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amandatyas's review
2.0
That might have been the most unlikeable FMC I’ve ever read. Just bypassing a million red flags, making dumb decision after dumb decision. Only finished it because it was a fairly short book and I’m bed ridden and bored.
emilyp_33's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thebookybabe's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Thank you to the author for letting me get my paws on this one a little early! Peal in Deep is another installment in the Jolvix series. I was first introduced to this series of books through What January Remembers. I read that one around Christmas time and loved it. I was super excited to get into this one.
This was your trusty dusty psychological thriller. It kept me interested from the start, I finished the book in less than a day, if that tells you anything. I'm hoping there is a sequel that involves Pearl and Tallulah (how rare is it to see this name?!). I would love to know what happens next in their story.
This was your trusty dusty psychological thriller. It kept me interested from the start, I finished the book in less than a day, if that tells you anything. I'm hoping there is a sequel that involves Pearl and Tallulah (how rare is it to see this name?!). I would love to know what happens next in their story.
curiouskatreads's review
4.0
Pearl, Pearl, Pearl … what a mess you’ve gotten yourself into!
Pearl Blackwood is a server at a swanky restaurant called Sky when she’s chewed out by her boss in front of the customers one evening. One of those customers, Christopher, takes an interest in her poor treatment and makes sure her boss publicly apologizes to her for it.
Sounds like her knight in shining armor, huh? Well … not so much. This enigmatic stranger will woo Pearl’s heart, but at what cost?
Once again, Faith Gardner has put the reader in the world of Jolvix, a futuristic tech company, though it plays only a minor role here. Christopher is employed by them, though his exact role is unclear. His stories don’t always line up, you see. We do know that he understands how to create “deepfakes”: AI-created videos so real that it’s difficult for the untrained eye to know when they’re fake. Unfortunately, he’s also a psychopath, so his idea of fair play when using them is not necessarily yours and mine.
As Pearl gets deeper into her relationship with Christopher and new factors come into play, the game they’re playing with each other gets more and more dangerous … for them and everyone else.
I’ll say this: I loved this story, but Pearl’s decision-making processes made me a bit crazy! I mean, c’mon girl: Christopher had so many red flags around him that I’m surprised he wasn’t being chased by angry bulls the whole story! Prudence wasn’t her strong point.
All things said, this is another fantastic entry into the Jolvix series. These stories are standalones within the same universe, so there’s no need to read them in any particular order. I can’t wait to see what Gardner comes up with next!
★★★★ ½
Thanks to Mirror House Press, NetGalley and author Faith Gardner for this ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published tomorrow, February 23rd!
Pearl Blackwood is a server at a swanky restaurant called Sky when she’s chewed out by her boss in front of the customers one evening. One of those customers, Christopher, takes an interest in her poor treatment and makes sure her boss publicly apologizes to her for it.
Sounds like her knight in shining armor, huh? Well … not so much. This enigmatic stranger will woo Pearl’s heart, but at what cost?
Once again, Faith Gardner has put the reader in the world of Jolvix, a futuristic tech company, though it plays only a minor role here. Christopher is employed by them, though his exact role is unclear. His stories don’t always line up, you see. We do know that he understands how to create “deepfakes”: AI-created videos so real that it’s difficult for the untrained eye to know when they’re fake. Unfortunately, he’s also a psychopath, so his idea of fair play when using them is not necessarily yours and mine.
As Pearl gets deeper into her relationship with Christopher and new factors come into play, the game they’re playing with each other gets more and more dangerous … for them and everyone else.
I’ll say this: I loved this story, but Pearl’s decision-making processes made me a bit crazy! I mean, c’mon girl: Christopher had so many red flags around him that I’m surprised he wasn’t being chased by angry bulls the whole story! Prudence wasn’t her strong point.
All things said, this is another fantastic entry into the Jolvix series. These stories are standalones within the same universe, so there’s no need to read them in any particular order. I can’t wait to see what Gardner comes up with next!
★★★★ ½
Thanks to Mirror House Press, NetGalley and author Faith Gardner for this ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published tomorrow, February 23rd!
microjacki's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jdeeanne's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shereadsbecause's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
theoverbookedbibliophile's review
4.0
Update (03/09/2023): Bonus Epilogue Chapter for Pearl in Deep titled "The last PAPA Meeting" is available now!
Loved this update! Satisfied my curiosity and made me laugh out loud! Many thanks to the author, Faith Gardner! Check out the author's newsletter (sign up on her website www.faithgardner.com) for details on all the Bonus Epilogues.
Review for Pearl In Deep:
Pearl Blackwood, a waitress in a fine dining restaurant falls hard for the charismatic Christopher McKinney, employed in the Alternative Reality sector at Jolvix – simply put, he is an expert in deepfake technology. But as she gets to know him better, certain behaviors do raise her suspicions, making her more than a little uncomfortable. Eventually, he proudly declares that he is a “psychopath” and according to him all psychopaths need not necessarily be criminals.
“They paint this picture of the psychopath like every one of us is a deranged serial killer—but most are just ordinary guys like me. Nothing to be scared of. Just a brain that works differently than others. It’s like depression or anxiety or anything else.”
Pearl finds herself inexorably drawn to him and despite her misgivings, she embarks on a relationship with him, moving in with him with her daughter also partnering with him on a business venture (a dream of hers he is helping come true!). Now, what could go wrong? Lies, obsession, mind games and manipulation and much more than Pearl could have ever imagined. She needs to get out with her daughter but at what cost? Knowing Christopher, he isn’t going to make it easy.
Absorbing atmospheric narratives, crisp writing and surprise twists are what we have come to expect from Faith Gardner and with Pearl in Deep she does not disappoint. Though Amen Maxine remains my favorite (closely followed by What January Remembers), Pearl in Deep is an impressive addition to Faith Gardner’s fascinating Jolvix Episodes series. Though the setting of her stories are futuristic (I’m still in the market for a flying feather duster!), her themes are relatable and relevant in that she addresses issues related to how our dependence on technology can be used against us. Pearl’s choices are questionable and at times I wanted to shake her. But you can’t help but sympathize with her and fear for her as she tries to save herself and her daughter. Christopher really creeped me out and his deepfake antics were scary, to say the least, and a bit too real. Gardner really knows how to craft a gripping tale! What draws me to her work is her perfect combination of sci-fi and futuristic elements, which never get too overwhelming and psychological tension which makes for a gripping read every time. I can’t wait to read more of her work in the future.
Many thanks to Faith Gardner, Mirror House Press and NetGalley for the much-appreciated digital ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Loved this update! Satisfied my curiosity and made me laugh out loud! Many thanks to the author, Faith Gardner! Check out the author's newsletter (sign up on her website www.faithgardner.com) for details on all the Bonus Epilogues.
Review for Pearl In Deep:
Pearl Blackwood, a waitress in a fine dining restaurant falls hard for the charismatic Christopher McKinney, employed in the Alternative Reality sector at Jolvix – simply put, he is an expert in deepfake technology. But as she gets to know him better, certain behaviors do raise her suspicions, making her more than a little uncomfortable. Eventually, he proudly declares that he is a “psychopath” and according to him all psychopaths need not necessarily be criminals.
“They paint this picture of the psychopath like every one of us is a deranged serial killer—but most are just ordinary guys like me. Nothing to be scared of. Just a brain that works differently than others. It’s like depression or anxiety or anything else.”
Pearl finds herself inexorably drawn to him and despite her misgivings, she embarks on a relationship with him, moving in with him with her daughter also partnering with him on a business venture (a dream of hers he is helping come true!). Now, what could go wrong? Lies, obsession, mind games and manipulation and much more than Pearl could have ever imagined. She needs to get out with her daughter but at what cost? Knowing Christopher, he isn’t going to make it easy.
Absorbing atmospheric narratives, crisp writing and surprise twists are what we have come to expect from Faith Gardner and with Pearl in Deep she does not disappoint. Though Amen Maxine remains my favorite (closely followed by What January Remembers), Pearl in Deep is an impressive addition to Faith Gardner’s fascinating Jolvix Episodes series. Though the setting of her stories are futuristic (I’m still in the market for a flying feather duster!), her themes are relatable and relevant in that she addresses issues related to how our dependence on technology can be used against us. Pearl’s choices are questionable and at times I wanted to shake her. But you can’t help but sympathize with her and fear for her as she tries to save herself and her daughter. Christopher really creeped me out and his deepfake antics were scary, to say the least, and a bit too real. Gardner really knows how to craft a gripping tale! What draws me to her work is her perfect combination of sci-fi and futuristic elements, which never get too overwhelming and psychological tension which makes for a gripping read every time. I can’t wait to read more of her work in the future.
Many thanks to Faith Gardner, Mirror House Press and NetGalley for the much-appreciated digital ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
girlvsplanet's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0