Scan barcode
marieintheraw's review against another edition
1.0
I've written a spoiler-free review on this; however, overall, I was hoping that the things that I previously didn't like about this author's storytelling would be redeemed; however, I've decided to part ways with her.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book through Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
thestoryowl's review against another edition
2.0
I was intrigued by the description of this book, and it certainly delivered what it promised, but it just didn't quite get me totally invested in the characters. I felt Ben was dealt with well, but very few other characters became anything more than cardboard cut outs that Ben interacted with (or thought about). The story felt like it was going to build to something major, but never quite got there.
Free copy given in exchange for an honest review.
Free copy given in exchange for an honest review.
erinld2005's review against another edition
3.0
http://angelerin.blogspot.com/2018/02/beautiful-broken-girls-and-in-her-skin.html
Since I enjoyed After the Woods by Kim Savage so much I had to pre-order Beautiful Broken Girls. It's pretty sad that I just now got around to it though. Shame on me! I really wanted to like this book more than I actually did. I did like it, but I think it would have been more enjoyable for me had it not been for the religious aspect of it. Sometimes I don't mind that, but personally in this one it just didn't fully do it for me. Other than that, I liked Beautiful Broken Girls and I really wanted to find out what happened to the Cillo girls. I was very intrigued and I wanted to figure out the mystery right along with Ben! I love Kim Savage's writing style and I would recommend this one for the mystery aspect.
#IntriguingAndMysterious
Since I enjoyed After the Woods by Kim Savage so much I had to pre-order Beautiful Broken Girls. It's pretty sad that I just now got around to it though. Shame on me! I really wanted to like this book more than I actually did. I did like it, but I think it would have been more enjoyable for me had it not been for the religious aspect of it. Sometimes I don't mind that, but personally in this one it just didn't fully do it for me. Other than that, I liked Beautiful Broken Girls and I really wanted to find out what happened to the Cillo girls. I was very intrigued and I wanted to figure out the mystery right along with Ben! I love Kim Savage's writing style and I would recommend this one for the mystery aspect.
#IntriguingAndMysterious
mitchosaur's review against another edition
2.0
I did not enjoy myself while reading this book. I didn't like the reading style and was quite bored throughout the book. I was so excited to read this book, but it was a huge disappointment.
bookyanne's review against another edition
3.0
This book was well-written with a captivating concept. I felt it went on much longer than it should have. Otherwise, this was a great book!
leahka89's review against another edition
4.0
Ben loves the girl next door, but their story is a tragic one. Princesses in their tower to be hidden from the rest of the world is what Ben imagines life is like for Mira and Francesca Cillo, daughters of the an overprotective father who also happens to be the most influential man in their small town. The girls have always been put on a pedestal by everyone they know because of their beauty and their father's authority, though people also whispered how strange it was they were so untouchable. Ben and Mira are at the beginning stages of their secret relationship when tragedy strikes and the girls' cousin, Connie, dies unexpectedly causing them to completely withdrawal from the outside world. Now that Connie, their sangue-- their blood, is gone and they have secluded themselves, all anyone can talk about it their strange demeanor. It's still a shock when the girls turn up dead at the bottom of the quarry, a popular swimming hole for teenagers. Ben was left in the dark after Mira went completely cold to him, and now that she is gone, he is plagued by her memory. When a letter addressed to Ben comes a week after the girls' bodies turn up, he receives the shock of his life to learn Mira wrote sent the letter before her death and has planted seven notes around town in significant places for him to find so he can learn what really happened. As Ben slowly uncovers the truth, he learns that what everyone thought was a tragic accident is a cover for dark secrets Francesca and Mira were hiding causing Ben venture down a dangerous path of suspecting people he has known his whole life.
When I saw the cover for this book, I instantly wanted to read it, though I will admit I thought the girl on the cover was pregnant and holding her belly. I figured out I was completely wrong pretty early on, and the cover just shows the hand of a girl or both girls grasping onto a watery dress that becomes significant in the story. I also knew I wanted to read the book because I really enjoyed Kim Savage's other suspense novel, After the Woods. Pretty much any book that is dark and suspenseful, sign me up. beautiful-broken-girls
The book opens with the bodies of Mira and Francesca being dredged from the bottom of the quarry, so I was captivated from the beginning. Excluding the prologue, the book is broken up into seven parts to represent the seven places Ben touched Mira and also where she left his notes. Each part is told in present day from Ben's POV and then flips back in time to Mira's POV to better explain what is happening and to give more backstory. I don't think I've read a book written this specific way before, so it was very unique and refreshing to experience.
The story takes place in a small town outside of Boston with a large Catholic Italian-American influence. The people there value their blood family above everything else in a very Sopranos sort of way. All of the character names are Italianesque, and there are even Italian phrases occasionally used. The author is very descriptive, so it was very easy for me to close my eyes and picture the town where this takes place.
It isn't obvious exactly where the story will lead from the get go. As more and more gets revealed and Ben gets more suspicious, you think get thrown for a few loops. I had a general idea of what the twist was, but there ended up being more to it than I originally thought. While there is a mystery aspect, it isn't so much a "who-done-it" versus a hauntingly sad story of two sisters who are very troubled. If you enjoyed The Virgin Suicides, you will most certainly enjoy Beautiful Broken Girls.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an advanced copy of this book.
When I saw the cover for this book, I instantly wanted to read it, though I will admit I thought the girl on the cover was pregnant and holding her belly. I figured out I was completely wrong pretty early on, and the cover just shows the hand of a girl or both girls grasping onto a watery dress that becomes significant in the story. I also knew I wanted to read the book because I really enjoyed Kim Savage's other suspense novel, After the Woods. Pretty much any book that is dark and suspenseful, sign me up. beautiful-broken-girls
The book opens with the bodies of Mira and Francesca being dredged from the bottom of the quarry, so I was captivated from the beginning. Excluding the prologue, the book is broken up into seven parts to represent the seven places Ben touched Mira and also where she left his notes. Each part is told in present day from Ben's POV and then flips back in time to Mira's POV to better explain what is happening and to give more backstory. I don't think I've read a book written this specific way before, so it was very unique and refreshing to experience.
The story takes place in a small town outside of Boston with a large Catholic Italian-American influence. The people there value their blood family above everything else in a very Sopranos sort of way. All of the character names are Italianesque, and there are even Italian phrases occasionally used. The author is very descriptive, so it was very easy for me to close my eyes and picture the town where this takes place.
It isn't obvious exactly where the story will lead from the get go. As more and more gets revealed and Ben gets more suspicious, you think get thrown for a few loops. I had a general idea of what the twist was, but there ended up being more to it than I originally thought. While there is a mystery aspect, it isn't so much a "who-done-it" versus a hauntingly sad story of two sisters who are very troubled. If you enjoyed The Virgin Suicides, you will most certainly enjoy Beautiful Broken Girls.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an advanced copy of this book.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
2.0
"Here's what we learned: when you touch things, they can break."
I really struggled with this one. Ben is a likable character, for the most part. He seems swept away by a girl, Mira, and her recent death has sent him spiraling. He's missing work and not hanging out with friends. He discovers a small note from Mira that sends him on a scavenger hunt and suddenly he has a reason the leave the house again.
As he ran around town, I was a bit swept up in the story. His heart pounding chase to find the notes and to try to understand what happened. The premeditation to leave clues and words behind should run through his mind but he's too worried about how he will get to the next one.
But as the reader, with each new note also comes some horrific scene. If Ben isn't beating the crap out of some random guy, he's watching another almost slice his finger off. And with each note comes my worry that so many people missed so many clues. This undercurrent sub-plot is not hooking me as much as the overriding issues that I would rather label - ones that are unsafe, horrifying and wholly unaddressed. I wish I had loved this one more.
I really struggled with this one. Ben is a likable character, for the most part. He seems swept away by a girl, Mira, and her recent death has sent him spiraling. He's missing work and not hanging out with friends. He discovers a small note from Mira that sends him on a scavenger hunt and suddenly he has a reason the leave the house again.
As he ran around town, I was a bit swept up in the story. His heart pounding chase to find the notes and to try to understand what happened. The premeditation to leave clues and words behind should run through his mind but he's too worried about how he will get to the next one.
But as the reader, with each new note also comes some horrific scene. If Ben isn't beating the crap out of some random guy, he's watching another almost slice his finger off. And with each note comes my worry that so many people missed so many clues. This undercurrent sub-plot is not hooking me as much as the overriding issues that I would rather label - ones that are unsafe, horrifying and wholly unaddressed. I wish I had loved this one more.
jennifermreads's review against another edition
I just could not do it. I DNF’d this one at page 134. So many characters tossed out there in chapter one and I couldn’t keep them straight: so-and-so is related to so-and-so who is related to so-and-so who has a grudge against so-and-so. The character onslaught evened out a bit in Parts 2 & 3 – yet I still found myself saying “Who is that guy?” and “Are they related?” And frankly, I just didn’t care. When I realized I wasn’t even curious what notes 4-7 said, I knew it was time to toss this one to the wind.
tlefler's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting mystery. The duel narrative and interweaving timelines keep the reader guessing until the end. Recommended for high school.