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zooloo1983's review against another edition
Just finished the audiobook and just wow. I do love completely wild out there thrillers, and this ticked all those boxes for me! This is my first book by Sarah and I can safely say I will be back for more.
What a story, a completely harrowing heartbreaking, messed-up story! I loved the now-and-then element, we find out what happened in the past to bring us to this devasting present. Lisa’s world is destroyed, all down to her daughter, Ava, one amazing act of bravery.
I was not expecting this at all!
I found it a bit slow, to begin with, but I think I wasn’t engaged enough in the audiobook. Then like normal, something clicked and I couldn’t get enough of it. It got me through my working day for sure. I was dying to know what crazy thing would happen next.
So many lies! Three women, Lisa, Ava, and Marilyn, all tied, all have been lying in different ways just to get them through the day. All riveting to read. I loved Marilyn, despite everything she was going through personally, and her feelings about Lisa, she was still a true friend. I admired her through everything. Lisa’s backstory is one I would hate for anyone, and it seems to be a popular go-to theme of the books I am reading of late. Despite that, it is still such a distressing thing to read, no matter the book. This book really does hit some dark patches, which makes everything that much more intense!
I was shocked by the outcome, and by the reveal. Although, it took me a moment to figure out the reveal. When it happened, I had a bit of and what? moment, but then I realised who and what it all meant and then I was like whoa! I can honestly say I had no idea, but now looking back some of it was the perfect set-up!
One element of the book was…… a little odd, not quite sure how it worked. How no one would notice this HUGE thing, but I went with it. If you ignore how it’s a little bit off and crazy, you have a great book to enjoy and lose yourself in!
What a story, a completely harrowing heartbreaking, messed-up story! I loved the now-and-then element, we find out what happened in the past to bring us to this devasting present. Lisa’s world is destroyed, all down to her daughter, Ava, one amazing act of bravery.
I was not expecting this at all!
I found it a bit slow, to begin with, but I think I wasn’t engaged enough in the audiobook. Then like normal, something clicked and I couldn’t get enough of it. It got me through my working day for sure. I was dying to know what crazy thing would happen next.
So many lies! Three women, Lisa, Ava, and Marilyn, all tied, all have been lying in different ways just to get them through the day. All riveting to read. I loved Marilyn, despite everything she was going through personally, and her feelings about Lisa, she was still a true friend. I admired her through everything. Lisa’s backstory is one I would hate for anyone, and it seems to be a popular go-to theme of the books I am reading of late. Despite that, it is still such a distressing thing to read, no matter the book. This book really does hit some dark patches, which makes everything that much more intense!
I was shocked by the outcome, and by the reveal. Although, it took me a moment to figure out the reveal. When it happened, I had a bit of and what? moment, but then I realised who and what it all meant and then I was like whoa! I can honestly say I had no idea, but now looking back some of it was the perfect set-up!
One element of the book was…… a little odd, not quite sure how it worked. How no one would notice this HUGE thing, but I went with it. If you ignore how it’s a little bit off and crazy, you have a great book to enjoy and lose yourself in!
mayameow's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
samalvarez823's review against another edition
5.0
I am so confused and not about the story but, about reviews claiming that “Behind Her Eyes” was just like this novel. That could not be further from the truth. This story has a life of its own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and definitely recommend it. It’s got suspense, a lil romance, some twists and turns and psychological aspects. Thriller lovers, this is your book.
Lisa, overprotective Mama of Ava and best friend to Marilyn, leads a small world existence between work and these two people. There are things in her past that if anyone found out, she’d be hassled for and would bring on more trouble than she needs. But, there’s always someone out there who knows our secrets, someone sinister that wants to see us “pay” for things they think we’ve done. How do you keep these things in the past though? How do you keep them from coming out?
An absolute must read, I’m adding Sarah as one of my new favorite authors. Her stories just flow so well, she gives enough facts to get us going and then weaves a tale around those facts. Loved it!
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and definitely recommend it. It’s got suspense, a lil romance, some twists and turns and psychological aspects. Thriller lovers, this is your book.
Lisa, overprotective Mama of Ava and best friend to Marilyn, leads a small world existence between work and these two people. There are things in her past that if anyone found out, she’d be hassled for and would bring on more trouble than she needs. But, there’s always someone out there who knows our secrets, someone sinister that wants to see us “pay” for things they think we’ve done. How do you keep these things in the past though? How do you keep them from coming out?
An absolute must read, I’m adding Sarah as one of my new favorite authors. Her stories just flow so well, she gives enough facts to get us going and then weaves a tale around those facts. Loved it!
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
"Cross my heart and hope to die""
Lisa and Ava, mother and daughter. One is having fun in highschool and the other is clearly hiding something. It was interesting to unfold the story in each Part. Part 1 really just introduces the first set of character. Part 2 really pulls a lot of the stories information out and lets you know where the story is going and Part 3 ties up loose ends. It was an interesting story, but completely unexpected. There is some pretty horrible abuse in the story but also a well done end. I didn't see the twists the story would take which kept it interesting.
Lisa and Ava, mother and daughter. One is having fun in highschool and the other is clearly hiding something. It was interesting to unfold the story in each Part. Part 1 really just introduces the first set of character. Part 2 really pulls a lot of the stories information out and lets you know where the story is going and Part 3 ties up loose ends. It was an interesting story, but completely unexpected. There is some pretty horrible abuse in the story but also a well done end. I didn't see the twists the story would take which kept it interesting.
spiraloutward's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty disappointing and predictable after "Behind Her Eyes."
amandareadsmore's review against another edition
5.0
I need to stop putting off reading books by authors that wow me. I can't believe I've had Cross Her Heart for a year and just now read it.
dearestprivacy's review against another edition
single mum that works in an office after leaving DV, just not interested and seems depressing.
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
(free review copy from publisher) D-A-R-K and twisty and not at all happy, but this one still managed to give me characters I wanted to root for and care about - that's rare for me in a thriller, so BRAVO. I was obsessed with Pinborough's last book Behind Her Eyes and was highly anticipating this one - while it's not quite as mind-blowing, it's still one that kept me guessing all the way through!
Trigger warnings for violence against a child and sexual abuse of a child.
Trigger warnings for violence against a child and sexual abuse of a child.
bookapotamus's review against another edition
5.0
It's been a long time since I was so riveted by a book that I cancelled plans! THIS was definitely deserving of a wine and pizza night vs. girls night out! (haha sorry ladies!) I was thoroughly impressed with how dark and disturbing the suspense was, and rarely anymore do I question 'whodunit'. This book had me shocked at twists and turns, entranced by the suspense, and thoroughly creeped out at the intricate mind games.
The story starts off pretty tame: Lisa is quietly living a fairly dull life with just her daughter Ava (Dad is out of the picture), and she doesn't do much more than go to work, or occasionally hang with her best friend slash co-worker Marilyn, and that leaves all the free time in the world to shelter and protect her daughter. Ava is SO tired of her overbearing mother, but you have to wonder - why is she this way? Is Lisa hiding something? But is her helicopter parenting warranted - is Ava hiding something as well?
It seems that everyone in this story has something the don't want out in the light. For fear of embarrassment, anger, fear, or solely just wanting to keep old secrets buried... but as all good secrets do, they have a habit of coming out and ruining lives. And that my friends, is what makes a good story! But how far will a mother go to protect her child - so far it pushes them away? How far will anyone go to hide a secret so dark, it will unravel everything. But sometimes the truth might just be better off buried.
I had a lot of fun reading this. It had me guessing for awhile and although some things I figured out, or thought might happen, I really was never sure. Some of the book was pretty disturbing and it wove intricate stories and details that really had my attention hooked from the very beginning. It's one of those books where you lose sleep because "just one more chapter..!" and you can't, and don't want to, put it down. Loved it - highly recommend.
The story starts off pretty tame: Lisa is quietly living a fairly dull life with just her daughter Ava (Dad is out of the picture), and she doesn't do much more than go to work, or occasionally hang with her best friend slash co-worker Marilyn, and that leaves all the free time in the world to shelter and protect her daughter. Ava is SO tired of her overbearing mother, but you have to wonder - why is she this way? Is Lisa hiding something? But is her helicopter parenting warranted - is Ava hiding something as well?
It seems that everyone in this story has something the don't want out in the light. For fear of embarrassment, anger, fear, or solely just wanting to keep old secrets buried... but as all good secrets do, they have a habit of coming out and ruining lives. And that my friends, is what makes a good story! But how far will a mother go to protect her child - so far it pushes them away? How far will anyone go to hide a secret so dark, it will unravel everything. But sometimes the truth might just be better off buried.
I had a lot of fun reading this. It had me guessing for awhile and although some things I figured out, or thought might happen, I really was never sure. Some of the book was pretty disturbing and it wove intricate stories and details that really had my attention hooked from the very beginning. It's one of those books where you lose sleep because "just one more chapter..!" and you can't, and don't want to, put it down. Loved it - highly recommend.