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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. I loved the storyline, I followed intently waiting for my next opportunity to open this book up and start again. I was lost in reading during my commute. Gripping, and exciting until I cam to the end. I felt like the end was thrown in with little regard to the rest of the story. Was the end written by the same author who wrote the rest of the book or by someone asked to throw some words at a page and take whatever stuck, loosely? I have read many twisty psychological thrillers and I would not class this as one. It was well written until the end with many glaring spelling and grammar mistakes which added to my distaste. The supervision sessions could have been removed, they really added no substance and I felt they broke up the storyline with a dead end.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A thriller with heart and soul. Genuinely intriguing and well written with well developed characters and great emotional depth. Got this for a vine review but I'm definitely now a paying fan.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Whilst I really did enjoy this book, I hated the authors overuse of the word whilst! Do people really use that word in their daily conversation over in the United Kingdom? At times this book was slow going but by the middle of the book it took off.
Jess has spent 10 years running from her past, but what really happened at her prom? Who is telling the truth? And what is the truth anyway?
This story has lots of twists and turns and I certainly didn't expect the events at the conclusion.
The story cleverly unfolds from several points of view and kept me gripped up to the end.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This story has lots of twists and turns and I certainly didn't expect the events at the conclusion.
The story cleverly unfolds from several points of view and kept me gripped up to the end.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
2.5 stars
I am a little conflicted how to review this book, because I listened to the audiobook and the narrator who did Jess's voice had a really irritating voice. I don't know whether I would have enjoyed the book more in print this time. I do think, in any case, it would not have been more than a three star read, because it moved so very slowly and I didn't really care about any of the characters. The final reveal did not feel shocking at all, and even though the writing was quite good, the story never completely grabbed my attention. Though this book was not for me, I don't want to call it bad. I have been reading so many books in the crime fiction genre lately, and some of them were so gripping that this one just compares unfavorably. So any other readers clearly enjoyed it very much, so if you decide to pick it up, I hope you do, too:-)
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
I am a little conflicted how to review this book, because I listened to the audiobook and the narrator who did Jess's voice had a really irritating voice. I don't know whether I would have enjoyed the book more in print this time. I do think, in any case, it would not have been more than a three star read, because it moved so very slowly and I didn't really care about any of the characters. The final reveal did not feel shocking at all, and even though the writing was quite good, the story never completely grabbed my attention. Though this book was not for me, I don't want to call it bad. I have been reading so many books in the crime fiction genre lately, and some of them were so gripping that this one just compares unfavorably. So any other readers clearly enjoyed it very much, so if you decide to pick it up, I hope you do, too:-)
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
3.5 stars from me for this read. The premise is great, but it didn't grip me quite as much as I hoped. The ending petered out a little too quietly, but it was an enjoyable read all in all. A topic that seems to be popular in this genre at the moment, and this had an interesting plot.
Often when I'm reading, and luckily usually towards the end of the book my Fiance asks"what ya reading? whats it about?" Lying to you made this a tangled web of answers that I think confused and enticed him all at once!
** Spoiler Alert**
I described the booked to him as being having four main narratives, telling us a combination of the then, now and retrospectively.
The narratives are:
Jess Tidy, a mess in high school who may or may not have had inappropriate relations with her teacher/mentor. Shes left the small town for London to escape it all but the death of her mother drags her back to where it all went wrong.
Mark Winter, The teacher, and recently released from prison for his actions with Jess. His marriage is strained and for a main character he has a surprisingly small narrative which is told via the retrospective diaried events read by his wife.
Karen Winter, Marks Wife, who has always supported him, and struggled without her medication. Her and her daughter Frey have been impacted by the accusation more than anyone, but Karen has a secret. Shes having an affair with Jess's brother.
Jess' supervisor. Forgive me, she was likely given a name but i have no idea what it was. We hear from her as a supervisor in a counselling role, as transcripts of her sessions with Jess.
Jess' brother has a big part in this too although he hasnt earned his place to have a Point of View in the story. Baby Daddy to Jess' ex best friend from school, an affair with the woman married to his sisters accused rapist, but all we learn of him is the way the two women in his life see him.
The 'now' in the book spans little more than a week, but the history that has been built around it now becomes the big picture and takes up the bulk of the book. The chapters are short and its easy to flick between characters, with little chance of forgetting who's voice/opinion your reading.
** Spoiler Alert**
I described the booked to him as being having four main narratives, telling us a combination of the then, now and retrospectively.
The narratives are:
Jess Tidy, a mess in high school who may or may not have had inappropriate relations with her teacher/mentor. Shes left the small town for London to escape it all but the death of her mother drags her back to where it all went wrong.
Mark Winter, The teacher, and recently released from prison for his actions with Jess. His marriage is strained and for a main character he has a surprisingly small narrative which is told via the retrospective diaried events read by his wife.
Karen Winter, Marks Wife, who has always supported him, and struggled without her medication. Her and her daughter Frey have been impacted by the accusation more than anyone, but Karen has a secret. Shes having an affair with Jess's brother.
Jess' supervisor. Forgive me, she was likely given a name but i have no idea what it was. We hear from her as a supervisor in a counselling role, as transcripts of her sessions with Jess.
Jess' brother has a big part in this too although he hasnt earned his place to have a Point of View in the story. Baby Daddy to Jess' ex best friend from school, an affair with the woman married to his sisters accused rapist, but all we learn of him is the way the two women in his life see him.
The 'now' in the book spans little more than a week, but the history that has been built around it now becomes the big picture and takes up the bulk of the book. The chapters are short and its easy to flick between characters, with little chance of forgetting who's voice/opinion your reading.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes