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mareike9's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
efirer's review against another edition
3.0
Jen is caught up in a murder investigation when her friend, Aletha, is murdered. Back in her hometown of Riddleton, Jen has old friends to help her, such as her best friend Brittany, and members of the,police department. When warned of the dangers, Jen persists in her own investigation. This was the first in a new series, showing promise. I liked it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
n_chemeng's review against another edition
medium-paced
1.0
don't read it. Just wasted 5 hours of my life. the mystery is predictable and uninspired. the writing is in 1st person and really bad especially description of characters. the protagonist is boring and there are so many racist microagressions. I didn't dnf it cause I couldn't believe how bad it is.
esmee97's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
ambb's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I figured out who the murderer was gonna be in chapter 2, before the murder even happened. The main character is insufferable, judgy, and has an extremely negative outlook on every aspect of the world around her. She can be unnecessarily mean and I don’t really understand how the people around her can stand her. The writing style felt uncomfortable and there were too many mistakes. I didn’t want to keep reading and really had to force myself - around 70% the story actually started flowing a bit, which is why I finally finished it. But I won’t pick up another book in this series.
Some “live tweets” I typed out whilst reading (spoilers ahead, but they’re without context so I doubt it’s actually spoiling anything):
“It took three tries to lock the door behind me. My heart raced in a constricted chest.
Forget this.”
- you’re going on a date, not jumping out of a plane
“A mantra Dr Margolis had taught me dropped into my mind. Deep breath in, slow breath out.”
- really, that’s the mantra he had to _teach_ you?
“Besides, as my grandmother used to say, what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.”
- ah yes such a specific saying, only Jen Dawson’s grandma could’ve figured it out
everything is SO exaggerated STOP IT. a man stands up quickly and smoothly and suddenly he’s a threat for mf usain bolt????
“I unloaded the tray. A grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup. Seriously? How about a hot fudge brownie sundae? Whatever. My stomach would take it, either way.”
- ungrateful ass
“I’m fine, and I was there for you when Frankie disappeared in Afghanistan.”
Tears pooled in Brittany’s eyes. “Aletha was your friend, and you cared for her, but I don’t see the comparison. Frankie was going to be my husband. He disappeared two weeks before he was due to come home. Three weeks before the wedding.” She stood. “I’ll be here whenever you need me.”
I’d stepped over the line. What’s wrong with me? “Britt, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I’m an—”
“Ass. Yes, I know.” She opened the door. “I’ll stop by when I get off work.”
- fucking bitch????
“Wow! Best sweet tea I’ve ever tasted.”
Vangie beamed. “It’s my mama’s secret recipe. All I can say is, two different kinds of tea all mixed up with lots of sugar.”
And a warning label: for best results serve with insulin.”
- what a rude unnecessary comment
the “tour” at the Your Life contest was like two rooms and two short questions??????
“His gentle finger under my chin turned my head back toward him.”
- SO. MUCH. PHYSICAL CONTACT. WITHOUT CONSENT.
“Tim kept an eye on Marcus and Russell as they strolled toward the Mustang. “He claims he’s had no contact with Aletha since he went to prison, but I don’t believe him. I can’t prove it, but I’m positive he’s seen or at least talked to her since then. Since the contest, even.”
- tim literally talked about marcus’ letter and now suddenly he has no proof?
“Only a newbie reporter could come up with something that lame.”
- 99% of the time this woman is awake she’s busy judging
“In fact, I still didn’t know why she beat up Timmy Hardwick when he stole my finger paints the first day of kindergarten.”
- … you’re literally stating the reason?
“I fiddled with the radio, but found nothing but pitchmen, preachers, and top forty playlists. Having my fingernails pulled out with pliers would offer more entertainment value.”
- why so RUDE
“Russell groaned and I turned toward him. His hands and eyes twitched. Was it a nightmare about me?”
- NOT. EVERYTHING. IS. ABOUT. YOU.
“How had he hidden this arrogant side so well?”
- he literally didn’t
“Brittany stood and stretched. “I think I’ll go down to the cafeteria for some coffee. Anyone else want any?”
Every hand rose, so Eric sent Leonard along to help carry the cups back. A polite thing to do, but I suspected his true motive involved privacy.”
- literally where is this suddenly coming from??
Some “live tweets” I typed out whilst reading (spoilers ahead, but they’re without context so I doubt it’s actually spoiling anything):
“It took three tries to lock the door behind me. My heart raced in a constricted chest.
Forget this.”
- you’re going on a date, not jumping out of a plane
“A mantra Dr Margolis had taught me dropped into my mind. Deep breath in, slow breath out.”
- really, that’s the mantra he had to _teach_ you?
“Besides, as my grandmother used to say, what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.”
- ah yes such a specific saying, only Jen Dawson’s grandma could’ve figured it out
everything is SO exaggerated STOP IT. a man stands up quickly and smoothly and suddenly he’s a threat for mf usain bolt????
“I unloaded the tray. A grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup. Seriously? How about a hot fudge brownie sundae? Whatever. My stomach would take it, either way.”
- ungrateful ass
“I’m fine, and I was there for you when Frankie disappeared in Afghanistan.”
Tears pooled in Brittany’s eyes. “Aletha was your friend, and you cared for her, but I don’t see the comparison. Frankie was going to be my husband. He disappeared two weeks before he was due to come home. Three weeks before the wedding.” She stood. “I’ll be here whenever you need me.”
I’d stepped over the line. What’s wrong with me? “Britt, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I’m an—”
“Ass. Yes, I know.” She opened the door. “I’ll stop by when I get off work.”
- fucking bitch????
“Wow! Best sweet tea I’ve ever tasted.”
Vangie beamed. “It’s my mama’s secret recipe. All I can say is, two different kinds of tea all mixed up with lots of sugar.”
And a warning label: for best results serve with insulin.”
- what a rude unnecessary comment
the “tour” at the Your Life contest was like two rooms and two short questions??????
“His gentle finger under my chin turned my head back toward him.”
- SO. MUCH. PHYSICAL CONTACT. WITHOUT CONSENT.
“Tim kept an eye on Marcus and Russell as they strolled toward the Mustang. “He claims he’s had no contact with Aletha since he went to prison, but I don’t believe him. I can’t prove it, but I’m positive he’s seen or at least talked to her since then. Since the contest, even.”
- tim literally talked about marcus’ letter and now suddenly he has no proof?
“Only a newbie reporter could come up with something that lame.”
- 99% of the time this woman is awake she’s busy judging
“In fact, I still didn’t know why she beat up Timmy Hardwick when he stole my finger paints the first day of kindergarten.”
- … you’re literally stating the reason?
“I fiddled with the radio, but found nothing but pitchmen, preachers, and top forty playlists. Having my fingernails pulled out with pliers would offer more entertainment value.”
- why so RUDE
“Russell groaned and I turned toward him. His hands and eyes twitched. Was it a nightmare about me?”
- NOT. EVERYTHING. IS. ABOUT. YOU.
“How had he hidden this arrogant side so well?”
- he literally didn’t
“Brittany stood and stretched. “I think I’ll go down to the cafeteria for some coffee. Anyone else want any?”
Every hand rose, so Eric sent Leonard along to help carry the cups back. A polite thing to do, but I suspected his true motive involved privacy.”
- literally where is this suddenly coming from??
karinaewhite's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
manougerards's review against another edition
4.0
This was very enjoyable! A cozy murder mystery story about a crime author trying to solve an actual crime. I really loved all of the side characters in this book, especially Jen's friends. One thing though... I suspected the murder from the very beginning, so I wasn't very surprised at the end.
sleepy_0wl's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
kirilee94's review against another edition
3.0
I saw the ending coming a mile away, but it was cozy and suspenseful enough to keep me engaged.
ksanchezzzbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Summary of me reading this book: RUSSELL, RUSSELL, ITS FUCKING RUSSELL!!!!!!!!!!!! And then reading the ending like this