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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Murder
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ahhhh this book was amazing!! I loved the murder/crime and romance aspect. This book is well written and I loved all the characters so much! I want more
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I wonder how anyone can give this 4 stars? I don't know what it is about Roberts writing over the last few years but she seems to seldom write in complete sentences. It's more like phrases linked together with commas. And when the characters are describing their feeling - ugh. Got to say I knew who donnit about a third of the way in. And the resolution? the "big scene"? totally glossed over as she is knocked out and then wakes up in the hospital. This will be last Nora Roberts.
This book = 40% suspense/crime fiction + 40% HGTV + 20% romance. (roughly)
Let's be real. If you read Nora Roberts, you're gonna get an idealized version of romance. The characters make sentimental, corny comments to each other. Side characters become instant BFFs, and the villains are one-dimensionally "evil" in some way. Despite all that, Roberts is a hell of a writer. She's perfected her craft. The words bloom on her pages. I might not be super fond of the stuff she paints occasionally, but I always appreciate how she paints it.
For instance, a lot of this book is Naomi renovating her house, buying furniture and appliances, and painting walls. She's able to hook me on the written version of a home improvement show. Somehow she makes me care when I'm sure I wouldn't have cared had it been anyone else writing it.
A few things in this book bothered me, mainly when Roberts falls back on stereotypes, but overall, the book is a nice read. I totally guessed the killer way early in the book, but I've read so many Roberts books by now that I know her tells. Sometimes I wish Roberts would break away more from her formula, but as the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Let's be real. If you read Nora Roberts, you're gonna get an idealized version of romance. The characters make sentimental, corny comments to each other. Side characters become instant BFFs, and the villains are one-dimensionally "evil" in some way. Despite all that, Roberts is a hell of a writer. She's perfected her craft. The words bloom on her pages. I might not be super fond of the stuff she paints occasionally, but I always appreciate how she paints it.
For instance, a lot of this book is Naomi renovating her house, buying furniture and appliances, and painting walls. She's able to hook me on the written version of a home improvement show. Somehow she makes me care when I'm sure I wouldn't have cared had it been anyone else writing it.
A few things in this book bothered me, mainly when Roberts falls back on stereotypes, but overall, the book is a nice read. I totally guessed the killer way early in the book, but I've read so many Roberts books by now that I know her tells. Sometimes I wish Roberts would break away more from her formula, but as the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My sister got this book for me for Christmas as part of a blind date with a book gift box for mysteries. This is my first time reading a Nora Roberts book. I read a few reviews while diving in and saw a mix of positive and negative reviews. The positive reviews seemed to be from people who were new to Roberts, and the negative reviews seemed to be from people who were long-term readers of hers and were disappointed in the repeated trope. To that I say, if you know an author mostly writes a certain thing, why get annoyed when she writes yet another book about that certain thing??
Anyway, I actually really enjoyed this book. The story kept me engaged, and I often found myself reading for hours without taking a break. I think there was a good mix of side/supporting characters that made the story feel more complete. I did think Xander was a bit pushy with Naomi after they first met, but he eventually grew on me. I guessed who the killer was before he was revealed, but it wasn’t disappointing. I also liked Naomi’s growth and development over the few months of living on the bluff. New York Naomi became a part of the community.
Anyway, I actually really enjoyed this book. The story kept me engaged, and I often found myself reading for hours without taking a break. I think there was a good mix of side/supporting characters that made the story feel more complete. I did think Xander was a bit pushy with Naomi after they first met, but he eventually grew on me. I guessed who the killer was before he was revealed, but it wasn’t disappointing. I also liked Naomi’s growth and development over the few months of living on the bluff. New York Naomi became a part of the community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Torture, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Suicide, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia