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bookph1le's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
This had a great setup, but the execution left something to be desired. Read past the spoiler tags at your own risk, as I'm going to be giving the big secret away.
Had the book used white supremacy as the big evil, the couple of racial element woven into the book would also have given it more impact. As it was, I didn't understand why they were there, because they felt more like window dressing than any serious attempt to acknowledge the racial atmosphere of the time period. To me, it came across as signaling, "This lady is white, but she is totally not racist".
Lastly, I had issues with the main character. In the end, her behavior did make more sense, given what she realizes about herself and the impact that trauma would have had on a person, but I found her hard to figure out. One second she's thinking like a wily fox, but the next she's spouting everything that's inside her head. Small wonder she couldn't get away from major creepy town. Her erratic behavior felt too much like convenience, like she was clever when the book needed her to figure out what was going on but lacking in any sense of self-preservation or any self-control when that served the plot by keeping her trapped.
Overall, this book was just...a lot.
This had a great setup, but the execution left something to be desired. Read past the spoiler tags at your own risk, as I'm going to be giving the big secret away.
Spoiler
I thought this book was heading in the direction of the town being a supposed Aryan utopia, which I think would have been a lot better and a lot more disturbing that the weird pseudo-religious plot involving incest, incest, and more incest. All the talk of purity made me think the town's aim was to create a master race, and while that was technically what was going on, the concept didn't make much sense.Had the book used white supremacy as the big evil, the couple of racial element woven into the book would also have given it more impact. As it was, I didn't understand why they were there, because they felt more like window dressing than any serious attempt to acknowledge the racial atmosphere of the time period. To me, it came across as signaling, "This lady is white, but she is totally not racist".
Lastly, I had issues with the main character. In the end, her behavior did make more sense, given what she realizes about herself and the impact that trauma would have had on a person, but I found her hard to figure out. One second she's thinking like a wily fox, but the next she's spouting everything that's inside her head. Small wonder she couldn't get away from major creepy town. Her erratic behavior felt too much like convenience, like she was clever when the book needed her to figure out what was going on but lacking in any sense of self-preservation or any self-control when that served the plot by keeping her trapped.
Overall, this book was just...a lot.
infairveronaa's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I was filled with the same paranoia and vindication that Joan was.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping and Rape
Minor: Sexism
reader295's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love the way Jess Lourey puts you in another world with her books and plots.
Would have liked more resolution of the FMC’s possible mental illness and college friendships
Would have liked more resolution of the FMC’s possible mental illness and college friendships
kailynrisher's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
This book was ehhh and I wouldn’t say it’s horror. The story was weird and I can’t behind the cult like small town stuff. Great writing but not worth the read.
pixeledash's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lynguy1's review against another edition
4.0
BLOODLINE by Jess Lourey is a psychological thriller that grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go. Her excellent writing and exquisite story line captured my attention immediately. The author’s note tells the story that inspired this novel.
When a pregnant Joan Harken is mugged on her way home, she agrees to move to from Minneapolis to her fiancé’s small hometown two and a half hours northwest. Deck Schmidt tells her Lilydale is peaceful, friendly, and everyone knows everyone and looks out for each other. His parents have even gifted them their old house and Deck tells her he is sure the local newspaper will hire her as a journalist and she will get a coveted byline. What could possibly go wrong? Is it too good to be true? Something seems off. Is Joan being watched or is she being paranoid? Can she trust her instincts? Is there anyone she can trust?
This novel takes place in 1968 and 1969 and there is some jumping back and forth in time. As the time shifted forward, I continued to wonder what happened in the intervening months that landed her in the situation she is in in the future. While it would have helped if the transitions had been labeled with dates, a picture is gradually revealed to the reader.
Recognizing that this novel is set in the late 1960’s and not current times, I can see why Joan handled some things the way that she did. This was a time before the internet and cell phones. The story would not have worked for me if it was a contemporary setting so the author selected an appropriate timeline. Joan was someone that I wanted to be safe and happy and to have a healthy baby. But she also has some flaws that emerge during the course of the books that makes her more believable. Almost none of the other characters were likeable.
The writing is very atmospheric and creepy; the plot tense and suspenseful, with a few twists and a dramatic ending. Several themes are woven into the book, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers. Suffice it to say that family relationships and town dynamics play a large role in the story.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was an entertaining book that was emotionally intense at times. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers and family dramas, then you may want to check out this book. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for January 1, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
When a pregnant Joan Harken is mugged on her way home, she agrees to move to from Minneapolis to her fiancé’s small hometown two and a half hours northwest. Deck Schmidt tells her Lilydale is peaceful, friendly, and everyone knows everyone and looks out for each other. His parents have even gifted them their old house and Deck tells her he is sure the local newspaper will hire her as a journalist and she will get a coveted byline. What could possibly go wrong? Is it too good to be true? Something seems off. Is Joan being watched or is she being paranoid? Can she trust her instincts? Is there anyone she can trust?
This novel takes place in 1968 and 1969 and there is some jumping back and forth in time. As the time shifted forward, I continued to wonder what happened in the intervening months that landed her in the situation she is in in the future. While it would have helped if the transitions had been labeled with dates, a picture is gradually revealed to the reader.
Recognizing that this novel is set in the late 1960’s and not current times, I can see why Joan handled some things the way that she did. This was a time before the internet and cell phones. The story would not have worked for me if it was a contemporary setting so the author selected an appropriate timeline. Joan was someone that I wanted to be safe and happy and to have a healthy baby. But she also has some flaws that emerge during the course of the books that makes her more believable. Almost none of the other characters were likeable.
The writing is very atmospheric and creepy; the plot tense and suspenseful, with a few twists and a dramatic ending. Several themes are woven into the book, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers. Suffice it to say that family relationships and town dynamics play a large role in the story.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was an entertaining book that was emotionally intense at times. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers and family dramas, then you may want to check out this book. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for January 1, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
extrasprouts's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible book. The slow start with hints of a creepy and possibly sinister town secret kept me interested, and the further I read the more invested i became. I couldn’t put this book down! Every time I felt like i knew what was going to happen next, or that the secrets were unfolding…another twist would happen and completely surprise me. The final few chapters had me up in bed at midnight with my jaw on the floor. Nothing felt completely predictable, and the creep factor of a cult-like town was so unsettling and fun to read.
iddylu's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
alihupp's review against another edition
4.0
Bloodline ~ Jess Lourey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Whoa, what a ride! This book was full of secrets, gaslighting, twists, you name it.
Joan seems to have everything. A job she loves, a loving fiancé, a baby on the way. But after a scare in the city they decide to move to her fiancé’s hometown of Lilydale. Lilydale seems like the perfect community with a close knit community where nothing bad ever happens. But something about their friendliness doesn’t feel right to Joan. She feels like she’s being watched by everyone. This town has a dark secret and Joan is determined to figure it out, even though it seems like it could lead her down a dangerous path.
Bloodline is set in the 1960s and set in a creepy town. The timeline of the book jumps back and forth a little bit to build suspense. The authors note at the beginning tells about the story that inspired this book and also hooked me immediately. It is a small town and everyone Joan meets gives a very cult like vibe. The plot is tense and suspenseful with quite the dramatic ending. I really love Jess Loureys writing and really enjoyed this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Whoa, what a ride! This book was full of secrets, gaslighting, twists, you name it.
Joan seems to have everything. A job she loves, a loving fiancé, a baby on the way. But after a scare in the city they decide to move to her fiancé’s hometown of Lilydale. Lilydale seems like the perfect community with a close knit community where nothing bad ever happens. But something about their friendliness doesn’t feel right to Joan. She feels like she’s being watched by everyone. This town has a dark secret and Joan is determined to figure it out, even though it seems like it could lead her down a dangerous path.
Bloodline is set in the 1960s and set in a creepy town. The timeline of the book jumps back and forth a little bit to build suspense. The authors note at the beginning tells about the story that inspired this book and also hooked me immediately. It is a small town and everyone Joan meets gives a very cult like vibe. The plot is tense and suspenseful with quite the dramatic ending. I really love Jess Loureys writing and really enjoyed this book!
larry_yonce's review against another edition
3.0
"We don't get much new blood here."
In 1968, after she suffers a mugging, pregnant reporter Joan Harkin and her fiancé Deck move to his small hometown of Lilydale, Minnesota .... where some of the locals behave in a downright peculiar fashion, to put it mildly.
Rather absurd but entertaining horror/mystery story boosted by an appealing heroine one can't help but root for, though she is certainly flawed in her own right.
Some of the revelations are more effective than others.
Overall a good read.
In 1968, after she suffers a mugging, pregnant reporter Joan Harkin and her fiancé Deck move to his small hometown of Lilydale, Minnesota .... where some of the locals behave in a downright peculiar fashion, to put it mildly.
Rather absurd but entertaining horror/mystery story boosted by an appealing heroine one can't help but root for, though she is certainly flawed in her own right.
Some of the revelations are more effective than others.
Overall a good read.