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3.04 AVERAGE
3.04 AVERAGE
I am going to be very honest in this review. I did not finish this book, I got to 60% of the way through and decided it was not worth my time. I know an ARC is meant to be an exchange for an honest review and the honest review is that I did not was to finish this book.
My issues can be outlined can be outlined in two main areas: characters and the story itself.
Characters:
Richard is our protagonist who owns a French bnb from where a guest goes missing under mysterious circumstances. Richard then gets roped into trying to solve this mystery with the help of another guest, Valerie. Richard himself is an incredibly hard character to like. He’s very much a push over to the extent where it is quite pathetic. Every time he seems to try and stand up for himself, it lasts for all of two seconds before he immediately crumples. He also whines continuously about being dragged along on this mystery to the point where it is incredibly annoying.
Now moving onto Valerie. Valerie is the guest who essentially drags Richard into this mystery, and completely inserts herself into this narrative. She too is a very unlikeable character. Her audacity is unparalleled. For example, when someone connected to the mystery asks to stay at Richard’s bnb, she immediately says yes despite the fact that she’s known Richard for all of two seconds and it’s not even her bnb. Plus her actions here could endanger Richard and the other bnb guests.
Similarly many of the other characters jump to completely random assumptions incredibly quickly and with little to support said assumptions. There are two particular instances where different characters automatically assume Richard and Valerie are engaging in an affair after spending approximately five seconds with the pair. Not only is this a completely random assumption to make, it’s also a dangerous trope to include in media. It supports this absurd belief in society that men and women cannot be solely friends and there must be something inherently sexual in their wishing to spend time together.
In general, I mainly just think the characters are very flat and one dimensional and really don’t have much going for them.
The story itself:
At first glance the plot seems interesting. It seems like something one would see in an Agatha Christie which would take us on a fun journey through the Loire Valley. This was unfortunately not the case. I think my main issue with the plot is how it was executed and paced. The writing style at times was very confusing and disjointed. It was hard to tell where we were or whom we were following and why. This confusion stems from the poor use of a third person omniscient narrator that really does not land. I think this issue could perhaps be solved by not following every side character and instead leaving a bit of mystery.
In a similar vain the pacing was incredibly random. The story starts off fairly quickly with the guest going mystery and Richard and Valerie forming an alliance. It then slows dramatically and not much else happens for the first 60% of the book. I really think if it were better paced, I wouldn’t have DNFed it. But I was just sick of nothing happening, or very minor things happening that didn’t make sense.
Lastly, I just have a few issues with some of the content. Namely, the kink shaming. Personally, I’m not into swinging or being a nudist, however I don’t think its appropriate to imply that people who do, are “sex perverts” or must therefore have a “sex dungeon” where its suggested they are holding someone hostage. The shaming was continuous and added nothing to the story and dramatically impacted my own enjoyment of this book.
Overall, I would not recommend this book, I did not enjoy it and I almost regret even requesting it as an ARC. I know this has been a bit of a brutal review and I do apologise but these are truely my thoughts and I don’t intend for them to be taken personally.
I would like to thank NetGalley for the ARC they provided me with in exchange for an honest review.
My issues can be outlined can be outlined in two main areas: characters and the story itself.
Characters:
Richard is our protagonist who owns a French bnb from where a guest goes missing under mysterious circumstances. Richard then gets roped into trying to solve this mystery with the help of another guest, Valerie. Richard himself is an incredibly hard character to like. He’s very much a push over to the extent where it is quite pathetic. Every time he seems to try and stand up for himself, it lasts for all of two seconds before he immediately crumples. He also whines continuously about being dragged along on this mystery to the point where it is incredibly annoying.
Now moving onto Valerie. Valerie is the guest who essentially drags Richard into this mystery, and completely inserts herself into this narrative. She too is a very unlikeable character. Her audacity is unparalleled. For example, when someone connected to the mystery asks to stay at Richard’s bnb, she immediately says yes despite the fact that she’s known Richard for all of two seconds and it’s not even her bnb. Plus her actions here could endanger Richard and the other bnb guests.
Similarly many of the other characters jump to completely random assumptions incredibly quickly and with little to support said assumptions. There are two particular instances where different characters automatically assume Richard and Valerie are engaging in an affair after spending approximately five seconds with the pair. Not only is this a completely random assumption to make, it’s also a dangerous trope to include in media. It supports this absurd belief in society that men and women cannot be solely friends and there must be something inherently sexual in their wishing to spend time together.
In general, I mainly just think the characters are very flat and one dimensional and really don’t have much going for them.
The story itself:
At first glance the plot seems interesting. It seems like something one would see in an Agatha Christie which would take us on a fun journey through the Loire Valley. This was unfortunately not the case. I think my main issue with the plot is how it was executed and paced. The writing style at times was very confusing and disjointed. It was hard to tell where we were or whom we were following and why. This confusion stems from the poor use of a third person omniscient narrator that really does not land. I think this issue could perhaps be solved by not following every side character and instead leaving a bit of mystery.
In a similar vain the pacing was incredibly random. The story starts off fairly quickly with the guest going mystery and Richard and Valerie forming an alliance. It then slows dramatically and not much else happens for the first 60% of the book. I really think if it were better paced, I wouldn’t have DNFed it. But I was just sick of nothing happening, or very minor things happening that didn’t make sense.
Lastly, I just have a few issues with some of the content. Namely, the kink shaming. Personally, I’m not into swinging or being a nudist, however I don’t think its appropriate to imply that people who do, are “sex perverts” or must therefore have a “sex dungeon” where its suggested they are holding someone hostage. The shaming was continuous and added nothing to the story and dramatically impacted my own enjoyment of this book.
Overall, I would not recommend this book, I did not enjoy it and I almost regret even requesting it as an ARC. I know this has been a bit of a brutal review and I do apologise but these are truely my thoughts and I don’t intend for them to be taken personally.
I would like to thank NetGalley for the ARC they provided me with in exchange for an honest review.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It gained half a star for being funny, but I didn’t really care for the plot.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
While this is a fine palate cleanser, this is not an Agatha Christie quality mystery. Both Richard and Valerie are annoying protagonists. The Mamma Mia side plot for the local judge’s house cleaner was distracting. Even though the nudist couple who ran the other B&B were good comedic relief, their appearances were forced at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Minor: Alcoholism
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The book is very good throughout 80% but falls apart at the end in what feels like an attempt to wrap it up to quickly. Leaves an ending which doesn’t make sense and is a letdown to the book
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No