Scan barcode
kaidalea's review
4.0
Well, this wasn’t what I was expecting. First of all— when I read about the MC having an obsession that was consuming her, for some reason I truly believed it had to be a romantic interest. Then, as I read the first few pages about her ex, I assumed it had to be a guy. And I was wrong.
The transparency of the author straight away is respectable and unreserved, which I appreciated. I think the best story puts most things right up front. If I know everything about Camilla, for the most part, and I can follow along as the story progresses and still be surprised by her behavior. In this regard, the author did an excellent job. She also did an excellent job distinguishing characters and background. A+
I can empathize with Camilla’s acknowledgment of keeping the panicked girl inside of her at bay, the pushing away of the good things that bring back trauma, the flashbacks, the triggers, and the obsessive way that distraction can be such a huge ally in the battle to keep your sanity. This made her character relatable or understandable to any reader, which I thought was awesome by the author! The more real your characters are (especially your MC) the better your story is. The problem with Camilla’s behavior, obviously, is her lack of motivation to do more and to get help. I’m not blaming her— believe me. When I hit rock bottom I had to be scared stupid to finally claw my way back into a therapists chair, and recovery is an every-day job.
Moving on, let’s talk about why she’s crazy and why this is not standard behavior of anyone in general *or* anyone suffering from this type of mental illness. It’s easy to see why it would push it along... but it’s not the reason. Jealously and rage are not generally born from trauma, in my experience. Obsessive hate-worship is a personal problem, and it happens to be Camilla’s. Also, there’s her alcoholism and pill addiction, which is obviously a (huge) problem. Another point to Lynch for her consistency of character building.
Camilla is completely obsessed with her former classmate, Valerie. Valerie is a stunning, care-free, successful instagram goddess, and she is someone that Camilla spent her time in school with wishing she could be friends with. Valerie is the girl we all wished we could’ve been— effortlessly beautiful, making shitty distressed clothes look cool and gorgeous, an easy smile and an awesome personality to match all of the former. Camilla was invisible to her in school, and it’s clear that isn’t forgotten, even fifteen years after their initial meeting. She’s more than obsessed— she’s pissed. Her recent loss of her husband is no help— she thinks of herself as a murderer, because she was driving, and she survived with very dramatic scarring that makes her look like a monster (to her).
At long last, Camilla is given an odd opportunity to fulfill her desire for purpose and need— I will not spoil this, because even though we learn it pretty quickly, I think the build-up and lead-in is important to understand it (or more importantly, her) best.
While there were some irritating plot holes, this was an addicting story I read in less than a day. The writing wasn’t perfect but it was perfectly appropriate for this book, and the story was unbelievable, but that’s kind of what made it so fun to read. Definitely a good beach read, of like in my case, hotel read! :)
The transparency of the author straight away is respectable and unreserved, which I appreciated. I think the best story puts most things right up front. If I know everything about Camilla, for the most part, and I can follow along as the story progresses and still be surprised by her behavior. In this regard, the author did an excellent job. She also did an excellent job distinguishing characters and background. A+
I can empathize with Camilla’s acknowledgment of keeping the panicked girl inside of her at bay, the pushing away of the good things that bring back trauma, the flashbacks, the triggers, and the obsessive way that distraction can be such a huge ally in the battle to keep your sanity. This made her character relatable or understandable to any reader, which I thought was awesome by the author! The more real your characters are (especially your MC) the better your story is. The problem with Camilla’s behavior, obviously, is her lack of motivation to do more and to get help. I’m not blaming her— believe me. When I hit rock bottom I had to be scared stupid to finally claw my way back into a therapists chair, and recovery is an every-day job.
Moving on, let’s talk about why she’s crazy and why this is not standard behavior of anyone in general *or* anyone suffering from this type of mental illness. It’s easy to see why it would push it along... but it’s not the reason. Jealously and rage are not generally born from trauma, in my experience. Obsessive hate-worship is a personal problem, and it happens to be Camilla’s. Also, there’s her alcoholism and pill addiction, which is obviously a (huge) problem. Another point to Lynch for her consistency of character building.
Camilla is completely obsessed with her former classmate, Valerie. Valerie is a stunning, care-free, successful instagram goddess, and she is someone that Camilla spent her time in school with wishing she could be friends with. Valerie is the girl we all wished we could’ve been— effortlessly beautiful, making shitty distressed clothes look cool and gorgeous, an easy smile and an awesome personality to match all of the former. Camilla was invisible to her in school, and it’s clear that isn’t forgotten, even fifteen years after their initial meeting. She’s more than obsessed— she’s pissed. Her recent loss of her husband is no help— she thinks of herself as a murderer, because she was driving, and she survived with very dramatic scarring that makes her look like a monster (to her).
At long last, Camilla is given an odd opportunity to fulfill her desire for purpose and need— I will not spoil this, because even though we learn it pretty quickly, I think the build-up and lead-in is important to understand it (or more importantly, her) best.
While there were some irritating plot holes, this was an addicting story I read in less than a day. The writing wasn’t perfect but it was perfectly appropriate for this book, and the story was unbelievable, but that’s kind of what made it so fun to read. Definitely a good beach read, of like in my case, hotel read! :)
angelahayes's review
3.0
3 Stars
Like, Follow, Kill by Carissa Ann Lynch...
2021 Book Club Reading Challenge.
Review to come...
Like, Follow, Kill by Carissa Ann Lynch...
2021 Book Club Reading Challenge.
Review to come...
sparethebs's review
3.0
Thank you Netgalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and Carissa Ann Lynch for allowing me to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Camilla is a pill popping drunk who killed her husband in a car accident which also left her with horrific scars and lasting pains. As a result of the trauma, she has essentially become a recluse and her only communication is via social media. She has basically shut her only relative, a sister out of her life even though her sister insists on trying to help her.
Camilla found a old friend from her high school days and becomes a dedicated follower. Things become chaotic and dangerous when she becomes obsessed with Valerie and worries when she doesn't hear from her daily.
The writing style is like a crazy ride through Camilla's mind and views. Due to the trauma she suffered it triggered several mental illnesses. She has a hard time deciphering reality from illusion or memories. Mix that with alcohol and pain medication and it's a good formula for a book that kept me interested.
Camilla is a pill popping drunk who killed her husband in a car accident which also left her with horrific scars and lasting pains. As a result of the trauma, she has essentially become a recluse and her only communication is via social media. She has basically shut her only relative, a sister out of her life even though her sister insists on trying to help her.
Camilla found a old friend from her high school days and becomes a dedicated follower. Things become chaotic and dangerous when she becomes obsessed with Valerie and worries when she doesn't hear from her daily.
The writing style is like a crazy ride through Camilla's mind and views. Due to the trauma she suffered it triggered several mental illnesses. She has a hard time deciphering reality from illusion or memories. Mix that with alcohol and pain medication and it's a good formula for a book that kept me interested.
sarah_'s review
3.0
This book was really fun, and totally bonkers. Make sure you are ready to suspend your disbelief before you dive in!
imfullybooked's review
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing and eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Like, Follow, Kill is a book I thought I'd love. It's about this woman, Camilla, who was in a car accident with her husband, Chris, while drunk driving. She came out of the accident scarred, her face quite disfigured, yet still somehow, she got the better end of the stick than her husband, who died in the accident. Camilla locks herself up in her house and turns to social media for any kind of entertainment. She follows her school acquaintance, Valerie, very closely, developing an obsession for her perfect, glamorous life. And then Valerie goes missing...
I think anyone who enjoys thrillers would be hooked after that synopsis. Unfortunately, the story didn't turn out to what I wanted it to be. The bones of it were great, the ideas solid. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll be very vague about my thoughts. I thought the main character was well done, but apart from one mention at the start, there is nothing that explains the person she is and why she is like that.
The book was suspenceful and fast paced. The first person narrative was a good choice of a narrative - it gave a glimpse into the main character's mind. I think I would rate this book 3.75 stars if not the ending. I like being shocked, but what I like more is when I can go back and trace all the signs back to the big reveal. The ending was full of plot twists, but the bad kind. The ones that are there clearly for the shock value, and don't add up. I think, maybe, I would've enjoyed the book even with those if not the last 2 pages, but sadly, those completely ruined the book for me.
2.75/5 stars
Like, Follow, Kill is a book I thought I'd love. It's about this woman, Camilla, who was in a car accident with her husband, Chris, while drunk driving. She came out of the accident scarred, her face quite disfigured, yet still somehow, she got the better end of the stick than her husband, who died in the accident. Camilla locks herself up in her house and turns to social media for any kind of entertainment. She follows her school acquaintance, Valerie, very closely, developing an obsession for her perfect, glamorous life. And then Valerie goes missing...
I think anyone who enjoys thrillers would be hooked after that synopsis. Unfortunately, the story didn't turn out to what I wanted it to be. The bones of it were great, the ideas solid. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll be very vague about my thoughts. I thought the main character was well done, but apart from one mention at the start, there is nothing that explains the person she is and why she is like that.
The book was suspenceful and fast paced. The first person narrative was a good choice of a narrative - it gave a glimpse into the main character's mind. I think I would rate this book 3.75 stars if not the ending. I like being shocked, but what I like more is when I can go back and trace all the signs back to the big reveal. The ending was full of plot twists, but the bad kind. The ones that are there clearly for the shock value, and don't add up. I think, maybe, I would've enjoyed the book even with those if not the last 2 pages, but sadly, those completely ruined the book for me.
2.75/5 stars
More...