most satisfying and karma took precedence over “right and wrong”.
The author has jumped on to my favourites list and I look forward to reading more!
justlily's review
dark
tense
slow-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
0.5
rocksthereader's review against another edition
5.0
This story was gripping, with lots of twists and turns right up to the end. I really felt for Sarah and the dilemma she was in. So many women have been caught up in the situation where they are made to feel uncomfortable in work situations, particularly with men who hold power over them, and Sarah finds herself in this situation with her immediate boss. When she has a chance to do something about it, and make someone disappear, will she take up the opportunity? Will this really make her problems disappear?
Couldn’t put this book down, and wanted to find out what was going to happen, but at the same time, didn’t want it to end!
Couldn’t put this book down, and wanted to find out what was going to happen, but at the same time, didn’t want it to end!
lhart2222's review
4.0
Alan Lovelock is adored by all, a charitable TV star who is on the cusp of a million-pound deal that will send his university right to the top. He also happens to be Dr Sarah Haywood’s boss from hell. In an attempt to rid Alan of his position of power, which puts her career and life on the brink of collapse. Sarah makes an impulsive 29-second decision that could rid her of her problem for good.
This book flew by. Reading it in two days and three sittings. The writing and story went hand in hand to provide a fast-paced and entertaining read. Story wise it has familiar tropes that as individual plots would have fallen short. However, the combination works.
The Characters in this book are done well. The author creates an extremely despicable villain who you can’t help but hate. At times the writing seems a bit cheap and easy to invoke dislike, but I feel this works once you finish the book.
The main protagonist is a good one. Put in difficult positions throughout, you feel like you’re in her shoes, making you feel connected. There are several other people who all fit perfectly and have an important part to play.
Not without its faults, at times it was a little contrived and unrealistic. Certain characters' motives are frustrating or completely left field. Once I finished the book though, these issues were at the back of my mind.
Overall this book was great. Super easy to read, with an engaging and immersive storyline, that was well written and executed extremely well. Playing on some sensitive topics, at times it did come off as an easy way to write a bad guy.
A four right on the cusp of a five. Personal preference and my penchant for realism were the only reasons it didn’t quite make it. You should read this book.
This book flew by. Reading it in two days and three sittings. The writing and story went hand in hand to provide a fast-paced and entertaining read. Story wise it has familiar tropes that as individual plots would have fallen short. However, the combination works.
The Characters in this book are done well. The author creates an extremely despicable villain who you can’t help but hate. At times the writing seems a bit cheap and easy to invoke dislike, but I feel this works once you finish the book.
The main protagonist is a good one. Put in difficult positions throughout, you feel like you’re in her shoes, making you feel connected. There are several other people who all fit perfectly and have an important part to play.
Not without its faults, at times it was a little contrived and unrealistic. Certain characters' motives are frustrating or completely left field. Once I finished the book though, these issues were at the back of my mind.
Overall this book was great. Super easy to read, with an engaging and immersive storyline, that was well written and executed extremely well. Playing on some sensitive topics, at times it did come off as an easy way to write a bad guy.
A four right on the cusp of a five. Personal preference and my penchant for realism were the only reasons it didn’t quite make it. You should read this book.
day_dreaming_vampire's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I loved the short snappy chapters but the story dragged a bit in the middle. I found myself thinking about what I'd do if I was in Sarah's position and it was mostly the opposite of everything she did... Frustrating at times but a overall good read.
Also, it could have done with more pages spent on the mysterious Russians and less on the pointless husband 🤷🏼♀️
Also, it could have done with more pages spent on the mysterious Russians and less on the pointless husband 🤷🏼♀️