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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
3.5 Stars. Thank you to Netgalley and, St. Martins Press for this copy.
Twin sister Bel and Rose have had a rough go, after their mother passes away they are sent to live with their grandmother. The girls are attending a prestigious boarding school and fall into very different crowds. Bel finds the popular crowd and is quickly accepted in. Rose just wants to make a good impression and study hard, has a harder time finding friends. One of the twins is murdered and everyone is pointing finger at each other, was
I love a good thriller with a lot of drama, scandal, and murder. This was a quick, easy read that had me flipping pages fast to see what was going to happen next, I was able to figure out did it about half way threw, but I really liked the directions it went with the teens, all the rumors, and speculations. I could have done without epilogue.
Twin sister Bel and Rose have had a rough go, after their mother passes away they are sent to live with their grandmother. The girls are attending a prestigious boarding school and fall into very different crowds. Bel finds the popular crowd and is quickly accepted in. Rose just wants to make a good impression and study hard, has a harder time finding friends. One of the twins is murdered and everyone is pointing finger at each other, was
I love a good thriller with a lot of drama, scandal, and murder. This was a quick, easy read that had me flipping pages fast to see what was going to happen next, I was able to figure out did it about half way threw, but I really liked the directions it went with the teens, all the rumors, and speculations. I could have done without epilogue.
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As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.
There was a moment when I hesitated in picking this up. She Was the Quiet One had such an intriguing premise, but I haven't had the best luck when it came to stories of fictional twins lately. Then, there's the spoiled-angsty-rich-teenagers-at-boarding-school trope that I burned myself out on well over a decade ago but somehow can't resist it if it looks my way. As far as I was concerned, it could only go one of two ways: REALLY, really well or horribly wrong.
Somehow, She Was the Quiet One landed in the middle for me. I didn't hate it but I also didn't obsess over it. I enjoyed it and found the way that Campbell told the story to be intriguing. In-fact, I read it in mostly one sitting because even in the weaker spots I couldn't put the novel down.
The weak parts aren't worth mentioning beyond me saying that there were some things that didn't feel essential to the book and there were a couple of moments that I caught myself wondering if there was something missing in the layers. Tucked away where I couldn't find them.
But all stories have their flaws, so let's go back to the positives.
It's an addicting read in many ways and before you know it, you're finished. I really liked the way it all tied together and the fact that it did toy with readers often. Upon reading the premise, I had the idea that She Was the Quiet One would be similar in tone to a classic V.C. Andrews tale and in many ways, it does read like one in terms of psychological twists, complicated sibling/family relationships and its drama, losses and vividness.
In many ways, it did feel like V.C. Andrews meets CW drama. Only smarter.
While it wasn't my favourite book of the year, it was a fun read! Definitely an entertaining thriller that many readers will enjoy.
As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.
There was a moment when I hesitated in picking this up. She Was the Quiet One had such an intriguing premise, but I haven't had the best luck when it came to stories of fictional twins lately. Then, there's the spoiled-angsty-rich-teenagers-at-boarding-school trope that I burned myself out on well over a decade ago but somehow can't resist it if it looks my way. As far as I was concerned, it could only go one of two ways: REALLY, really well or horribly wrong.
Somehow, She Was the Quiet One landed in the middle for me. I didn't hate it but I also didn't obsess over it. I enjoyed it and found the way that Campbell told the story to be intriguing. In-fact, I read it in mostly one sitting because even in the weaker spots I couldn't put the novel down.
The weak parts aren't worth mentioning beyond me saying that there were some things that didn't feel essential to the book and there were a couple of moments that I caught myself wondering if there was something missing in the layers. Tucked away where I couldn't find them.
But all stories have their flaws, so let's go back to the positives.
It's an addicting read in many ways and before you know it, you're finished. I really liked the way it all tied together and the fact that it did toy with readers often. Upon reading the premise, I had the idea that She Was the Quiet One would be similar in tone to a classic V.C. Andrews tale and in many ways, it does read like one in terms of psychological twists, complicated sibling/family relationships and its drama, losses and vividness.
In many ways, it did feel like V.C. Andrews meets CW drama. Only smarter.
While it wasn't my favourite book of the year, it was a fun read! Definitely an entertaining thriller that many readers will enjoy.
Great thriller! Not many books hook me from the very start; this book did just that! From start to the literal finish! I loved the flow of the unfolding events, the well-developed characters, the excitement and the suspense. And..….well of course, the twists and turns. Just when you think it’s all figured out you are so wrong; then you think oh I know now, nope wrong again!. The ending was WHOA! I really didn’t see that coming. I enjoyed this book soooo much that I read it twice in a row. I read my advanced review copy then purchased it to listen to it because it’s narrated by one of my favorite narrators/actors January LaVoy and she did NOT disappoint. This is going on my FAV list!
I received an advanced review copy (ARC) of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received an advanced review copy (ARC) of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
"Just because they fight doesn't mean she would kill her sister. How could she? Her sister was the only family she had left."
Meet Rose and Bel Enright, 15 going on 16, twins, ophans. Their lives are about to change forever as they drive up to Odell Academy in the wake of theirs mothers death. There are more difference between the sisters than there are similarities. Rose is academic, quiet and ready for a fresh start where Bel is wild, adventurous and ready to block out the pain of their mother's passing. This new part of their lives at Odell starts off on the wrong note with the twins parting ways with different friend groups and a clear rivalry growing between them.
Sarah and Heath Donovan past students of Odell and now new teachers and dorm heads of the Moreland Hall dorm where the twins now reside. They have been hired to help change and restore the reputation of this wild dorm, neither of them could for see what this school year will bring. Sarah becomes Rose's advisor and Heath becomes Bel, from this moment all four lives will change forever.
This novel is marketed as a thriller and I can understand this at certain parts of the plots. There are many sceans that are situated in the spooky, dark, and foggy woodlands around the school or in the old historical buildings around campus in the shimmering light of the moon. But I would say it is a light thriller and not a sleep with the lights on thriller.
I quickly started to enjoy this read and got through the story fairly fast. The story flowed easily with short chapters and view points from all vital characters with police interview sections adding more view points. From the start you know that one sister is dead and the other the main suspect for her murder, however you don't know which one is which. From about a quarter of the way through it was clear who was killed and soon after by whom. Even with this predictable plot I found myself going through the emotions with the characters and changing my mind of who's side I was on.
Overall this is an easy and light read, but the novel needs to be marketed more as a YA novel. With the main characters teenagers I can see that some readers might be put off. The main four characters mentioned above are well rounded and developed however this cannot be said for all of the secondary characters we meet. Even with the predictable plotline the ending was very satisfying and tied everything together. For me the main 'thriller' part of the whole novel came from the epilogue which she light on a lose end I wasn't overly aware off which I would of never guessed.
I would recommend this novel for a YA fan who enjoys an easy Murder mystery to pass a rainy weekend.
Meet Rose and Bel Enright, 15 going on 16, twins, ophans. Their lives are about to change forever as they drive up to Odell Academy in the wake of theirs mothers death. There are more difference between the sisters than there are similarities. Rose is academic, quiet and ready for a fresh start where Bel is wild, adventurous and ready to block out the pain of their mother's passing. This new part of their lives at Odell starts off on the wrong note with the twins parting ways with different friend groups and a clear rivalry growing between them.
Sarah and Heath Donovan past students of Odell and now new teachers and dorm heads of the Moreland Hall dorm where the twins now reside. They have been hired to help change and restore the reputation of this wild dorm, neither of them could for see what this school year will bring. Sarah becomes Rose's advisor and Heath becomes Bel, from this moment all four lives will change forever.
This novel is marketed as a thriller and I can understand this at certain parts of the plots. There are many sceans that are situated in the spooky, dark, and foggy woodlands around the school or in the old historical buildings around campus in the shimmering light of the moon. But I would say it is a light thriller and not a sleep with the lights on thriller.
I quickly started to enjoy this read and got through the story fairly fast. The story flowed easily with short chapters and view points from all vital characters with police interview sections adding more view points. From the start you know that one sister is dead and the other the main suspect for her murder, however you don't know which one is which. From about a quarter of the way through it was clear who was killed and soon after by whom. Even with this predictable plot I found myself going through the emotions with the characters and changing my mind of who's side I was on.
Overall this is an easy and light read, but the novel needs to be marketed more as a YA novel. With the main characters teenagers I can see that some readers might be put off. The main four characters mentioned above are well rounded and developed however this cannot be said for all of the secondary characters we meet. Even with the predictable plotline the ending was very satisfying and tied everything together. For me the main 'thriller' part of the whole novel came from the epilogue which she light on a lose end I wasn't overly aware off which I would of never guessed.
I would recommend this novel for a YA fan who enjoys an easy Murder mystery to pass a rainy weekend.
Rose and Bel Enright are fraternal twin sisters. They are the offspring of a privileged New England college student and a Mexican scholarship student. Now they are fifteen years old and orphaned. Sent to live with their wealthy grandmother in Connecticut, they have been enrolled in Odell, a prestigious boarding school, the one where their parents met.
Rose is the 'good girl'. Smart, studious and active in school activities. Bel is the prettier of the two girls but she has poorer judgment and struggles academically. She immediately falls in with the 'wrong' crowd. A bevy of 'mean girls' with little moral compass. The girls couldn't be more different. After moving to Odell, the twins are separated by a rift - seemingly insurmountable.
Then Bel's new friends begin a contest - a test to see who can first seduce the handsome new teacher/dorm head, Heath Donovan.
Heath and Sarah Donovan are academics who have been hired by Odell to clean up the unsavory reputation of Moreland Hall, one of the dorms. They are the dorm's resident supervisors. They have two young children.
The task is daunting because the students at Moreland are spoiled, rich, over-privileged teens who spend a lot of their time socializing and tormenting the other students. Sarah and Heath also serve in an advisory capacity to some of the students.
Events at Odell escalate. A hazing ritual turns ultra nasty. Students are expelled. Other students are ostracized. Lawyers get involved. The social dynamic within the school gets turned on its head.
Then, one of the twins is brutally stabbed and killed.
Sarah and Heath Donovan's marriage is in jeopardy. Who can Sarah believe? She is faced with a difficult moral choice.
MY THOUGHTS
When I was a teenager, I thought it would be wonderful to attend a boarding school. The nerd in me feels resentful that luscious, historical boarding schools always have to be sullied with social conflict. I would have approached the whole boarding school experience in much the same way as Rose did in this novel. The reader in me realizes that without the conflict there would be no story.
This thriller will be loved by many, though it didn't resonate with me as much as I had hoped. It is a novel with themes of jealousy, infidelity, betrayal, cliques, intimidation, love triangles, lost trust, and blinding ambition. It was plotted in a clever way - in that you weren't sure who the murder victim was until near the end of the book.
From a literary standpoint, this novel has great pacing, an atmospheric setting and is very well written. From a content standpoint, just not my cup of tea. If you like 'mean girl' stories then you would probably love this one. I don't think this was a bad book, but it wasn't a personal favourite.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for review purposes.
Rose is the 'good girl'. Smart, studious and active in school activities. Bel is the prettier of the two girls but she has poorer judgment and struggles academically. She immediately falls in with the 'wrong' crowd. A bevy of 'mean girls' with little moral compass. The girls couldn't be more different. After moving to Odell, the twins are separated by a rift - seemingly insurmountable.
Then Bel's new friends begin a contest - a test to see who can first seduce the handsome new teacher/dorm head, Heath Donovan.
Heath and Sarah Donovan are academics who have been hired by Odell to clean up the unsavory reputation of Moreland Hall, one of the dorms. They are the dorm's resident supervisors. They have two young children.
The task is daunting because the students at Moreland are spoiled, rich, over-privileged teens who spend a lot of their time socializing and tormenting the other students. Sarah and Heath also serve in an advisory capacity to some of the students.
Events at Odell escalate. A hazing ritual turns ultra nasty. Students are expelled. Other students are ostracized. Lawyers get involved. The social dynamic within the school gets turned on its head.
Then, one of the twins is brutally stabbed and killed.
Sarah and Heath Donovan's marriage is in jeopardy. Who can Sarah believe? She is faced with a difficult moral choice.
MY THOUGHTS
When I was a teenager, I thought it would be wonderful to attend a boarding school. The nerd in me feels resentful that luscious, historical boarding schools always have to be sullied with social conflict. I would have approached the whole boarding school experience in much the same way as Rose did in this novel. The reader in me realizes that without the conflict there would be no story.
This thriller will be loved by many, though it didn't resonate with me as much as I had hoped. It is a novel with themes of jealousy, infidelity, betrayal, cliques, intimidation, love triangles, lost trust, and blinding ambition. It was plotted in a clever way - in that you weren't sure who the murder victim was until near the end of the book.
From a literary standpoint, this novel has great pacing, an atmospheric setting and is very well written. From a content standpoint, just not my cup of tea. If you like 'mean girl' stories then you would probably love this one. I don't think this was a bad book, but it wasn't a personal favourite.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for review purposes.
This is like if Pretty Little Liars had been good. I really enjoyed the setting, premise, and buildup of the narrative, although there’s not much of a twist. Overall I was engaged, but the ending felt a bit flat. It’s more of a “this is how this led to this and everything spiraled out of control” kind of book.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fraternal twins Bel and Rose become orphaned and their grandmother becomes their guardian. She decides to send the girls to boarding school as is their family tradition. The once close twins start drifting apart as Bel falls in with the wrong crowd and Rose focuses on her studies and doing the right thing. A twisty psychological thriller that will have you re-thinking any plans of boarding school. #michelecampbell #shewasthequietone #tea_sipping_bookworm #goodreads #litsy #bookstagram #amazon#kindle #greatreads #bookqueen
Let me start by saying O. M. G. If you have the chance to read this book, do it! Michele Campbell is such an amazing author. Her writing sucks you in from page 1, makes you feel like you are there and won’t let you go. It took me about a week to read it but when I wasn’t reading it, it’s all I thought about. Having such a hectic schedule (work, college, daughter in extracurriculars and husband) really put a damper on things. This book pretty much tells you who you should think did it right from the start. It reiterates it several times throughout the book as well. There were so many twists and turns. I had an idea of who did it early in the book but actually learning who it was and how they did it was jaw dropping. I felt my heartbreaking for a few of the characters. I’m not one to give away spoilers so I will say this: if you want a good thriller, without it being horror, this is the book for you. It’s right on par with her last book, It’s Always The Husband (which I highly recommend as well).
Received arc courtesy of Netgalley and St Martin’s Press.
Received arc courtesy of Netgalley and St Martin’s Press.
This book was so good. I can't wait to pick up another book by this author.