A review by nikkijeanreads
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

I wanted to like this more. The setting and the characters had so much potential, but I just felt that they both fell a little flat. I felt like
for Ellie to be treated so cruelly, and to die such a tragic death, the retelling of her experience didnt trigger any emotions for me (I cry too much when reading, so I know im not emotionless haha!). The narration spoke of both Laurel and Ellies sorrow, but I didn't feel it.
I couldn't form a connection with the characters. Perhaps it was the pacing (I found it very slow, a slow burn suspense essentially), or maybe if the author had omitted Ellies initial 1st person POV near the beginning
when she encountered Noelle,
it would have been a different experience? Perhaps this little bit of info essentially made it predictable for me?

I will say that, when all is said and done, I didn't have to force myself to finish. I still enjoyed reading this book, I just don't think it hit any extraordinary notes to have me overly excited about it when I finished. I would read another of these authors' books to see if I can connect more next time around.
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