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machadofam8's review against another edition
3.0
This was good just kind of all over the place. Almost too much going on.
kpieraccini's review against another edition
3.0
Eileen's famous author sister Clare commits suicide, but why? Eileen is dealing with stuff in her own life when she flies to San Francisco to help her brother-in-law deal with her sister's death. Why did she do it though? She seemingly had it all. Her latest book offers clues and Eileen and Simon go about trying to figure it out.
I liked the story, but none of the characters. They just weren't really likable to me. The story switches between current day and certain times in the past to go through Clare's life. There were some surprises and then other things you could see coming. Again, the story was good, but the characters sorta ruined it for me.
I liked the story, but none of the characters. They just weren't really likable to me. The story switches between current day and certain times in the past to go through Clare's life. There were some surprises and then other things you could see coming. Again, the story was good, but the characters sorta ruined it for me.
karenreads1000s's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty much all of these characters made me sad. They were messy and real. The idea of writing 66 books about what a life could have been was inspirational. Clare was so sad, even before she learned the truth. Charlie made her so happy though. I snuggled my fur baby after that section. The ending was okay, but a bit soft.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Her Perfect Life is a compelling novel by Rebecca Taylor.
Eileen Greyden is dealing with problems at home when she learns her sister, best-selling author Clare Collins has died. At her brother-in-law Simon Reamer's request, Eileen travels to San Francisco to help with the funeral. Reeling after a stunning personal discovery, she is further upset to discover Clare committed suicide. With Simon lacking understanding for his wife's decision, Eileen combs through her sister's journals in hopes of finding an answer for an inexplicable act. And at the same time, she also needs to makes decisions about her own life.
Eileen is beyond frustrated with husband Eric's lack of help with their three children and household chores. She is hard on herself about her self-perceived failings. Shocked by Clare's death, she has many regrets about feeling jealous of her sister's success and how far they have drifted apart.
Avoiding talking to Eric after she arrives in San Francisco, Eileen learns unexpected information about her sister's life as far back as their childhood in Wyoming. Simon offers invaluable insight that helps both of them begin to piece together the puzzle of her sister's suicide. But it is not until Eileen talks to her Alzheimer's stricken mother that she truly understands the most likely reason for Clare's decision.
Returning home, Eileen must decide what to do about the information she discovered the day she went to San Francisco. The children are thrilled to see her and they, of course, weigh heavily as she mulls over her options. Still uncertain, Eileen's future remains in the balance as she faces the toughest choice she has ever had to make.
Weaving back and forth in time, Her Perfect Life is a multi-layered novel with complex characters. The chapter and perspective switches are seamless and easy to follow. Chapters from Clare's point of view span twenty years and detail her life before she leaves Wyoming. Events from Eileen's perspective take place in the present. Rebecca Taylor brings this fast-paced and engaging novel to a slightly predictable but completely satisfying conclusion.
I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend this well-written novel to readers of the genre.
Her Perfect Life is a compelling novel by Rebecca Taylor.
Eileen Greyden is dealing with problems at home when she learns her sister, best-selling author Clare Collins has died. At her brother-in-law Simon Reamer's request, Eileen travels to San Francisco to help with the funeral. Reeling after a stunning personal discovery, she is further upset to discover Clare committed suicide. With Simon lacking understanding for his wife's decision, Eileen combs through her sister's journals in hopes of finding an answer for an inexplicable act. And at the same time, she also needs to makes decisions about her own life.
Eileen is beyond frustrated with husband Eric's lack of help with their three children and household chores. She is hard on herself about her self-perceived failings. Shocked by Clare's death, she has many regrets about feeling jealous of her sister's success and how far they have drifted apart.
Avoiding talking to Eric after she arrives in San Francisco, Eileen learns unexpected information about her sister's life as far back as their childhood in Wyoming. Simon offers invaluable insight that helps both of them begin to piece together the puzzle of her sister's suicide. But it is not until Eileen talks to her Alzheimer's stricken mother that she truly understands the most likely reason for Clare's decision.
Returning home, Eileen must decide what to do about the information she discovered the day she went to San Francisco. The children are thrilled to see her and they, of course, weigh heavily as she mulls over her options. Still uncertain, Eileen's future remains in the balance as she faces the toughest choice she has ever had to make.
Weaving back and forth in time, Her Perfect Life is a multi-layered novel with complex characters. The chapter and perspective switches are seamless and easy to follow. Chapters from Clare's point of view span twenty years and detail her life before she leaves Wyoming. Events from Eileen's perspective take place in the present. Rebecca Taylor brings this fast-paced and engaging novel to a slightly predictable but completely satisfying conclusion.
I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend this well-written novel to readers of the genre.
kspear22's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this. But I still have some issues with parts. Like the fact that Eileen could remain gone, investigating away from her family for so long. It just seemed unrealistic.
I did enjoy the way the tale was spun. And watching the pieces fall into place.
It’s pretty decent, but not something I’d be able to enjoy more than once.
I did enjoy the way the tale was spun. And watching the pieces fall into place.
It’s pretty decent, but not something I’d be able to enjoy more than once.
njoseph12's review against another edition
3.0
I expected more from this book but the truth is always shocking even if it isn't what you might expect.
gr8reader's review against another edition
4.0
Things are not always what they appear to be.....You don't ever REALLY KNOW what is going on in someone else's life, ESPECIALLY behind the closed doors of their home. A quick read in part because it was a page turner.
cassies_books_reviews's review against another edition
4.0
When bestselling author Clare Collins is found dead on the beach with a self inflicted gun shot wound everyone is shocked! It’s the morning after her latest book was published. Claire’s sister Eileen is floored when she receives the phone call, when her sisters husband Simon informs her that her sister is dead and more shocking by suicide. Eileen who hasn’t seen her sister for a few years always assumed Clare had it all, a successful career, perfect marriage a huge home why would she kill herself? Eileen a mother of three and her husband Eric who doesn’t lift a finger to help, she tells Simon she will take the next plane to San Francisco to help him. On the way to the airport she finds an envelope with photos of her husband in bed with his coworker, now dealing with her sisters death and the fact her husband is cheating, Eileen is overwhelmed with emotions. Arriving in San Francisco she finds Simon emotional and confused how could he not see that his wife was planning this. Eileen begins to go through Clare’s seemingly perfect life with the help of Clare’s journals and soon she’s piecing together Clare’s life. Alternating chapters from past and present that include Clare’s journal entries we get the point of view from Clare, Simon and Eileen. Soon the puzzle begins to form and we see that the grass isn’t always greener and everyone has secrets and lies. I feel this was more of a domestic fiction and I truly enjoyed the authors writing style I was immediately pulled into the story line. Every character had layers and it added so much to them. This was definitely an engaging read! Four stars!
sweet_dee_reads's review against another edition
3.0
First I would like to say thank you to NetGalley and Source Books for an eARC of this one in exchange for my honest review.
This one was just okay for me. I found it a little predictable but still an okay read. I wouldn’t necessarily classify this one as a thriller really. I just felt it was more of a general fiction bordering on a mystery read.
This one was just okay for me. I found it a little predictable but still an okay read. I wouldn’t necessarily classify this one as a thriller really. I just felt it was more of a general fiction bordering on a mystery read.
syndi3's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
| I am not sure how to feel about Her Perfect Life. The story is focusing 2 sisters. Claire is famous writer and super rich. Her perfect life is... well.. perfect from the outside. While Eileen's life is chaos. When Claire suddenly killed herself, Eileen's life collided with Claire's.
So the conclusion is at the end. The guessing game is fun. I know there will be a twist at the end. I am not worried about the twist. What bother me is the pace. The writing from Miss Taylor is meticulous and sometimes dragging. The wording is easy to follow.
At the end, I am at dilemma. I feel like I was so curious at the beginning, then after the end, I do not know what to do with it. Just stared at it and confuse.
So the conclusion is at the end. The guessing game is fun. I know there will be a twist at the end. I am not worried about the twist. What bother me is the pace. The writing from Miss Taylor is meticulous and sometimes dragging. The wording is easy to follow.
At the end, I am at dilemma. I feel like I was so curious at the beginning, then after the end, I do not know what to do with it. Just stared at it and confuse.