Reviews

This book is probably the worst debut I’ve read in the last five years. I kept hoping something would build enough to turn it around for me but no. The writing was merely at an “ok” level of quality. There were plenty of cliches and stereotypes to live on. The blacktop theme I thought was the best idea Crosby had but he failed on execution. The action was choppy and poorly written. The insertion of nature into the more grotesque and active scenes took away from the feel of the book. The dichotomy of Beauregard vs. Bug was a classic man v. Self scenario but had so much contradiction this never really worked well either. Recommend skipping this one. The redeeming value to this book is the multilayered, multigenerational look at family relationships, especially fathers and sons.

renman's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging tense medium-paced

4.0

neenstahs's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-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

4.25

this was greaaaat and it only got better as the book went along, which is always wonderful. but the ENDING disappointed me a little. i can't live with that kind of uncertainty.

this book follows Beauregard (Bug). he's basically the getaway car driver for various "crews". or he used to be. now he's married with kids with his own business as a mechanic, trying to stay on the straight on narrow. but things are rough for him right now. he's really short on money and he's trying to support his daughter going to college, pay his mother's nursing home, keep the lights on at his shop, etc etc. he basically goes back to "The Life" to find one more job where can make out good and get out forever. he gets in with someone who includes him on a job robbing a jewelry store. unfortunately, that jewelry store is owned by A Bad Dude. and so it's not the police they have to worry about.

the book also explores bug's relationship with his dad (poor - he basically saved his dad's life by killing someone as a teenager, went to juvie for it, and his dad left him) & how that affects his psyche. how he sees himself, how he views fatherhood, how it impacts what he thinks of his own abilities as a father and a husband..

the action scenes were so so good. edge of my seat, butt clenching, high blood pressure. so tense. i LOVED the driving scenes. it played out like a movie in my head. loved how the stakes kept building. bug as a character was very enjoyable to read about. it was fun to root for a criminal who was still the good guy. the side characters were pretty good for me, no complaints. i loved the setting of bum fuck virginia. SA cosby describes it so well, really paints a picture.

cosby's writing is nothing if not straight forward, which i realllyyy appreciate. he doesn't try to be flowery. it needed maybe one more edit - there were grammatical errors, some confusing dialogue, etc.

wasn't quite as good as razorblade tears because i didn't absolutely adore the characters as much. but it definitely solidified my desire to get more SA cosby books.

also, the audiobook was once again excellent and nice to listen to. i think it's the same narrator as razorblade tears. he has SUCH a great voice. it's so perfect for these books and their setting/tone.

seatonob's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

baugh5's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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