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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
im a sucker for a thriller. i can't help myself. i think this was definitely one of the better thrillers i've read recently.
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charlie is in her senior year and is invited to a secret society and it brings up her past of her mother's disappearance and another kid that died at the school several years ago. these types of thrillers where it is alternating in the past and present aren't my favorite and seemed to be more common these days. this book had POVs with charlie in the present, and her father and mother in the past. i felt like it was too obvious how the mysteries connected and when you have this much going on, i feel like it's easier to piece it together. with one mystery, i feel like you can go in different ways but with multiple mysteries, they have to connect so i feel like it restraints you on what you can do. anyways, nothing shocked me in this book and please stop having half-assed romances in these books because greyson and charlie were predictable but there was no romantic chemistry at all. i knew the author would force them together because *awhh their mothers are besties* but it wasn't good.
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charlie is in her senior year and is invited to a secret society and it brings up her past of her mother's disappearance and another kid that died at the school several years ago. these types of thrillers where it is alternating in the past and present aren't my favorite and seemed to be more common these days. this book had POVs with charlie in the present, and her father and mother in the past. i felt like it was too obvious how the mysteries connected and when you have this much going on, i feel like it's easier to piece it together. with one mystery, i feel like you can go in different ways but with multiple mysteries, they have to connect so i feel like it restraints you on what you can do. anyways, nothing shocked me in this book and please stop having half-assed romances in these books because greyson and charlie were predictable but there was no romantic chemistry at all. i knew the author would force them together because *awhh their mothers are besties* but it wasn't good.
This book was phenomenal and I still cannot believe it is Klehfoth's debut!!
All These Beautiful Strangers follows Charlie Calloway, a 17-year-old privileged, rich teen. Her father, Alistair Calloway, comes from a very wealthy upper-class family who bring all the classic rich stereotypes to life. They are stuck up and full of secrets.
Her mother disappeared ten years before the book starts, leaving a lot of unanswered questions and brewing up scandalous rumours.
In a short summary, we follow Charlie through her Junior year at her prestigious boarding school, Knollwood. An invitation to join the secretive society of Knollwood causes Charlie to land herself in a web of lies, secrets and costly challenges that question her morals and character. But the secrets could lead her to the answer she's been craving her whole life: What happened to her mother?
The other two protagonists in this book are Alistair (her father) and Grace (her mother). Their perspectives provide the missing pieces that would not have been provided by Charlie, and let us dive into the past, collecting much needed information.
Grace's point of view is gut wrenching and tear-jerking - I found myself crying at some of her chapters. I really loved how she wasn't just the 'Missing Mum'. We got to know the real Grace and her character was beautifully developed. Her perspectives really made this book a five star read and made this novel heartbreaking but wonderful.
I absolutely loved the boarding school setting and the privileged characters with all their secrets. I found all the characters to be well rounded, complex and wonderfully developed. Klehfoth did a brilliant job and I cannot praise her enough.
The mystery element to this book had to be well done, since that was the main pitch of the book. Was it well done? YES.
We are following Charlie as she picks at her family's past and little clues are given along the way. I had so much fun forming my own conclusions with every new piece of evidence.
I did have my small suspicions, but I was not prepared for the ending and it took my breath away.
I had so many questions but they were all answered when I turned the page and read the Epilogue, which was the cherry on top of a great ending.
As for character development, I really wanted to see Charlie get some well-needed character development, as she was slightly unlikable during the first half of the book. She was very self-centred and judgemental. The character development came towards the end of the book and I was delighted. It was great to see Charlie grow and find herself. I love, love, loved how she changed her perspective on life and changed herself for the better.
I also loved how different the two sides of Charlie's family were. The Calloways were your stereotypical rich, stuck-up assholes and the Fairchilds were your cosy, warm family. They were so different but they worked so well together.
I would have liked to have seen more from Serephina, Charlie's younger sister, but her absence during most of the book didn't really affect the story.
This book is now my favourite of 2018 - absolutely brilliant! The plot, characters, setting all a 10/10 for me.
Before going into this book, be mindful of the trigger warnings for sexual assault and abuse.
All These Beautiful Strangers follows Charlie Calloway, a 17-year-old privileged, rich teen. Her father, Alistair Calloway, comes from a very wealthy upper-class family who bring all the classic rich stereotypes to life. They are stuck up and full of secrets.
Her mother disappeared ten years before the book starts, leaving a lot of unanswered questions and brewing up scandalous rumours.
In a short summary, we follow Charlie through her Junior year at her prestigious boarding school, Knollwood. An invitation to join the secretive society of Knollwood causes Charlie to land herself in a web of lies, secrets and costly challenges that question her morals and character. But the secrets could lead her to the answer she's been craving her whole life: What happened to her mother?
The other two protagonists in this book are Alistair (her father) and Grace (her mother). Their perspectives provide the missing pieces that would not have been provided by Charlie, and let us dive into the past, collecting much needed information.
Grace's point of view is gut wrenching and tear-jerking - I found myself crying at some of her chapters. I really loved how she wasn't just the 'Missing Mum'. We got to know the real Grace and her character was beautifully developed. Her perspectives really made this book a five star read and made this novel heartbreaking but wonderful.
I absolutely loved the boarding school setting and the privileged characters with all their secrets. I found all the characters to be well rounded, complex and wonderfully developed. Klehfoth did a brilliant job and I cannot praise her enough.
The mystery element to this book had to be well done, since that was the main pitch of the book. Was it well done? YES.
We are following Charlie as she picks at her family's past and little clues are given along the way. I had so much fun forming my own conclusions with every new piece of evidence.
I did have my small suspicions, but I was not prepared for the ending and it took my breath away.
I had so many questions but they were all answered when I turned the page and read the Epilogue, which was the cherry on top of a great ending.
As for character development, I really wanted to see Charlie get some well-needed character development, as she was slightly unlikable during the first half of the book. She was very self-centred and judgemental. The character development came towards the end of the book and I was delighted. It was great to see Charlie grow and find herself. I love, love, loved how she changed her perspective on life and changed herself for the better.
I also loved how different the two sides of Charlie's family were. The Calloways were your stereotypical rich, stuck-up assholes and the Fairchilds were your cosy, warm family. They were so different but they worked so well together.
I would have liked to have seen more from Serephina, Charlie's younger sister, but her absence during most of the book didn't really affect the story.
This book is now my favourite of 2018 - absolutely brilliant! The plot, characters, setting all a 10/10 for me.
Before going into this book, be mindful of the trigger warnings for sexual assault and abuse.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The lack of diversity in the characters as well the character's unloveableness is part of why the book funtion... Mostly don't want to say more, because the book functions more if you don't know more than the blub
Enjoyed this quick summer read. Had mystery and suspense. If you like movies or books like "the skulls" you will probably like this.
i genuinely have no memory of what happened in this book. none. no idea. i’m sure it was fine, and i have a vague sense that it wasn’t awful but i literally could not tell you a thing about this
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dnf at 25%. I couldn't go on. It wasn't appealing at all. I don't even care how it ends.