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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
A woman returns home after being in prison for crimes that she took the fall because of her con family. She has had three years to plot her revenge. This wasn’t exactly how some of the descriptions explained, but I still had fun reading it. I would actually have liked it to be a little longer to really wrap up some characters. This was all drama with a little romance in there. The romance was a little instant love for me (one of my least favorite troupes). It wasn’t the focal point at all which in my option was a good choice.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was wonderful and definitely built up the sexual tension between the characters beautifully. While it only spans a few days, the way it is written seemed like a months long story unfolding. The author did a great job of mild suspense throughout.
This one was fairly slow to start and then just when it really started picking up and I was enjoying it, it was over.
https://smexybooks.com/2023/04/review-moorewood-family-rules-by-helenkay-dimon.html
I’m not sure what I expected when I picked this book up, and after having read it I still don’t know what genre it should be classified under. Maybe WF? Maybe like WF with a touch of mystery? I’m not really sure. I will say this is a fast, fun, light read even with the darker elements that are layered in.
When the book first opens it introduces Jillian Moorewood, fresh out of prison and surprising her family by helicoptering into the family estate right in the middle of a society luncheon. She’s pissed and has some surprises up her sleeve on how she plans to handle her disreputable family and their shenanigans. This is a family of conmen who can’t seem to go legit, not that they really want to, and Jillian is done. They’ll clean up their act, or be cut off.
I zipped right through this novel, the pacing stays steady, with shorter chapters, and it was so easy to keep flipping pages until I reached the end. Jillian is the main POV, but several chapters have her cousin as the narrator, which means you never quite know what’s going on or who the culprit out to end Jillian really is. Despite the lightness of the dialogue, there are some deep themes throughout, with huge revelations of Jillian’s mother’s backstory toward the end. It’s kind of a shock to the senses when you read it. Yes, I knew these were horrible people who had done some horrible things, but I guess the admission of just how Sonya died surprised me, as well as the flippant way it was brought up in conversation by Jillian’s family.
There is a romance, with some closed-door love scenes. But it’s pretty light, and there isn’t a whole lot of lovey-dovey romance between Jillian and Beck, who also happens to be her bodyguard. They fall for each other while he’s protecting her, which I didn’t really buy into, but appreciated the potential HEA for at least one of these characters.
The ending was quick, and weirdly enough without a huge amount of drama, which I had expected. I enjoyed it, but didn’t love. Although, I do think readers looking for a lighter suspense novel, with dysfunctional characters will be interested.
Grade- C
Content notes- Mentions of- cancer, suicide, off-page death of family members, murder, PTSD
I’m not sure what I expected when I picked this book up, and after having read it I still don’t know what genre it should be classified under. Maybe WF? Maybe like WF with a touch of mystery? I’m not really sure. I will say this is a fast, fun, light read even with the darker elements that are layered in.
When the book first opens it introduces Jillian Moorewood, fresh out of prison and surprising her family by helicoptering into the family estate right in the middle of a society luncheon. She’s pissed and has some surprises up her sleeve on how she plans to handle her disreputable family and their shenanigans. This is a family of conmen who can’t seem to go legit, not that they really want to, and Jillian is done. They’ll clean up their act, or be cut off.
I zipped right through this novel, the pacing stays steady, with shorter chapters, and it was so easy to keep flipping pages until I reached the end. Jillian is the main POV, but several chapters have her cousin as the narrator, which means you never quite know what’s going on or who the culprit out to end Jillian really is. Despite the lightness of the dialogue, there are some deep themes throughout, with huge revelations of Jillian’s mother’s backstory toward the end. It’s kind of a shock to the senses when you read it. Yes, I knew these were horrible people who had done some horrible things, but I guess the admission of just how Sonya died surprised me, as well as the flippant way it was brought up in conversation by Jillian’s family.
There is a romance, with some closed-door love scenes. But it’s pretty light, and there isn’t a whole lot of lovey-dovey romance between Jillian and Beck, who also happens to be her bodyguard. They fall for each other while he’s protecting her, which I didn’t really buy into, but appreciated the potential HEA for at least one of these characters.
The ending was quick, and weirdly enough without a huge amount of drama, which I had expected. I enjoyed it, but didn’t love. Although, I do think readers looking for a lighter suspense novel, with dysfunctional characters will be interested.
Grade- C
Content notes- Mentions of- cancer, suicide, off-page death of family members, murder, PTSD
This story pulled me in from the start. This family puts the “fun” is dysfunctional. With an entire family of characters to love to hate, I dove into the twisted history of the Moorewoods. I’m not sure how to describe this page-turning family drama/comedy except to say that I read it in a day and loved this zany family’s story. It has elements of family drama, humor, and romance and is easily one of my favorite reads this year.
The writing is clumsy, the characters all have the same snarky personality, and the change in narrator is inconsistent and unnecessary. So much of Jillian's inner musings on guilt and revenge could've been edited out and saved me 50 pages. And for a family that prided itself on their griftting talents, no one double checked each other's research into the marks. Sounded like Jillian checked up on Beck and didn't check up on Beck and gets into a whirlwind romance in the middle of her revenge fantasy. Did not like this one
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I rarely give book 1 star. The last 1 star book I read was 10 years ago and usually the lowest star that I give is 1,5 to 2 stars. However, Moorewood Family Rules kinda break the pattern. I think the biggest letdown about this book is because its marketed as Knives Out meet Ocean's Eight (or Eleven or whatev). I watch Knives Out and the mystery that surround dysfunctional family was totally my forte. Even Ocean's Eight also fun to watch and the only similarities that Moorewood Family Rules have with that movie is both the heroine just come out from prison.
This book is not fun to read.
Usually I don't mind to read about dysfunctional family, but that not the case with Moorewood. I admit the introductions and the family interactions at first was interesting and funny. But then, I just don't really care. TStory was boring and the plot seems jumbled. Jay and his daughters are more compelling compared to Jillian. The mystery is nowhere to be seen. The family drama was insufferable to read. The romance? Blah, a little to almost none chemistry between Jillian and her bodyguard, Beck. I don't mind insta-lust or the fade to black sex scene, but they really have no chemistry or zings whatsoever. Their bantering just feel flat. I feel that Beck's characterization also flat and I don't really care about him at all. The big reveal about who make Jillian go to prison also not that big at all. The culprit who targeted Jillian's life also laughable. The ending is too simple. For all the wuss and fuss also ultimatum that Jillian give to Jay and his daughters, the lack of drama in the end was disappointing
Conclusion: This book is boring. With capital B.
The only good thing about this book is the cover, lol. And I also buy the e-book in sale version, so I'm happy I didn't waste money to buy the physical copy.
This book is not fun to read.
Usually I don't mind to read about dysfunctional family, but that not the case with Moorewood. I admit the introductions and the family interactions at first was interesting and funny. But then, I just don't really care. TStory was boring and the plot seems jumbled. Jay and his daughters are more compelling compared to Jillian. The mystery is nowhere to be seen. The family drama was insufferable to read. The romance? Blah, a little to almost none chemistry between Jillian and her bodyguard, Beck. I don't mind insta-lust or the fade to black sex scene, but they really have no chemistry or zings whatsoever. Their bantering just feel flat. I feel that Beck's characterization also flat and I don't really care about him at all. The big reveal about who make Jillian go to prison also not that big at all. The culprit who targeted Jillian's life also laughable. The ending is too simple. For all the wuss and fuss also ultimatum that Jillian give to Jay and his daughters, the lack of drama in the end was disappointing
Conclusion: This book is boring. With capital B.
The only good thing about this book is the cover, lol. And I also buy the e-book in sale version, so I'm happy I didn't waste money to buy the physical copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Gaslighting
Moderate: Suicide, Car accident, Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated