Reviews

The Summer Girl by Jenny Blackhurst

jetdm's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

rronso's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

reading_with_megan's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

litwithleigh's review

3.0

Thank you Canelo and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.

BEEP BEEP! HONDA CIVIC RELIABLE READ COMING THRU! 3 STARS IS NOT A BAD BOOK

Writing: standard | Plot: fun | Ending: lowkey controversial in a good way!

SYNOPSIS

Claire travels from England to Martha's Vineyard to find out what happened to her sister.

MY OPINION

This is my third from Jenny Blackhurst, and she hasn't let me down yet. She's definitely my go-to for an easy, breezy popcorn thriller. I just love her dry wit and satirical approach to amateur sleuthing. This approach makes her books 100x more digestible than similarly written books that try to take themselves waaayyy too seriously. Blackhurst has nailed the popcorn thriller formula: juicy but straight forward mystery + FMC with self-deprecating humour + fast-paced dual timelines.

I really have nothing bad to say about this one. As with the other books of hers I read ([b:The Girl Who Left|60600538|The Girl Who Left|Jenny Blackhurst|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1647134944l/60600538._SY75_.jpg|95523708] and [b:The Hiking Trip|62367110|The Hiking Trip|Jenny Blackhurst|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1663330146l/62367110._SY75_.jpg|93835556]) it did what it came to do: entertain and keep in engrossed. Is this a literary masterpiece? No. But is it fun to read and doesn't rely on the fmc being a stage 5 dumbass? Yes. If you like Lindsey Kelk, this is kinda like if Kelk wrote a thriller. Same vibe, different genre.

There was one questionable moment, but otherwise this was enjoyable. I liked it better than The Hiking Trip; especially the ending. It stayed the course and didn't make me cringe. I do think the last 25% of the book will spark some good book club debates; it's a tad controversial and some people may feel passionately about how it all played out. I think it raises some good questions, chiefly: 'does the means justify the end?' Andddddd debate!

PROS AND CONS

Pros: fun read, great dry humor, emotional aspects as well without being too stressy n depressy, solid ending, entertaining, easy to read

Cons: one part was never fully explained, predictable

____________________________

For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.

alifetoldthroughbooks's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

kariniwonderland's review

3.0

An interesting read with lots of twists. Some are predictable, but the ending was suprising. And also in a way kinda sad. If you like phychological thrillers then you definitely give The Summer Girl a try.

I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.

khikari20's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

4.5

I guessed the ending once I read into the third act but it was brilliant nonetheless. I could not put it down! And it got me out of my reading slump 

nbammodu's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes

4.75

Almost perfect! Jenny Blackhurst, the author you are. I thoroughly enjoyed this! Great plot, writing and pace. I think one character

Bobby

got away with way too much in terms of what the book is saying about men and being a "good guy". Loved it through

justbooks46's review

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sophmarsh2's review against another edition

fast-paced

3.75