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3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
The Second Mother pulled me in with a great premise, but the execution came up lacking in my opinion. The story drags along to the point that I lost interest a number of times and set it aside for something more interesting only to come back and try again with the same results. There's a lot of dialogue, and I do mean a lot. That wouldn't be a bad thing except that there wasn't much going on otherwise. I also felt like the story got bogged down in unnecessary details. The author does a great job of describing the location, but a lot of the rest felt like padding rather than solid storytelling. For example, I really didn't need to know every time the dog ate or drank or every step of feeding the dog. Had the dog done something interesting, fine, tell me all about it, but I just can't find it in me to get the least bit interested in the mechanics of opening a can of dog food. And that's just one example. I did push through, although it took me much longer than I liked, and here's the thing - the ending was stronger than I expected given my feelings about the rest of the book. I feel like this one could've been seriously shortened, and it would've been better received, at least by me.
dark
medium-paced
I felt like as I read this, I was sitting there waiting for the plot to start and it really never felt like it did. I like how Milchman developed the island of Mercy and the atmosphere, but it felt like the plot was just not as strong. It felt like a lot of time was spent going in circles and revisiting similar events over and over again (weirdness with Peter, Martha's influence, Eddie's bullies) while a lot more time could have been spent on other aspects that moved the plot forward more quickly.
Not a bad read overall, and I'd be interested in reading more from Milchman, but not my favourite.
Not a bad read overall, and I'd be interested in reading more from Milchman, but not my favourite.
The Second Mother is a slow burn drama, but I wouldn’t consider it a thriller so know that going in! I thought the parts about grief and dealing with loss were written beautifully, and my heart went out to Julie. The character development and emotional connections were amazing, but the suspense was lacking up until the end. This one ended up right in the middle for me since it was well-written but lost my interest at times.
Thank you so much to Books Forward PR for my gifted copy of this new release!
Thank you so much to Books Forward PR for my gifted copy of this new release!
It took me a little while to get into this book but once I made it to around 30% I was pulled in. I would not describe this as a thriller, there were no edge of your seat/nail biting moments, you knew what was going on. I will say though, there are bits of mystery and a surprise revelation. I did enjoy Milchman’s vivid descriptions of the island. I give this 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you booksforwardpr for the advanced copy!
Thank you booksforwardpr for the advanced copy!
I’m not always the best audience for a thriller book because to me they are just simple entertainment. This was a perfectly enjoyable book but it was more a beach read than anything to me. Sorry!
Julie has been barely holding it together since the death of her infant daughter Hedley. Her marriage is failing and she can’t move past the massive amount of guilt she is feeling. That is until she finds a job posting for a one room school house teaching position on a remote island called Mercy. Everything on the island looks normal at first but Julie soon finds out that the island is hiding some dark secrets.
*Sigh* I wish I could say that I loved this book but honestly it was just ok. The book was extremely slow moving and though it had moments where it picked up, all the action happen in the last 100 pages of the book. Which is fine but then the ending was so abrupt. I don’t know it just felt for me a lot of things happened all at once and the then the book was over.
I liked the main character Julie and how she started to put her life back together through out the book. Also the dog lover in me loved that her dog Depot was a huge part of the book. I kinda wish that Callum (Julie’s love interest in the book) was in the book a little more then he was.
Overall I liked the book…i just didn’t love it.
Thank you to Books Forward, NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book!
*I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a honest review*
*Sigh* I wish I could say that I loved this book but honestly it was just ok. The book was extremely slow moving and though it had moments where it picked up, all the action happen in the last 100 pages of the book. Which is fine but then the ending was so abrupt. I don’t know it just felt for me a lot of things happened all at once and the then the book was over.
I liked the main character Julie and how she started to put her life back together through out the book. Also the dog lover in me loved that her dog Depot was a huge part of the book. I kinda wish that Callum (Julie’s love interest in the book) was in the book a little more then he was.
Overall I liked the book…i just didn’t love it.
Thank you to Books Forward, NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book!
*I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a honest review*
The Second Mother appealed to me a great deal when I saw the synopsis. It read, “Opportunity: Teacher needed in one-room classroom schoolhouse on remote. Island in Maine. Certification in grades K-8 a must.” After experiencing the loss of a child and a failed marriage, Julie weathers thinks this teaching position is her chance at a fresh start.
The setting is a remote island with no cars allowed, spotty cell service and wi-fi limited to the area around the library. The people on Mercy Island seem to enjoy a simpler way of life that appeals to Julie. The setting is isolated, rustic, full of cliffs, rocks, rain and thick fog. I was fully prepared for this setting to be the perfect backdrop for a creepy thriller.
I loved Julie, though flawed she recognizes her faults but truly wanted to improve herself and help the children of mercy. I was really cheering Julie on as she worked through the mysteries and secrecy that surrounded the Hempstead family that seem to run the island through some nefarious means.
This book had a lot of potential to blow me away. I felt like it was too long and didn’t have quite the action or tension I expect from a thriller. I feel like it ultimately was more of a slow burn mystery. The author spent a great deal of time building the setting and less on continuing suspenseful moments and plot twists. I think if I had been expecting more mystery and slow burn I would have enjoyed it more.
Overall I give this one 3.5/5 stars., if you enjoy atmospheric slow burns you will lovvve this book! It is worth a read! Thank you to Sourcebooks and @booksforwardpr for an advanced digital copy to review.
The setting is a remote island with no cars allowed, spotty cell service and wi-fi limited to the area around the library. The people on Mercy Island seem to enjoy a simpler way of life that appeals to Julie. The setting is isolated, rustic, full of cliffs, rocks, rain and thick fog. I was fully prepared for this setting to be the perfect backdrop for a creepy thriller.
I loved Julie, though flawed she recognizes her faults but truly wanted to improve herself and help the children of mercy. I was really cheering Julie on as she worked through the mysteries and secrecy that surrounded the Hempstead family that seem to run the island through some nefarious means.
This book had a lot of potential to blow me away. I felt like it was too long and didn’t have quite the action or tension I expect from a thriller. I feel like it ultimately was more of a slow burn mystery. The author spent a great deal of time building the setting and less on continuing suspenseful moments and plot twists. I think if I had been expecting more mystery and slow burn I would have enjoyed it more.
Overall I give this one 3.5/5 stars., if you enjoy atmospheric slow burns you will lovvve this book! It is worth a read! Thank you to Sourcebooks and @booksforwardpr for an advanced digital copy to review.
This book is a steady 3.5 stars for me. I don't have large feelings towards the story, either way.
I think I was expecting something much more sinister and creepy. I wasn't into the story at first. I didn't like Julie and her husband and how they drowned themselves in alcohol after the loss of their daughter. I began to like Julie when she decides to choose life and to fight back. Also, any story with a four legged side kick is a winner in my book.
Looking forward to checking out more of Jenny Milchman.
A special thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, and Jenny Milchman for providing me with a reader copy.
I think I was expecting something much more sinister and creepy. I wasn't into the story at first. I didn't like Julie and her husband and how they drowned themselves in alcohol after the loss of their daughter. I began to like Julie when she decides to choose life and to fight back. Also, any story with a four legged side kick is a winner in my book.
Looking forward to checking out more of Jenny Milchman.
A special thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, and Jenny Milchman for providing me with a reader copy.
Not a bad book by any means but not anything spectacular. Definitely literary fiction/drama and not any...gothic...thriller...book that it was marketed as. Could've been cut down, opting for a more focused plotline. The dramatics were a bit much at times especially for such a lengthy book that they got lost and often built up to nothing. Very easy to read but once again, too long for its own good. Excellent inclusion of a protagonist dealing with grief and alcoholism.
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix