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avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
During a hen weekend at a remote exclusive island retreat, the chef is murdered, and one of them is kidnapped, but which of the women's terrible secrets are the cause? Every one of them has at least one. But who can they trust among them? How well do they really know each other? And will they get off of the island alive?
This book definitely covered some tough topics such as domestic violence. But in a compassionate way, which I appreciated.
Bitty was insufferable for most of the book I wanted to throat-punch her. But she did finally get her head out of her bum. Thankfully in time as well. Though to be honest most of the women weren't very likable.
I never trusted any of them, to be honest. I also guessed at some of the twists. As for who was behind it, I had two guesses and one of them was partly right.
Overall, it was a decent thriller but a bit predictable.
Extra ratings: Fluff- NA Heartfelt- 4.5/5 Helpful-NA Horror- 0.5/5 Inspiration-NA Love- NA Mystery- 2.5/5 Predictability- 4/5 Spice- NA Suspense-4/5 Tear 2.5/5 Thrill-4/5 Humor- NA
This book definitely covered some tough topics such as domestic violence. But in a compassionate way, which I appreciated.
Bitty was insufferable for most of the book I wanted to throat-punch her. But she did finally get her head out of her bum. Thankfully in time as well. Though to be honest most of the women weren't very likable.
I never trusted any of them, to be honest. I also guessed at some of the twists. As for who was behind it, I had two guesses and one of them was partly right.
Overall, it was a decent thriller but a bit predictable.
Extra ratings: Fluff- NA Heartfelt- 4.5/5 Helpful-NA Horror- 0.5/5 Inspiration-NA Love- NA Mystery- 2.5/5 Predictability- 4/5 Spice- NA Suspense-4/5 Tear 2.5/5 Thrill-4/5 Humor- NA
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Grief, Physical abuse, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Murder, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, and Cursing
Minor: Abortion and Rape
outsmartyourshelf's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Seven women gather to celebrate Jen's hen weekend, one that is going to be spent on a private island in luxury surroundings with a chef provided. Things get off to a rocky start as there are unspoken tensions within the group, the internet is down & the music is a playlist that seems handpicked to needle their insecurities, then the chef is found murdered & one of their group seems to have disappeared. They can't leave the island for 72 hours or contact anyone from the mainland - then they receive a text message informing them that the missing group member, Samira, is being held hostage, one of the group isn't who she claims to be, & they have a short time to own up otherwise Samira is dead. They are on their own & the idyllic getaway spot has become a trap.
For Jen, the bride-to-be, this will be her second marriage, the first was to an abusive husband called Jason who disappeared several years ago. Beattie is Jason's older sister & is there to find out what happened to her brother as she has a suspicion that Jen was involved. Michelle is an old friend of Jen's & is now a famous singer but hit the headlines for a different reason recently when someone hacked into her private accounts & a sex tape released online. Having ditched her original band, Cassidy, to go solo, she knows that it's something that Helena has never forgiven her for especially now Helena's children are grown & her husband has left her for another woman. Nicolette is someone who talks a big game but is putting up a front & is certain that her husband is having an affair. Kennedy is the youngest of the group & a tennis coach, who hasn't known the rest of them for very long, whilst Samira is the groom's sister & it's the first time Jen has met her, but she is beginning to think that Samira & her brother are plotting something behind her back. Even Island owner Lauren had sneakily decided to stay on the island in a private apartment to ensure the hen weekend doesn't get out of hand.
Those are all our players & the stage is set. All the characters have something to hide, alliances shift over the course of the story, & friendships are stressed to breaking point. There are chapters from almost everyone's viewpoint so the reader can see what is going on in their heads. It got off to quite a slow start & it took until I'd read about 20% of it for it to become genuinely gripping, but once the murder of the chef occurs, the pace picks up. I did work out some of the twists but there were a couple of things that were slightly different to how I had imagined & the ending was a little far-fetched. Overall though I enjoyed reading it & it kept my interest after the initial lull.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Little, Brown Book Group UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
For Jen, the bride-to-be, this will be her second marriage, the first was to an abusive husband called Jason who disappeared several years ago. Beattie is Jason's older sister & is there to find out what happened to her brother as she has a suspicion that Jen was involved. Michelle is an old friend of Jen's & is now a famous singer but hit the headlines for a different reason recently when someone hacked into her private accounts & a sex tape released online. Having ditched her original band, Cassidy, to go solo, she knows that it's something that Helena has never forgiven her for especially now Helena's children are grown & her husband has left her for another woman. Nicolette is someone who talks a big game but is putting up a front & is certain that her husband is having an affair. Kennedy is the youngest of the group & a tennis coach, who hasn't known the rest of them for very long, whilst Samira is the groom's sister & it's the first time Jen has met her, but she is beginning to think that Samira & her brother are plotting something behind her back. Even Island owner Lauren had sneakily decided to stay on the island in a private apartment to ensure the hen weekend doesn't get out of hand.
Those are all our players & the stage is set. All the characters have something to hide, alliances shift over the course of the story, & friendships are stressed to breaking point. There are chapters from almost everyone's viewpoint so the reader can see what is going on in their heads. It got off to quite a slow start & it took until I'd read about 20% of it for it to become genuinely gripping, but once the murder of the chef occurs, the pace picks up. I did work out some of the twists but there were a couple of things that were slightly different to how I had imagined & the ending was a little far-fetched. Overall though I enjoyed reading it & it kept my interest after the initial lull.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Little, Brown Book Group UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping and Domestic abuse
Minor: Alcohol and Infidelity
alisonannk's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Alcohol, Blood, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
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