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ranjkrish88's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
dontmissythesereads's review
4.5
Book #20 read in 2024
Every time I read this author, I wonder why I haven't read everything she has ever written. I think this may be my favorite of hers so far. I loved the set up of a crisis management expert, Arden, trying to rehab the reputation of a client. The only character I fully trusted was Arden, and it was clear she was going to have to wade through a ton of secrets, lies, and betrayal to get to the truth. Although I guessed one of the people who was the master of deceit, the rest came as a surprise. This book was so exciting, and the narration of Gail Shalan, a new to me narrator, was great.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook.
Every time I read this author, I wonder why I haven't read everything she has ever written. I think this may be my favorite of hers so far. I loved the set up of a crisis management expert, Arden, trying to rehab the reputation of a client. The only character I fully trusted was Arden, and it was clear she was going to have to wade through a ton of secrets, lies, and betrayal to get to the truth. Although I guessed one of the people who was the master of deceit, the rest came as a surprise. This book was so exciting, and the narration of Gail Shalan, a new to me narrator, was great.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook.
2manybooks2littletime's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to my partner, Suzy Approved Book Tours, and the author. I appreciate the gifted paperback, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
1. ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ - Several characters embody these characteristics; however, one of them stood out to me the entire time. I was loathe to read the dialogue and see the interactions. I just knew that this person was involved more than was meeting the eye.
2. ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฐ ๐๐ญ - I was convinced that I knew what was going on. Books that leave crumbs and then throw a different whopper out there when the time comes are always fun ones to finish! This one just might be able to catch you off guard!
3. ๐๐๐ญ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ - Arden is tossed into the depths of a situation in which she has no choice but to start investigating what the heck is going on. She holds her own and is rewarded for that in the end.
4. ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ - An evident theme throughout this story. The ones with the most money always prove to be the ones with the ultimate power. Arden is surrounded by these monsters throughout.
5. ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ - How true is the title of the book! No matter the truth, words have so much power. It truly just depends on who just might believe the words. The quote I shared gives me chills when I allow myself to really ponder it.
1. ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ - Several characters embody these characteristics; however, one of them stood out to me the entire time. I was loathe to read the dialogue and see the interactions. I just knew that this person was involved more than was meeting the eye.
2. ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฐ ๐๐ญ - I was convinced that I knew what was going on. Books that leave crumbs and then throw a different whopper out there when the time comes are always fun ones to finish! This one just might be able to catch you off guard!
3. ๐๐๐ญ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ - Arden is tossed into the depths of a situation in which she has no choice but to start investigating what the heck is going on. She holds her own and is rewarded for that in the end.
4. ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ - An evident theme throughout this story. The ones with the most money always prove to be the ones with the ultimate power. Arden is surrounded by these monsters throughout.
5. ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ - How true is the title of the book! No matter the truth, words have so much power. It truly just depends on who just might believe the words. The quote I shared gives me chills when I allow myself to really ponder it.
bookanonjeff's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Twisty Interconnected Suspense. This is another one of those tales where Tony Stark's snark about Nick Fury in The Avengers rings true: his secrets have secrets! Or to use another movie connection... Now You See Me: Come in close, because the more you think you see, the easier it'll be to fool you. Yes, this is one of *those* books, the kind where the WTFs per minute rise and you begin to get whiplash from whipping your head back and forth trying to follow all the twists and turns, particularly late in the tale. Ultimately a satisfying read... if you like that kind of story. For those that don't... you've been warned. Very much recommended.
rmarcin's review against another edition
5.0
Hank Phillippi Ryan has written a complex thriller. Arden Ward is a crisis management expert who is fired due to a false accusation by a client's wife. But, the managing partner of the firm offers Arden a way to save her reputation by representing a man, Ned Bannister, recently acquitted of murder for killing a skateboarder with his car, while intoxicated.
Cordelia, Ned's wife, hires Arden to restore Ned's reputation, however, Ned's lawyer is hit by a car, that looks like Ned's. Ned claims innocence, but when his lawyer awakens in the hospital, she just says one word "Ned".
Arden works to clear his name, but she worries that she is being lied to, but who is lying and who is telling the truth?
I knew who was doing this from the start, but not why. The final reveal was extremely complex, and took a lot of plotting and planning to create the tangled web!
I enjoyed this book and the story line. The changes and the twists kept you guessing if you got it right or not!
Cordelia, Ned's wife, hires Arden to restore Ned's reputation, however, Ned's lawyer is hit by a car, that looks like Ned's. Ned claims innocence, but when his lawyer awakens in the hospital, she just says one word "Ned".
Arden works to clear his name, but she worries that she is being lied to, but who is lying and who is telling the truth?
I knew who was doing this from the start, but not why. The final reveal was extremely complex, and took a lot of plotting and planning to create the tangled web!
I enjoyed this book and the story line. The changes and the twists kept you guessing if you got it right or not!
abercrombie1986's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Iโve always wanted to do a book face picture. Iโll admit it may have taken longer to get that selfie then it took me to read the book. ๐ partially because the book is so good and partially cuz Iโm a that bad at taking selfies.
But seriously I was drawn in from the start. Two women have their lives shattered by the men in their lives.
Secrets, deceptions and lies kept me guessing who to trust. It started out with a bang and then let me catch up to the cat and mouse game. Pay close attention to all the conversations Arden has, as all the clues are there but very well buried in the complex conversations.
Gail Shalan narrates this one and captures the nuances of those conversations. And make sure to listen to the end as the author reads her acknowledgments. How fun!
But seriously I was drawn in from the start. Two women have their lives shattered by the men in their lives.
Secrets, deceptions and lies kept me guessing who to trust. It started out with a bang and then let me catch up to the cat and mouse game. Pay close attention to all the conversations Arden has, as all the clues are there but very well buried in the complex conversations.
Gail Shalan narrates this one and captures the nuances of those conversations. And make sure to listen to the end as the author reads her acknowledgments. How fun!
sparetimereader's review against another edition
3.75
Short synopsis: Wrongfully accused of an affair, crisis management specialist Arden had one last chance to save her careerโฆ. Represent Ned Bannister who was just acquitted in a murder trial. But things arenโt really what they seem when Nedโs attorney is hit by a car that is reminiscent of Nedโs murder accusation.
My thoughts: This was my first by this author, and it definitely wonโt be my last. Totally bingeable with plot twists, great characters, and lots of drama.
While I did figure out part of the big twist, I did not see the full extent. I was on the edge of my seat sneaking in pages any minute I could to figure out the mystery in this page turning thriller! Such a fun ride.
I did audio and physical mix of this Amber the narrator did such a phenomenal job! I may have a new narrator to add to my list of favorites!
Read if you love:
- Court rooms and Murder suspects
- Wealthy families
- Who done it
- PR representation
- Puzzles
My thoughts: This was my first by this author, and it definitely wonโt be my last. Totally bingeable with plot twists, great characters, and lots of drama.
While I did figure out part of the big twist, I did not see the full extent. I was on the edge of my seat sneaking in pages any minute I could to figure out the mystery in this page turning thriller! Such a fun ride.
I did audio and physical mix of this Amber the narrator did such a phenomenal job! I may have a new narrator to add to my list of favorites!
Read if you love:
- Court rooms and Murder suspects
- Wealthy families
- Who done it
- PR representation
- Puzzles