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jensbookobsession's review
5.0
4.5 stars
I received an advance reader copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I loved this book. It was so well written that I couldn't put it down. It was a great story about forgiveness, the truth, and following these characters as they find their way after a tragedy. While some things felt a little over the top, it was a change of pace that just added to the overall story.
I received an advance reader copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I loved this book. It was so well written that I couldn't put it down. It was a great story about forgiveness, the truth, and following these characters as they find their way after a tragedy. While some things felt a little over the top, it was a change of pace that just added to the overall story.
shelleyann01's review against another edition
4.0
There wasn't even a name for what Leigh was now. If she lost her husband, she’d be a widow. Her parents, an orphan. But what did you call a mother who lost her child? There was no word for what she was. It was unthinkable and thus unnameable.
Bonnie Kistler manages to create a world that is immersive, introspective and nuanced without getting bogged down in the details over heavy-handed themes. She draws you in and holds you, with a world that feels authentic and fascinating, tightly coiled until it springs on you and forces you to question whether people really can start fresh. This is Kistler's debut offering, she can craft a tale.
The characters were brilliantly crafted, and I felt that I knew most everyone in the story on a deep level. The narrative style allows you to weave in and out of the psyches of even the most opposed characters, and I felt deep sympathies for each character at one time or another, often simultaneously. There were very few points when I felt any characters lacked adequate depth. The drama was captivating. The web of events and histories created one of the most engrossing stories I have read in a long time.
I can't say enough good things about this book. There were so many different layers to the story and I found myself thinking about the characters and the choices they made for days after I finished reading the book. It would make for a good book club selection because people are going to have strong opinions about some of the things that were brought up in this book. This is a debut from Bonnie Kistler and I'm looking forward to her next novel.
Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and Bonnie Kistler for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#HouseOnFire #NetGalley
All my reviews can be read here: https://shelleyann01.blogspot.com
Bonnie Kistler manages to create a world that is immersive, introspective and nuanced without getting bogged down in the details over heavy-handed themes. She draws you in and holds you, with a world that feels authentic and fascinating, tightly coiled until it springs on you and forces you to question whether people really can start fresh. This is Kistler's debut offering, she can craft a tale.
The characters were brilliantly crafted, and I felt that I knew most everyone in the story on a deep level. The narrative style allows you to weave in and out of the psyches of even the most opposed characters, and I felt deep sympathies for each character at one time or another, often simultaneously. There were very few points when I felt any characters lacked adequate depth. The drama was captivating. The web of events and histories created one of the most engrossing stories I have read in a long time.
I can't say enough good things about this book. There were so many different layers to the story and I found myself thinking about the characters and the choices they made for days after I finished reading the book. It would make for a good book club selection because people are going to have strong opinions about some of the things that were brought up in this book. This is a debut from Bonnie Kistler and I'm looking forward to her next novel.
Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and Bonnie Kistler for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#HouseOnFire #NetGalley
All my reviews can be read here: https://shelleyann01.blogspot.com
yangelareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
2.5
Divorce lawyer, Leigh Huyett, knows all too well that most second marriages are doomed to fail. But five years in, she and Pete Conley have a perfectly blended family of her children and his. To celebrate their anniversary, they grab some precious moments of alone time and leave Pete’s son Kip, a high school senior, in charge of Leigh’s fourteen-year-old daughter Chrissy at their home.
Driving back on a rainy Friday night, their cell phones start ringing. After a raucous party celebrating his college acceptance to Duke and his upcoming birthday, Kip was arrested for drunk driving after his truck crashed into a tree. And he was not alone—Chrissy was with him.
Twelve hours later, Chrissy is dead and Kip is charged with manslaughter. Kip has always been a notorious troublemaker, but he is also a star student with a dazzling future ahead of him. At first, Leigh does her best to rally behind Pete and help Kip through his ordeal. Until he changes his story, and claims that he was not driving after all—Chrissy was.
Leigh is stunned that he would lie about such a thing, while Pete clutches onto the story as the last, best hope to save his son, throwing his energy and money into finding this elusive witness. As they hurtle toward Kip’s trial date, husband and wife are torn between loyalty to their children and to each other, while the mystery of what really happened that night intensifies.
House on Fire had so much potential but unfortunately, I was left feeling underwhelmed with it. This is a domestic fiction read that touches on some big familial issues but not with the depth or emotion that I expected. The subplots really took away from the main plot. It was a little strange. It all wrapped up nicely, but still - the author could have done without the subplots all together and still conveyed the same core story. The story ends with the conclusion of Kip's trial, but we do not see how any of the other storylines are finished, which sucks. This whole book was just way too rushed. It did have potential. If only it would have focused more on the core story. I would have enjoyed it more if it had.
Driving back on a rainy Friday night, their cell phones start ringing. After a raucous party celebrating his college acceptance to Duke and his upcoming birthday, Kip was arrested for drunk driving after his truck crashed into a tree. And he was not alone—Chrissy was with him.
Twelve hours later, Chrissy is dead and Kip is charged with manslaughter. Kip has always been a notorious troublemaker, but he is also a star student with a dazzling future ahead of him. At first, Leigh does her best to rally behind Pete and help Kip through his ordeal. Until he changes his story, and claims that he was not driving after all—Chrissy was.
Leigh is stunned that he would lie about such a thing, while Pete clutches onto the story as the last, best hope to save his son, throwing his energy and money into finding this elusive witness. As they hurtle toward Kip’s trial date, husband and wife are torn between loyalty to their children and to each other, while the mystery of what really happened that night intensifies.
House on Fire had so much potential but unfortunately, I was left feeling underwhelmed with it. This is a domestic fiction read that touches on some big familial issues but not with the depth or emotion that I expected. The subplots really took away from the main plot. It was a little strange. It all wrapped up nicely, but still - the author could have done without the subplots all together and still conveyed the same core story. The story ends with the conclusion of Kip's trial, but we do not see how any of the other storylines are finished, which sucks. This whole book was just way too rushed. It did have potential. If only it would have focused more on the core story. I would have enjoyed it more if it had.
ahayes's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and the fact that the author did not shy away from having every character display flaws. The legalese got very dry in parts and I found those bits hard to get through. I realize the author is a former trial lawyer, so it makes sense, but was still a challenge for me.
randina's review
2.0
While this book was compelling, there were so many utterly random subplots, many of which never got resolved in the end? What a peculiar story.
alstrath's review
4.0
Two teens, step-siblings, driving home one rainy Friday night. Twelve hours later one is dead and the other is charged with manslaughter.
This book drops the main story into the reader's lap right in the beginning of the book.
Where does your loyalty lie in a blended family? Ours, yours, mine?
Will you believe anything in order to save your son?
Do you refuse to believe anything in order to preserve your daughter's memory?
Leigh and Peter have to try untangle the mess their blended family landed in when his son and her daughter were involved in an accident where Kip was driving, or was he, and Chrissy ended up dead a few hours later.
The bones of the story are laid out early on in the book. As the story progresses "flesh" is added to these bones.
There are various side stories interwoven throughout this book, which first make you wonder what their purpose is. As the story starts wrapping up in the end these side stories form the final fabric that meshes the whole story together.
I didn't think there was much to this story that could be developed further as the whole scene was laid out in the beginning, but the author really surprised me with the various twists and plotlines. This is definitely a book that can be reread to catch the little bits of story that you may have overlooked first time around.
This book drops the main story into the reader's lap right in the beginning of the book.
Where does your loyalty lie in a blended family? Ours, yours, mine?
Will you believe anything in order to save your son?
Do you refuse to believe anything in order to preserve your daughter's memory?
Leigh and Peter have to try untangle the mess their blended family landed in when his son and her daughter were involved in an accident where Kip was driving, or was he, and Chrissy ended up dead a few hours later.
The bones of the story are laid out early on in the book. As the story progresses "flesh" is added to these bones.
There are various side stories interwoven throughout this book, which first make you wonder what their purpose is. As the story starts wrapping up in the end these side stories form the final fabric that meshes the whole story together.
I didn't think there was much to this story that could be developed further as the whole scene was laid out in the beginning, but the author really surprised me with the various twists and plotlines. This is definitely a book that can be reread to catch the little bits of story that you may have overlooked first time around.
c0reyann's review
3.0
This book is an interesting one with a unique premise: what would you do if your beloved stepson was (possibly) behind the wheel during an accident killed your daughter?
This story follows the main characters of this book around the event that shatters everyone around it in different ways.
For the first 2/3rds of the book I was completely drawn in and didn't want to put the book down. The bits about the accident and the aftermath are GOOD. However, there's one storyline that jumps the shark for me and I think that seems to be the sentiment from everyone. I think that whole element could have been removed and the story would have been stronger and less weird and required less suspended disbelief.
4 stars for the bulk of the novel, -1 for the WTF storyline.
This story follows the main characters of this book around the event that shatters everyone around it in different ways.
For the first 2/3rds of the book I was completely drawn in and didn't want to put the book down. The bits about the accident and the aftermath are GOOD. However, there's one storyline that jumps the shark for me and I think that seems to be the sentiment from everyone. I think that whole element could have been removed and the story would have been stronger and less weird and required less suspended disbelief.
4 stars for the bulk of the novel, -1 for the WTF storyline.
cmareads's review
5.0
Thank you to Atria Books for the free review copy. All opinions are my own. Rounded up from 4.5 stars.
This book is a mix of legal drama, family drama, and parental drama - and I loved it! I think that the incorporation of having the characters in this book both be on their second marriage helped add to its uniqueness. I love stories that feature different type of family than what is usually presented in books. I also appreciate how the challenges in the family dynamic were presented as the characters waded their way through all of the difficulties presented due to the car accident.
I also enjoyed all of the legal cases involved in this book. I am a fan of a legal thriller, and I think that this book does it well. I liked the family court side with Leigh's job, and the criminal court side that is presented when Kip is charged with manslaughter.
I also loved that ending. It was so well done and unexpected. The only part I had trouble with was the quickness of the scene right before the ending of the book. I felt like there was not closure in this scene.
This book is a mix of legal drama, family drama, and parental drama - and I loved it! I think that the incorporation of having the characters in this book both be on their second marriage helped add to its uniqueness. I love stories that feature different type of family than what is usually presented in books. I also appreciate how the challenges in the family dynamic were presented as the characters waded their way through all of the difficulties presented due to the car accident.
I also enjoyed all of the legal cases involved in this book. I am a fan of a legal thriller, and I think that this book does it well. I liked the family court side with Leigh's job, and the criminal court side that is presented when Kip is charged with manslaughter.
I also loved that ending. It was so well done and unexpected. The only part I had trouble with was the quickness of the scene right before the ending of the book. I felt like there was not closure in this scene.
whatjenreads's review
3.0
It’s a modern day Brady Bunch for Leigh and Pete. The second marriage for both, they bring their children together to create a beautiful blended family. They go away together to celebrate their anniversary, leaving high school senior Kip in charge of 14 year old Chrissy. On the way home, they get a phone call that there has been an accident and Kip has been charged with drunk driving. The next morning, Chrissy has died and Kip is charged with manslaughter. Until his story changes and he claims Chrissy was the one driving that night. This puts their family, their marriage, and Kips future to the test. House on Fire starts off strong and then starts to converge into different side stories. While these stories do eventually merge together, it detracts from the original purpose of the book. This book could use a lot of editing, as it’s much too long and needs to be streamlined. One of the side stories could have been removed completely. This could have been a solid 4-5 stars until it derailed. For me, House on Fire was ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars. Thank you @atriabooks for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
meagsbooknook's review
3.0
3 1/2 stars
Thank you to Atria Books for gifting me a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
[b:House on Fire|39322976|House on Fire|Bonnie Kistler|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1536681042s/39322976.jpg|60938565] is former trial attorney [a:Bonnie Kistler|17837831|Bonnie Kistler|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1533045025p2/17837831.jpg]'s debut novel that explores tragedy in a blended family.
Leigh Huyett and Pete Conley are happily married and have blended their children from previous marriages. Everything seems to be going well until there is a car accident involving Pete's son, Kip, and Leigh's daughter, Chrissy. Following the accident, Kip is arrested for drunk driving and just when their family believes that things cannot get worse - Chrissy dies. Now the family not only has to mourn the loss of Chrissy but they find out that Kip will be charged with manslaughter.
The catch...Kip claims he wasn't driving. Chrissy was.
Sounds good, right? I will admit that I enjoyed learning about this integrated family and couldn't begin to imagine what I would do in a situation such as this. Leigh and Pete both find themselves with unfathomable circumstances. Leigh has lost her daughter and now her step-son is claiming the accident was her daughter's fault. Pete has to chose between his own child and his wife. I do not know what I would do if I were them.
[a:Bonnie Kistler|17837831|Bonnie Kistler|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1533045025p2/17837831.jpg] did a great job with the main storyline but along the way there are multiple storylines that are woven throughout and I felt that they overcrowded the narrative. I found distracting and unnecessary. I also felt that more of the narrative should have involved Kip. It was unclear whether we were supposed to sympathize with Kip or dislike him.
Overall, I found the concept interesting but certain storylines could have been removed to make it much shorter and in turn, more enjoyable.
Thank you to Atria Books for gifting me a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
[b:House on Fire|39322976|House on Fire|Bonnie Kistler|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1536681042s/39322976.jpg|60938565] is former trial attorney [a:Bonnie Kistler|17837831|Bonnie Kistler|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1533045025p2/17837831.jpg]'s debut novel that explores tragedy in a blended family.
Leigh Huyett and Pete Conley are happily married and have blended their children from previous marriages. Everything seems to be going well until there is a car accident involving Pete's son, Kip, and Leigh's daughter, Chrissy. Following the accident, Kip is arrested for drunk driving and just when their family believes that things cannot get worse - Chrissy dies. Now the family not only has to mourn the loss of Chrissy but they find out that Kip will be charged with manslaughter.
The catch...Kip claims he wasn't driving. Chrissy was.
Sounds good, right? I will admit that I enjoyed learning about this integrated family and couldn't begin to imagine what I would do in a situation such as this. Leigh and Pete both find themselves with unfathomable circumstances. Leigh has lost her daughter and now her step-son is claiming the accident was her daughter's fault. Pete has to chose between his own child and his wife. I do not know what I would do if I were them.
[a:Bonnie Kistler|17837831|Bonnie Kistler|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1533045025p2/17837831.jpg] did a great job with the main storyline but along the way there are multiple storylines that are woven throughout and I felt that they overcrowded the narrative. I found distracting and unnecessary. I also felt that more of the narrative should have involved Kip. It was unclear whether we were supposed to sympathize with Kip or dislike him.
Overall, I found the concept interesting but certain storylines could have been removed to make it much shorter and in turn, more enjoyable.