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ehoffman563's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Thanks to #Netgalley for the ARC ebook.
Like other readers, I expected this to be a dark comedy in line with the song/lyrics by The Chicks. While there were loose similarities, the plot focused more on the friendship between four girls/women from high school to early 30s: Rosemarie, Ada, Caroline, and Kasey (RACK). Rosemarie moves away after high school and travels the world. She has a semi-open relationship with both Esme and Leo. Ada runs the family business and married her high school sweetheart - they now have 4 sons together. Caroline went to pastry school and runs the local bakery. She recently married the town's rich kid. Kasey left for New York the night of graduation and is returning for the first time with a lot of secrets of her own.
Growing up in a small town is hell - I personally don't understand why people stay or return. But, this book tries to make the point that it's the people there who will support you through thick and thin that make all of the difference.
The beginning was slow, the middle sped along, and the ending was really not my style. I didn't care for some of the tropes that were included Rosemarie's cancer was not necessary. Nor was Caroline's pregnancy. The small town religious aspects also weren't my style and didn't really seem appropriate in the plotlines. 2/5 stars.
Like other readers, I expected this to be a dark comedy in line with the song/lyrics by The Chicks. While there were loose similarities, the plot focused more on the friendship between four girls/women from high school to early 30s: Rosemarie, Ada, Caroline, and Kasey (RACK). Rosemarie moves away after high school and travels the world. She has a semi-open relationship with both Esme and Leo. Ada runs the family business and married her high school sweetheart - they now have 4 sons together. Caroline went to pastry school and runs the local bakery. She recently married the town's rich kid. Kasey left for New York the night of graduation and is returning for the first time with a lot of secrets of her own.
Growing up in a small town is hell - I personally don't understand why people stay or return. But, this book tries to make the point that it's the people there who will support you through thick and thin that make all of the difference.
The beginning was slow, the middle sped along, and the ending was really not my style. I didn't care for some of the tropes that were included
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, and Murder
torrie_reads's review against another edition
4.5
Thoughts
I knew I had to read this book when I saw the title and that it was a revenge novel. I think a lot of us girls/women in the south loved that song because domestic violence is really bad here.
So to see an entire book made from it was amazing. But this isn't a light-hearted book. It is heavy. Really heavy. Please check all the warning before reading it.
I really enjoyed it. It was hard to put down. I love a good book about found family and a village of women looking out for each other. Cross-Smith adds Christianity to her books which is usually a deterrent for me. But it isn't overwhelming and the characters are respectful to other beliefs.
There were a few things I didn't like but overall I thought it was a fantastic book and will be buying a copy for my shelves.
I knew I had to read this book when I saw the title and that it was a revenge novel. I think a lot of us girls/women in the south loved that song because domestic violence is really bad here.
So to see an entire book made from it was amazing. But this isn't a light-hearted book. It is heavy. Really heavy. Please check all the warning before reading it.
I really enjoyed it. It was hard to put down. I love a good book about found family and a village of women looking out for each other. Cross-Smith adds Christianity to her books which is usually a deterrent for me. But it isn't overwhelming and the characters are respectful to other beliefs.
There were a few things I didn't like but overall I thought it was a fantastic book and will be buying a copy for my shelves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, and Death of parent
shellyb's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Four lifelong friends reunite in their hometown after the 15 years since high school graduation in this dual timeline story. The story flips between their senior year of high school in 2004 and 2019 when they’re all back in their hometown again for the first time since then.
When three friends suspect one of their own is in an abusive relationship, they confront her and convince her to leave - only her abuser discovers her plans and the abuse escalates. The other three know it’s time for this “Earl” to say goodbye.
For me this was just okay. The first 1/3 or so it was engaging and felt well told. But somewhere near the middle it really started to drag. You pretty much know how it’s going to go but it takes forever to get there.
Also, there were some weird descriptive and phrasing choices throughout the book. And there were times it seemed like the author just grabbed a thesaurus and picked out the most obscure synonym she could. And although the Christian stuff wasn’t super in your face and down your throat, I didn’t feel like it added anything to the story.
Overall, it could have been better but it wasn’t bad.
When three friends suspect one of their own is in an abusive relationship, they confront her and convince her to leave - only her abuser discovers her plans and the abuse escalates. The other three know it’s time for this “Earl” to say goodbye.
For me this was just okay. The first 1/3 or so it was engaging and felt well told. But somewhere near the middle it really started to drag. You pretty much know how it’s going to go but it takes forever to get there.
Also, there were some weird descriptive and phrasing choices throughout the book. And there were times it seemed like the author just grabbed a thesaurus and picked out the most obscure synonym she could. And although the Christian stuff wasn’t super in your face and down your throat, I didn’t feel like it added anything to the story.
Overall, it could have been better but it wasn’t bad.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Murder
bethquarles's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
This book was perfect combo of nostalgia, revenge, and friendship. It feels like what friendship in the South grows up to be. Great character development. Great tie ins to The Chicks without being so full of cheesiness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
dclazygirl's review against another edition
4.75
I loved this song growing up and was so incredibly excited that a book was written based on it. The title alone and that it was “a revenge novel” made me know I had to read it right away. It did not disappoint. All the love women had for one another in the song came across in the book. I don’t want to say too much more and give it all away. But this book had high highs and low lows. As a long time fan of the song, this book was perfection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Abortion and Sexual harassment
allshewrotebks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
cdubiel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A group of tight-knit friends reckons with murder in this somewhat unrealistic yet deeply compelling book. RACK (Rosemarie, Ada, Caroline, and Kasey) have been friends since childhood and have always kept each other's secrets. Kasey left town after a terrible incident that is revealed piece by piece as the book goes along. When she returns for a wedding, she finds her small Texas town (Goldie) both the same and utterly changed. Caroline's married to an abusive husband, and while the other women are generally happy, there is conflict in their lives as well. It's clear the women need to do something about Caroline's marriage, but will they resort to murder? This is a little different from most of Leesa Cross-Smith's books, with more intrigue and suspense, but is written in her signature style. She draws complex portraits of each character, leaving the reader with a sense of knowing each individual of RACK.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Murder
reneethebookbird's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
5.0
I wouldn’t call this a thriller. It’s more like Now and Then meets Beaches meets Sweet Magnolias. And some murder.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Animal cruelty and Panic attacks/disorders