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peaknit's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the story on audio, it slowed down an already "ordinary" situation and made it seem more special somehow? I enjoyed the characters, as I usually do in Liane Moriarty's tales.
debmeg's review against another edition
3.0
On the one hand, such a good exploration of timeless themes. On the other hand, an incredibly irritating structure. Holding back 'what actually happened' until so far into the book, while watching the characters respond to said mysterious event... Irritating. Ugh. Still worth reading, with that caveat.
debmeg's review
3.0
On the one hand, such a good exploration of timeless themes. On the other hand, an incredibly irritating structure. Holding back 'what actually happened' until so far into the book, while watching the characters respond to said mysterious event... Irritating. Ugh. Still worth reading, with that caveat.
ede08's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I always have such a love-hate relationship with liane moriatys writing/books. Im like oh god why does that infetismal detail even matter? Can we just get to the point? God why is all this random crap thrown in? But then as the book progresses and Liane beautifully ties it together and gives a beautiful reflection on something, I love how thought provoking and deep it is. She is truly an incredible author who knows how to write 3D flawed, so human, characters and can really create in me the adrenaline pumping, obsessed feeling and attention capturing mindset that only thrillers and mysteries have been able to. Truly a delight everytime to read this book. I was thinking god this could ahve been way shorter but the last 10-20% really really made up for the first half of the barbeque of the barbeque but the barbeque. I truly couldnt have nad wouldnt have enjoyed this experience as much I did without the amazing narrator. Truly masterpiece because of both of them.
bookhatun's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
peterreadssadbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
baxter9's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.0
isahart7's review
4.0
I'm not sure why this book gets so much hate. I really like and appreciate how Moriarty builds a strong and compelling read. Sure there is a slow build up before everything is revealed but I didn't mind it, it actually pushed me to read this faster as I was curious to know the big secret and even after it was revealed, there were still smaller, deeper secrets being revealed. This is a story of three families dark secrets seeping into their lives and whether or not it will destroy them.
namitakhanna's review
4.0
I am a big fan of Liane Moriarty and even though this book was not as good as some of her other ones I still enjoyed every bit of it. She builds up the suspense beautifully and even though you might not like the characters you end up sympathizing with them.The characters were all well developed and the actions and emotions were very believable. For me overall 4 stars
rereader33's review
1.0
I will tell you right now, this is easily the most disappointing book I have ever read. Liane Moriarty is one of my favorite authors of all time; "Big Little Lies" is my second favorite book I have ever read, and while I knew that this wouldn't be able to top "Big Little Lies", it does not take away from how bad this story was.
The idea is that a group of neighbors have a bbq and during the bbq something terrible happens. Simple enough premise, I was on board. It is also worth mentioning that the jacket of the novel makes a point to tell the reader that the two main female characters are "best friends". I am saying this because upon reading this book, I never would have guessed these two were close friends simply because they seemed to be resentful of each other. Speaking of characters, they are what made this novel so difficult to read. Unlike her earlier works which sported flawed yet likeable characters, there were only two characters I ended up liking and I can't even remember their names. The "twist", a.k.a what actually happens at the bbq, ends up being fairly predictable. After the big reveal, the novel becomes incredibly predictable and the ending is unremarkable (endings is also one of Moriarty's strong suits in her previous novels).
Long story short, I have read "What Alice Forgot", "The Husband's Secret", "Big Little Lies", and now this novel, and this one is easily the weakest out of all of them. I cannot in good conscience recommend this novel to anyone, especially someone who loves her work as much as I do. Seriously, do not bother with this, it is not worth the time.
The idea is that a group of neighbors have a bbq and during the bbq something terrible happens. Simple enough premise, I was on board. It is also worth mentioning that the jacket of the novel makes a point to tell the reader that the two main female characters are "best friends". I am saying this because upon reading this book, I never would have guessed these two were close friends simply because they seemed to be resentful of each other. Speaking of characters, they are what made this novel so difficult to read. Unlike her earlier works which sported flawed yet likeable characters, there were only two characters I ended up liking and I can't even remember their names. The "twist", a.k.a what actually happens at the bbq, ends up being fairly predictable. After the big reveal, the novel becomes incredibly predictable and the ending is unremarkable (endings is also one of Moriarty's strong suits in her previous novels).
Long story short, I have read "What Alice Forgot", "The Husband's Secret", "Big Little Lies", and now this novel, and this one is easily the weakest out of all of them. I cannot in good conscience recommend this novel to anyone, especially someone who loves her work as much as I do. Seriously, do not bother with this, it is not worth the time.