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samlo_books's review against another edition
5.0
I received early access to this novel from the author for review. The Night Olivia Fell was fantastic. I was so invested in the story that I read it almost entirely in one day. By the end I was moved to tears over the pain, loss, and acceptance.
When Abi is awoken by a call from the hospital saying that there has been an accident, she cannot fathom how the accident will change her life forever. Olivia is brain dead, but can’t be taken off life support because she’s pregnant. Abi knows that this was no ordinary accident, someone is responsible for hurting her only child. Frustrated by the lack of police initiative to investigate who may have harmed Olivia, Abi sets off on her own to try to solve the mystery. There are so many potential suspects that it will keep you guessing until the very end.
When Abi is awoken by a call from the hospital saying that there has been an accident, she cannot fathom how the accident will change her life forever. Olivia is brain dead, but can’t be taken off life support because she’s pregnant. Abi knows that this was no ordinary accident, someone is responsible for hurting her only child. Frustrated by the lack of police initiative to investigate who may have harmed Olivia, Abi sets off on her own to try to solve the mystery. There are so many potential suspects that it will keep you guessing until the very end.
nancykorb's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
rmarcin's review
5.0
This was a heartbreaking whodunit, and an amazing debut novel. I loved how Christina McDonald told the story of Olivia, a good girl teenager, who suddenly changes and is pushed over a bridge and left for dead. Now Olivia is brain dead, and her mother, Abi, tries to figure out why.
So many possible people are suspect in this novel. Abi struggles with how she raised Olivia, and what mistakes she made. She uncovers some things about Olivia which were kept secret from her, and explain why Olivia changed so much in the previous months. But, Abi also finds answers.
I really loved this book - all the possibilities, all the nuances, all the people who had reasons to be suspects, and the surprises! Well done!!
#TheNightOliviaFell #ChristinaMcDonald
So many possible people are suspect in this novel. Abi struggles with how she raised Olivia, and what mistakes she made. She uncovers some things about Olivia which were kept secret from her, and explain why Olivia changed so much in the previous months. But, Abi also finds answers.
I really loved this book - all the possibilities, all the nuances, all the people who had reasons to be suspects, and the surprises! Well done!!
#TheNightOliviaFell #ChristinaMcDonald
amberd_lovestoread's review
3.0
I was invested enough to want to know what happened, but I did not find the characters likeable. Olivia was so young and I really wanted her to stand up for herself more. However, I did appreciate her growth throughout the story. Abi had weird burst of anger- in some instances I understood, but in others I thought it was an overreaction. I tried to be empathetic to the situation, perhaps I would be the same in the same situation? I was let down in the end, even though I don't think I should have been. The book was pretty straight forward. I think I just wanted more than this sad, angry, twisted story... that was still interesting enough to keep me up reading.
I did not read the back of the book before starting, perhaps if I did, I would have had a different expectation going in. That said, I am glad I didn't. I like to be surprised. However in this case, I think the summery does set the tone well.
I did not read the back of the book before starting, perhaps if I did, I would have had a different expectation going in. That said, I am glad I didn't. I like to be surprised. However in this case, I think the summery does set the tone well.
mrsrjg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
*This review is based on the audiobook.*
This book was listed as a suspense and now I've finished I'm still waiting to find that suspense.
It was the most generic book I have ever come across with everything in the book having been done before elsewhere and much better. The author really wasted an opportunity with the long lost sister storyline and it never went they way it could have, which would have increased the rating for me.
I know this book is about teenagers but it felt very much like it was written by one also; this left me totally uninterested in any of the characters including any of the adults as none if them were in any way likeable whatsoever.
I did increase my rating however due to the last couple of chapters as they were very emotional and I can't even imagine what being in that situation would be like.
This book was listed as a suspense and now I've finished I'm still waiting to find that suspense.
It was the most generic book I have ever come across with everything in the book having been done before elsewhere and much better. The author really wasted an opportunity with the long lost sister storyline and it never went they way it could have, which would have increased the rating for me.
I know this book is about teenagers but it felt very much like it was written by one also; this left me totally uninterested in any of the characters including any of the adults as none if them were in any way likeable whatsoever.
I did increase my rating however due to the last couple of chapters as they were very emotional and I can't even imagine what being in that situation would be like.
beastreader's review
4.0
Wow, the hype you may be hearing about this book is worth it. This was a one seat read for me! In the beginning, I must admit that I was not drawn to Abi but luckily, this feeling did not last long. She showed that a mother's love is the strongest love. She was the whole reason that I loved this book so much. Her daughter, Olivia may have been the whole reason why Abi fought so hard but I did not share the same strong connection towards her as I did her mother.
This book is toward from alternating view points. The two main voices are Olivia and Abi. As the story progresses, the events leading to the tragic ending are slowly revealed. What I will say is that I did feel sadness for Olivia. She seemed lost trying to find her place among friends. I will leave you with one last word of advise...if you read any book in 2019; make sure it is The Night Olivia Fell! Not to be missed.
This book is toward from alternating view points. The two main voices are Olivia and Abi. As the story progresses, the events leading to the tragic ending are slowly revealed. What I will say is that I did feel sadness for Olivia. She seemed lost trying to find her place among friends. I will leave you with one last word of advise...if you read any book in 2019; make sure it is The Night Olivia Fell! Not to be missed.
nightshiftreads's review
4.0
I really liked this one and enjoyed the past/present alternating chapters! I did, at some points in the middle of the book (like I do with every thriller I read), contemplate a few others as the “killer” but I picked up when she began hinting at who it ended up being. I did find Olivia’s character a little whiny during some of her chapters but she’s a teenager so I really do get it. Sidenote - am I the only one that got overly emotional the last two chapters?
ddrosche's review
5.0
For most of the book it was a solid 4/4.5 stars for me. But the ending won me over with emotion and I bumped it to 5. I love me a good multiple POV story and the thing about this one that I found great was how McDonald was able to not only switch characters easily, but her writing and the characters’ voices perfectly captured their ages - one an adult mother and the other her teenage daughter. Olivia’s chapters felt like an actual teenager in the words used and ways she reacted to everything. Abi’s chapters were clearly more adult in how she dealt with things and spoke. I thought this added to the authenticity that the story was told by the two characters. While not a hardcore mystery or thriller, it’s definitely more drama led, it still has enough to keep you guessing and interested until the end. The ending was emotional and beautiful. Overall this book just worked for me on so many levels.
justlily's review
I read about 10 pages and knew the writing style just wasn't for me. Too heavy-handed for my taste.