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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
These were quite possibly the best favors anyone could have ever done for these two women, even if the story was a bit predictable at times. Not that I enjoy reading about domestic abuse, but I like that the story showed a different side of domestic abuse, not just the physical side. Most people never think about anything but the physical part. Or the fact that it can happen to anyone.
This was an excellent debut. I will definitely be watching for future books by her.
This was an excellent debut. I will definitely be watching for future books by her.
I’d give this a solid 3.5, considering it’s a debut rounded to 4. A well thought-out story, great character development, just got a little boring to me at times. Too predictable and not enough suspense, but still a very good and quick read.
emotional
informative
reflective
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
Basically.... You have two women who have some similarities however the biggest two are that they are both being abused by their husbands, and they desperately want to be free from their toxic relationships.
In the beginning of the novel, one the main characters, Leah, does the other main character Mckenna "a favor" and vise versa. Both women saw the other woman struggling and suffering in silence, and couldn't let them continue in that manner any longer.
This novel has a strong theme of "see something, say something" and women empowerment. I appreciate how detailed Nora made this entire story. She broke down the inner thoughts of an abused woman as well as the inner thoughts of a man outside looking in on an abusive relationship. Both handled with care and was able to convey to me how destructive and unsafe one's environment can be in an abusive household.
My favorite character was Detective Jordan Harrison because he took his job quite seriously and he had the upmost respect for the women around him, which was a huge contrast from the other men in the novel, such as Leah and McKenna's husbands. Harrison was the breath of fresh air from the toxic masculinity exuded from the victim's husbands and some other men mentioned in the novel.
Lastly, I LOVED that Nora included in the author's notes, a plethora of helpful phone numbers and company names for ANYONE to utilize if they are or know someone in any dangerous situation from domestic abuse to suicide attempt.
This narrative had a very slow beginning and I don't care for ambiguous endings. I can say, however, I'm happy both women got what they deserved.
I recommend this book to young adults wanting to read a story about women empowerment and women self sureness. Trigger warning: This book includes alcoholism, domestic abuse, and murder.
In the beginning of the novel, one the main characters, Leah, does the other main character Mckenna "a favor" and vise versa. Both women saw the other woman struggling and suffering in silence, and couldn't let them continue in that manner any longer.
This novel has a strong theme of "see something, say something" and women empowerment. I appreciate how detailed Nora made this entire story. She broke down the inner thoughts of an abused woman as well as the inner thoughts of a man outside looking in on an abusive relationship. Both handled with care and was able to convey to me how destructive and unsafe one's environment can be in an abusive household.
My favorite character was Detective Jordan Harrison because he took his job quite seriously and he had the upmost respect for the women around him, which was a huge contrast from the other men in the novel, such as Leah and McKenna's husbands. Harrison was the breath of fresh air from the toxic masculinity exuded from the victim's husbands and some other men mentioned in the novel.
Lastly, I LOVED that Nora included in the author's notes, a plethora of helpful phone numbers and company names for ANYONE to utilize if they are or know someone in any dangerous situation from domestic abuse to suicide attempt.
This narrative had a very slow beginning and I don't care for ambiguous endings. I can say, however, I'm happy both women got what they deserved.
I recommend this book to young adults wanting to read a story about women empowerment and women self sureness. Trigger warning: This book includes alcoholism, domestic abuse, and murder.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Murder, Gaslighting
mysterious
tense
medium-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 very good debut from Nora Murphy. It was suspenseful and grabs your attention from the start. The characters were believable and sympathetic - you really felt for both Leah and McKenna and understood how they got to where they were and their motivations. I look forward to reading more from Nora Murphy. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.
This was a very good debut and I enjoyed it. But I wanted something a little more- maybe a connection between the husbands maybe or a secret connection between the wives. I don't know- just a little something more.
Fantastic. I absolutely loved this. It really sucked me in from the start and i couldn’t stop until the end. I was dying to see where this went and how it ended!
I wasn’t sure where it was going at the start but what unraveled was twisty and emotional. i really understood these two women. I felt for them. No one should ever have to experience violence especially by a loved one in any way.
I loved that there was a POV of the detective as well! I wasn’t expecting that but it definitely added to the story!
I think the author did wonderful at tackling this issue and showing the effects of it and what it can really be like to live in this situation. I enjoyed her character development and her writing.
I was completely enthralled until the very end. I was so worried about how this would end too
I wasn’t sure where it was going at the start but what unraveled was twisty and emotional. i really understood these two women. I felt for them. No one should ever have to experience violence especially by a loved one in any way.
I loved that there was a POV of the detective as well! I wasn’t expecting that but it definitely added to the story!
I think the author did wonderful at tackling this issue and showing the effects of it and what it can really be like to live in this situation. I enjoyed her character development and her writing.
I was completely enthralled until the very end. I was so worried about how this would end too
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Read it in less than 24-hours. All the action was up front and the ending fell a little flat for me. Also appreciate the author’s attempt to be inclusive with her characters but saying “a tall Black woman” or “I opened the door to a Black detective” is like an unnecessary detail that should have been shown, not told.
2.5 interesting concept, but this was a tad too unbelievable.