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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
A decent read. Not hard to figure out. And I didn't appreciate all the red herring she threw in at the end but otherwise held my attention.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
This was my first Christina McDonald book. I loved it. It was engaging and kept me questioning the characters.
Abi Knight is terrified to hear her worst nightmare. Her only daughter Olivia's accident. Since the police don't show any interest in the case, Abi decides to investigate the case in her means.
Both Abi and Olivia have secrets that they don't want each other to find out. Olivia's deepest desire is Abi's worst nightmare. The story is engaging and goes back and forth between Olivia's past and Abi's investigation.
The story is narrated by Abi and Olivia. We get a glimpse into Abi's past too. I must admit I shed a tear by the end of the book. I'm glad the book did not finish by just solving the case. The epilogue was my favourite.
This was my first Christina McDonald book. I loved it. It was engaging and kept me questioning the characters.
Abi Knight is terrified to hear her worst nightmare. Her only daughter Olivia's accident. Since the police don't show any interest in the case, Abi decides to investigate the case in her means.
Both Abi and Olivia have secrets that they don't want each other to find out. Olivia's deepest desire is Abi's worst nightmare. The story is engaging and goes back and forth between Olivia's past and Abi's investigation.
The story is narrated by Abi and Olivia. We get a glimpse into Abi's past too. I must admit I shed a tear by the end of the book. I'm glad the book did not finish by just solving the case. The epilogue was my favourite.
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Amazon book description:
"In the vein of Big Little Lies and Reconstructing Amelia comes an emotionally charged domestic suspense novel about a mother unraveling the truth behind how her daughter became brain dead. And pregnant.
A search for the truth. A lifetime of lies.
In the small hours of the morning, Abi Knight is startled awake by the phone call no mother ever wants to get: her teenage daughter Olivia has fallen off a bridge. Not only is Olivia brain dead, she’s pregnant and must remain on life support to keep her baby alive. And then Abi sees the angry bruises circling Olivia’s wrists.
When the police unexpectedly rule Olivia’s fall an accident, Abi decides to find out what really happened that night. Heartbroken and grieving, she unravels the threads of her daughter’s life. Was Olivia’s fall an accident? Or something far more sinister?
Christina McDonald weaves a suspenseful and heartwrenching tale of hidden relationships, devastating lies, and the power of a mother’s love. With flashbacks of Olivia’s own resolve to uncover family secrets, this taut and emotional novel asks: how well do you know your children? And how well do they know you?"
Review: This book captured me right from the beginning and it never let me go! As Abi tried desperately to find out what happened to her daughter, Olivia, my heat ached for her. The author, Christina McDonald, told this story in a way that spoke to me as a mother-I could feel what Abi felt throughout her emotional roller-coaster in search for the truth. I held my breath and I cried imagining what Abi was going through. This boo, told from the point of view of both mother and daughter, is excellently written and moves at a smooth, appropriate pace to keep the reader engaged (even though I kept wishing it would go faster so I could see what happens!). I would recommend this to anyone who loves mystery, drama, or just a good book, in general!
Amazon book description:
"In the vein of Big Little Lies and Reconstructing Amelia comes an emotionally charged domestic suspense novel about a mother unraveling the truth behind how her daughter became brain dead. And pregnant.
A search for the truth. A lifetime of lies.
In the small hours of the morning, Abi Knight is startled awake by the phone call no mother ever wants to get: her teenage daughter Olivia has fallen off a bridge. Not only is Olivia brain dead, she’s pregnant and must remain on life support to keep her baby alive. And then Abi sees the angry bruises circling Olivia’s wrists.
When the police unexpectedly rule Olivia’s fall an accident, Abi decides to find out what really happened that night. Heartbroken and grieving, she unravels the threads of her daughter’s life. Was Olivia’s fall an accident? Or something far more sinister?
Christina McDonald weaves a suspenseful and heartwrenching tale of hidden relationships, devastating lies, and the power of a mother’s love. With flashbacks of Olivia’s own resolve to uncover family secrets, this taut and emotional novel asks: how well do you know your children? And how well do they know you?"
Review: This book captured me right from the beginning and it never let me go! As Abi tried desperately to find out what happened to her daughter, Olivia, my heat ached for her. The author, Christina McDonald, told this story in a way that spoke to me as a mother-I could feel what Abi felt throughout her emotional roller-coaster in search for the truth. I held my breath and I cried imagining what Abi was going through. This boo, told from the point of view of both mother and daughter, is excellently written and moves at a smooth, appropriate pace to keep the reader engaged (even though I kept wishing it would go faster so I could see what happens!). I would recommend this to anyone who loves mystery, drama, or just a good book, in general!
Way too dramatic for me to enjoy. The mystery was distracted by the soap opera of it all
Abi has to live what is every parent's nightmare: a death of a child but to make it worse, there was foul play AND her daughter is pregnant. The book is told in two POVs. Current day with Abi and past with Olivia. Throughout the story you learn of Abi's past, their current living situations, and all the characters who could be guilty. It's a Rollercoaster ride with an emotional ending.
The story was just so sad … but it moved along quickly and made you question everyone that was met along the way, even seemingly minor characters. But, in the end, it was almost painfully sad.
Could not put it down! Was not expecting to cry so much though....so be prepared!
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Trigger Warnings ⚠️
This was a really well written, but intensely heartbreaking read. Trigger warnings for DV and the death of a child.
Even though it was a really good read, at certain points I really had to stop and take a breather because it was so incredibly sad. Personally, I would not recommend this book if you're in an overly emotional space right now because it takes you there.
Heartbreak aside, the mystery of who pushed Olivia set the pace for the story. There were plenty of points where I thought for sure I had figured out who done it, only to find out I had reached the wrong conclusion. Christina McDonald has a very similar writing style as Lisa Jewell. Face paced and heartbreaking with a very satisfying conclusion.
This was a really well written, but intensely heartbreaking read. Trigger warnings for DV and the death of a child.
Even though it was a really good read, at certain points I really had to stop and take a breather because it was so incredibly sad. Personally, I would not recommend this book if you're in an overly emotional space right now because it takes you there.
Heartbreak aside, the mystery of who pushed Olivia set the pace for the story. There were plenty of points where I thought for sure I had figured out who done it, only to find out I had reached the wrong conclusion. Christina McDonald has a very similar writing style as Lisa Jewell. Face paced and heartbreaking with a very satisfying conclusion.
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was actually pretty sad. It definitely gave mystery, not thriller. There were a lot of secrets between mother and child. I felt like a lot of it the mother would’ve known if she didn’t ignore her daughter’s comments. She told her what she wanted/needed from her but she didn’t listen.
The mystery kept me engaged the majority of the time, even though the murderer was easy to guess. The author tries to throw you off but it’s revealed early on.
The mystery kept me engaged the majority of the time, even though the murderer was easy to guess. The author tries to throw you off but it’s revealed early on.