Take a photo of a barcode or cover
sophieinchapters 's review for:
Loyalty
by Martina Cole
This was my first Martina Cole & Jacqui Rose collaboration, and once I got into the rhythm of the storytelling, I really enjoyed it.
I’ll admit, I struggled a bit at the beginning as it jumps between characters quite a lot, which made it hard to follow. But once those characters began to connect, the pieces fell into place and I was hooked. The plot is gritty, raw, and unflinching. It doesn’t shy away from dark or difficult subjects, but that’s what makes it feel so grounded in reality.
What stood out most was the focus on female friendship as the central love story. It was refreshing to read a crime novel that didn’t centre romantic relationships, but instead showcased the loyalty and fierce bond between women. Gracie and Dara’s connection was powerful, and their respective journeys felt fully fleshed out.
The ending wasn’t necessarily “happy,” but it did offer a sense of closure. Dara finally gets a taste of the life she deserves after enduring so much, and Gracie had already lived her adult life in comfort, surrounded by people who cared. That balance was beautifully handled.
A few parts were a little predictable, and I was left wanting more closure around Hargraves and his cronies but overall, this was a solid, satisfying read with strong emotional depth and grit.
I’ll admit, I struggled a bit at the beginning as it jumps between characters quite a lot, which made it hard to follow. But once those characters began to connect, the pieces fell into place and I was hooked. The plot is gritty, raw, and unflinching. It doesn’t shy away from dark or difficult subjects, but that’s what makes it feel so grounded in reality.
What stood out most was the focus on female friendship as the central love story. It was refreshing to read a crime novel that didn’t centre romantic relationships, but instead showcased the loyalty and fierce bond between women. Gracie and Dara’s connection was powerful, and their respective journeys felt fully fleshed out.
The ending wasn’t necessarily “happy,” but it did offer a sense of closure. Dara finally gets a taste of the life she deserves after enduring so much, and Gracie had already lived her adult life in comfort, surrounded by people who cared. That balance was beautifully handled.
A few parts were a little predictable, and I was left wanting more closure around Hargraves and his cronies but overall, this was a solid, satisfying read with strong emotional depth and grit.