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ehoffman563's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Thanks to #Netgalley for the ARC ebook.
Like other readers, I expected this to be a dark comedy in line with the song/lyrics by The Chicks. While there were loose similarities, the plot focused more on the friendship between four girls/women from high school to early 30s: Rosemarie, Ada, Caroline, and Kasey (RACK). Rosemarie moves away after high school and travels the world. She has a semi-open relationship with both Esme and Leo. Ada runs the family business and married her high school sweetheart - they now have 4 sons together. Caroline went to pastry school and runs the local bakery. She recently married the town's rich kid. Kasey left for New York the night of graduation and is returning for the first time with a lot of secrets of her own.
Growing up in a small town is hell - I personally don't understand why people stay or return. But, this book tries to make the point that it's the people there who will support you through thick and thin that make all of the difference.
The beginning was slow, the middle sped along, and the ending was really not my style. I didn't care for some of the tropes that were included Rosemarie's cancer was not necessary. Nor was Caroline's pregnancy. The small town religious aspects also weren't my style and didn't really seem appropriate in the plotlines. 2/5 stars.
Like other readers, I expected this to be a dark comedy in line with the song/lyrics by The Chicks. While there were loose similarities, the plot focused more on the friendship between four girls/women from high school to early 30s: Rosemarie, Ada, Caroline, and Kasey (RACK). Rosemarie moves away after high school and travels the world. She has a semi-open relationship with both Esme and Leo. Ada runs the family business and married her high school sweetheart - they now have 4 sons together. Caroline went to pastry school and runs the local bakery. She recently married the town's rich kid. Kasey left for New York the night of graduation and is returning for the first time with a lot of secrets of her own.
Growing up in a small town is hell - I personally don't understand why people stay or return. But, this book tries to make the point that it's the people there who will support you through thick and thin that make all of the difference.
The beginning was slow, the middle sped along, and the ending was really not my style. I didn't care for some of the tropes that were included
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, and Murder
shellyb's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Four lifelong friends reunite in their hometown after the 15 years since high school graduation in this dual timeline story. The story flips between their senior year of high school in 2004 and 2019 when they’re all back in their hometown again for the first time since then.
When three friends suspect one of their own is in an abusive relationship, they confront her and convince her to leave - only her abuser discovers her plans and the abuse escalates. The other three know it’s time for this “Earl” to say goodbye.
For me this was just okay. The first 1/3 or so it was engaging and felt well told. But somewhere near the middle it really started to drag. You pretty much know how it’s going to go but it takes forever to get there.
Also, there were some weird descriptive and phrasing choices throughout the book. And there were times it seemed like the author just grabbed a thesaurus and picked out the most obscure synonym she could. And although the Christian stuff wasn’t super in your face and down your throat, I didn’t feel like it added anything to the story.
Overall, it could have been better but it wasn’t bad.
When three friends suspect one of their own is in an abusive relationship, they confront her and convince her to leave - only her abuser discovers her plans and the abuse escalates. The other three know it’s time for this “Earl” to say goodbye.
For me this was just okay. The first 1/3 or so it was engaging and felt well told. But somewhere near the middle it really started to drag. You pretty much know how it’s going to go but it takes forever to get there.
Also, there were some weird descriptive and phrasing choices throughout the book. And there were times it seemed like the author just grabbed a thesaurus and picked out the most obscure synonym she could. And although the Christian stuff wasn’t super in your face and down your throat, I didn’t feel like it added anything to the story.
Overall, it could have been better but it wasn’t bad.
Moderate: Sexual violence, Murder, Rape, and Domestic abuse
dclazygirl's review against another edition
4.75
I loved this song growing up and was so incredibly excited that a book was written based on it. The title alone and that it was “a revenge novel” made me know I had to read it right away. It did not disappoint. All the love women had for one another in the song came across in the book. I don’t want to say too much more and give it all away. But this book had high highs and low lows. As a long time fan of the song, this book was perfection.
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death of parent, Murder, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abortion and Sexual harassment
cdubiel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A group of tight-knit friends reckons with murder in this somewhat unrealistic yet deeply compelling book. RACK (Rosemarie, Ada, Caroline, and Kasey) have been friends since childhood and have always kept each other's secrets. Kasey left town after a terrible incident that is revealed piece by piece as the book goes along. When she returns for a wedding, she finds her small Texas town (Goldie) both the same and utterly changed. Caroline's married to an abusive husband, and while the other women are generally happy, there is conflict in their lives as well. It's clear the women need to do something about Caroline's marriage, but will they resort to murder? This is a little different from most of Leesa Cross-Smith's books, with more intrigue and suspense, but is written in her signature style. She draws complex portraits of each character, leaving the reader with a sense of knowing each individual of RACK.
Graphic: Murder and Domestic abuse
reneethebookbird's review
emotional
hopeful
5.0
I wouldn’t call this a thriller. It’s more like Now and Then meets Beaches meets Sweet Magnolias. And some murder.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, Death of parent, and Cancer
Moderate: Drug abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Animal cruelty
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