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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
This was an intense ride, especially since it's the first time I've read a book by this author!
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters, the tense atmosphere, and all the suspicion around what actually happened, in alis Garden and back in 1996. I never suspected who the person(s) could be in either case with Karen or Martha. I felt so sorry for Ali the most as she just didn't have a clue about anything that was going on, I thought she was an amazing character.
This book was so well written that I can't wait to check out more of Claires' other books.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters, the tense atmosphere, and all the suspicion around what actually happened, in alis Garden and back in 1996. I never suspected who the person(s) could be in either case with Karen or Martha. I felt so sorry for Ali the most as she just didn't have a clue about anything that was going on, I thought she was an amazing character.
This book was so well written that I can't wait to check out more of Claires' other books.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first half of this book was great and a page turner however after that it became slow and predictable. There were flashbacks to 1996 alot which at times relevant and other times bland and rambly. Towards the end I found myself skimming through text to get to the turn of events which I had already predicted
Fast-paced all the way through. Thought-provoking, thrilling, and a dash of charming.
Nowadays, it’s really hard to find a main character that isn’t perfect. I quite disliked Ali, the main character — and am really happy about it. As a character, she does things that you will find annoying or stupid or selfish, and that’s a truly beautiful thing. She has great moments, but she does a wonderful job of being so very human. I wouldn’t be friends with her, but I really enjoyed reading her struggles. The book is essentially that old writing adage where you throw everything that could possibly go wrong at your main character, and then some.
The cast of characters is colorful and everyone feels realistic. Everyone comes with their own personality and problems, and no one (except maybe little Benji) is a saint. It’s messy and awful but that’s the best part. This book never slows down.
You may try to predict certain things but it will keep guessing for a long while. That was much appreciated.
The book does revolve around the topic of rape, but it does so in ways that are thoughtful and honest. That means it may feel really uncomfortable in certain passages, but it’s fascinating how through Ali, us readers are forced to examine our own biases and perceptions. Rape is a complicated subject and this book lays it out masterfully.
Awesome, awesome book.
Nowadays, it’s really hard to find a main character that isn’t perfect. I quite disliked Ali, the main character — and am really happy about it. As a character, she does things that you will find annoying or stupid or selfish, and that’s a truly beautiful thing. She has great moments, but she does a wonderful job of being so very human. I wouldn’t be friends with her, but I really enjoyed reading her struggles. The book is essentially that old writing adage where you throw everything that could possibly go wrong at your main character, and then some.
The cast of characters is colorful and everyone feels realistic. Everyone comes with their own personality and problems, and no one (except maybe little Benji) is a saint. It’s messy and awful but that’s the best part. This book never slows down.
You may try to predict certain things but it will keep guessing for a long while. That was much appreciated.
The book does revolve around the topic of rape, but it does so in ways that are thoughtful and honest. That means it may feel really uncomfortable in certain passages, but it’s fascinating how through Ali, us readers are forced to examine our own biases and perceptions. Rape is a complicated subject and this book lays it out masterfully.
Awesome, awesome book.
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ali and her husband Mike have a good life, two kids and good house and they invite friends to stay they met in college. And one of the friends being raped and Ali's husband being accused has her conflicted whether to believe her friend Karen or her husband mike.
And as Ali tries to uncover who could of been responsible she learns that some of her friends have had secrets that she wasn't privy to and she discovers that Karen and Mike have been having sex for twenty five years and even have a son together. But Ali's training should of believed Karen but she has a hard time thinking that Mike was involved and someone else could of done it.
And as Ali tries to uncover who could of been responsible she learns that some of her friends have had secrets that she wasn't privy to and she discovers that Karen and Mike have been having sex for twenty five years and even have a son together. But Ali's training should of believed Karen but she has a hard time thinking that Mike was involved and someone else could of done it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Murder
Minor: Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very good thriller with many twists and an unpredictable ending. Truly a shocker!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
fast-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:
Yes
Twenty-five years of friendship and one night changes it all. Rape, lies, murder, fear, desperation...cover ups for the lives they wanted to keep.
I loved this book! It is a very suspense-filled mystery between college friends told mostly in Ali Morris' voice. Their lives change in one instant filled with lies, unfaithfulness and deception. The buildup to Ali's realization of the facts is intense and eye-opening. Her life is shattered and any normal human being would have been broken, but she garbles through the untruths and changes her life to save what's left of her family and friends.
I thought I had it all figured out and was blown away to find the truth at the end! Recommend highly.
Thank you to Claire McGowan and Damppebbles Blog Tours for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectation of a positive review.
I loved this book! It is a very suspense-filled mystery between college friends told mostly in Ali Morris' voice. Their lives change in one instant filled with lies, unfaithfulness and deception. The buildup to Ali's realization of the facts is intense and eye-opening. Her life is shattered and any normal human being would have been broken, but she garbles through the untruths and changes her life to save what's left of her family and friends.
I thought I had it all figured out and was blown away to find the truth at the end! Recommend highly.
Thank you to Claire McGowan and Damppebbles Blog Tours for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectation of a positive review.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A story about college friends with interesting plot points, current societal issues and uncertainty...then it fast forwards and loses the thrill and cohesiveness. I did not feel satisfied with the ending.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes