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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
medium-paced
dark
sad
medium-paced
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a car crash due to Julie's delusions and hard to put down. She's not an unreliable narrator, and she somehow stays likable enough to be interesting the whole time - she just sees reality wildly differently than anyone around her.
I appreciate that the "but why did she go so wrong?" is left to the reader to ponder - Julie was mistreated as a kid and bullied some, and was not typical even as a kid, but don't most people think their parents preferred a sibling over them? Julie's parents just flat out did favor Angela. She could have been simply very eccentric if she hadn't decided to "act on the obvious relationships" only she saw, so it's both sad and cringey...
also, the 'author interview' at the end has some odd comments that are rather Julie-esque: "in the twenty-first century, a girl wouldn't wait for her man to be damaged; she'd get out there and damage him herself."
I appreciate that the "but why did she go so wrong?" is left to the reader to ponder - Julie was mistreated as a kid and bullied some, and was not typical even as a kid, but don't most people think their parents preferred a sibling over them? Julie's parents just flat out did favor Angela. She could have been simply very eccentric if she hadn't decided to "act on the obvious relationships" only she saw, so it's both sad and cringey...
also, the 'author interview' at the end has some odd comments that are rather Julie-esque: "in the twenty-first century, a girl wouldn't wait for her man to be damaged; she'd get out there and damage him herself."
Brilliant! Very, very funny. I laughed out loud and got lots of odd looks from my partner. Super characters.
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. IMHO, this isn't a case of an unreliable narrator, because Julie NEVER lies. She's delusional, but you know exactly what is happening at all times, for better or worse. We've all developed crushes on unavailable people, right? Imagine if you were batshit crazy. This book is it. I read it in two sittings because I couldn't wait to see what calamity would ensue next. All in all, a bit of fun if unhinged women are your thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Stalking, Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death
Minor: Grief
tense
I’m not sure if Julie Tudor is a psychopath but she ain’t right. Her relationship to reality is casual, constructing the world as she would rather it be. Her main MO is forming deep, passionate attachments to unavailable men at the barest of civilities. Even with reality poking holes in her fantasy, her denial run deeps. I could admire her commit to chosen fiction if it didn’t have a body count.
I’m normally not big on the cringe factor and secondhand embarrassment her delusions elicited but I could not look away. It’s like a car crash. However crazy you think it’s going to get, you’re underestimating our protagonist.
I tried to find author interviews because I’d love to hear how Holdich created this character. I haven’t been able to find any so if you come across any, send them my way. I enjoyed this as an ALC and Clare Corbett did a fantastic job. She made these characters come alive.
There is a lesson about making better choices, accepting what we can’t change, and seeing what’s in front of you. But we can see that some people never really change. Big thanks to Tantor Audio and NetGalley. It was a helluva ride 4/5
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am really unsure what to think of this book, still unsure on how to even review it! I was lucky enough to receive this an ARC back in May (released in June) as an audiobook but have only just got around to listening to it. I have to say, I enjoyed the character writing within this book but I am unsure about categorising it as a thriller as such! 🫣 I would probably have DNF'd this had it have been a physical but I would definitely say a quirky read, with some laughs!
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Masterful writing. We see the world through the eyes of a highly delusional unreliable narrator and yet the reader can still see the situation clearly. The pacing was swift and the character building felt natural.