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henrygravesprince's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
I really enjoyed this book. It’s incredibly twisty and gripping (if a little convoluted). My only real qualm is the overuse of the word shitnuts. Looking at this after reading the author’s more recent release, Missing White Woman, this displays a lot of the same positive elements of the clever style and structure of Garrett’s work, while also showing how she’s improved her craft since writing this book. Her newer work is equally twisty but more streamlined and tightened, though Like a Sister is still an incredibly compelling read. I like that the books share a throughline of similar themes around trust, complex family relationships and friendships, the past’s hold on the present, the complexity of grief while learning things you may not want to know about the person you’re grieving, etc, portrayed in unique ways in each of them. I’m interested in reading the author’s other three books and looking forward to future releases; Garrett is well on the way to becoming a favorite author of mine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Murder, Grief, and Addiction
Moderate: Racism, Suicide, Abandonment, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Abortion, Medical content, Alcohol, Body shaming, Classism, and Gun violence
Specific drugs referenced in book: heroin & cocaine, references to weedstevienotnicks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book sucked me in right away. Its premise is a little bit murder mystery, a little bit familial drama (think, Empire). The characters were complex, which really added to the “whodunnit” aspect of it all.
The use of misdirection, while maybe a bit overdone, puts you smack in the middle of the story trying to uncover Desiree’s killer right alongside Lena. Just when you think you have it figured out, in comes another twist and you realize you have no idea what is going on. I’ll tell ya this — I didn’t expect that reveal (though in hindsight, there were signs).
It’s not an “edge of your seat” thriller, but the mystery and drama is oh so satisfying. Definitely pick this one up if you’re looking for a suspenseful tale with themes of injustice, racism, and complex family dynamics.
Follow me on Insta! @the.bougie.bookworm
The use of misdirection, while maybe a bit overdone, puts you smack in the middle of the story trying to uncover Desiree’s killer right alongside Lena. Just when you think you have it figured out, in comes another twist and you realize you have no idea what is going on. I’ll tell ya this — I didn’t expect that reveal (though in hindsight, there were signs).
It’s not an “edge of your seat” thriller, but the mystery and drama is oh so satisfying. Definitely pick this one up if you’re looking for a suspenseful tale with themes of injustice, racism, and complex family dynamics.
Follow me on Insta! @the.bougie.bookworm
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Murder
Minor: Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Kidnapping, Infidelity, Car accident, and Gun violence
narbine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Addiction
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
krys_kilz's review
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0
I had a really difficult time getting into this book. I just did not feel invested in the characters or the plot. And it was boring! Eventually the pacing picked up and I became more invested, but I could have just as easily stopped reading.
I didn't like Garrett's writing style. Her overuse of metaphor and simile really did not work for me. Also the ending did not make sense to me. I still don't understand the motive at all.
I didn't like Garrett's writing style. Her overuse of metaphor and simile really did not work for me. Also the ending did not make sense to me. I still don't understand the motive at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Murder
Moderate: Car accident and Death of parent
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Car accident, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Minor: Death of parent
owlliecat's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Murder
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death of parent
swagner718's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I really liked the writting style of this book, it was easy to read and very enjoyable. It was definitely a slow start, but the last 25% is pretty fast paced. Now with that being said, I preferred the first 75% of this book. The author spent a lot of time really telling a story that let you get to know Lena and Desiree. I loved the flashbacks to their childhood together and peeks into Desiree's social/online life.
What I didn't like:
The ending felt very rushed and unbelievable. I'm still not entirely sure what the killer's motive was.
Also, the use of the phrase "shit nuts". I didn't mind it on occasion, but by the end, I was just annoyed with it.
What I didn't like:
The ending felt very rushed and unbelievable. I'm still not entirely sure what the killer's motive was.
Also, the use of the phrase "shit nuts". I didn't mind it on occasion, but by the end, I was just annoyed with it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Death
joensign's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
litalia's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A bit more family drama than I tend to prefer, but a great mystery for those who like such things!
I will give Kellye Garrett major props for writing a book with a protagonist who does stupid investigative things without the police, and having it make total sense why.
I will give Kellye Garrett major props for writing a book with a protagonist who does stupid investigative things without the police, and having it make total sense why.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Alcohol, Addiction, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing and Death of parent
thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a decent thriller with SO MANY red herrings and yet I fell for almost every single one and did not guess the ultimate bad guy. Seriously, my sleuthing skills were so bad; I was gasping aloud and could not stop listening to this book.
I loved Lena and her determination to forge her own path—and the character development she gets was so well done. The focus here is definitely on the plot and the mystery, but Lena's growth was just as vital to the story. From the title, you can guess that this is a family drama, and there are a lot of family themes woven throughout. I love family dramas, so I appreciated all of Lena's familial relationships. But I also really liked all the ups and downs of her friendship with Erin, and how it was mirroring her relationship with Desiree.
Themes of race and justice push this story above your typical thriller. And how social media can fuel a glamorous-lifestyle lie is explored.
The audiobook is definitely the route to go with this book—I think it's one that I might not have liked as much if I didn't listen to the audiobook. But the narration is excellent! Also, if you enjoyed Inventing Anna on Netflix, this one has some similar vibes so you should definitely check it out!
Thanks so much to Libro.fm, Hachette Audio, and the author for my ALC!
I loved Lena and her determination to forge her own path—and the character development she gets was so well done. The focus here is definitely on the plot and the mystery, but Lena's growth was just as vital to the story. From the title, you can guess that this is a family drama, and there are a lot of family themes woven throughout. I love family dramas, so I appreciated all of Lena's familial relationships. But I also really liked all the ups and downs of her friendship with Erin, and how it was mirroring her relationship with Desiree.
Themes of race and justice push this story above your typical thriller. And how social media can fuel a glamorous-lifestyle lie is explored.
The audiobook is definitely the route to go with this book—I think it's one that I might not have liked as much if I didn't listen to the audiobook. But the narration is excellent! Also, if you enjoyed Inventing Anna on Netflix, this one has some similar vibes so you should definitely check it out!
Thanks so much to Libro.fm, Hachette Audio, and the author for my ALC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Violence
Moderate: Infidelity and Car accident
Minor: Death of parent