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A review by shellyb
Goodbye Earl: A Revenge Novel by Leesa Cross-Smith
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Murder, Rape, and Domestic abuse