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cmbarowsky's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3/5 Stars
“Someone can do a terrible, an unforgivable thing, and yet you forgive them if you love them. The heart is such a strange thing.”
Cross Her Heart takes an ordinary mother and daughter and threads dark twists throughout their lives. Lisa has worked many years to protect her daughter, Ava, from her checkered past. She only wants the best for Ava and herself. When she meets a man by the name of Simon, she thinks she might be able to finally move on with her life. But when a young boy falls into a river and Ava saves him, Lisa’s past comes back to haunt her.
Sarah Pinborough possesses a talent for weaving a dark tale. She slowly builds complex characters, and carefully constructs a strong visual and palpable setting for the foundation of her story. Twists and turns are found throughout the novel, with no guess as to where the story will lead.
I really wanted to enjoy this book. I loved Behind Her Eyes and 13 Minutes. However, this book just didn’t do it for me. It took me about 100 pages to get into the story because the development was sluggish, and the characters were unlikeable. I felt like Ava’s teenage angst was a little too over-the-top and annoying. By Part Two the story had picked up, but the twists thrown in felt unnecessary and often confusing. Two hundred pages in, I contemplated not finishing the book. I am glad I held on until the end, though, for the ending was the only solid, enjoyable part of this story.
I didn’t personally love this book. However, I still love Sarah Pinborough’s writing. If you love twists and unlikeable characters, maybe this book is for you.
“Someone can do a terrible, an unforgivable thing, and yet you forgive them if you love them. The heart is such a strange thing.”
Cross Her Heart takes an ordinary mother and daughter and threads dark twists throughout their lives. Lisa has worked many years to protect her daughter, Ava, from her checkered past. She only wants the best for Ava and herself. When she meets a man by the name of Simon, she thinks she might be able to finally move on with her life. But when a young boy falls into a river and Ava saves him, Lisa’s past comes back to haunt her.
Sarah Pinborough possesses a talent for weaving a dark tale. She slowly builds complex characters, and carefully constructs a strong visual and palpable setting for the foundation of her story. Twists and turns are found throughout the novel, with no guess as to where the story will lead.
I really wanted to enjoy this book. I loved Behind Her Eyes and 13 Minutes. However, this book just didn’t do it for me. It took me about 100 pages to get into the story because the development was sluggish, and the characters were unlikeable. I felt like Ava’s teenage angst was a little too over-the-top and annoying. By Part Two the story had picked up, but the twists thrown in felt unnecessary and often confusing. Two hundred pages in, I contemplated not finishing the book. I am glad I held on until the end, though, for the ending was the only solid, enjoyable part of this story.
I didn’t personally love this book. However, I still love Sarah Pinborough’s writing. If you love twists and unlikeable characters, maybe this book is for you.
rmarcin's review against another edition
2.0
This was a slog to get through. So many parts of the book were innuendos - making you wonder. I didn't like any of the characters.
Ava is a 16 year old teenager and Lisa is a single mom trying to be protective of Ava, while giving her space. But, Lisa is hiding something from Ava. When it all comes out, it threatens to destroy their relationship.
There were too many strange things going on in this book, and I didn't enjoy it. It was not as bizarre as Pinborough's first book (Behind Her Eyes), but it was still very odd.
#SarahPinborough #CrossHerHeart
Ava is a 16 year old teenager and Lisa is a single mom trying to be protective of Ava, while giving her space. But, Lisa is hiding something from Ava. When it all comes out, it threatens to destroy their relationship.
There were too many strange things going on in this book, and I didn't enjoy it. It was not as bizarre as Pinborough's first book (Behind Her Eyes), but it was still very odd.
#SarahPinborough #CrossHerHeart
beastreader's review against another edition
2.0
This book really saddened me. I absolutely loved Behind Her Eyes and found the fact that I could not read that book fast enough. So, I was excited to jump right into this book. I was expecting the same intensity. Yet, it was apparent pretty early on that this book did not have the same magic as the prior novel.
I found the characters uninteresting. Also, they kind of turned me off from the way that they acted. There was not great connection shared with the characters and me. Additionally, the story didn't have the "big twist" or suspense as I came to expect from the author. Readers of these types of books, can figure out how the story will end. Which, I was right. I am holding out hope that the next book from this author finds that "magic" again like Behind Her Eyes.
I found the characters uninteresting. Also, they kind of turned me off from the way that they acted. There was not great connection shared with the characters and me. Additionally, the story didn't have the "big twist" or suspense as I came to expect from the author. Readers of these types of books, can figure out how the story will end. Which, I was right. I am holding out hope that the next book from this author finds that "magic" again like Behind Her Eyes.
erincataldi's review against another edition
4.0
This suspense novel started off slow and I initially didn't think I would like it. But as the story developed and started to unravel - I found myself unable to put it down. Lisa and her teenage daughter, Ava, live a quiet, ordinary life. Ava enjoys being on the swim team and hanging out with her group of three friends. Her mother works and worries over, Ava. Typical stuff. But is it typical?! Lisa is hiding something, an entire past that Ava knows nothing about. When a stuffed animal is left out in the rain and a favorite photo frame is smashed, Lisa is sure that everything is about to come to light. But what if her daughter has secrets too? Lots of twists and turns and red herrings. A story to keep you guessing.
ddrosche's review against another edition
5.0
Holy crap! This book won me over very early on and I was addicted. This was my first Sarah Pinborough and I am hooked. I'll definitely be looking into more of her works! This book has many things I love in a good read: multiple POVs, twists, time jumps, and a back story revealed piece by piece. Part 1 introduces you into well developed characters you quickly grow to love. Part 2 goes off the rails and the already fast paced story revs up even more. Part 3 brings everything to head with the revealing of the backstory throughout. Even the Epilogue is great. A great addition to the thriller genre!
exploradora's review against another edition
3.0
***3 Stars***
This is another one of those books I didn't like but didn't hate either. So basically I just don't know how to review it.
That's why RTC soon.
This is another one of those books I didn't like but didn't hate either. So basically I just don't know how to review it.
That's why RTC soon.
herliterarylife's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book but there are definitely some things I would change about it, especially with timing and certain things in the plot. I found parts to be predictable, sometimes boring, unbelievable, and cliché. It wasn't a bad read, but it's definitely not going to make a "favorite thrillers" list for me.
erinld2005's review against another edition
4.0
This book had a slow beginning, but it was fantastic once it picked up. Some of it was obvious, but there were also some twists and turns too. Overall, a very enjoyable read.
betty816's review against another edition
5.0
This book was crazy good, and kept me guessing until the very end!!! I had a little bit of hard time with the constant going back & forth in time, but I loved it....