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jemgemjim 's review for:
The Woman in the Library
by Sulari Gentill
Overall: I'm glad I listened to the audiobook, it was good! (And probably prevented me from DNFing before the crazy began...) It had its fun moments as well! I wish this book had been shorter, leaving less space for puttering about, awkward "romance" moments, and a lot fewer weird character behaviors. I think that is my main takeaway: the characters didn't character right (with one exception, ew) and there was too much character-ing that ended up hurting the story more than helping it.
Pros: Once it gets going (over a hundred pages in) it gets going! Captain Creep Leo was well-written and I enjoyed his character arc, despite hating him~ Real life creeping in was also a fun touch, I wish it happened more!
Cons: Speaking of hating Captain Creep, reading from his perspective was deeply disgusting. So, good job writing him, but at the same time, ew I did not enjoy that. Very slow start, heavy-handed Australian reminders (I mean email corrections of American terminology (that weren't always accurate...) and Freddie reminding us she's Australian even when we Know, even when it's not relevant), some purple parts that I almost drowned in, but not too too many. A bunch of names were introduced at the very end that had me going, huh? Who? What? Waxing poetic about the art of writing/receiving praise for writing from characters (necessary evil, but omg did it happen too many times.)
IDKHowtoFeels: I know she had to have Captain Creep at the end, but he felt like a last minute thought; also, his actions toward Freddie during the book were more creepy stalker than genuine friend! Why have him kind of crush on Freddie?? That went no where, and the grocery box with no note just to upstage Cain? The same with the cupcakes? Why not have a friendly note? He seems like a villainous presence and at the end my reading buddy (Hi Annie!) and I were second guessing if Book Leo had been committing heinous acts in the background Too many of these characters exhibit stalker-ish behaviors and everybody is just cool with that?? Also, Marigold being able to do anything with no consequences: And one more thing! Did Whit beat his mom up or did she lie for him. Because... it feels like she's lying for him (why is she so convinced she saw Cain?) but the book tells us Whit beat her.
Pros: Once it gets going (over a hundred pages in) it gets going! Captain Creep
Cons: Speaking of hating Captain Creep, reading from his perspective was deeply disgusting. So, good job writing him, but at the same time, ew I did not enjoy that. Very slow start, heavy-handed Australian reminders (I mean email corrections of American terminology (that weren't always accurate...) and Freddie reminding us she's Australian even when we Know, even when it's not relevant), some purple parts that I almost drowned in, but not too too many. A bunch of names were introduced at the very end that had me going, huh? Who? What? Waxing poetic about the art of writing/receiving praise for writing from characters (necessary evil, but omg did it happen too many times.)
IDKHowtoFeels: I know she had to have Captain Creep at the end, but he felt like a last minute thought; also, his actions toward Freddie during the book were more creepy stalker than genuine friend!