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A review by _onemorechapter_
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
๐ป.๐พ: Domestic Violence, Hit and Run, Marital Rape, Torture, Animal Abuse, and Nightmares
๐ญIt's difficult to review it properly without giving anything away, and that's one thing a reader does not want when reading this title. So I will try to keep this spoiler-free!
The story begins with a tragic hit-and-run accident that shatters the life of Jenna Gray, the protagonist. Fleeing from the trauma, Jenna seeks solace in a coastal town, trying to rebuild her life and escape the haunting memories. Meanwhile, the investigation into the accident is led by Detective Inspector Ray Stevens and his team. Part 1 alternates between Jenna and Ray's POVs with the addition of Ian's chapter in Part II. It was extremely interesting and aggravating to read this book from its different perspectives; it was written from first, second, and third points of view. What a rarity.
Clare's writing style is accessible, making the novel approachable to a wide audience.
My primary complaint is that Part 1 bored me to tears, I understand that Clare wanted to set up the back story but it was too dull but the pacing of the second part of the novel was good I couldn't put this down!
I did think the police procedural part of the book was well done, especially considering this is primarily a psychological thriller.
Mackintosh's ability to explore themes of grief, guilt, and trauma is commendable, offering a depth that goes beyond the typical thriller.
Jenna is a compelling character whose journey of healing and resilience adds a personal touch to the narrative. I could have done without two of the plot threads, including the one in which Ray struggles with issues at home because while it rounded out his character a bit, it felt unnecessary.
I liked some of the side characters like Bethan, Patrick, and Beau.
I also thought that there was so much insight into the lives of characters who didn't even matter in the end!! I would have loved some background story on the characters actually involved.
Although I hate writing such a vague review(to keep it spoiler-free) when I feel the need to discuss the characters and my personal opinion of them.
One of the disadvantages to reading a genre-defining, big-hit debut novel 10 years after its release is that I was already hyperaware that massive twists were coming. Even while I was reading, I was trying to focus on the story and not play detective. The plot twist did not blow my mind because I kind of saw that coming as I read similar things before -and did not see it coming then but now I did so I can still understand people who thought it was brilliant- and I think this twist wonโt work for everyone.
Overall, It was good but I wasn't blown away. But that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy reading it. I really enjoyed the author's note at the end which explained how this story came about; its real-life influences from her work as a police official and personal, family experiences as well.
๐.๐ Not bad for a debut novel!
๐ธ๐ด๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐: โญโญโญ.5
๐ธ๐ฎ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐: 4.05 (132062)
๐ธ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐:Psychological Thriller, Suspense and Mystery
๐ธ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐: Yes!! Definitely a page-turner!
Not anything mind-blowing, but a worthy and enjoyable addition to the thriller genre with a great mid-book twist!
๐ธ ๐ญ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐:
โMy steps feel lighter now and I realize itโs because Iโm running toward something, and not away from it.โ
โYou must remember that he was a boy. That he had a mother. And that her heart is breaking.โ
โItโs reactive, not proactive. We shouldnโt be sitting back, waiting for intelligence to come to us: we should be out there looking for it.โ
โI denied anything was wrong: first because I was too blinded by love to see the cracks in my relationship, and later because I was too ashamed to admit that I had stayed for so long with a man who hurt me so much.โ
โThe grief I feel is so physical it seems impossible that I am still living; that my heart continues to beat when it has been wrenched apart.โ
๐ญIt's difficult to review it properly without giving anything away, and that's one thing a reader does not want when reading this title. So I will try to keep this spoiler-free!
The story begins with a tragic hit-and-run accident that shatters the life of Jenna Gray, the protagonist. Fleeing from the trauma, Jenna seeks solace in a coastal town, trying to rebuild her life and escape the haunting memories. Meanwhile, the investigation into the accident is led by Detective Inspector Ray Stevens and his team. Part 1 alternates between Jenna and Ray's POVs with the addition of Ian's chapter in Part II. It was extremely interesting and aggravating to read this book from its different perspectives; it was written from first, second, and third points of view. What a rarity.
Clare's writing style is accessible, making the novel approachable to a wide audience.
My primary complaint is that Part 1 bored me to tears, I understand that Clare wanted to set up the back story but it was too dull but the pacing of the second part of the novel was good I couldn't put this down!
I did think the police procedural part of the book was well done, especially considering this is primarily a psychological thriller.
Mackintosh's ability to explore themes of grief, guilt, and trauma is commendable, offering a depth that goes beyond the typical thriller.
Jenna is a compelling character whose journey of healing and resilience adds a personal touch to the narrative. I could have done without two of the plot threads, including the one in which Ray struggles with issues at home because while it rounded out his character a bit, it felt unnecessary.
I liked some of the side characters like Bethan, Patrick, and Beau.
I also thought that there was so much insight into the lives of characters who didn't even matter in the end!! I would have loved some background story on the characters actually involved.
Although I hate writing such a vague review(to keep it spoiler-free) when I feel the need to discuss the characters and my personal opinion of them.
One of the disadvantages to reading a genre-defining, big-hit debut novel 10 years after its release is that I was already hyperaware that massive twists were coming. Even while I was reading, I was trying to focus on the story and not play detective. The plot twist did not blow my mind because I kind of saw that coming as I read similar things before -and did not see it coming then but now I did so I can still understand people who thought it was brilliant- and I think this twist wonโt work for everyone.
Overall, It was good but I wasn't blown away. But that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy reading it. I really enjoyed the author's note at the end which explained how this story came about; its real-life influences from her work as a police official and personal, family experiences as well.
๐.๐ Not bad for a debut novel!
๐ธ๐ด๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐: โญโญโญ.5
๐ธ๐ฎ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐: 4.05 (132062)
๐ธ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐:Psychological Thriller, Suspense and Mystery
๐ธ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐: Yes!! Definitely a page-turner!
Not anything mind-blowing, but a worthy and enjoyable addition to the thriller genre with a great mid-book twist!
๐ธ ๐ญ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐:
โMy steps feel lighter now and I realize itโs because Iโm running toward something, and not away from it.โ
โYou must remember that he was a boy. That he had a mother. And that her heart is breaking.โ
โItโs reactive, not proactive. We shouldnโt be sitting back, waiting for intelligence to come to us: we should be out there looking for it.โ
โI denied anything was wrong: first because I was too blinded by love to see the cracks in my relationship, and later because I was too ashamed to admit that I had stayed for so long with a man who hurt me so much.โ
โThe grief I feel is so physical it seems impossible that I am still living; that my heart continues to beat when it has been wrenched apart.โ