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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my first Joy Fielding book! Can you believe it? I am from Toronto...same as the author...and it is no secret I love supporting Canadian writers. I really liked this book. I wouldn't call it a thriller...it is more of a neighbourhood domestic drama. Fielding provides a clear sense of place, I felt like I was in Florida with the heat and humidity. I also felt like a member of the cul-de-sac, or maybe more like a voyeur into the residents lives.
Readers should know that there are many triggers here...they include but are not limited to...rape, domestic abuse, gun violence and PTSD. All of it was for plot reasons and felt very real while reading it. Along with the difficult subject matter, the characters are often infuriating. Secrecy is a main point, but WOW these characters are poor communicators, especially the adults. I found their lack of growth and their responses to each other confounding at times. I really hated Nick but LOVED Julia. All in all a great way to spend a rainy afternoon and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Fielding's work.
Disclosure:
Thank you NetGalley, Joy Fielding and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#Culdesac #NetGalley
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence
Five couples in a cul-de-sac, and one person ends up dead. If this sounds like Big Little Lies, you're right on the money. I love books about suburbia because there are always so many secrets behind those perfectly manicured lawns and high fences. Bonus: this one takes place in my sleepy hometown of Palm Beach Gardens, FL!
Five couples means a lot of characters to keep track of, but I loved getting all of their perspectives and seeing how they interacted with each other. Fielding did a good job of presenting each family's unique problems and secrets - she kept me guessing. I read this book in two sittings, and I imagine a lot of other readers will be glued to the pages as well. If you like domestic suspense/family drama with multiple perspectives, give this one a try!
Thank you to Ballantine Books for my NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review posted to Goodreads 7/10/21, to be posted to Instagram closer to pub date 8/10/21.
Five couples means a lot of characters to keep track of, but I loved getting all of their perspectives and seeing how they interacted with each other. Fielding did a good job of presenting each family's unique problems and secrets - she kept me guessing. I read this book in two sittings, and I imagine a lot of other readers will be glued to the pages as well. If you like domestic suspense/family drama with multiple perspectives, give this one a try!
Thank you to Ballantine Books for my NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review posted to Goodreads 7/10/21, to be posted to Instagram closer to pub date 8/10/21.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
My best recommendation for this one is to go in completely blind, I did and WOW was I not disappointed!!
I've learned I love books that intertwine several different storylines and Joy Fielding expertly delivers that in Cul-de-sac. I loved this book so much I read it one sitting.
I really don't want to say too much because I mean it when I say you should go into this one blind so in closing: READ THIS BOOK! You won't regret it!
I've learned I love books that intertwine several different storylines and Joy Fielding expertly delivers that in Cul-de-sac. I loved this book so much I read it one sitting.
I really don't want to say too much because I mean it when I say you should go into this one blind so in closing: READ THIS BOOK! You won't regret it!
At the beginning of the book, you know there is a murder but you don't know of who.
The book follows the lives of 5 different families living in a cul-de-sac. Most of these people are not that likable- some for good reason and some for reasons not understood.
Some of these people are truly horrible and I just knew who was going to be the one ending up dead.
I liked the growth of Maggie the most (though not all characters had to grow). I understand a bit of why she behaved the way she did...I would have probably behaved the same! I also liked how Mark turned his life around at the end.
The book follows the lives of 5 different families living in a cul-de-sac. Most of these people are not that likable- some for good reason and some for reasons not understood.
Some of these people are truly horrible and I just knew who was going to be the one ending up dead.
I liked the growth of Maggie the most (though not all characters had to grow). I understand a bit of why she behaved the way she did...I would have probably behaved the same! I also liked how Mark turned his life around at the end.