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proseandshows's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, if it wasn't for the spice and this being a buddy read I may not have finished it. Most characters felt a little lackluster I didn't love the writing style.
I was most interested in two of the characters and would've gladly sacrificed quite a bit of other content to be able to get more of them.
All that said, the concept was entertaining and I'm excited to see how this author evolves.
Enjoyment: 3/5
Tabs: 18
Writing style: 2.5/5
Pace: 4/5
Storyline: 4/5
Main characters: 2.5/5
Supporting cast: 2.5/5
Spice: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Angst: 1/5
Darkness: 2.5/5
Humor: 1/5
Depth of book: 3/5
POV: 1st, dual
Triggers: grief, murder, psychopathy
I was most interested in two of the characters and would've gladly sacrificed quite a bit of other content to be able to get more of them.
All that said, the concept was entertaining and I'm excited to see how this author evolves.
Enjoyment: 3/5
Tabs: 18
Writing style: 2.5/5
Pace: 4/5
Storyline: 4/5
Main characters: 2.5/5
Supporting cast: 2.5/5
Spice: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Angst: 1/5
Darkness: 2.5/5
Humor: 1/5
Depth of book: 3/5
POV: 1st, dual
Triggers: grief, murder, psychopathy
amandabethslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so freaking good! I'm giving four stars because I feel like once you hit a certain point in the book that the rest of the story was fairly predictable, but gosh this story was amazing and the writing was five star quality. It had me absolutely hooked throughout (I read it in one sitting) and the intertwined storylines between Sam, his sister and the people they met along the way were almost addicting. Some parts of the story literally had me gasping in shock at what was happening. So much steam and so much drama that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the last page.
kmazzilli's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
whatsbethanyreading's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
happyswanny's review
5.0
Do you enjoy books that are mysterious and intriguing from beginning to end but that also have smutty scenes? If that is the case, The Acts of Life is the perfect read for you.
Read this if you:
✔ Enjoy smutty scenes
✔ Want a captivating read
✔ Like a jaw-dropping mysterious ending
This book started off pretty weird for me. I felt like the main character Sam was a total jerk and hung out with his total assholes friends. There was also a bit too much steam for my personal taste. I think there is a fine line between steamy scenes and porn scenes and the scenes in this book were a bit over the line. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against porn, but if I want that I know where to find it. I’m just not looking for it in books.
But, despite the weird start and my personal tastes, I decided to give it a chance hoping that it will turn out to be more than a shallow story. And boy, am I glad I went on with it.
After the first 25% of the novel, the main characters began growing and showing their personalities more and more. I enjoyed the game between Sam and Harper and I was curious to see where it would lead them.
Stella, Sam’s twin sister, is also an important character of this book and I enjoyed being a witness of their sibling relationship’s road. It wasn’t an enjoyable thing to read about as they were both flawed and their relationship was breaking more and more each day. I found Stella very malicious, vengeful and manipulative. I hope I’ll never meet a person as shallow as her in real life.
But despite how I felt about all the characters and despite all the mistakes they made, I still enjoyed the book because they were all realistic, broken and relatable characters. I might not have liked them very much but I can admit that they were very well built.
The second half of the book was super captivating. I couldn’t put it down. There was twist after twist and I always wondered “What in the actual fuck could happen next?!”
I absolutely adored the POV switch. It was a great surprise and a very much needed insight in another character’s mind.
The ending was jaw-dropping and I can’t help but wonder whether there will be a sequel.
For a debut novel of a bookstagrammer turned author, I think it was very well written and I applaud Kristin for delivering such a captivating and suspenseful novel.
With the mention that some things might not be to everyone’s taste, I absolutely recommend this book if you’re looking for an unputdownable romantic suspense.
Read this if you:
✔ Enjoy smutty scenes
✔ Want a captivating read
✔ Like a jaw-dropping mysterious ending
This book started off pretty weird for me. I felt like the main character Sam was a total jerk and hung out with his total assholes friends. There was also a bit too much steam for my personal taste. I think there is a fine line between steamy scenes and porn scenes and the scenes in this book were a bit over the line. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against porn, but if I want that I know where to find it. I’m just not looking for it in books.
But, despite the weird start and my personal tastes, I decided to give it a chance hoping that it will turn out to be more than a shallow story. And boy, am I glad I went on with it.
After the first 25% of the novel, the main characters began growing and showing their personalities more and more. I enjoyed the game between Sam and Harper and I was curious to see where it would lead them.
Stella, Sam’s twin sister, is also an important character of this book and I enjoyed being a witness of their sibling relationship’s road. It wasn’t an enjoyable thing to read about as they were both flawed and their relationship was breaking more and more each day. I found Stella very malicious, vengeful and manipulative. I hope I’ll never meet a person as shallow as her in real life.
But despite how I felt about all the characters and despite all the mistakes they made, I still enjoyed the book because they were all realistic, broken and relatable characters. I might not have liked them very much but I can admit that they were very well built.
The second half of the book was super captivating. I couldn’t put it down. There was twist after twist and I always wondered “What in the actual fuck could happen next?!”
I absolutely adored the POV switch. It was a great surprise and a very much needed insight in another character’s mind.
The ending was jaw-dropping and I can’t help but wonder whether there will be a sequel.
For a debut novel of a bookstagrammer turned author, I think it was very well written and I applaud Kristin for delivering such a captivating and suspenseful novel.
With the mention that some things might not be to everyone’s taste, I absolutely recommend this book if you’re looking for an unputdownable romantic suspense.
prose_beforehoes's review
5.0
This book is sick and twisted and had me questioning everything I knew. And I LOVED it.
Secrets, betrayal, revenge plans, and PLOT TWISTS galore.
Secrets, betrayal, revenge plans, and PLOT TWISTS galore.
exercise_read_repeat_ali's review
4.0
4.5 ⭐️ Definitely go into this book blind- I did, and I’m so glad I did. Part romance, part suspense, this book is quick and fun to read. Kristen is an incredible writer, and I was immediately impressed by the well-executed plot. At times, the dialogue among the men (particularly when talking about women) got a bit crude, but I guess that that’s (sadly) how some grown men are
nells_novels's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
"Am I in an episode of All My Children? What’s with all the secrets?"
Sam Evans and his twin sister Stella have a pretty close relationship, even when it's a little difficult to like each other sometimes. After all they've been through, they know they can always depend on one another. Even when they both keep their own secrets.
Stella lives in LA with her boyfriend, Nathaniel, and her life is perfect. Or so she says. Sam lives alone in San Francisco and works in law part time. He's not into relationships, at least not until he meets the gorgeous and wonderful Harper. Upon hearing about Sam's new relationship and not one to be one-upped (ever), Stella continues to rave about how happy she is in her relationship, her career, and her life in general. Things are perfect. But Sam has a feeling that something isn't right. Sure, Stella is one to embellish and need the spotlight, but she can't be lying about that much, can't she?
Harper may be new in Sam's life, but she helps Sam as he navigates his life and his relationship with his sister. Could Harper actually be the one he has been waiting for? And will Stella have it in her to just be happy for her twin brother?
--
I went into The Acts of Life blind to the plot and the characters. I knew nothing except that it was written by a fellow Bookstagrammer.
We're brought right smack-dab into Sam's life at the beginning of the book and the spice kicks off right away. But I was a bit confused as to what the plot was, to start. It took me awhile to get into the story, but once it popped off in the intermission, it kept popping off. I zipped through the last 35% of this book in what felt like no time. Although I predicted quite a few of the twists early on, I appreciated the shift in perspective at the end. Loose ends were tied and I was left with an eerie feeling about what was going to happen next.
Overall, a good dark, twisty romance.
Read if you like: sibling rivalries, rich Californians, quickies, and snooping.
Sam Evans and his twin sister Stella have a pretty close relationship, even when it's a little difficult to like each other sometimes. After all they've been through, they know they can always depend on one another. Even when they both keep their own secrets.
Stella lives in LA with her boyfriend, Nathaniel, and her life is perfect. Or so she says. Sam lives alone in San Francisco and works in law part time. He's not into relationships, at least not until he meets the gorgeous and wonderful Harper. Upon hearing about Sam's new relationship and not one to be one-upped (ever), Stella continues to rave about how happy she is in her relationship, her career, and her life in general. Things are perfect. But Sam has a feeling that something isn't right. Sure, Stella is one to embellish and need the spotlight, but she can't be lying about that much, can't she?
Harper may be new in Sam's life, but she helps Sam as he navigates his life and his relationship with his sister. Could Harper actually be the one he has been waiting for? And will Stella have it in her to just be happy for her twin brother?
--
I went into The Acts of Life blind to the plot and the characters. I knew nothing except that it was written by a fellow Bookstagrammer.
We're brought right smack-dab into Sam's life at the beginning of the book and the spice kicks off right away. But I was a bit confused as to what the plot was, to start. It took me awhile to get into the story, but once it popped off in the intermission, it kept popping off. I zipped through the last 35% of this book in what felt like no time. Although I predicted quite a few of the twists early on, I appreciated the shift in perspective at the end. Loose ends were tied and I was left with an eerie feeling about what was going to happen next.
Overall, a good dark, twisty romance.
Read if you like: sibling rivalries, rich Californians, quickies, and snooping.