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mezzoir's review against another edition
4.0
What a gem of a novel !
I was cautious at first, especially when I read that the author's previous works were short stories.but I am glad he made the leap into full length novels.
I was hooked from the start and devoured this over a weekend. Only the need to sleep stopped me from reading this in a single sitting.
Cleverly written with enough plot twists, characters that you learn to care for, and centered around a book shop - what more could you ask for?
I was cautious at first, especially when I read that the author's previous works were short stories.but I am glad he made the leap into full length novels.
I was hooked from the start and devoured this over a weekend. Only the need to sleep stopped me from reading this in a single sitting.
Cleverly written with enough plot twists, characters that you learn to care for, and centered around a book shop - what more could you ask for?
ladybuggal's review against another edition
4.0
The narrator for this audiobook isn’t the greatest. She does fine for narrative and women’s voices but when she does men’s voices and pitches her voice low, she slows down. The result is that most men in the book sound mentally challenged to some degree. It can be a bit annoying.
bhnmt61's review against another edition
3.0
Lydia works in a bookstore. After one of her favorite customers kills himself upstairs, she finds a picture of herself, about ten years old, in his pocket. (I don’t think that’s a spoiler since it happens on about the third page.) Figuring out how he got the picture and why it was important to him take up the rest of the book.
On the plus side, I loved Lydia and her friends—endearing, a little lost, a little crazy. The first half of the book, while Sullivan is setting things up and introducing the characters, is really, really good. I was more absorbed in reading it than I have been with any book I’ve read in a long time— I had a hard time putting it down even when I was getting thirsty or needed to pee :-).
On the minus side, there are several huge coincidences that just pushed credulity for me. The characters end up being intertwined in ways that aren’t particularly believable. Also there is a career decision made by Lydia’s dad that I cannot imagine him making under any circumstances in a million years- for starters it would have gotten him in trouble with Child Protective Services, or whatever they call it in Colorado. but without that decision one of the major coincidences wouldn’t have happened and the book wouldn’t have tied together so neatly at the end. Irritating. (Sorry to be cryptic but avoiding spoilers.)
But it really was an enjoyable read. Three+ stars but not enough to get it up to four.
On the plus side, I loved Lydia and her friends—endearing, a little lost, a little crazy. The first half of the book, while Sullivan is setting things up and introducing the characters, is really, really good. I was more absorbed in reading it than I have been with any book I’ve read in a long time— I had a hard time putting it down even when I was getting thirsty or needed to pee :-).
On the minus side, there are several huge coincidences that just pushed credulity for me. The characters end up being intertwined in ways that aren’t particularly believable. Also there is a career decision made by Lydia’s dad that I cannot imagine him making under any circumstances in a million years- for starters it would have gotten him in trouble with Child Protective Services, or whatever they call it in Colorado. but without that decision one of the major coincidences wouldn’t have happened and the book wouldn’t have tied together so neatly at the end. Irritating. (Sorry to be cryptic but avoiding spoilers.)
But it really was an enjoyable read. Three+ stars but not enough to get it up to four.
emily_reads_a_lot's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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? No
4.5
rosemwood's review against another edition
5.0
I am giving this a 5 star because I feel it hit all those boxes. I am just a little disappointed about the end. The main character was developed well and the plot was well done. Going from present to past to develope characters and plot. This was a good suspense/thriller/Mystery.
ladyphoenixqueen's review against another edition
5.0
So good! I could hardly put it down!! And I did NOT foresee the ending. Highly recommend!!
Bonus - it takes place in Denver and the author used to work at my favorite bookstore in Denver
Bonus - it takes place in Denver and the author used to work at my favorite bookstore in Denver
gramorwal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25