Reviews

The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell

irishlassofcork's review against another edition

3.0

I received this as an ARC from Netgalley. I honestly almost gave up on this about 50 pages in. I felt like the story was bouncing back and forth too much in the first 50 pages, even though I understand that Jewell was trying to establish the storyline. I feel it would have been better to focus on Clare and Pip and eventually slip Adele in. Of course, what caught me was the community dynamic; this was by far the strongest piece of the novel. While I found some of the characters interesting, I sort of wanted to yell at the two mom figures. The biggest issue with this story is the fact that I knew the second something happened to Grace who did it. Not everyone did I'm sure, but because of my own surety, the final act of this novel dragged for me.

astrohime's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

The writing style felt quite immature. Like more of a YA style however the theme is not YA suitable.  The ending was dissatisfying. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

bgumlaw's review against another edition

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

tsalagitiffany's review against another edition

3.0

The ending was a little dissatisfying.

amybouwer's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ellaclarke046's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

chelseabrittain's review

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

sophieiellison's review against another edition

3.0

i really enjoyed the majority of the book - it was gripping and the writing was very good. i also enjoyed the ending and how we still had an element of mystery that can be filled in with the readers ideas and perceptions of the other characters. however, i felt the before went on for a little too long and i wanted some more of the after time that wraps up the story more. i also felt as though the children were too young for the way it was written so one of the main characters pip was meant to be 12 but was saying things only someone above 14-16 would really be capable of understanding. and the main character grace should have been maybe 15/16 to be more believable in the sex and relationship part. overall i was gripped and i constantly wanted to pick up the book but there were too many little bits that snagged at me. i love lisa jewell’s thrillers but this one was not the best of the bunch.

dyanna456's review

lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

rosedalesp's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.0