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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
The latest K.L. Armstrong thriller managed to keep me in breathless suspense *and* feel like a comfort read at the same time. What a wonderful mix.
This is the story of Celeste, a woman who has just returned home to Florida to care for her ailing grandmother, and Daisy, the woman she finds hiding in her shed. They both have secrets they’re running from, or running too.
I started this one without reading anything more about it, and I recommend you do the same. The dual mysteries kept me guessing the whole way through, and Armstrong’s special talent for creating strong, flawed, fascinating women had me loving, and hating, and fearing for Celeste and Daisy.
I’ve read a few disappointingly average domestic thrillers recently and it was so nice to finally read one that kept me entertained throughout, had a perfect ending, and was an obvious 5-star read for me. The only criticism I have for this one is that I’d have liked Celeste’s and Daisy’s narrative voices to differ a little more.
Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for my review copy of this book.
This is the story of Celeste, a woman who has just returned home to Florida to care for her ailing grandmother, and Daisy, the woman she finds hiding in her shed. They both have secrets they’re running from, or running too.
I started this one without reading anything more about it, and I recommend you do the same. The dual mysteries kept me guessing the whole way through, and Armstrong’s special talent for creating strong, flawed, fascinating women had me loving, and hating, and fearing for Celeste and Daisy.
I’ve read a few disappointingly average domestic thrillers recently and it was so nice to finally read one that kept me entertained throughout, had a perfect ending, and was an obvious 5-star read for me. The only criticism I have for this one is that I’d have liked Celeste’s and Daisy’s narrative voices to differ a little more.
Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for my review copy of this book.
This was such a great set up and I loved watching it progress/unravel. I gave it 4 stars because the backstories were often referred to but never really developed and there’s a big elephant in the room about why people didn’t establish their identities at various points through the book and that got increasingly distracting.
This was full of twists and turns.
Somethings were pretty out there. I don’t really know how to review this book without giving away spoilers.
It sucked me right in and yes sometimes it was confusing but in the end it came around and we learned the who what and why.
But the fact is we still had a lot of holes in the background of most of the main characters and that was a little annoying to say the least.
I enjoyed the narration I think Gail Shalan did a good job.
Somethings were pretty out there. I don’t really know how to review this book without giving away spoilers.
It sucked me right in and yes sometimes it was confusing but in the end it came around and we learned the who what and why.
But the fact is we still had a lot of holes in the background of most of the main characters and that was a little annoying to say the least.
I enjoyed the narration I think Gail Shalan did a good job.
I always know that I am going to enjoy a novel from this author, and this book was great. A quick read with two protagonists that are both hiding big secrets. I had no idea what to expect but I really liked finding out...
Honestly? Good! Confusing at first, but good!
Two equally unreliable narrators and a mysterious murder to boot. Who is who? What is what? I really cannot describe or review this book in any way without spoiling the entire thing. So, yeah. Read it if you like low-brow unscary thrillers with interesting plots and characters, I guess?
Two equally unreliable narrators and a mysterious murder to boot. Who is who? What is what? I really cannot describe or review this book in any way without spoiling the entire thing. So, yeah. Read it if you like low-brow unscary thrillers with interesting plots and characters, I guess?
K.L. Armstrong is one of those authors whose books I order without even reading the synopsis - her books are just that good. And The Life She Had does not disappoint.
Reading this thriller is like watching a time-lapse video of a flower opening. Layers upon layers of twists and turns are revealed slowly, making the reader mutter "Whoa" repeatedly as events unfold. Armstrong is a master of suspense, weaving together fascinating characters, rich settings, and unexpected events in such a way as to keep the reader fascinated from beginning to end.
You absolutely cannot go wrong with this book. Just stock up on coffee, because you are going to be up WAY past your bedtime with this one.
Reading this thriller is like watching a time-lapse video of a flower opening. Layers upon layers of twists and turns are revealed slowly, making the reader mutter "Whoa" repeatedly as events unfold. Armstrong is a master of suspense, weaving together fascinating characters, rich settings, and unexpected events in such a way as to keep the reader fascinated from beginning to end.
You absolutely cannot go wrong with this book. Just stock up on coffee, because you are going to be up WAY past your bedtime with this one.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Kelley Armstrong never disappoints! Just when you think you know where the story is going, she takes a twist you didn't see coming!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A always enjoy a Kelley Armstrong read this one is no exception. My favorite so far under her KL pseudonym. I did not see some of the twists and turns coming. It was a satisfying quick and easy read. I enjoyed the humour.
It did get a little messy in the middle hence the 3.5 stars but would recommend if you like suspense/thrillers.
It did get a little messy in the middle hence the 3.5 stars but would recommend if you like suspense/thrillers.
I don't like giving a Kelley Armstrong book such a low rating but I didn't really enjoy this one. Too many twists and lies. Not what I thought it would be.
3.5 stars. This intriguing mystery kept me guessing. I was mostly satisfied with how it turned out.