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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
This review was originally posted on Books of Amber
Quite honestly, I thought most of this book was ridiculous. For various reasons. I'm incredibly disappointed because even though I wasn't the biggest fan of the finale, Kemmerer's Elementals series was really enjoyable for me, and I was excited to see what she came out with next. Thicker Than Water, however, was such a disappointment.
I love a good murder mystery, and Thicker Than Water started out as an intriguing one. The main character's mother is murdered and the MC is a suspect. Sounds good, right? But unfortunately it wasn't executed well at all.
My biggest issue with this book is that, once again, Kemmerer has a legion of male characters and less than a handful of females. This was a thing in the Elementals series as well, wherein the four brothers are really the main characters of the series and the female characters are "just" the love interests. This didn't bother me in the beginning, but by the final book I started to get a bit fed up. But in that series, the brothers lived together and so it was understandable that they were around more. In Thicker Than Water, the female main character has a bunch of brothers as well, and hardly any female friends. She has one that I can recall, but we get hardly any scenes with them together. It was all about Thomas and Charlotte, rather than Charlotte as an individual.
So that annoyed me, and then there's a twist towards the end that really threw me for a loop. I didn't sign up for that.
Thicker Than Water is very much more of the same, which is a shame because I was looking forward to seeing Kemmerer branch out a bit more with her writing and stories. I'm glad it's not a series (yet?) because I'm not sure I could handle more of this story that I would feel obligated to read.
I only discovered Brigid last year, and since then have been devouring all of her books I can get, so this one was no different. Thicker Than Water follows Thomas, who after moving to a new town following his mother's marriage, is facing accusations of murder when she is found strangled in bed, and he was the only one in the house. The only person in town who isn't treating him like a complete social pariah is Charlotte, daughter of one cop, and sister of three others. She has been warned away from him, but feels a connection and can't keep away. When different things start happening, such as Thomas allegedly attacking her and her brothers, it seems like he is all alone. Can he find someone to help, and discover just who killed his mam?
Right, so this book was different. I was fully invested until about 80% through, and then something happened and I was completely thrown. Honestly, I was contemplating not finishing the book because of it, because I just wasn't too interested any more, but decided to push through. It started as a solid 4-5 star for me, and I really enjoyed the mystery and the attraction between Thomas and Charlotte, but it wasn't enough to keep up my excitement. I don't want to give too much away, but the last 20% of the book were plain weird, and not enough was tied together for the ending. It was far too quick and untidy, and could've been so much better without that ending. It hasn't turned me off Brigid's books, but I am disappointed.
Right, so this book was different. I was fully invested until about 80% through, and then something happened and I was completely thrown. Honestly, I was contemplating not finishing the book because of it, because I just wasn't too interested any more, but decided to push through. It started as a solid 4-5 star for me, and I really enjoyed the mystery and the attraction between Thomas and Charlotte, but it wasn't enough to keep up my excitement. I don't want to give too much away, but the last 20% of the book were plain weird, and not enough was tied together for the ending. It was far too quick and untidy, and could've been so much better without that ending. It hasn't turned me off Brigid's books, but I am disappointed.
Brigid Kemmerer did it again! I freaking love her stories so much and I cannot wait for her next book!
Thomas Bellweather hasn't been in town for long. Long enough for his newlywed mother to be murdered and his new stepdad's colleagues to decide he's guilty. There's no evidence, but a cold case that seems eerily similar in subtle ways. Charlotte Rooker, little sister to three cops, is the only one who seems to believe Thomas. Their friendship is dangerous for them both, but the answers they uncover will reveal truths about Thomas's family that he never guessed.
The supernatural element in this completely surprised me. I was not expecting it at all, but omg I loved it!! There's nothing better than to be completely surprised by a character and man Thomas really did it. Murder mysteries are so much fun and I love trying to figure out who did it. I could never suspect my baby Thomas because he's too precious and my angry son must be protected!
I loved Charlotte. She's everything I love in a female MC: intelligent, determined and strong. While her relationships with her family had their strains, they were completely devoted to each other. I constantly wanted to punch her brothers for their over-protectiveness and at the same time hug them for how much they loved her. I was definitely over the traditional gender stereotypes that Charlotte's mom and grandmother ascribed to, but so was Charlotte which made me cheer for her.
The relationship between Charlotte and Thomas was so magnetic. I couldn't wait for them to see each other again. My heart just melted for them. I also really loved Charlotte's friendship with Nicole. These two were hilarious and I loved how they supported each other no questions asked.
The plot was just something else. So many secrets and craziness!! I never suspected half of the book. Such a great read!
Thomas Bellweather hasn't been in town for long. Long enough for his newlywed mother to be murdered and his new stepdad's colleagues to decide he's guilty. There's no evidence, but a cold case that seems eerily similar in subtle ways. Charlotte Rooker, little sister to three cops, is the only one who seems to believe Thomas. Their friendship is dangerous for them both, but the answers they uncover will reveal truths about Thomas's family that he never guessed.
The supernatural element in this completely surprised me. I was not expecting it at all, but omg I loved it!! There's nothing better than to be completely surprised by a character and man Thomas really did it. Murder mysteries are so much fun and I love trying to figure out who did it. I could never suspect my baby Thomas because he's too precious and my angry son must be protected!
I loved Charlotte. She's everything I love in a female MC: intelligent, determined and strong. While her relationships with her family had their strains, they were completely devoted to each other. I constantly wanted to punch her brothers for their over-protectiveness and at the same time hug them for how much they loved her. I was definitely over the traditional gender stereotypes that Charlotte's mom and grandmother ascribed to, but so was Charlotte which made me cheer for her.
The relationship between Charlotte and Thomas was so magnetic. I couldn't wait for them to see each other again. My heart just melted for them. I also really loved Charlotte's friendship with Nicole. These two were hilarious and I loved how they supported each other no questions asked.
The plot was just something else. So many secrets and craziness!! I never suspected half of the book. Such a great read!
Full of mystery and suspense. The characters were mysterious as were their town. Imagine that two weeks into moving into a new town and everyone thinks you murdered your own mother. Yeah, I would run out of there. That's what happens to Thomas and he is left to live with his stepfather. The only person who doesn't believe he killed his mother is the local good girl Charlotte. When she has questions about a similar murder that happened to a girl she used to know, someone is out to kill them before they find out the answers.
As I read through the book, it was something totally different route than my mind thought it was going to go and that's a good thing. It really surprised me and loved how it took me for a ride. I really loved Charlotte's persistence despite her family telling her the opposite and poor Thomas I just wanted to hug him.
As I read through the book, it was something totally different route than my mind thought it was going to go and that's a good thing. It really surprised me and loved how it took me for a ride. I really loved Charlotte's persistence despite her family telling her the opposite and poor Thomas I just wanted to hug him.
Review:
I received this book from NetGalley for review.
There was a lot going on in this book, and not all of it made sense or was written very smoothly together.
I enjoyed Tom's narrative way more than Charlotte's. Hers was a little scattered and not very consistent. I also wasn't overly fond of the blatant sexism with her family. Her herd of older brothers being annoyingly over protective to the way her Grandmother talked and treated her. It kind of felt like the story should have taken place in the 70's or something rather than modern era.
The who did it was more interesting than the story getting there, and a lot of the time the journey felt like it was dragged way out and slowed everything down to the point where I was just really bored reading this book. The way the cops acted in this book was so unrealistic that I had a really hard time staying invested in the story and the characters. I almost gave up on this book more than once and the pay out just wasn't enough for me to give this book a higher rating.
I received this book from NetGalley for review.
There was a lot going on in this book, and not all of it made sense or was written very smoothly together.
I enjoyed Tom's narrative way more than Charlotte's. Hers was a little scattered and not very consistent. I also wasn't overly fond of the blatant sexism with her family. Her herd of older brothers being annoyingly over protective to the way her Grandmother talked and treated her. It kind of felt like the story should have taken place in the 70's or something rather than modern era.
The who did it was more interesting than the story getting there, and a lot of the time the journey felt like it was dragged way out and slowed everything down to the point where I was just really bored reading this book. The way the cops acted in this book was so unrealistic that I had a really hard time staying invested in the story and the characters. I almost gave up on this book more than once and the pay out just wasn't enough for me to give this book a higher rating.
I'm really glad I picked up this book. The writer is truly talented and left me reading all night. Both of the characters are so well developed, and I grew fond for both. Their tension was killing me!
This book also frustrated me in the right places too. The way everyone hated Thomas was done so well. The way charlotte was expected to do all the "lady" chores made me really angry at her family.
*SECOND READING*
Just as fabulous. I’ve tried other books by this same author, but never finished one. This one however is just amazing. The tension (both romantic and the suspense) is the best element of this novel.
This book also frustrated me in the right places too. The way everyone hated Thomas was done so well. The way charlotte was expected to do all the "lady" chores made me really angry at her family.
*SECOND READING*
Just as fabulous. I’ve tried other books by this same author, but never finished one. This one however is just amazing. The tension (both romantic and the suspense) is the best element of this novel.
Ahh, I'm never going to have the proper time to write everything and honestly, it seems like much of what I had wanted to say has been said. So yeah, good book, fantastic dialogue, Thomas is perfect, and the ending is strange. Is there a sequel?
What I'm Taking With Me
- I've been in an art slump for about two months so I very much identify with Thomas.
- Ugh so much toxic masculinity here.
- The twists were well done.
This was just an OK read.
I generally stay away from YA books, but thought I'd give this one a go because of the mystery angle. I enjoyed the mystery part, and the twist was a little bit out of left field, but still OK. The romance part is where this book was a letdown. Maybe I was expecting to much for a YA book, but I really didn't feel any connection between the H/h.
I thought the author did a good job with Thomas's POV, I enjoyed him as a character a lot. Charlotte on the other hand came across as a little to perfect, and weak. I just couldn't connect with her character at all. Don't even get me started on how much I HATED her entire family. If her brothers were on the police force of my town, I'd seriously consider moving! Oy vay...
I also think it ended rather abruptly, so I am wondering if there is a second book planned?
So over all, the mystery was decent, the romance lacked feeling, but it was an OK read!
I generally stay away from YA books, but thought I'd give this one a go because of the mystery angle. I enjoyed the mystery part, and the twist was a little bit out of left field, but still OK. The romance part is where this book was a letdown. Maybe I was expecting to much for a YA book, but I really didn't feel any connection between the H/h.
I thought the author did a good job with Thomas's POV, I enjoyed him as a character a lot. Charlotte on the other hand came across as a little to perfect, and weak. I just couldn't connect with her character at all. Don't even get me started on how much I HATED her entire family. If her brothers were on the police force of my town, I'd seriously consider moving! Oy vay...
I also think it ended rather abruptly, so I am wondering if there is a second book planned?
So over all, the mystery was decent, the romance lacked feeling, but it was an OK read!
Rating: 3.5 Stars
After being blown away by Letters to the Lost, I decided to check out Kemmerer's backlist, and it just confirms who great she is at crafting interesting and likable characters with solid family ties.
I liked:
• I really liked Charlotte and Thomas together. They were cute and sweet and I would have liked more romance, though I understand that was not the main focus of this story.
• Charlotte was very likable and as a bonus, she was spunky.
• Charlotte's family was a little overprotective, but she was the only girl in a family with four cops, 3 of whom were her older brothers. They were sort of overbearing and not always the most considerate, but they no doubt loved her. I really enjoyed getting those scenes where we saw her connecting with each brother.
• I thought Kemmerer did a great job with the mystery element. I know I kept reading, because I needed to know, and I will say, I did not see that coming until right before it did. Well done.
Not so much:
• Talk about making us wait! The paranormal aspect was not revealed until like the last third of the book. Not even a hint. I was happy once we knew something, but it was quite a wait.
• I would have liked a little more closure with the ending. I don't know if it was a little rushed or a little too open ended. Either way, I still have questions.
Overall: Another solid Kemmerer read.
After being blown away by Letters to the Lost, I decided to check out Kemmerer's backlist, and it just confirms who great she is at crafting interesting and likable characters with solid family ties.
I liked:
• I really liked Charlotte and Thomas together. They were cute and sweet and I would have liked more romance, though I understand that was not the main focus of this story.
• Charlotte was very likable and as a bonus, she was spunky.
• Charlotte's family was a little overprotective, but she was the only girl in a family with four cops, 3 of whom were her older brothers. They were sort of overbearing and not always the most considerate, but they no doubt loved her. I really enjoyed getting those scenes where we saw her connecting with each brother.
• I thought Kemmerer did a great job with the mystery element. I know I kept reading, because I needed to know, and I will say, I did not see that coming until right before it did. Well done.
Not so much:
• Talk about making us wait! The paranormal aspect was not revealed until like the last third of the book. Not even a hint. I was happy once we knew something, but it was quite a wait.
• I would have liked a little more closure with the ending. I don't know if it was a little rushed or a little too open ended. Either way, I still have questions.
Overall: Another solid Kemmerer read.