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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
THE FAVOR is the epitome of a “popcorn thriller!” I went into the book “blind” and got sucked in so quickly! Had I not had work (or any responsibilities for that matter), I’m confident I would’ve finished the book in one sitting - yes, it’s that addictive! I haven’t read a good domestic suspense / thriller in a while so this was such a treat. Also, as a Washingtonian, I love any books set in the DMV!
This book started off a little too “vague for the sake of mystery” for my liking and it became wildly far-fetched, but it was definitely gripping and interesting.
The basic concept/question is: how far would you go for a stranger… a stranger you know is “like you” and struggling.
I don’t know that I believe this book would ever happen in real life- especially with the selfishness of today’s people in a posh, suburb- but I love the idea that this book *could happen. Described as “domestic suspense,” The Favor deals with the all-too-real topic of domestic violence and the general loss of control these women face in their marriages. It’s somewhat vague on the gruesome details, but no less hard to swallow that this is a reality for probably far more people that anyone realizes: maybe even one’s own next door neighbor.
It’s a good, quick read.
TW for fat-shaming, alcoholism, and domestic abuse.
The basic concept/question is: how far would you go for a stranger… a stranger you know is “like you” and struggling.
I don’t know that I believe this book would ever happen in real life- especially with the selfishness of today’s people in a posh, suburb- but I love the idea that this book *could happen. Described as “domestic suspense,” The Favor deals with the all-too-real topic of domestic violence and the general loss of control these women face in their marriages. It’s somewhat vague on the gruesome details, but no less hard to swallow that this is a reality for probably far more people that anyone realizes: maybe even one’s own next door neighbor.
It’s a good, quick read.
TW for fat-shaming, alcoholism, and domestic abuse.
Two women, the same problem and the same perfect solution. What could go wrong? I was so excited to dive into this one but honestly? It started to get boring as it felt like two women just stalking each other. It does have short chapters, dual POV and past/present timeline. Overall, not the worst book I read but I've read better.
Rating: 3.75
Publication Date: 5/31/22
This was a solid/good thriller but was a little too long. I absolutely loved the first half and couldn’t listen to it fast enough. All three narrators did a wonderful job and I could literally feel the tension and emotions from the characters. Unfortunately, the second half fell flat for me and while it still held my interest it seemed too much like the first half repeating itself without the thrilling aspects. I love the idea behind this book, two women living very similar lives who are both trapped in their abusive relationships. Only someone who went through or is in a similar situation truly knows what it's like. That’s why these two strangers connected without even interacting with one another.
This book frustrated me so much, which is exactly what the author wanted. The reader is supposed to connect with Leah and McKenna. I absolutely hated how the husbands acted and while this is fiction it felt all too real. I was so upset with how they were being treated and how much gas lighting went on. One character chooses to drink an excess of alcohol to cope with her situation and I never judged her for that. Both women are supposed to be extremely smart so it’s easy to judge them for the decisions they made or for not removing themselves from the relationship but nothing is ever that easy.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book but please make sure you look at the TW’s first. It was a good thriller that will keep your interest till the end. While it’s not one that will keep you guessing it will have a couple surprises here and there.
Thank you so much @macmillan.audio & @minotaur_books for the #gifted copy on #netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 5/31/22
This was a solid/good thriller but was a little too long. I absolutely loved the first half and couldn’t listen to it fast enough. All three narrators did a wonderful job and I could literally feel the tension and emotions from the characters. Unfortunately, the second half fell flat for me and while it still held my interest it seemed too much like the first half repeating itself without the thrilling aspects. I love the idea behind this book, two women living very similar lives who are both trapped in their abusive relationships. Only someone who went through or is in a similar situation truly knows what it's like. That’s why these two strangers connected without even interacting with one another.
This book frustrated me so much, which is exactly what the author wanted. The reader is supposed to connect with Leah and McKenna. I absolutely hated how the husbands acted and while this is fiction it felt all too real. I was so upset with how they were being treated and how much gas lighting went on. One character chooses to drink an excess of alcohol to cope with her situation and I never judged her for that. Both women are supposed to be extremely smart so it’s easy to judge them for the decisions they made or for not removing themselves from the relationship but nothing is ever that easy.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book but please make sure you look at the TW’s first. It was a good thriller that will keep your interest till the end. While it’s not one that will keep you guessing it will have a couple surprises here and there.
Thank you so much @macmillan.audio & @minotaur_books for the #gifted copy on #netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Suspense novel about two women who never meet who are both trapped in abusive marriages. This wasn't as un-put-down-able as I'd hoped but it was still pretty good.
The favor is one of those books you can't stop reading cause you need to know what happens next. It's told mostly from mckenna's and Leah's point of view. Two strangers who have very similar lives who happen to live very close to each other. Would you do a favor for someone you have never met?
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this digital arc. All opinions are my own.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this digital arc. All opinions are my own.
I read a lot of domestic suspense and really enjoyed Nora Murphy's debut novel. The writing gripped me right away and the story felt so real and raw. I would say the premise reminded me of a mix between Behind Closed Doors, Women in the Window and A Simple Favor.
Leah and McKenna are two strangers who have a lot in common. On the outside, they live the ideal life: high-paying careers, a fancy house, nice cars and a successful partner. Meanwhile, on the inside, they are each trapped, have little freedom and yearn to get away from their controlling husbands. One day, a chance encounter at a liquor store leads to a chain reaction of events that bind these two women together for the rest of their lives.
In the author's note at the end you learn the Nora Murphy is an attorney with a background in violent partners cases. Her strong background knowledge was evident when detailing the psychological and emotional issues these two women went through as a result of the abuse. I appreciate how she highlighted that domestic abuse can happen to anyone and why women who experience domestic violence can get "stuck." While the content was not faint on the heart, I couldn’t put the book down.
Read if interested in:
-Domestic suspense
-Investigative reads
-Real characters
-Small-town vibes
-New beginnings
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this ARC . Pub date 5/31/22
Leah and McKenna are two strangers who have a lot in common. On the outside, they live the ideal life: high-paying careers, a fancy house, nice cars and a successful partner. Meanwhile, on the inside, they are each trapped, have little freedom and yearn to get away from their controlling husbands. One day, a chance encounter at a liquor store leads to a chain reaction of events that bind these two women together for the rest of their lives.
In the author's note at the end you learn the Nora Murphy is an attorney with a background in violent partners cases. Her strong background knowledge was evident when detailing the psychological and emotional issues these two women went through as a result of the abuse. I appreciate how she highlighted that domestic abuse can happen to anyone and why women who experience domestic violence can get "stuck." While the content was not faint on the heart, I couldn’t put the book down.
Read if interested in:
-Domestic suspense
-Investigative reads
-Real characters
-Small-town vibes
-New beginnings
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this ARC . Pub date 5/31/22
#LunesDeReseñas
"EL FAVOR"
Sabes que su abuso NO ES TU CULPA. Tienes que huir, pero sabes que NO ES FÁCIL.
¿Salvarías a alguien más, arriesgándolo todo, por la pequeña esperanza de poder salvarte?
Este libro fue escrito por Norah Murphy, una abogada de divorcios experta en abuso doméstico, que quiso dar luz sobre este tema que lamemtablemente, TAN POCA GENTE ENTIENDE.
Esta es la historia de Leah y de McKenna. Dos mujeres jóvenes y hermosas. Ambas exitosas y educadas. Ambas de alto poder adquisitivo. Ambas aterradas de sus esposos...
Me gustó mucho esta novela porque retrata perfectamente la vida en pareja con el narcisista abusador. Primero, la seducción, el hombre aparentemente perfecto que es todo lo que la chica siempre soñó. Y después, el aislamiento paulatino: ("esa amistad no es buena para ti", "me incomoda tu relación con tal miembro de tu familia", "me duele que no me incluyas en cada aspecto de tu vida").
El control. Oh, Dios, el control disfrazado de atenciones: ("te construí un gimnasio en casa, para que no gastes en tu membresía de gimnasio", "creo que deberías de renunciar a tu trabajo, para que seas la mejor madre posible para nuestros hijos", "no te estreses con las cuentas de banco, yo te daré el dinero que necesites"); la falta de balance en la relación: ("yo sí puedo tener amigos porque soy hombre, las mujeres deben atender su casa"), ("yo soy el proveedor, por lo tanto yo tomo todas y cada una de las decisiones"). Y, por último, la "búsqueda" de perfección, que el mismo abusador sabe que no existe: ("debes verte siempre delgada, joven, bella y, sobretodo, feliz. Yo puedo verme como me plazca porque yo soy el hombre, pero, ¿tú?, tú eres una cocinera, limpiadora, maniquí, nodriza y juguete sexual perfecto, sin otro objetivo más que el de servirme").
Y, por supuesto, la violencia que se decanta con siquiera pensar en incumplir alguno de éstos mandamientos. Una violencia paulatina, que comienza con palabras, silencios y chantajes... y que casi siempre, termina en la muerte.
El libro refleja este patrón de manera excelente. Sin embargo, evité ponerle 5 estrellas, ya que el personaje del policía me pareció bastante desagradable y sus capítulos me parecían tediosos. Al final, creo que tomó una buena decisión sobre el asunto, sin embargo, es un poco irónico, ya que esa decisión no me pareció muy lógica tomando en cuenta al personaje.
Sea como fuere, este libro es muy recomendable. Y más si te gusta la premisa de "Extraños en un Tren", por cierto!
Cuatro estrellas
"EL FAVOR"
Sabes que su abuso NO ES TU CULPA. Tienes que huir, pero sabes que NO ES FÁCIL.
¿Salvarías a alguien más, arriesgándolo todo, por la pequeña esperanza de poder salvarte?
Este libro fue escrito por Norah Murphy, una abogada de divorcios experta en abuso doméstico, que quiso dar luz sobre este tema que lamemtablemente, TAN POCA GENTE ENTIENDE.
Esta es la historia de Leah y de McKenna. Dos mujeres jóvenes y hermosas. Ambas exitosas y educadas. Ambas de alto poder adquisitivo. Ambas aterradas de sus esposos...
Me gustó mucho esta novela porque retrata perfectamente la vida en pareja con el narcisista abusador. Primero, la seducción, el hombre aparentemente perfecto que es todo lo que la chica siempre soñó. Y después, el aislamiento paulatino: ("esa amistad no es buena para ti", "me incomoda tu relación con tal miembro de tu familia", "me duele que no me incluyas en cada aspecto de tu vida").
El control. Oh, Dios, el control disfrazado de atenciones: ("te construí un gimnasio en casa, para que no gastes en tu membresía de gimnasio", "creo que deberías de renunciar a tu trabajo, para que seas la mejor madre posible para nuestros hijos", "no te estreses con las cuentas de banco, yo te daré el dinero que necesites"); la falta de balance en la relación: ("yo sí puedo tener amigos porque soy hombre, las mujeres deben atender su casa"), ("yo soy el proveedor, por lo tanto yo tomo todas y cada una de las decisiones"). Y, por último, la "búsqueda" de perfección, que el mismo abusador sabe que no existe: ("debes verte siempre delgada, joven, bella y, sobretodo, feliz. Yo puedo verme como me plazca porque yo soy el hombre, pero, ¿tú?, tú eres una cocinera, limpiadora, maniquí, nodriza y juguete sexual perfecto, sin otro objetivo más que el de servirme").
Y, por supuesto, la violencia que se decanta con siquiera pensar en incumplir alguno de éstos mandamientos. Una violencia paulatina, que comienza con palabras, silencios y chantajes... y que casi siempre, termina en la muerte.
El libro refleja este patrón de manera excelente. Sin embargo, evité ponerle 5 estrellas, ya que el personaje del policía me pareció bastante desagradable y sus capítulos me parecían tediosos. Al final, creo que tomó una buena decisión sobre el asunto, sin embargo, es un poco irónico, ya que esa decisión no me pareció muy lógica tomando en cuenta al personaje.
Sea como fuere, este libro es muy recomendable. Y más si te gusta la premisa de "Extraños en un Tren", por cierto!
Cuatro estrellas
dark
tense
medium-paced
4.5* Great listen! So much to digest with a strong theme of abuse. I was rooting for both women, which I know is wrong but I just couldn’t help it. I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending; I really wanted a clear resolution (good or bad) for one or both of the women BUT I understand why Ms. Murphy ended it this way. Also, the author’s note was a nice addition as well. The sad truth is this novel, which is labeled as fiction, is a dark reality for many women—and men! The plot kept moving and I felt attached to both storylines.