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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
This book was so frustrating and sickening to me. That’s not to say it wasn’t a good book. I was for the most part, kind of hooked. I don’t think it was an accurate depiction of your typical 2 year old, especially newly 2. But I do think it was a good book!
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not your typical “babies-switched-at-birth” story, which made for a very interesting concept with that extra dash of a little twist. The story slowly unfolds and next you are in anticipation of what is going to happen and how.
For nothing.
Props to the author for having the ability to keep me interested page after page, but after a while, the story just became bizarre and unrealistic. The last 1/4 of the book just disappointed me entirely. The ending? Well...I was happy one thing took place but not happy with the far-fetched actions leading up to it.
Overall, the characters were complete idiots, antagonistic, and dull. I probably would have been able to get past that had the book been a lot better than it was.
For nothing.
Props to the author for having the ability to keep me interested page after page, but after a while, the story just became bizarre and unrealistic. The last 1/4 of the book just disappointed me entirely. The ending? Well...I was happy one thing took place but not happy with the far-fetched actions leading up to it.
Overall, the characters were complete idiots, antagonistic, and dull. I probably would have been able to get past that had the book been a lot better than it was.
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have mixed feelings about this one. I read a thriller recently in which I guessed the culprit/their motive at about 50%, but the story's layers and character development were so impeccably written it was still a deeply satisfying read. Then there's Playing Nice, which truly kept me guessing until the last few pages but felt like it was weak on character development and depth, and was decidedly less satisfying. Yes, it held my attention and had me curious, which is always what you want from a domestic suspense/thriller, but it also just felt...incomplete? As a parent there were some aspects of the plot that I could not ever imagine having happened if I was in Pete and Maddie's shoes, and there was a distinct lack of clarity about something you've spent the whole book trying to pin down that left me feeling ultimately a bit frustrated. Overall, an engrossing read, but one that I wish had delivered more richly on its potential.
CW: psychopathy, child abduction, infidelity, problematic relationship to alcohol.
CW: psychopathy, child abduction, infidelity, problematic relationship to alcohol.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow, what an intriguing story. I'm not interested in having children, and perhaps as a result don't read many books centered around child-rearing issues, as I find myself unable to relate. I found Maddie and Peter incredibly relatable, however, and found myself feeling for them throughout the book. Delaney showed great expertise in getting the reader to empathize with his characters, and rally with them against the 'villains'. The character progression was perfectly paced, as was the plot and storylines that led off of or were nearly completely separate from the main plot track. I thought Maddie's character showed a surprising amount of gained awareness at the end of the book that I would have expected Peter to have, which was a neat turn of events.
I will say that while I enjoyed the way the conclusion came up all of a sudden but resolved in the right way for the book, I still would have liked it to have been a bit more fleshed out. The ending lines were a bit of a cliched happy ending, but they fit in line with the story and characters and didn't feel forced for ratings or status quo.
Overall a great book which only took four days to read, but just didn't have that 'wow' factor that I look for in a book in order for me to give it five stars.
I will say that while I enjoyed the way the conclusion came up all of a sudden but resolved in the right way for the book, I still would have liked it to have been a bit more fleshed out. The ending lines were a bit of a cliched happy ending, but they fit in line with the story and characters and didn't feel forced for ratings or status quo.
Overall a great book which only took four days to read, but just didn't have that 'wow' factor that I look for in a book in order for me to give it five stars.
I have very mixed feelings about this book. One one hand, I am a fan of Delaney's writing and want to give it 4-5 stars. On the other hand, I had issues with so many things while reading this that I almost TNF'd it several times, which would make me give it a 1 star.
Apparently, for me, there are a lot of weird hidden trigger warnings. I have never had such a mixed reaction to reading a book. I found the plot premise to be very intriguing but I am not sure that I have ever hated MOST of the characters so much. In the end, I am glad I finished it, for the closure, but I do think a proceed with caution is in effect if you have trigger warnings of: broken families, treatment of children, extremely flawed parents, and psychopaths intent on messing up the life of a two year old.
Apparently, for me, there are a lot of weird hidden trigger warnings. I have never had such a mixed reaction to reading a book. I found the plot premise to be very intriguing but I am not sure that I have ever hated MOST of the characters so much. In the end, I am glad I finished it, for the closure, but I do think a proceed with caution is in effect if you have trigger warnings of: broken families, treatment of children, extremely flawed parents, and psychopaths intent on messing up the life of a two year old.
*4.5
Very solid thriller! JP Delaney (almost) never disappoints. I absolutely enjoyed how my opinion of the characters changed throughout the book, there’s been a slight supposition about the ending but nothing more.
Absolutely recommend!
Very solid thriller! JP Delaney (almost) never disappoints. I absolutely enjoyed how my opinion of the characters changed throughout the book, there’s been a slight supposition about the ending but nothing more.
Absolutely recommend!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated