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jess_mango's review against another edition
3.0
The Half Sister is not quite a thriller (until perhaps the last 1/4 of the book). It is more of a family drama. Lauren and her sister Kate both live in the London area with the husbands. Their father passed away in the past year and their mom Rose now lives alone. One day when Lauren and Kate are at their mother's house a young woman, Jess, shows up claiming to be the daughter of their dad. The ladies are shocked to hear that they may have a half sister that they never knew about. Lauren is more accepting of the idea, but Kate, who is a journalist is suspicious and begins digging around. It turns out that Lauren submitted her DNA to a genealogy website and that is what put them on Jess' radar.
The story alternated between Kate and Lauren's perspective. The sisters become estranged after Jess shows up. They didn't ever really see eye to eye but things get worse. Both sisters envy the other's life. Meanwhile, Kate is desperate to have a child and is undergoing IVF...while Lauren hides that fact that her husband is cruel and mean to her.
If you go in thinking of this as a family drama vs. a thriller you will probably enjoy it more. The story itself was interesting but the pacing was a little slow. The pace picked up in the last 1/3 of the book when all the skeletons started coming out of the closets.
3.5 stars
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The story alternated between Kate and Lauren's perspective. The sisters become estranged after Jess shows up. They didn't ever really see eye to eye but things get worse. Both sisters envy the other's life. Meanwhile, Kate is desperate to have a child and is undergoing IVF...while Lauren hides that fact that her husband is cruel and mean to her.
If you go in thinking of this as a family drama vs. a thriller you will probably enjoy it more. The story itself was interesting but the pacing was a little slow. The pace picked up in the last 1/3 of the book when all the skeletons started coming out of the closets.
3.5 stars
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
booksandcoffeewithlexi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Infertility, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent, Murder, and Violence
khaleesimod93's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
Very disappointing read. It was more of a family drama than a thriller, which is not my favorite genre of books. I found the plot to be boring and overused. There was nothing that made me want to keep reading. Lauren and Kate were not likable characters. I felt for Kate and her struggling with infertility, but other than that, both her and Lauren were two-dimensional characters. Simon was an ass and I couldn't stand reading how he treated Lauren. Rose was also just ugh! I hated this book 😑
monicat321's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Good book! Easy read so fast to get thru. Used "wide-eyed" way too much. Story line kept me engaged and interested.
juliathorp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
meghan_rasnake's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mary00's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars
This book was a page turner that kept me engaged (on audio), but I spent a lot of the book feeling frustrated at the main characters and their poor choices.
This book was a page turner that kept me engaged (on audio), but I spent a lot of the book feeling frustrated at the main characters and their poor choices.
karen07112000's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0