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thephdivabooks's review against another edition
3.0
Sara and Sarah are at a bar near closing and both order their rideshares. When they arrive, they each get in a car and depart in different directions. The only problem is, they got into the wrong cars. Sara isn’t paying much attention during her ride until she realizes that the car is dropping her off in a neighborhood that is much more posh than her own. To call Sara’s actual neighborhood “humble” would be a polite way of describing it.
As Sara makes the long trek home on foot, not wanting to spend the money on another rideshare, she arrives home to find police cars in front of her apartment and a dead body. It’s Sarah, the other woman from the bar. Sarah is white, privileged, and very dead. Sara is Indian, broke, and a law student. Despite their differences, Sara can’t help but think that they have the same build and hair. In the dark, someone could mistake them for one another. So who did the killer mean to murder—Sara or Sarah?
If you’re wondering why someone would want to kill a humble law student, there’s a lot more to Sara than meets the eye. The side hustles Sara does to make money for her tuition aren’t necessarily the most legal or ethical. That combined with the murder happening in front of her apartment makes her suspect that she may have been the intended target. But Sarah had some secrets in her life as well, as Sara soon learns. Either woman could have been the target, and Sara won’t feel safe until she finds out who the killer is and why.
This book has an intricate plot, and it’s not a book to rush through. There are a lot of clues that Lalli drops into the story throughout. The plot gets messier before it gets resolved, and that means there are a lot of leads that may or may not bring the answer to the mystery. Sara was not the character I expected her to be! She was flawed yet strong. Many of her decisions throughout the book are questionable, but then she’d do something to remind the reader how resilient she is and it was hard not to root for her.
The mystery of which woman was the intended victim was well-executed. For a substantial portion of the story, I could make a case for either. The story also touches on themes of race, class, and gender adding an unexpected depth to a salacious story. The story also switches between Sara’s present day narrative (after the murder) and Sarah’s journal starting two years before the murder. The decision to add perspective from both women, but one only being though crafted journal entries was intriguing.
A clever and engaging first thriller from Lalli!
As Sara makes the long trek home on foot, not wanting to spend the money on another rideshare, she arrives home to find police cars in front of her apartment and a dead body. It’s Sarah, the other woman from the bar. Sarah is white, privileged, and very dead. Sara is Indian, broke, and a law student. Despite their differences, Sara can’t help but think that they have the same build and hair. In the dark, someone could mistake them for one another. So who did the killer mean to murder—Sara or Sarah?
If you’re wondering why someone would want to kill a humble law student, there’s a lot more to Sara than meets the eye. The side hustles Sara does to make money for her tuition aren’t necessarily the most legal or ethical. That combined with the murder happening in front of her apartment makes her suspect that she may have been the intended target. But Sarah had some secrets in her life as well, as Sara soon learns. Either woman could have been the target, and Sara won’t feel safe until she finds out who the killer is and why.
This book has an intricate plot, and it’s not a book to rush through. There are a lot of clues that Lalli drops into the story throughout. The plot gets messier before it gets resolved, and that means there are a lot of leads that may or may not bring the answer to the mystery. Sara was not the character I expected her to be! She was flawed yet strong. Many of her decisions throughout the book are questionable, but then she’d do something to remind the reader how resilient she is and it was hard not to root for her.
The mystery of which woman was the intended victim was well-executed. For a substantial portion of the story, I could make a case for either. The story also touches on themes of race, class, and gender adding an unexpected depth to a salacious story. The story also switches between Sara’s present day narrative (after the murder) and Sarah’s journal starting two years before the murder. The decision to add perspective from both women, but one only being though crafted journal entries was intriguing.
A clever and engaging first thriller from Lalli!
araskov's review against another edition
3.0
"Buckle up for a thrilling ride with 'Are You Sara?' by S. C. Lalli! From the moment Sara and Sarah, brought together by their shared name, hop into rideshares, the story catapults into a rollercoaster of mystery and danger. S. C. Lalli masterfully weaves together the lives of these two seemingly different Saras, unraveling layers of crime and ambition.
As you delve deeper into the narrative, the tension becomes palpable, stiffening your spine with every twist and turn. The author takes you on a journey through the shadows of ambition, wealth, and dangerous longing, peeling back layers that keep you guessing until the shocking revelation at the end.
'Are You Sara?' is a smart and twisty novel that explores the unexpected connections between two young women striving to break free from societal expectations. The characters are richly developed, and the narrative is as gripping as it is thought-provoking. Get ready to be completely shaken by the truth in this thrilling and unpredictable tale.
As you delve deeper into the narrative, the tension becomes palpable, stiffening your spine with every twist and turn. The author takes you on a journey through the shadows of ambition, wealth, and dangerous longing, peeling back layers that keep you guessing until the shocking revelation at the end.
'Are You Sara?' is a smart and twisty novel that explores the unexpected connections between two young women striving to break free from societal expectations. The characters are richly developed, and the narrative is as gripping as it is thought-provoking. Get ready to be completely shaken by the truth in this thrilling and unpredictable tale.
fckinkiz's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bellerboo13's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
reeniesreads's review against another edition
2.0
I was so excited to read this book as the premise sounds super suspenseful and thrilling. But the delivery was extremely tepid. There was little to no build up and it felt really drawn out for an unsatisfactory end. I was so hopeful!
crackingspines37's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
linda101's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kenshinj12's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
sabs_16's review against another edition
3.0
This book was interesting but the ending of this book really made me question the entire novel as a whole. It just didn't sit right - and I don't want to get into any spoilers...
It's definitely a solid read - but I'm not sure how to particularly feel about the novel.
It's definitely a solid read - but I'm not sure how to particularly feel about the novel.