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colormedorie's review against another edition
3.0
This book is bonkers bananas! I was sick and slightly out of it while listening so it all felt like a fever dream.
beastreader's review
3.0
My first thought as I was reading this book was that I was getting 9 Perfect Strangers vibes. It sure felt like the "resort" that Ann went to in search of her friend Reese was giving me cult vibes. There was sure something not right about this place. the mystery surrounding Reese's disappearance was intriguing. Although, I found most of the characters not that very interesting. Well, I know I struggled to form emotional connections with them. So, at times it felt like I was just going through the motions of reading and not digesting what I was reading. Overall, though, I did like this book even though it moved at a slow pace.
There were several questions at the end of the book for discussion. I thought this one was an interesting question:
Why do you think the author chose to open the book with Magda putting makeup on Reese? What does makeup represent in this novel, and how does it parallel with reality television and constructed societal roles?
I think the author chose to open with book with Reese getting makeup to present the image that was not a "puppet" and not in control. Which brings me to the second question. I think makeup represented "armor" or "mask" of sorts. The makeup was to hide the real person and mold them into who they "should" represent. Just like reality television. We all know that reality television is not real but still a scripted show. That does not mean that we as viewers are not still intrigued by the personas of the contestants or people on the shows.
We as a society have grown to perceive an image that we think we have to be and therefore are too afraid to show our true selves. This is thanks to the internet, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and reality celebrities.
There were several questions at the end of the book for discussion. I thought this one was an interesting question:
Why do you think the author chose to open the book with Magda putting makeup on Reese? What does makeup represent in this novel, and how does it parallel with reality television and constructed societal roles?
I think the author chose to open with book with Reese getting makeup to present the image that was not a "puppet" and not in control. Which brings me to the second question. I think makeup represented "armor" or "mask" of sorts. The makeup was to hide the real person and mold them into who they "should" represent. Just like reality television. We all know that reality television is not real but still a scripted show. That does not mean that we as viewers are not still intrigued by the personas of the contestants or people on the shows.
We as a society have grown to perceive an image that we think we have to be and therefore are too afraid to show our true selves. This is thanks to the internet, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and reality celebrities.
trisha_thomas's review
4.0
This was so good! I was instantly sucked in, as soon as we started to hear about this retreat and the missing friend. Right from the get-go, it's creepy and eerie - the flowers and the dodgy staff.
It's two from 2 POV - the missing friend and the friend arrived to find her. I liked how the two stories folded together, each one pushing the other narrative along. Both storylines reveal secrets and, put together, it was easy to imagine who was behind it all. But even knowing that, it was such a race to get to the shocking end to see how it all played out. So well done - perfect tension-filled, racing plot line with unreliable narrators and characters all around!
The enjoyed this as an audio and the narrator was perfect!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
It's two from 2 POV - the missing friend and the friend arrived to find her. I liked how the two stories folded together, each one pushing the other narrative along. Both storylines reveal secrets and, put together, it was easy to imagine who was behind it all. But even knowing that, it was such a race to get to the shocking end to see how it all played out. So well done - perfect tension-filled, racing plot line with unreliable narrators and characters all around!
The enjoyed this as an audio and the narrator was perfect!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
thatfrenchislandgirl's review
5.0
What an interesting read. I loved the story of Ann and how she was a recovering alcoholic, I find that it made her relatable and interesting that she suffered from real life struggles. The story alternates between her POV and Reese's (her best friend/AA sponsor), when Reese ends up disappearing while on a singles retreat. The story was quick paced and full of plot twists. I definitely didn't see the end coming and every time I thought I'd figured out how it'd end, I was shocked by the turn of events. The plot was unique and entertaining, a great debut novel!
dnemec's review against another edition
4.0
Ann Stone's best friend, Reece, is missing. After going to a private island off the coast of Hawaii for a singles' retreat, Reese has disappeared completely. As an attorney, Ann is calling in all her favors attempting to find Reece to no avail. As a last ditch effort, she joins the next session at the retreat to look for answers. Did Reece run off with a new man? Is this some kind of new reality show and she is just hiding, waiting for the premiere? Or did something really bad happen to her? In order to find out what happens to Reece, Ann goes on the singles' retreat to search for information.
I got seriously sucked into this book. I loved Ann's no nonsense attitude and her unfailing loyalty toward her friend. I was pretty sure I knew what happened to Reese the whole time, but there were several possibilities and it was never a sure bet. A fantastic debut novel.
I got seriously sucked into this book. I loved Ann's no nonsense attitude and her unfailing loyalty toward her friend. I was pretty sure I knew what happened to Reese the whole time, but there were several possibilities and it was never a sure bet. A fantastic debut novel.
smilesgiggle's review
4.0
I am a huge fan of suspense plots tearing about relationships - do you really know those in your life? Especially in your close circle. This slow build just tore apart every character, relentlessly asking how well do they know those around them?
Reese - a hopeless romantic, recovering alcoholic lands a spot on a resort hosting Last Chance; a romantic getaway - 10 women, 10 men. But Reese never returns. She booked a return flight, used the ticket - but no one has heard from her.
Ann - desperate to learn her best friend's fate, Ann uses her spot at Last Chance to gleam any information regarding her friend. The police aren't concern - Reese did use her return ticket. But Ann knows Reese would never tell her things were ok.
This dual timeline made me obsessed. Loved the narration - well done. I kept playing games, cleaning - anything to keep listening.
Reese - a hopeless romantic, recovering alcoholic lands a spot on a resort hosting Last Chance; a romantic getaway - 10 women, 10 men. But Reese never returns. She booked a return flight, used the ticket - but no one has heard from her.
Ann - desperate to learn her best friend's fate, Ann uses her spot at Last Chance to gleam any information regarding her friend. The police aren't concern - Reese did use her return ticket. But Ann knows Reese would never tell her things were ok.
This dual timeline made me obsessed. Loved the narration - well done. I kept playing games, cleaning - anything to keep listening.
marcirenee1974's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Man, that bad guy was SUCH an asshole! I loved hating them. This was an interesting ride and I was hooked from the beginning! I am now off to look for more books by Emily C. Watson to add to my TBR!
#BeneaththeMarigolds
#NetGalley
#BeneaththeMarigolds
#NetGalley
beachreading1's review against another edition
5.0
This story captivated me in the beginning all way to the end! The twists, turns and unexpected plot twists. The story centers around Reese Marigold, who disappeared after spending a month at Last Chance Retreat, an exclusive singles retreat on Phaux Island, off the coast of Hawaii. When Reese had been missing for thirty-one days, her friend Ann Stone, a corporate attorney, knows something terrible has happened to her friend, and she is determined to go to the island and find out what happened to Reese. After checking into Last Chance, Ann soon discovers that the resort is more than what it claims to be, it has the feel of a reality dating show like the Bachelor / Bachelorette. The story is intriguing and easy to read. It is setup in dual perspectives between Reese’s time on island and Ann’s time on the island. At the end their timelines sort of come together. Great book! Many thanks to NetGalley for the Audiobook. All opinions expressed in this review are my own
readwithbay's review
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
mnedmonds's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I absolutely loved this book. I was not expecting the ending here. I can say the audio book wasted my favorite (something to do with the audio) but the content of the book itself was so good. I was captivated! Finished this book in 2 days!