rushxsoubi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I picked it up because I have been missing the desprate housewives, and in that sense, it did not let me down. The characters were very reminiscent of the desprate housewives even having the sexy single neighbor that everyone fears will steal their husband. It had a more new age feel compared to desprate housewives referencing new technology and such.
I enjoyed the mystery, and that kept me reading.
I don't know anything about the author, but the writing wasn't that great. Felt like a first novel. There is a lot of telling instead of showing. The character lettie was the worst she really did sound like a woke high schooler if that's what the author was going for, but her narrative kept shoving so much down my throat in an odd way.
Here's some quotes that might help make what I mean about the writing clearer:
-'Why's that? I want to know'
-'she'd abandoned me for a new group of meanies'
-'nice enough kid, but he didn't have the brand-name clothes, the athletic skills, or the right friends to make him popular'
Graphic: Suicide, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape and Domestic abuse
chellebell048's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Death
Minor: Gun violence
smagzisreading's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Death, and Murder
Minor: Rape
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Gun violence, Murder, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Death, Addiction, and Alcohol
Moderate: Miscarriage, Bullying, Infidelity, Rape, and Sexual assault
jennergyy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Suspenseful, however, I did feel like there was an excessive amount of side characters that were hard to keep track of.
*Thank you to the author, the publishers, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date*
Graphic: Alcoholism and Death
beckyremillard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The story is told from the perspectives of Alex and her daughter, Lettie. It starts in the present and then jumps a year back, until the timelines meet and we are given the context of the present day situation.
I liked this story, but it kind of dragged a bit. It caught my attention more at 60-70% but the middle part kind of lost me. I’m glad I pushed through because I wasn’t totally expecting the ending though.
Be sure to check content warnings for this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and review this eARC.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Alcohol, Drug use, Miscarriage, Rape, Suicide attempt, Death, Drug abuse, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Alcoholism