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lori_vols's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic story. I've read alot of unreliable narrator books lately...It was so nice to have a simple, straightforward story-line. The writing was beautifully crafted, and the story rather unique. I found it interesting that the author chose to highlight both sides of a controversial issue (the tendency of doctors to tightly control opiod pain medications such as oxycontin). The author mentioned the pros and the cons of this issue, which was a unique and fresh way to write a novel. This book definitely kept me entertained. It's one to read, for sure.
bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so messed up--and I mean that as a compliment. Look past the spoiler tag at your own peril.
So I have to say, I admire how the author took me down the rabbit hole from there. This book nudged me just enough to make me feeling increasingly uneasy about Emma, until it finally pushed me straight over the edge. Then what kept me going was my hope that Nate would finally realize that Emma was manipulating him, that she was not exactly a model person for Josh to look up to, and that Nate would do the right thing in the end. I kept hoping this right up until that hope was crushed.
In some ways, the book isn't satisfying because I wanted Emma to get what was coming to her. She's a black hole, and I cared so much about Josh as a character I didn't want her to get away with her crimes. Finishing it disappointed me because I envisioned all kinds of bad things in Josh's future. There are a lot of victims in this book, and Josh is most definitely one of them.
But from a literary standpoint, I admired this book, as I always tend to do with fiction driven by dark characters. I always get more out of books that leave me uncomfortable, that make me think a lot about what I'd do if I were in the character's shoes. I certainly would not do what Emma had done, but I thought the author did an excellent job of unfolding events before me such that it wasn't a surprise to me to witness Emma's fall.
Spoiler
Initially, I could understand where Emma was coming from, and how, in her head, doing what she did was necessary. That doesn't mean it's something I'd do, but I thought the author did a good job of setting up the dilemma and making Emma's choice believable.So I have to say, I admire how the author took me down the rabbit hole from there. This book nudged me just enough to make me feeling increasingly uneasy about Emma, until it finally pushed me straight over the edge. Then what kept me going was my hope that Nate would finally realize that Emma was manipulating him, that she was not exactly a model person for Josh to look up to, and that Nate would do the right thing in the end. I kept hoping this right up until that hope was crushed.
In some ways, the book isn't satisfying because I wanted Emma to get what was coming to her. She's a black hole, and I cared so much about Josh as a character I didn't want her to get away with her crimes. Finishing it disappointed me because I envisioned all kinds of bad things in Josh's future. There are a lot of victims in this book, and Josh is most definitely one of them.
But from a literary standpoint, I admired this book, as I always tend to do with fiction driven by dark characters. I always get more out of books that leave me uncomfortable, that make me think a lot about what I'd do if I were in the character's shoes. I certainly would not do what Emma had done, but I thought the author did an excellent job of unfolding events before me such that it wasn't a surprise to me to witness Emma's fall.
deetour8's review against another edition
2.0
The story begins with Emma, who has what seems like the perfect life. She helps people every day at work as a doctor, is happily married to Nate, a detective, and has a sweet son, Josh. But when Josh is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer her world is turned upside down. To save his life she must come up with $98,000 in two weeks because insurance won't pay for it. She turns to her old flame, who was also her brother Ben's best friend when they where teenagers until Ben got arrested for possession. Together the three of them start an opioid ring to get the money needed to save Josh's life while Nate is put on the case to put an end to the opioid crisis.
This book is very relevant to the current opioid crisis and touches on the various ways that the system is failing American society, and how easily anyone can get addicted. However, it's lacking in various ways leaving the story flat. The characters aren't built enough for the reader to truly care about them and the plot comes to obvious conclusions throughout. It was a struggle to finish the book because of these two aspects.
This book is very relevant to the current opioid crisis and touches on the various ways that the system is failing American society, and how easily anyone can get addicted. However, it's lacking in various ways leaving the story flat. The characters aren't built enough for the reader to truly care about them and the plot comes to obvious conclusions throughout. It was a struggle to finish the book because of these two aspects.
booklover28's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
romanici's review against another edition
3.0
Not well-written; dialogue seemed forced and the story was very choppy. It was fast-paced, else it would’ve been even less stars.
beckimoody29's review against another edition
4.0
This was a difficult review because I read it in less than a day so readability and suspense is about a 5. However, I HATED the ending and want to give it a 1.
It is important to note that I really disliked Breaking Bad. I never thought Walter White was a sympathetic character and wanted him to die a horrible gruesome death, preferably in prison somewhere. That may color part of my reactions. I do appreciate the efforts to present a more balanced view of the opioid crisis and a refusal to demonize addicts. I work with many addicts and the issue is incredibly complex.
I felt that Emma was believable as presented due to her traumatic past -- her devotion to her ideas of family and her inability to let anyone get close to her. Yet I found it difficult to reconcile her claim that Nate was the only one who had ever made her feel safe with her willingness to lie to him and put him in constant danger.
I am struggling with the ending. Obviously it isn't a happy ending so maybe that is why it stopped where it did. Realistically, she will not live happily ever after, so maybe I can just project my own ending out a few months. I just wanted justice for the lives she had ruined and felt a little cheated. But the fact that I cared means the book did what it was supposed to so I guess I will bump it back up to a 4 star.
It is important to note that I really disliked Breaking Bad. I never thought Walter White was a sympathetic character and wanted him to die a horrible gruesome death, preferably in prison somewhere. That may color part of my reactions. I do appreciate the efforts to present a more balanced view of the opioid crisis and a refusal to demonize addicts. I work with many addicts and the issue is incredibly complex.
I felt that Emma was believable as presented due to her traumatic past -- her devotion to her ideas of family and her inability to let anyone get close to her. Yet I found it difficult to reconcile her claim that Nate was the only one who had ever made her feel safe with her willingness to lie to him and put him in constant danger.
I am struggling with the ending. Obviously it isn't a happy ending so maybe that is why it stopped where it did. Realistically, she will not live happily ever after, so maybe I can just project my own ending out a few months. I just wanted justice for the lives she had ruined and felt a little cheated. But the fact that I cared means the book did what it was supposed to so I guess I will bump it back up to a 4 star.
thebooktroup's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for a free galley of this book in exchange for my honest review. I enjoyed The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald so was really looking forward to digging into Do No Harm. The premise of this crime thriller sounded promising but unfortunately it was very disappointing. The plot wasn't plausible, every twist felt like such a leap, and even the dialogue/relationships amongst the characters felt contrived. As a mom who would literally do almost anything for my own children, I surprisingly felt zero connection to the main character, Emma. If I didn't owe a review for this book, it would have been a DNF at the halfway point. It took me several attempts to finish this book because I kept falling asleep.
jcwlib's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I added this book to my TBR in 2021 and it has sat there ever since. Which surprised me, because three years ago my oldest children would have been close in age to the main character’s son.
Reading this backlist book now, felt a little less dramatic as I have read other books recently with a similar mother will do anything for kid theme.
I wasn’t a fan of the main character, but having her husband investigating right behind her added some drama and intensity to the book.
If you are looking for a fictional story with “ripped from the headlines” themes - this book is a good one. The opioid crisis is front and center.
I have another of this author’s books on my list this year and I am also curious to read some of her more recent novels as well.
I read this book as part of the #clearmybackbacklist challenge.
rmarcin's review against another edition
5.0
Dr. Emma Sweeney is happily married to police detective, Nate, and mom to kindergartener, Josh. When Josh is diagnosed with leukemia, and needs expensive life saving treatment, she makes a life-changing decision to do whatever it takes to save her child. Her decision crashes into Nate’s investigation into a opioid drug ring and several murders, leading to devastating consequences.
Heart-wrenching, raw, and surprising, this is a novel I will remember for a long time.
Heart-wrenching, raw, and surprising, this is a novel I will remember for a long time.