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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an entertaining mystery with a nice bit of heart to it. My only qualm with it was that the dialogue and the progression of the story, at times, read clunky and awkward. Particularly with Mike and her adoptive mom and their respective death scenes (both happen in the first 20ish pages). No buildup or hardly any history explored with these characters before we learned they had passed and I just didn’t have strong feelings towards them even though Julia told us that she did. That part of the story felt lazy or just didn’t have as much attention paid to it as the rest of the story did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Just what genre is this even supposed to be? "thriller" (not really), incredibly woo-woo spooky mystical, romance (personally, I don't find anything about this romance romantic), etc etc etc. I don't think I've ever disliked a book more. I held on as long as I could but I honestly regret every moment. Karin Slaughter, you're one of my favorite authors but you've betrayed me by calling this compelling. I've been looking at the back of my head rolling my eyes for the last 8 hours and I will never get that time back.
The following is a review of The Unraveling of Julia audiobook. Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC! When Julia Pritzker inherits a Tuscan villa from a mysterious stranger, our troubled protagonist is thrust into a web of secrets, astrology, and ancestry that ties her to a paranoid recluse—and possibly to a legendary Renaissance duchess. The Unraveling of Julia promises suspense and self-discovery in a gothic Italian setting, but delivers something a little different than expected.
Admittedly, it took me some time to become fully invested in this story, as the synopsis that initially drew me in doesn’t quite reflect the book’s actual substance. Though marketed as a thriller, I never felt the heightened tension or anxiety typical of the genre. Instead, the novel reads more as a mystery with elements of conspiracy and emotional drama. Nonetheless, Lisa Scottoline’s writing was solid, as expected from a seasoned author. I especially enjoyed the dialogue and its narration by Maria Marquis. Her Italian accents added a wonderful texture that brought the story to life!
Like many other readers, I found it difficult to connect with the book’s unique emphasis on astrology and the paranormal. These elements didn’t resonate with me, but I think fans of the metaphysical would appreciate this layer of the story. I also struggled with the romantic subplot, which felt rushed. Given how much of the beginning focused on Julia’s grief over her late husband, her quick shift into a new relationship with the “handsome Florentine” felt unconvincing and underdeveloped to me.
Despite these points, I truly found myself enjoying the book by the end. The gradual unraveling of the plot was satisfying and well-crafted, and I was pleasantly surprised by the heartfelt themes of motherhood and family that added an emotional depth I hadn’t anticipated. While The Unraveling of Julia didn’t quite align with my initial expectations, this was an entertaining, well-written story. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy mystery with a spiritual twist and are open to genre-blending narratives exploring grief, identity, and family bonds.
Admittedly, it took me some time to become fully invested in this story, as the synopsis that initially drew me in doesn’t quite reflect the book’s actual substance. Though marketed as a thriller, I never felt the heightened tension or anxiety typical of the genre. Instead, the novel reads more as a mystery with elements of conspiracy and emotional drama. Nonetheless, Lisa Scottoline’s writing was solid, as expected from a seasoned author. I especially enjoyed the dialogue and its narration by Maria Marquis. Her Italian accents added a wonderful texture that brought the story to life!
Like many other readers, I found it difficult to connect with the book’s unique emphasis on astrology and the paranormal. These elements didn’t resonate with me, but I think fans of the metaphysical would appreciate this layer of the story. I also struggled with the romantic subplot, which felt rushed. Given how much of the beginning focused on Julia’s grief over her late husband, her quick shift into a new relationship with the “handsome Florentine” felt unconvincing and underdeveloped to me.
Despite these points, I truly found myself enjoying the book by the end. The gradual unraveling of the plot was satisfying and well-crafted, and I was pleasantly surprised by the heartfelt themes of motherhood and family that added an emotional depth I hadn’t anticipated. While The Unraveling of Julia didn’t quite align with my initial expectations, this was an entertaining, well-written story. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy mystery with a spiritual twist and are open to genre-blending narratives exploring grief, identity, and family bonds.
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I got this for free and I got ripped off.
Lady goes to Italy, inherits a villa, discovers psychic powers, and gets preggo (not the sauce). Here’s the kicker, if she just sold her villa for a measly 2 million Euros this all could have been avoided.
IL STUPIDIO
Lady goes to Italy, inherits a villa, discovers psychic powers, and gets preggo (not the sauce). Here’s the kicker, if she just sold her villa for a measly 2 million Euros this all could have been avoided.
IL STUPIDIO
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix