Reviews

I wasn’t sure I was going to get into this one when I first started reading it, but by 25% in, boy was I wrong. I couldn’t put it down and whenever I had to I was thinking about picking it up again. Fantastic characters, all built solidly over the story. All so human, I got very attached to so many of them, particularly Duchess, Dolly, Hal and Walk. A great story with so many twists and turns, quite a few of which I didn’t see coming! So much happened in the story it feels like the book should have a higher page count, but none of it felt rushed - in fact, it was (dare I say) perfect because it didn’t drag at all either. I get so paranoid about giving spoilers so I won’t write another word!

novelette's review against another edition

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4.0

I hated this book for the first part. And then...not.

mmillerotr's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad

4.0

missyjohnson's review against another edition

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4.0

Heartbreaking story of how we may jump to conclusions about people or situations and without having all of the information be so very wrong. It is also a story of how keeping silent and trying to protect others may lead to consequences never intended. It is the story of family.
The author did a good job of developing the characters and making them real people.
Walk becomes police chief of his small town in California, his best friend
Vincent King is imprisoned for manslaughter of his girlfriends sister whom he hit with a car
Martha becomes an attorney
Star is Vincent’s girlfriend and tortured soul and the mother of Duchess and Robin
Hal is the grandfather with unbelievable patience. His ability to be patient with Duchess and her anger was saintly.
The convoluted path of this story were heartbreaking. It was heartbreaking because it was so believable that each situation could actually happen. Who hit who? Who damaged someone’s property, why could some never get past high school and the boxes that we put folks into.

elisahari's review against another edition

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sad slow-paced

1.5

sandysmith's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I'm gradually adding books I've read in 2021 to give a true reflection of the books I've read since keeping records. This was the first book I read in 2021, and is what kick started my reading journey having put reading on the back burner whilst bringing up the children, previously being an avid reader. A great read. I really loved 13 year old Duchess Radley, such an amazing character and her relationship with her brother Robin was wonderfully written. It's a thriller who dunit which I loved. Murder, redemption, life long friendships, relationship and forgiveness. Intertwined stories, a murder that Vincent King is in prison for. Star is Robin and Duchess's mum and the sister of the victim. It does show how crime affects families. A super read

Content Warnings

katievgood's review against another edition

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5.0

Character development in this book was on par. I loved Duchess and found myself laughing out loud several times while listening to this one. I highly recommend this to all my friends.

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