marilynmalloy's review
3.0
Hmm.
Borrowed this one from the library. I usually like Sara Shepard's books, but this one fell flat.
The story was decent, but the ending wrapped up way to quickly for how the rest of the story dragged out.
And parts of it really really seemed to jump around a bit, and make little sense.
I will continue with her books, but she's got a way to go if she wants to successfully target the audience she was going after in this particular novel.
Borrowed this one from the library. I usually like Sara Shepard's books, but this one fell flat.
The story was decent, but the ending wrapped up way to quickly for how the rest of the story dragged out.
And parts of it really really seemed to jump around a bit, and make little sense.
I will continue with her books, but she's got a way to go if she wants to successfully target the audience she was going after in this particular novel.
victoriahoperose's review
mysterious
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? Yes
1.0
laurenleyendolibros's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
nlevesque27's review
3.0
I thought this book was interesting. I liked 3 out of the 4 narrators, and I just thought it was interesting overall.
Book 2/50 (2019)
Book 2/50 (2019)
chrissymcbooknerd's review
2.0
I've never read any of the PRETTY LITTLE LIARS series, but when I saw this Sara Shepard novel, intended for adult audiences, I was definitely intrigued -- even when the description on the back sounded a little less than enticing, I admit.
The plot revolves around Sylvie, a widow and a prominent lady of society. She has two sons; Charles, who is married to Joanna, and Scott, who was adopted and never quite fit into the lives of the "upper crust" family.
When the novel opens, Sylvie has learned that a child Scott coached on the wrestling team has died, and the suspected cause is hazing. Scott is in a process of investigation, as he is accused of having been aware of the hazing and allegedly did nothing to stop it -- before leading to a probable case of murder.
The story alternates between the perspectives of Sylvia, Joanna, Scott, and Charles, often in random, confusing manners without explanation of the time or events that have passed between. The reader learns that one tragic event dissolved the bond between Scott and Charles, Charles and his ex-girlfriend, Sylvie and her (now deceased) husband, as well as the boys and their (now deceased) father. Each knows tiny bits of the story, but none quite communicate enough for anyone to really understand the impacts of what happened.
Unfortunately, the event is neither climatic nor unpredictable, and the characters really do nothing with the information they hold. The story jumps too much between characters and events, without any meaningful cohesion, and the ending just didn't leave me fulfilled or glad in any way to have finished this chore of a novel.
I still plan to read the PRETTY LITTLE LIARS series, but I'm not sure I'd attempt another of Shepard's adult novels.
The plot revolves around Sylvie, a widow and a prominent lady of society. She has two sons; Charles, who is married to Joanna, and Scott, who was adopted and never quite fit into the lives of the "upper crust" family.
When the novel opens, Sylvie has learned that a child Scott coached on the wrestling team has died, and the suspected cause is hazing. Scott is in a process of investigation, as he is accused of having been aware of the hazing and allegedly did nothing to stop it -- before leading to a probable case of murder.
The story alternates between the perspectives of Sylvia, Joanna, Scott, and Charles, often in random, confusing manners without explanation of the time or events that have passed between. The reader learns that one tragic event dissolved the bond between Scott and Charles, Charles and his ex-girlfriend, Sylvie and her (now deceased) husband, as well as the boys and their (now deceased) father. Each knows tiny bits of the story, but none quite communicate enough for anyone to really understand the impacts of what happened.
Unfortunately, the event is neither climatic nor unpredictable, and the characters really do nothing with the information they hold. The story jumps too much between characters and events, without any meaningful cohesion, and the ending just didn't leave me fulfilled or glad in any way to have finished this chore of a novel.
I still plan to read the PRETTY LITTLE LIARS series, but I'm not sure I'd attempt another of Shepard's adult novels.
bethreadsandnaps's review
3.0
Interesting but rather unlikeable characters in this one. A wealthy family with one natural son and one adopted son, and a recently deceased father, hobble along in an odd family dynamic that makes me appreciate not coming from wealth.
I really didn't expect much from this one, as a Goodreads average of less than 3.00 does not give me hope that it will be a solid read. While better than the rating led me to believe it would be, the book seemed stilted with lots of miscommunication that really never got resolved. There didn't seem to be any ties among anyone - they were all realizing that money can't buy happiness.
I really didn't expect much from this one, as a Goodreads average of less than 3.00 does not give me hope that it will be a solid read. While better than the rating led me to believe it would be, the book seemed stilted with lots of miscommunication that really never got resolved. There didn't seem to be any ties among anyone - they were all realizing that money can't buy happiness.
erinecarroll's review
2.0
I was pretty disappointed in this one. The first few chapters seemed promising but I found myself not caring about any of the characters or even the plot. I think I expected more because I love Shepard's "Pretty Little Liars" and "The Lying Game" series but this book just fell flat for me.