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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
A long, long time ago, I only read thrillers. However, since I discovered fantasy, I am very picky about the thrillers I get (fear of being bored, of being disappointed, of seeing it coming) but I was pleased with this one. For me (and for many others I bet) the best part is the plot twists, how one comes after the other, especially after you think all is good. The last few chapters were the ones for me - I was not expecting those twists and the way it ended! [a:Shari Lapena|1278320|Shari Lapena|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1464612471p2/1278320.jpg] is not a new author for me, and I am pleased to never be disappointed with her writing.
Meu primeiro livro da Shari Lapena! Estou muito impressionada com a escrita dela. É o tipo de história que nos deixa um bom tempo sem saber em quem acreditar, desconfiando das boas intenções de todas as personagens. Somente no final é que realmente as verdades são reveladas por completo. Fiquei surpresa, pois acreditei na pessoa errada. Gostei muito e imagino que seria legal se tivesse continuação.
Wow. It’s taken me a long time to write this review for two reasons. First, I wanted to wait until I was able to discuss with my book club before sharing my opinion. Second, I’m still debating how I feel about it.
I will say I was entertained for about 50% of this book. But there was a lot of potential that just didn’t come to fruition.
I found the characters to be terribly uninteresting. Even their names are boring - Karen, Tom, Bob, and then… Brigid??? A bookkeeper, an accountant, some funeral related job, and a blog on the internet about knitting. Thrilling individuals.
Conveniently, Karen develops amnesia after a car crash. Amnesia is 1. Not as common as authors seem to think, and 2. Incredibly over used as a plot point. So not off to a great start.
Karen and Tom both claim to have the “perfect marriage” and constantly reflect on how much love they have for one another but we never see any true examples of this. They hardly ever interact with one another - I’m not sure how I’m supposed to believe they’re madly in love. Not to mention, Tom is prepared to flee this “perfect marriage” at the first sign of turbulence. Also, “perfect marriage” is repeated so much that I just don’t believe it. Show me they love each other instead of making that statement over and over.
Overall I found the chapters to be very repetitive. I was intrigued and kept begging for more, and kept getting catfished into thinking the story was getting somewhere. For me it never did. Until the last 3 pages where we finally, (sort of) got some answers. But it felt SO rushed. It was too little too late.
I’m frustrated that this novel just didn’t live up to its potential. The writing was meh. Predictable. Basic. Repetitive.
I will say I was entertained for about 50% of this book. But there was a lot of potential that just didn’t come to fruition.
I found the characters to be terribly uninteresting. Even their names are boring - Karen, Tom, Bob, and then… Brigid??? A bookkeeper, an accountant, some funeral related job, and a blog on the internet about knitting. Thrilling individuals.
Conveniently, Karen develops amnesia after a car crash. Amnesia is 1. Not as common as authors seem to think, and 2. Incredibly over used as a plot point. So not off to a great start.
Karen and Tom both claim to have the “perfect marriage” and constantly reflect on how much love they have for one another but we never see any true examples of this. They hardly ever interact with one another - I’m not sure how I’m supposed to believe they’re madly in love. Not to mention, Tom is prepared to flee this “perfect marriage” at the first sign of turbulence. Also, “perfect marriage” is repeated so much that I just don’t believe it. Show me they love each other instead of making that statement over and over.
Overall I found the chapters to be very repetitive. I was intrigued and kept begging for more, and kept getting catfished into thinking the story was getting somewhere. For me it never did. Until the last 3 pages where we finally, (sort of) got some answers. But it felt SO rushed. It was too little too late.
I’m frustrated that this novel just didn’t live up to its potential. The writing was meh. Predictable. Basic. Repetitive.
super quick read, kept me guessing, but no giant sororities that had me gasping. I feel like this is Lapena's sophomore slump, and it's moot a terrible one, so I'm definitely looking forward to whatever is next from her! Karen is in an accident after driving recklessly (so unusual for her), and cannot remember what led her to ruin the red light while speeding due to amnesia. her husband Tom is worried about her and concerned she might be keeping secrets. Not a super compelling premise, but the short chapters kept me turning the pages and I breezed through this one in about 24 hours.
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
medium-paced
Escuché el audiolibro de este libro ya que desde hace mucho quería entrar a esto de los audiolibros y los libros de suspenso se veían como la mejor opción, debido a que tengo problemas de concentracion y no me equivoqué.
A diferencia de los libros físicos o en digital, los audiolibros los puedo escuchar incluso cuando estoy descansando la vista y, a pesar de que hubo partes en donde tuve que retroceder un poco la historia (porque mi concentración se iba), me lo terminé bastante rápido.
La historia engancha bastante y te mantiene con el suspenso durante todo el libro, sin embargo, la trama es predecible. A pesar de eso, disfruté la primera parte del libro y también me sorprendió bastante el plot twist ya para el final del libro.
A diferencia de los libros físicos o en digital, los audiolibros los puedo escuchar incluso cuando estoy descansando la vista y, a pesar de que hubo partes en donde tuve que retroceder un poco la historia (porque mi concentración se iba), me lo terminé bastante rápido.
La historia engancha bastante y te mantiene con el suspenso durante todo el libro, sin embargo, la trama es predecible. A pesar de eso, disfruté la primera parte del libro y también me sorprendió bastante el plot twist ya para el final del libro.
I didn't love it, but I didn't dislike it either.
Karen Krupp wakes up in hospital to find that she's had a serious car crash in the worst part of town. Things aren't adding up, and someone has turned up dead... What's going on?
It's a classic crime thriller. I found the characters lacked depth and I didn't actually like anyone in this book. Brigid was stupid, Tom was spineless, and Karen was just plain annoying.
It wasn't terribly hard to read, but I didn't feel that pull when I put the book down to immediately pick it back up and devour the pages. That's always a little bit sad.
After Shari Lapena's first book I was expecting big things. I was a little disappointed but overall it wasn't a terrible book. The Couple Next Door will remain her best book so far.
Karen Krupp wakes up in hospital to find that she's had a serious car crash in the worst part of town. Things aren't adding up, and someone has turned up dead... What's going on?
It's a classic crime thriller. I found the characters lacked depth and I didn't actually like anyone in this book. Brigid was stupid, Tom was spineless, and Karen was just plain annoying.
It wasn't terribly hard to read, but I didn't feel that pull when I put the book down to immediately pick it back up and devour the pages. That's always a little bit sad.
After Shari Lapena's first book I was expecting big things. I was a little disappointed but overall it wasn't a terrible book. The Couple Next Door will remain her best book so far.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated