Scan barcode
A review by arthur_ant18
The Opportunist by Elyse Friedman
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an ARC of The Opportunist in exchange for my honest review!
I'm usually up for any sort of media that dives into the endless greed and ruthless machinations of wealthy families, and The Opportunist by Elyse Friedman turned out to be an enthralling example of that niche. Are you going to root for anyone in this book? Maybe Alana, even though she nevertheless represents some of the conniving and selfish nature of her Shropshire family. Everyone around her is certainly hatable. But Friedman writes them all in a way that keeps me compelled rather than turning me off, making it easy for me to breeze through the plot in all its splashy and twisty glory. It does get surprisingly dark at points, so beware of the heavy material. However, I do wish that the POV could have switched from character to character more smoothly, since it was capable of leaving me puzzled as to where we were in the story. I also think a specific reveal right at the end could have been unveiled more effectively, but instead it left me a bit confused before I then caught onto what was really happening. These are just minor gripes, though, and I'm overall happy with the Screw Rich People domestic thriller that Friedman has created for us.
I'm usually up for any sort of media that dives into the endless greed and ruthless machinations of wealthy families, and The Opportunist by Elyse Friedman turned out to be an enthralling example of that niche. Are you going to root for anyone in this book? Maybe Alana, even though she nevertheless represents some of the conniving and selfish nature of her Shropshire family. Everyone around her is certainly hatable. But Friedman writes them all in a way that keeps me compelled rather than turning me off, making it easy for me to breeze through the plot in all its splashy and twisty glory. It does get surprisingly dark at points, so beware of the heavy material. However, I do wish that the POV could have switched from character to character more smoothly, since it was capable of leaving me puzzled as to where we were in the story. I also think a specific reveal right at the end could have been unveiled more effectively, but instead it left me a bit confused before I then caught onto what was really happening. These are just minor gripes, though, and I'm overall happy with the Screw Rich People domestic thriller that Friedman has created for us.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Pedophilia, Suicide, Alcohol, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, Child death, Rape, and Gun violence
Minor: Vomit