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stodds17's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pam2375's review against another edition
4.0
WOW! This is the story of childhood friends Lizzie and Alice. Alice dies in a very tragic accident that Lizzie was present for but does not remember because she (Lizzie) had a seizure.
Lizzie is an adult, engaged to a doctor and still does not remember the "accident". Someone from her past re-enters her life and well, that is the plot of this thriller that will keep you guessing until the end.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this advanced readers copy. This book is scheduled to release August 3, 2021.
Lizzie is an adult, engaged to a doctor and still does not remember the "accident". Someone from her past re-enters her life and well, that is the plot of this thriller that will keep you guessing until the end.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this advanced readers copy. This book is scheduled to release August 3, 2021.
georgiaslittlelibrary's review
5.0
Brilliant book! Read it in a day. Couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend.
lhart2222's review
1.0
How anyone can read this tripe, let alone finish it is beyond me.
One-dimensional characters who lack personality, our main character Lizzie can be summed up like this.
“My best friend died when I was 13, and I’m now sad about it (even though it was most likely my fault). I was bullied as a child, I’m such a ginger freak, please feel sorry for me. I have epilepsy and I make sure I mention it at every opportunity even when not warranted. “
Her husband Ross was no better. I’m only 140 pages in (how I made it that far I’ll never know) but it’s very obvious he’s not the nice welcoming husband he appears to be. He’ll no doubt become a villain within the next 100 pages.
With boring characters and a boring plot, the reviews on this book should be subject to intense investigation. Following Lizzie, both before and around the time of her friend's death, then again 12 years later. Jumping back and forth I hated both perspectives and found each more dull and patronising than the last.
I’ve never read a book I disliked as much as this one. I’m not finishing the book, not even if you paid me, but I’m pretty sure I could guess where it’s going.
Overall read this book if you want to read the most paint-by-numbers children's book disguised as an adult book. With no likeable traits, a terrible writing style and predictable beyond belief, I’d recommend you avoid like a moving train. The worst book I’ve read, I’d have rated it zero if possible.
One-dimensional characters who lack personality, our main character Lizzie can be summed up like this.
“My best friend died when I was 13, and I’m now sad about it (even though it was most likely my fault). I was bullied as a child, I’m such a ginger freak, please feel sorry for me. I have epilepsy and I make sure I mention it at every opportunity even when not warranted. “
Her husband Ross was no better. I’m only 140 pages in (how I made it that far I’ll never know) but it’s very obvious he’s not the nice welcoming husband he appears to be. He’ll no doubt become a villain within the next 100 pages.
With boring characters and a boring plot, the reviews on this book should be subject to intense investigation. Following Lizzie, both before and around the time of her friend's death, then again 12 years later. Jumping back and forth I hated both perspectives and found each more dull and patronising than the last.
I’ve never read a book I disliked as much as this one. I’m not finishing the book, not even if you paid me, but I’m pretty sure I could guess where it’s going.
Overall read this book if you want to read the most paint-by-numbers children's book disguised as an adult book. With no likeable traits, a terrible writing style and predictable beyond belief, I’d recommend you avoid like a moving train. The worst book I’ve read, I’d have rated it zero if possible.
hellastrong's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars rounded down for ridiculous plot elements
This was definitely a fast fun read ... but I'm always a bit baffled by these characters who are SOOOO invested in ruining someone else's life that they focus on it for DECADES and somehow concoct and then flawlessly execute these devious and outlandish revenge plans. I can't get into that kind of long-range thinking and planning when it comes to MY OWN LIFE or career or anything else adult-y.
So. Salt shaker and all that. Probably would be a fun beach read.
This was definitely a fast fun read ... but I'm always a bit baffled by these characters who are SOOOO invested in ruining someone else's life that they focus on it for DECADES and somehow concoct and then flawlessly execute these devious and outlandish revenge plans. I can't get into that kind of long-range thinking and planning when it comes to MY OWN LIFE or career or anything else adult-y.
So. Salt shaker and all that. Probably would be a fun beach read.
zarco_j's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! Tense, suspenseful and what an ending!
This was myfirst second book by Lesley Kara and it won't be my last.
Really really enjoyed reading this.
This was my
Really really enjoyed reading this.
pippad's review
5.0
I probably only spent around 3 hours reading this (maybe less), and found it interesting enough to keep me going, but I swear I've already read it!
Lovers of thrillers will probably work out the twist early (who is trying to make her crazy) and when at the end of part one it is confirmed you can't work out how the last 100 pages or so are going to provide any entertainment.
Yet they do, with a few more twists and turns for good measure.
Lovers of thrillers will probably work out the twist early (who is trying to make her crazy) and when at the end of part one it is confirmed you can't work out how the last 100 pages or so are going to provide any entertainment.
Yet they do, with a few more twists and turns for good measure.
agirlandabook85's review
4.0
When Lizzie and Alice decide to take a walk in the countryside one day they weren’t aware that would be their final day together as only Lizzie will survive, but with no memory of the tragic accident.
Dealing with the grief of losing her best friend becomes even harder when Alice’s friends and family alienated her in the belief she was responsible for Alice’s death.
Twelve years later, Lizzie has a new fiancé and a new home, however long-buried memories are no longer staying hidden and she begins to suspect more than just coincidence could be at play.
Set over three time periods: now, prior to the accident and after the accident we begin to piece together what happened on that day, the ramifications still being felt and so many secrets waiting to be discovered.
I really enjoyed reading this book, the short chapters, nonlinear timeframe in which the story unfolds and Kara’s command of words meant this was a book I could not stop reading. I was hooked very early on and fell foul to that well known trap of “just one more chapter” which is never just one more and time seemed to evaporate.
I particularly enjoyed the way in which Kara keeps you guessing, it’s quite a way in before we discover what “The dare” is and I am not ashamed to admit that I was led down a number of traps and had more than one revelation blindside me.
This was a clever psychological thriller from a number of aspects, not only do you fear for Lizzie when the past starts to catch up with her but also due to her epilepsy and how that affects her life and then her own mental state as a result of losing her friend without knowing how.
If you are a fan of a thriller I would definitely recommend this one and I personally will be checking out her previous two books!
Dealing with the grief of losing her best friend becomes even harder when Alice’s friends and family alienated her in the belief she was responsible for Alice’s death.
Twelve years later, Lizzie has a new fiancé and a new home, however long-buried memories are no longer staying hidden and she begins to suspect more than just coincidence could be at play.
Set over three time periods: now, prior to the accident and after the accident we begin to piece together what happened on that day, the ramifications still being felt and so many secrets waiting to be discovered.
I really enjoyed reading this book, the short chapters, nonlinear timeframe in which the story unfolds and Kara’s command of words meant this was a book I could not stop reading. I was hooked very early on and fell foul to that well known trap of “just one more chapter” which is never just one more and time seemed to evaporate.
I particularly enjoyed the way in which Kara keeps you guessing, it’s quite a way in before we discover what “The dare” is and I am not ashamed to admit that I was led down a number of traps and had more than one revelation blindside me.
This was a clever psychological thriller from a number of aspects, not only do you fear for Lizzie when the past starts to catch up with her but also due to her epilepsy and how that affects her life and then her own mental state as a result of losing her friend without knowing how.
If you are a fan of a thriller I would definitely recommend this one and I personally will be checking out her previous two books!
fasmina's review against another edition
4.0
Well this was a very random pick from the front aisle of the library and I have no regrets. I couldn’t put this one down and it took me less than 2 days to finish it!
I have always been a huge fan of psychological thrillers so I was on board right after I read the premise. This was so twisted and crazy but equally creepy and scary in its own way.
I have always been a huge fan of psychological thrillers so I was on board right after I read the premise. This was so twisted and crazy but equally creepy and scary in its own way.