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dongbathien's review against another edition
dark
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? It's complicated
3.0
pagesplotsandpints's review against another edition
3.5
Read Completed 4/9/24 | 3.5 stars, rounded down for vibes
I was really excited to read this, having like Steve Cavanagh's Eddie Flynn books and seeing this as a 5 star book all over bookstagram & booktok. I don't know why I keep thinking that means I will rate it 5 stars because that almost never happens.
KILL FOR ME, KILL FOR YOU is still solidly entertaining! This was a Strangers on a Train style story, which can really be hit or miss for me. It all depends on how everything is handled and if it's believable and this one just really didn't hit the mark for me on the believability scale. I don't always have to know all the odds and ends, but some things felt a little too sloppy, other things I don't think the police would have let go, and it leaned a little too hard on mental health issues, in my opinion.
There was the big reveal that I didn't see coming and I really liked the WAY it was handled. There were a few things that again, I didn't really buy as far as all of the pieces falling into place and characters who worked their way into this tangled web, but I liked HOW the reveal happened, and that honestly probably brought the experience up a half a star.
Overall, this was just a little too popcorn-y. I can be here for a popcorn thriller for sure, but if it has me rolling my eyes too often, it's not a win for me. Some parts really didn't flow well and I wanted to be floored by it but I just wasn't. Even in the beginning I knew it couldn't be a 5 star book because I wasn't really into the writing style right from the start.
Not a huge miss for me but I'm a bit bummed I couldn't even manage to rate this one 4 stars. I definitely see its appeal and tons of people have and will love it. It was just too unrealistic overall and I couldn't let it go.
AUDIOBOOK NOTES: I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Stephanie Cannon. I don't think I've listened to a book from her before and I wasn't really blow away by her performance. It was a fine narration but there were some moments that took me out of the listening experience and the voices kind of blended into one another. I wouldn't avoid future narrations from her but I also wouldn't be excited for it either. Even though the book was in third person, because of the lack of change in voice, I felt like we could have benefitted from multiple narrators, though I know the budget doesn't always allow that.
I was really excited to read this, having like Steve Cavanagh's Eddie Flynn books and seeing this as a 5 star book all over bookstagram & booktok. I don't know why I keep thinking that means I will rate it 5 stars because that almost never happens.
KILL FOR ME, KILL FOR YOU is still solidly entertaining! This was a Strangers on a Train style story, which can really be hit or miss for me. It all depends on how everything is handled and if it's believable and this one just really didn't hit the mark for me on the believability scale. I don't always have to know all the odds and ends, but some things felt a little too sloppy, other things I don't think the police would have let go, and it leaned a little too hard on mental health issues, in my opinion.
There was the big reveal that I didn't see coming and I really liked the WAY it was handled. There were a few things that again, I didn't really buy as far as all of the pieces falling into place and characters who worked their way into this tangled web, but I liked HOW the reveal happened, and that honestly probably brought the experience up a half a star.
Overall, this was just a little too popcorn-y. I can be here for a popcorn thriller for sure, but if it has me rolling my eyes too often, it's not a win for me. Some parts really didn't flow well and I wanted to be floored by it but I just wasn't. Even in the beginning I knew it couldn't be a 5 star book because I wasn't really into the writing style right from the start.
Not a huge miss for me but I'm a bit bummed I couldn't even manage to rate this one 4 stars. I definitely see its appeal and tons of people have and will love it. It was just too unrealistic overall and I couldn't let it go.
AUDIOBOOK NOTES: I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Stephanie Cannon. I don't think I've listened to a book from her before and I wasn't really blow away by her performance. It was a fine narration but there were some moments that took me out of the listening experience and the voices kind of blended into one another. I wouldn't avoid future narrations from her but I also wouldn't be excited for it either. Even though the book was in third person, because of the lack of change in voice, I felt like we could have benefitted from multiple narrators, though I know the budget doesn't always allow that.
sara_harvest's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
zetiacg's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Stalking and Kidnapping
Minor: Blood, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Gun violence, Mental illness, Infertility, Trafficking, and Pedophilia
starryfran's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a fast paced, thrilling read. A real page turner.
sreadabook's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
beatricehill's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Ok woah!! This book had me on the *edge* of my seat for the majority of it. Like ice machine making a sound and I'm getting startled kind of way. It is twisty. It is turny. Buckle up. I can't say too much about it without spoiling the fun. There are multiple POVs--many of them women filled with rage wanting justice (I really want to know if this author has seen Promising Young Woman). The title gives you a clue as to what you are in for! There were two small details at the end that made me laugh because they are a stretch but I didn't care. This was a compulsive thriller. Just woah. I will absolutely be reading more by Steve Cavanagh.
mayerec's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75