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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I had been waiting a while to read “The Favour” for a couple of months now. I needed to clear my mind so what better way then with a thriller! Leah and McKenna are two women who were so similar in looks and life, with almost genderless names; this is constantly a reminder in this book. Even the detective and police officers note this about the women. They also live in quite close proximity to each other, and from their own perspectives, their lives look like they could easily be switched. They were both married to men who (apart from being narcissistic and intimidating manipulators) seemed to be threatened by their success, their friendships and the way they wanted to live their lives. They were coerced into quitting their jobs, distancing themselves from friends and family. The violence and danger was unsettling, and this book does highlight the fear that domestic violence can fuel.
The idea of a “favour” between two women who didn’t really know each other, but were very aware of the lives that each lived was a great concept. It was easy to get into it, but as I went further in, the momentum did change. I initially thought that the tropes explored were going to switch again, especially with the gaslighting and memory issues from one of the characters but it remained on course. I think this book was more about exploring the machinations of being freed from a manipulative and abusive partner, and this was evident in the later parts, more than delivering on any plot twists that could be imagined. Also for me, amidst the violence and threats, it was hard to warm to either Leah or McKenna. And I think that was part of their character development; to bounce back from being controlled for so long can reflect in a very tough non-emotional exterior.
The idea of a “favour” between two women who didn’t really know each other, but were very aware of the lives that each lived was a great concept. It was easy to get into it, but as I went further in, the momentum did change. I initially thought that the tropes explored were going to switch again, especially with the gaslighting and memory issues from one of the characters but it remained on course. I think this book was more about exploring the machinations of being freed from a manipulative and abusive partner, and this was evident in the later parts, more than delivering on any plot twists that could be imagined. Also for me, amidst the violence and threats, it was hard to warm to either Leah or McKenna. And I think that was part of their character development; to bounce back from being controlled for so long can reflect in a very tough non-emotional exterior.
three and half stars rounded up
I try not to give half stars, but this was more than just ok for me, though I didn’t quite love it. The start was very slow, but then something I didn’t expect happened and from there on I was invested. The pace did slow down again and then picked back up - this is where it lost the half star with me. I thought Murphy did a great job at showing how truly difficult it can be for women to leave these relationships, and how abuse ranges from financial and emotional to physical. My heart was really broken for Leah and Mckenna. Overall, this was a great debut, and I would love to read what Murphy publishes next.
#brandysreads
Thank you @minotaurbooks
TW: Domestic abuse, miscarriage, alcoholism
I try not to give half stars, but this was more than just ok for me, though I didn’t quite love it. The start was very slow, but then something I didn’t expect happened and from there on I was invested. The pace did slow down again and then picked back up - this is where it lost the half star with me. I thought Murphy did a great job at showing how truly difficult it can be for women to leave these relationships, and how abuse ranges from financial and emotional to physical. My heart was really broken for Leah and Mckenna. Overall, this was a great debut, and I would love to read what Murphy publishes next.
#brandysreads
Thank you @minotaurbooks
TW: Domestic abuse, miscarriage, alcoholism
Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an eARC in return for an honest review.
This story follows McKenna, a pediatrician and Leah an attorney. Both women live in nice neighborhoods and have verysuccessful husbands. But that's not all they have in common. During a brief encouner at a liquor store, Leah realizes that McKenna may be in danger. Leah begins watching McKenna from a distance. Can she help McKenna before it's too late?
Trigger warning: domestic violence
This book was really good but at times hard to read. Due to the nature of this book, I had to take breaks from reading it. It took me 11 days but I made it through. It's Dark, suspenseful, and tackles real issues.
This story follows McKenna, a pediatrician and Leah an attorney. Both women live in nice neighborhoods and have verysuccessful husbands. But that's not all they have in common. During a brief encouner at a liquor store, Leah realizes that McKenna may be in danger. Leah begins watching McKenna from a distance. Can she help McKenna before it's too late?
Trigger warning: domestic violence
This book was really good but at times hard to read. Due to the nature of this book, I had to take breaks from reading it. It took me 11 days but I made it through. It's Dark, suspenseful, and tackles real issues.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I loved this book.
From the beginning of this book, you are thrown into the story and engulfed by these characters and their lives.
This author is one to watch. I will definitely be looking for the next book by this debut author.
The writing brought me into this world and the intense situation kept me listening until the end.
5 out of 5 stars for this great book by a debut author. I highly recommend this book.
I loved this book.
From the beginning of this book, you are thrown into the story and engulfed by these characters and their lives.
This author is one to watch. I will definitely be looking for the next book by this debut author.
The writing brought me into this world and the intense situation kept me listening until the end.
5 out of 5 stars for this great book by a debut author. I highly recommend this book.
4.5⭐ rounded up for this gripping debut
Featuring ~ mutliple POV's, flashbacks, domestic abuse/violence, excessive alcohol assumption as a coping mechanism, miscarriage
Two strangers living similar lives with prominent, manipulating, controlling and abusive husbands. The similarities don't end there ~ they look similar, they both drive a Lexus and they both live in mcmansions. This leads to some repetitiveness, but still gives the story some uniqueness.
Both couples are successful ~ 2 lawyers and 2 doctors, which just goes to show that domestic violence can happen to, and be done by, anyone.
As one woman watches the other she just knows she needs to help this woman, a woman she doesn't even know and only glimpsed once in a store. She just had a feeling about what was going on in her life, since it seems similar to her own.
It was a great way to first read through Leah's eyes as she watched the abuse happen and then through McKenna's eyes as she lived through it...and then visa versa.
Told in mostly in dual pov's of Leah and McKenna with some flashbacks to the past. There are some chapters told by the detective, Jordan Harrison, that kept me glued to my kindle to see how the investigative side went. I liked that each chapter gave us the date, so we could easily follow along with the timeline.
There wasn't really a mystery because the big shebang happened earlier in the book than I thought it would. The detective was a great character and I liked how his partners story weaved itself into the murder investigations.
I'm impressed with this domestic suspense debut. It was fast paced, intense and well written. I had a feeling it would all play out exactly as it did and I was pleased with the conclusion. I can't wait to get my hands on what Nora writes next!
I liked the added author's note at the end that gave facts and resources on DV.
*Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, [a:Nora Murphy|466240|Nora Murphy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1631627014p2/466240.jpg] and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
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Featuring ~ mutliple POV's, flashbacks, domestic abuse/violence, excessive alcohol assumption as a coping mechanism, miscarriage
Two strangers living similar lives with prominent, manipulating, controlling and abusive husbands. The similarities don't end there ~ they look similar, they both drive a Lexus and they both live in mcmansions. This leads to some repetitiveness, but still gives the story some uniqueness.
Both couples are successful ~ 2 lawyers and 2 doctors, which just goes to show that domestic violence can happen to, and be done by, anyone.
As one woman watches the other she just knows she needs to help this woman, a woman she doesn't even know and only glimpsed once in a store. She just had a feeling about what was going on in her life, since it seems similar to her own.
It was a great way to first read through Leah's eyes as she watched the abuse happen and then through McKenna's eyes as she lived through it...and then visa versa.
Told in mostly in dual pov's of Leah and McKenna with some flashbacks to the past. There are some chapters told by the detective, Jordan Harrison, that kept me glued to my kindle to see how the investigative side went. I liked that each chapter gave us the date, so we could easily follow along with the timeline.
There wasn't really a mystery because the big shebang happened earlier in the book than I thought it would. The detective was a great character and I liked how his partners story weaved itself into the murder investigations.
I'm impressed with this domestic suspense debut. It was fast paced, intense and well written. I had a feeling it would all play out exactly as it did and I was pleased with the conclusion. I can't wait to get my hands on what Nora writes next!
I liked the added author's note at the end that gave facts and resources on DV.
*Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, [a:Nora Murphy|466240|Nora Murphy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1631627014p2/466240.jpg] and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
This was a great domestic thriller about what happens when a person feels trapped by their partner. I was shocked to see it was a debut by Murphy because I thought it was really well done. I liked that McKenna and Leah were both well educated, accomplished women who were put in similar situations - it really attests to the fact that domestic violence can affect anyone. If you like this one I highly recommend Peter Swanson’s The Kind Worth Killing!
The parallel lives of these two women caught in a web of domestic abuse have you wondering if they are the same person. As I read I can't say that I was always trying to figure out what was going to happen, but the storyline definitely kept me reading.
A great book until the end, I enjoyed how Murphy intertwined their lives and told a suspenseful tale. A great debut novel!
Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the Kindle ARC!
A great book until the end, I enjoyed how Murphy intertwined their lives and told a suspenseful tale. A great debut novel!
Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the Kindle ARC!
In a super-solid domestic suspense debut by Nora Murphy, Leah and McKenna are strangers in the same town leading paralell lives, married with high-paying careers. But they both know that what's seen on the outside of a home isn't really the whole picture.
I really enjoyed how this storyline unfolded, as told from multiple points of view. It was fun to see Leah and Mckenna's POVs train of thought for some of the same scenes, and then see the detective work back through what he thought was happening. This book deals with some very difficult situations, so check trigger warnings, but also be sure to read the afternote from the author, which was very well written. I can't wait to see what Nora writes next!
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the copy of this book!
I really enjoyed how this storyline unfolded, as told from multiple points of view. It was fun to see Leah and Mckenna's POVs train of thought for some of the same scenes, and then see the detective work back through what he thought was happening. This book deals with some very difficult situations, so check trigger warnings, but also be sure to read the afternote from the author, which was very well written. I can't wait to see what Nora writes next!
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the copy of this book!
This is a debut domestic suspense that was quick and fun to buddy read (thanks to one of my favs @amy_alwaysreading who also gifted me her extra copy
This was solid debut novel. It kept my attention and I wanted to know how each scenario was going to play out, but it seemed a bit repetitive about half way through.
Leah and McKenna lead similar lives and soon after each of them get married their husbands begin to show their true colors. The author details the accounts of each of their domestic abuse by detailing the gaslighting, manipulation, and possession. As the two successful wives do not know how to leave they find comfort in the favor they see through. The detectives POV was introduced about half way through and we were able to hear the police procedural view, which seemed to be unnecessary since the POV was already being accounted for by each woman.
The authors note at the end of the book was an excellent view on domestic abuse and violence and the sad truth behind why women can’t leave.
All in all a solid book and I would read this author again! Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
TW: domestic violence, alcoholism, murder
Leah and McKenna lead similar lives and soon after each of them get married their husbands begin to show their true colors. The author details the accounts of each of their domestic abuse by detailing the gaslighting, manipulation, and possession. As the two successful wives do not know how to leave they find comfort in the favor they see through. The detectives POV was introduced about half way through and we were able to hear the police procedural view, which seemed to be unnecessary since the POV was already being accounted for by each woman.
The authors note at the end of the book was an excellent view on domestic abuse and violence and the sad truth behind why women can’t leave.
All in all a solid book and I would read this author again! Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
TW: domestic violence, alcoholism, murder