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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
3 stars. The beginning was slow going and made it a bit difficult to get into, and the ending was seriously underwhelming, but the middle section was really good. I don’t really see this as a Jane Eyre retelling. It’s literally only that the characters share the same names but nothing else about this book gave me any type of vibes of JE. That doesn’t take anything away from the enjoyability of this novel though because it is definitely a juicy story with messy and awful characters. Though I will say that I quite liked Jane. I love a woman who will do whatever it takes to elevate her own life. Jane was a hustler and I loved that for her.
The plot to this was really good even though it got a bit sloppy and convoluted in the end, it still was a fun time. This was my first book by Hawkins but I did like her writing style here so I will for sure be picking up more books from her.
The plot to this was really good even though it got a bit sloppy and convoluted in the end, it still was a fun time. This was my first book by Hawkins but I did like her writing style here so I will for sure be picking up more books from her.
AB. While this was entertaining and a quick, easy read, I have a lot to say about it.
Booktok likes to compare this to Jane Eyre….and after reading TWU, that comparison is a crime against all classic literature.
This was barely a thriller, more like a romcom with a sprinkle of suspense that was predictable and eye-roll worthy in some places.
It seems modern literature likes to glorify liars when they have something the author deems worthy to be lying about, but I almost always fail to empathize with these characters. In this book, the petty thievery, untruths, false personas, and gossip mongering makes me root for the villain and be less interested in the plot lines than I should be. A lot of fluff throughout, but entertaining nonetheless. Give it a try, but if you read Jane Eyre and love Jane Eyre, don’t put that pressure on this novel.
Booktok likes to compare this to Jane Eyre….and after reading TWU, that comparison is a crime against all classic literature.
This was barely a thriller, more like a romcom with a sprinkle of suspense that was predictable and eye-roll worthy in some places.
It seems modern literature likes to glorify liars when they have something the author deems worthy to be lying about, but I almost always fail to empathize with these characters. In this book, the petty thievery, untruths, false personas, and gossip mongering makes me root for the villain and be less interested in the plot lines than I should be. A lot of fluff throughout, but entertaining nonetheless. Give it a try, but if you read Jane Eyre and love Jane Eyre, don’t put that pressure on this novel.
So, I’ve never read Jane Eyre and the plot twist took me by surprise. I appreciate that none of the characters are perfect, that they all have their darkness. Overall an enjoyable read.
This book is more of a light thriller, perfect for a quick weekend read, but don’t expect anything too suspenseful. The story takes its time to introduce the characters, almost too much time, making the first third of the book feel a bit sluggish. You get bits and pieces about the characters, but the pace of their development feels slow. However, the middle section and the build-up toward the climax are where the book felt more enjoyable. The tension starts to ramp up, the plot becomes more engaging, and the mysteries begin to unravel in a way that keeps you turning the pages. Unfortunately, the ending doesn't quite live up to the momentum that had been building. After a promising middle, the conclusion feels rushed and somewhat anticlimactic, not delivering the punch the setup deserved.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I keep going back and forth between 3 and 4 stars. It wasn’t anything incredible, but I really enjoyed reading it and finished this modern-day Jane Eyre in 2 days!
I have never wanted a bad outcome for someone in my life! I wanted Jane to pay lol goodness! I wanted her to lose everything! Ugh! She was the most annoying! I just out for everything for myself person i have ever read about! The book was just a No for me
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great twists and loved the social class undertones; added an interesting layer to the story.
This was a fairly run-of-the-mill thriller; one I certainly enjoyed reading but won't think about much after the fact. It's fast-paced and well written, but the story wasn't anything out of this world. I do wish I would have had the background knowledge of Jane Eyre while reading it (not enough to actually make myself read it, mind you), but it didn't hold anything back from The Wife Upstairs.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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