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tawnieblue's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
noapo88's review against another edition
2.0
סרפין, אחיה התאום דני ואחיהם הגדול אדווין מנסים להתמודד עם המוות הפתאומי של אביהם. משהו מצחיק לסרפין בקשר ללידה שלה ושל אחיה. באותו יום אימם התאבדה ואף אחד לא מוכן להסביר להם מדוע. הם גדלו עם אבא, סבתא וצבא של אומנות.
הדמויות כתובות נהדר, מעוררות הזדהות וסלידה בו זמנית. אבל, הסוף הפתלתל, שלפי דעתי היה חוסר כל הגיון, ממש הרס לי את הספר.
לא הרגשתי שקיבלתי תשובה מספקת לשאלות שעלו. זה יותר הרגיש כאילו אמה רוס כתבה את עצמה לתוך פינה שהיא לא ידעה איך לצאת ממנה. והכי חבל - אפשר היה לעשות את זה אחרת. אם הפחד היה שהסוף יהיה צפוי מידי, אז יש לי חדשות רעות, הוא עדיין צפוי אבל פחות הגיוני. אם רק היו מפוזרים יותר רמזים במהלך הסיפור במקום שתי שורות בסוף הספר הייתי יכולה לקבל את המהלך הסופי ביותר הבנה.
הדמויות כתובות נהדר, מעוררות הזדהות וסלידה בו זמנית. אבל, הסוף הפתלתל, שלפי דעתי היה חוסר כל הגיון, ממש הרס לי את הספר.
לא הרגשתי שקיבלתי תשובה מספקת לשאלות שעלו. זה יותר הרגיש כאילו אמה רוס כתבה את עצמה לתוך פינה שהיא לא ידעה איך לצאת ממנה. והכי חבל - אפשר היה לעשות את זה אחרת. אם הפחד היה שהסוף יהיה צפוי מידי, אז יש לי חדשות רעות, הוא עדיין צפוי אבל פחות הגיוני. אם רק היו מפוזרים יותר רמזים במהלך הסיפור במקום שתי שורות בסוף הספר הייתי יכולה לקבל את המהלך הסופי ביותר הבנה.
rmarcin's review against another edition
3.0
I felt this book did not live up to the hype around it. It was billed as suspenseful, but I never had any feeling of suspense. It was mildly mysterious regarding the events that were happening to Seraphine, but nothing truly suspenseful. I had most of the mystery figured out very early in the book, especially regarding the suspect behind the odd occurrences, plus the mystery of the babies.
I also felt the book went on a bit longer than necessary. It could have been edited to less than 300 pages in my opinion, giving it a crisper and more tense feel, making it a better mystery.
#TheAuPair #EmmaRous
I also felt the book went on a bit longer than necessary. It could have been edited to less than 300 pages in my opinion, giving it a crisper and more tense feel, making it a better mystery.
#TheAuPair #EmmaRous
1neverendingtbr's review against another edition
4.0
Received this book as an ARC from goodreads in exchange for a review.
It started out good. Captured me in quickly. I did start to get a bit bored as I continued but I was hooked and wanted to know the end. About half way it picked up again. I had this book pretty much figured out early on, then I’d thought I had it wrong but turns out I was right. There were some twists that I didn’t see coming. In the end I thought it was a great story. The ending was a bit unbelievable especially for the 90’s maybe the 40’s or 50’s. I don’t buy the ending for Laura. Doing what she did alone and not even knowing??? Nope.
It started out good. Captured me in quickly. I did start to get a bit bored as I continued but I was hooked and wanted to know the end. About half way it picked up again. I had this book pretty much figured out early on, then I’d thought I had it wrong but turns out I was right. There were some twists that I didn’t see coming. In the end I thought it was a great story. The ending was a bit unbelievable especially for the 90’s maybe the 40’s or 50’s. I don’t buy the ending for Laura. Doing what she did alone and not even knowing??? Nope.
juliette_21's review against another edition
5.0
This book is incredibly well written. The story builds up nicely and in a nice pace. The characters have so much personality about them and you really get to know them throughout the story.
The idea is original and the writing just shows how much work has gone into this book. There's details, descriptions and you just feel like you're in the house with the characters.
I really loved how this book introduced Séraphine and how we got to know her almost like she was a friend or a sister of ours.
There's drama, moments of sadness and moments of laughter and love.
This thriller has everything you need to enjoy a thriller, the plot is superb and there's enough twists to keep you hooked to the book from start to finish.
I never expected the book to end with the twist that happened, and even though I'd guessed the main idea, so many details added to the final revelation that realised what had happened at the end of the book.
A lovely book, a definite yes to this !
The idea is original and the writing just shows how much work has gone into this book. There's details, descriptions and you just feel like you're in the house with the characters.
I really loved how this book introduced Séraphine and how we got to know her almost like she was a friend or a sister of ours.
There's drama, moments of sadness and moments of laughter and love.
This thriller has everything you need to enjoy a thriller, the plot is superb and there's enough twists to keep you hooked to the book from start to finish.
I never expected the book to end with the twist that happened, and even though I'd guessed the main idea, so many details added to the final revelation that realised what had happened at the end of the book.
A lovely book, a definite yes to this !
beastreader's review against another edition
2.0
The premise of this book had me intrigued. The first opening chapter peaked my interest. I could not wait to read more. The next several chapters afterwards did keep my intrigue. Although, my excitement did not last long. While, I did finish the book, it was slow moving. In regards, to the characters in the story, they were fine but there was like a barrier that kept me from fully embracing the characters and getting emotionally connection to them.
The story flashes back from past to present. The past edged out the present just a little more. There is a small bright side and that is the last third of the story. It is the best and where the story picked up ground. Also, where all of the pieces came together. The ending was pretty good. Sadly, this book missed the mark for me.
The story flashes back from past to present. The past edged out the present just a little more. There is a small bright side and that is the last third of the story. It is the best and where the story picked up ground. Also, where all of the pieces came together. The ending was pretty good. Sadly, this book missed the mark for me.
mmc6661's review against another edition
4.0
The Summerbourne Twins seem to be cursed from the beginning when shortly after giving birth, their mother throws herself off the cliff behind their home of Summerbourne. The twins are now grown and Serephina hopes to always call Summerbourne her home. While her brothers are happy in their own lives she can never get over the feeling that she doesn't belong. Finding the only picture of her mother on the day the twins were born just complicates her feelings even more when the picture shows her mother and one baby. Why take a picture of only one of the twins and where was the other? Is it her or her brother in the picture and what happened after this to cause her mother to leap to her death so tragically right after giving birth?
The Au Pair had so many twists that it made my head spin! A fast paced suspense that kept me guessing right until the end. The secrets we hide, the lives we affect and how one decision can change so much. I will be watching for Emma Rous again.
The Au Pair had so many twists that it made my head spin! A fast paced suspense that kept me guessing right until the end. The secrets we hide, the lives we affect and how one decision can change so much. I will be watching for Emma Rous again.
dillcall's review against another edition
3.0
This book was definitely interesting. I would say the ending is relatively predictable, but the book overall was entertaining.