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applejacksbooks's review
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I received a copy for review from NetGalley.
I will start. this off by saying that I read this entire thing in one sitting (mostly). With that being said, this was like watching a car crash. The blurb has this listed as some Ocean's 11 type story and there's a little of that, but mostly this was less about the cons and more about revenge for someone running a con on the main character Jillian. Overall, I didn't really like any of the characters, except Tenn and Patricia. In the scenes they were in they were witty and a nice breath of fresh air. Another issue I had with the story is it was missing stacks. It didn't feel like the stakes were high for anyone except Anika, Astrid, and Jay in the story. I wish there was something more to it, especially with the bang that the story started off with. I also thought the tension between Beck and Jillian was missing something. There was no build up in the tension between the two. They really went from 0 to sexy time in like five pages. It was kind of a turn off for the book. I wish instead of romance it had turned out to be a partnership with the security firm Beck runs.
The whole thing was a miss for me.
I will start. this off by saying that I read this entire thing in one sitting (mostly). With that being said, this was like watching a car crash. The blurb has this listed as some Ocean's 11 type story and there's a little of that, but mostly this was less about the cons and more about revenge for someone running a con on the main character Jillian. Overall, I didn't really like any of the characters, except Tenn and Patricia. In the scenes they were in they were witty and a nice breath of fresh air. Another issue I had with the story is it was missing stacks. It didn't feel like the stakes were high for anyone except Anika, Astrid, and Jay in the story. I wish there was something more to it, especially with the bang that the story started off with. I also thought the tension between Beck and Jillian was missing something. There was no build up in the tension between the two. They really went from 0 to sexy time in like five pages. It was kind of a turn off for the book. I wish instead of romance it had turned out to be a partnership with the security firm Beck runs.
The whole thing was a miss for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, and Car accident
cassielaj's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Excellent premise, fun characters, but somewhat lacking in execution and plot pacing
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Violence and Suicide
tifcochran's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think the Marketing team needs to be talked to about how they are promoting this book. Knives out and Oceans 11 is a VERY specific genre and this book was not that. The premise of this book had me excited, however the execution and the story itself fell a little flat.
This is much more of a story family drama novel, focusing on figuring out your place in your family and how to let up control and be able to live your own life.
I disliked how Anika's random POV that was added to the story. Beck seemed like he was not fully flushed out as a character and the romance did not feel organic.
Overall this was just an okay book. But marketing did it a disservice
This is much more of a story family drama novel, focusing on figuring out your place in your family and how to let up control and be able to live your own life.
I disliked how Anika's random POV that was added to the story. Beck seemed like he was not fully flushed out as a character and the romance did not feel organic.
Overall this was just an okay book. But marketing did it a disservice
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Suicide
cover2covertx's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book was described as Knives Out meets Ocean’s 8 and it completely delivered!! The fast paced and witty banter (especially in the first half of the book) was PERFECT and gave me Gilmore Girls level verbal sparring vibes.
The story was mostly cozy mystery with a tiny side of romance, as in honesty you could have taken Beck and Jillian’s romantic interest in each other out of the mix and still have an awesome and enjoyable story. The tension between the two though was fabulous, although it did shaft to fizzle a bit once they got together and the entire story overall started to be a little less fast paced and quick witted and a little bit sluggish at times. However, it picks up and the story is well worth the read.
I loved the extra focus on their family dynamics and the point of view focusing at times on a character other than Jillian which gave the side characters more depth.
Oh! And also for the romance fans out there, this was a closed door romance with great tension and dialogue. :)
All in all, I hope there’s another story with these characters and I really enjoyed the book! :)
The story was mostly cozy mystery with a tiny side of romance, as in honesty you could have taken Beck and Jillian’s romantic interest in each other out of the mix and still have an awesome and enjoyable story. The tension between the two though was fabulous, although it did shaft to fizzle a bit once they got together and the entire story overall started to be a little less fast paced and quick witted and a little bit sluggish at times. However, it picks up and the story is well worth the read.
I loved the extra focus on their family dynamics and the point of view focusing at times on a character other than Jillian which gave the side characters more depth.
Oh! And also for the romance fans out there, this was a closed door romance with great tension and dialogue. :)
All in all, I hope there’s another story with these characters and I really enjoyed the book! :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Murder, Cancer, Suicide, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
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