catreader18's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book but the title did not make sense until the very end. I finished the book yesterday and I’m still not sure what to think. The characters were very well developed and the story was interesting to read but the ending has a twist that makes me rethink everything I had read. It was completely unexpected and changed the story for me. Overall I thought it was a good book but have open questions that were not resolved.
katekate_reads_'s review against another edition
4.0
“She is going to die.” From the opening sentence of the prologue - we are thrown right into the story. We learn a little about how she dies - but not enough to know who or how or why - and then we jump back to a week before.
We get the story from three perspectives - Lee, Grace, and Noah. Lee and Grace are both single moms of 8 year old boys. Along with Alice and Carol - the four women became friends when their kids were little and have been close since. Noah is the occupational therapist who works daily with Lee’s son Mason.
The group of women decide to have a weekend away - just the 4 of them. Noah agrees to watch Mason for the weekend. Lee has never been apart from him for more than a few hours but the others convince her she needs this trip. Someone will die before the weekend ends.
I really enjoyed this story - was very drawn in to what was happening and interested to see what would happen next. It had a lot of twists - and even though I could predict them, it was still compelling. I enjoyed waiting to see how it played out as the characters learned each other’s secrets and lies.
This was my first book by Rea Frey but definitely won’t be my last - I’m excited to read Not Her Daughter soon!
Content warning: sexual assault, alcoholism, suicide
Thank you to the author, publisher and Edelweiss for my advance reading copies in exchange for an honest review.
We get the story from three perspectives - Lee, Grace, and Noah. Lee and Grace are both single moms of 8 year old boys. Along with Alice and Carol - the four women became friends when their kids were little and have been close since. Noah is the occupational therapist who works daily with Lee’s son Mason.
The group of women decide to have a weekend away - just the 4 of them. Noah agrees to watch Mason for the weekend. Lee has never been apart from him for more than a few hours but the others convince her she needs this trip. Someone will die before the weekend ends.
I really enjoyed this story - was very drawn in to what was happening and interested to see what would happen next. It had a lot of twists - and even though I could predict them, it was still compelling. I enjoyed waiting to see how it played out as the characters learned each other’s secrets and lies.
This was my first book by Rea Frey but definitely won’t be my last - I’m excited to read Not Her Daughter soon!
Content warning: sexual assault, alcoholism, suicide
Thank you to the author, publisher and Edelweiss for my advance reading copies in exchange for an honest review.
nkshepard's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this book was even better than her first book. I’m giving it 5 stars purely because of its true readability. It’s so easy and fun to read, hard to put down. The twists and turns will get you...but what it makes you think about friendship will get you even more.
Read it!
Read it!
ksznajder279's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
chrstnareads's review against another edition
3.0
This is a strange one. I am all on board with a psychological thriller making you feel crazy while you’re reading it, but I take issue with stories that don’t make you feel crazy until after you’ve finished.
After several predictable plot twists, the final twist was so out of nowhere, I felt betrayed by the whole reading experience. I understand what the author was trying to do, and I love the idea of that. I just don’t think it quite got there.
Read my reviews and you know how much I love an unreliable narrator. Well this one has three. And things were going great with this for a while (minus all the incredibly specific Nashville around-town references that, even for someone who lives here, were incredibly jarring. They read like name-dropping more than scene setting. Anyway) until each of their secrets started to be revealed. Great, I’m right there with ya.
But with about 100 pages left, things started to get real screwy. Reactions to things were totally off-base and confusing (one character took such a bewildering leap in logic... which make sense now in the context of the ending but originally read like maybe the editor forgot to read that chapter). Things didn’t add up. And then the big reveal with nary a breadcrumb to lead you there. There are two plot points that I can recall that make sense now in light of the ending but weren’t breadcrumbs missed along the trail. The weirdest part were the inner thoughts of one of the characters that make no sense in hindsight. Usually an unreliable narrator’s thoughts are their truth at odds with the objective truth. But when there are zero indications that the truth you’ve spent nearly 400 pages trying to navigate might be wrong, and then are told it was all an elaborate ruse in the literal last few pages, it doesn’t sit right.
What a strange read. So well-written and captivating, with some truly shocking and enjoyable scenes. I actually liked reading it. But that ending tho.
2.5/5 rounded up... Like in the 30 minutes spent writing this, I’m still not even sure if I liked it.
After several predictable plot twists, the final twist was so out of nowhere, I felt betrayed by the whole reading experience. I understand what the author was trying to do, and I love the idea of that. I just don’t think it quite got there.
Read my reviews and you know how much I love an unreliable narrator. Well this one has three. And things were going great with this for a while (minus all the incredibly specific Nashville around-town references that, even for someone who lives here, were incredibly jarring. They read like name-dropping more than scene setting. Anyway) until each of their secrets started to be revealed. Great, I’m right there with ya.
But with about 100 pages left, things started to get real screwy. Reactions to things were totally off-base and confusing (one character took such a bewildering leap in logic... which make sense now in the context of the ending but originally read like maybe the editor forgot to read that chapter). Things didn’t add up. And then the big reveal with nary a breadcrumb to lead you there. There are two plot points that I can recall that make sense now in light of the ending but weren’t breadcrumbs missed along the trail. The weirdest part were the inner thoughts of one of the characters that make no sense in hindsight. Usually an unreliable narrator’s thoughts are their truth at odds with the objective truth. But when there are zero indications that the truth you’ve spent nearly 400 pages trying to navigate might be wrong, and then are told it was all an elaborate ruse in the literal last few pages, it doesn’t sit right.
What a strange read. So well-written and captivating, with some truly shocking and enjoyable scenes. I actually liked reading it. But that ending tho.
2.5/5 rounded up... Like in the 30 minutes spent writing this, I’m still not even sure if I liked it.
kbranfield's review
4.0
4.5 stars.
Because You're Mine by Rea Frey is an absolutely riveting domestic mystery.
Lee Chambers is a single mom to seven year old Mason who is highly intelligent but suffers from sensory processing disorder. She is very protective of him and she is quite pleased at his progress now he is homeschooled by Noah Banks. Lee's best friend Grace Chambliss is very supportive and she has a good relationship with Mason. Lee is guarded and tight-lipped about her past but will a girls' weekend away provide her the opportunity to confide in Grace?
Lee has carefully structured her life to revolve around providing the environment Mason needs to thrive. She is a skilled hairdresser who runs her business out of her home. She and her son socialize with Grace, her son Luca and the other two women in their circle of friends and their children. Lee is uneasy about going away on a three day getaway but after Noah agrees to stay with Mason, she begins to look forward to relaxing with her friends. After a fun-filled evening in which they take turns sharing secrets, will Lee be able to handle an unexpected revelation?
Grace is completely devoted to Lee and Mason but she is irritated that Lee's problems sometimes dominate their time together. She and Mason share a tight bond and since the two families spend so much time together, she knows how to relate to him. Grace is frustrated when her attempts to confide in Lee are thwarted, but she plans to tell her friend her news during their girls' trip.
Noah is patient, kind and compassionate and it is quite obvious Mason is special to him. He is also a friend to Lee as she navigates the ups and downs of single motherhood. Noah is absolutely delighted by Mason's brilliance and he quickly adapts his lessons to nurture his student's curiosity. But is there more to Noah than meets the eye?
Narrated from several points of view and weaving back in forth in time, Because You're Mine is an engaging mystery with a clever storyline. The characters are richly developed and likable despite their all too human flaws. The plot is unique and filled with tension as Lee wrestles with an unexpected attraction and Grace tries numerous times to discuss something important with her best friend. Rea Frey deftly builds suspense from the explosive opening chapter until the twist-filled, stunning conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this fantastic mystery to readers of the genre.
Because You're Mine by Rea Frey is an absolutely riveting domestic mystery.
Lee Chambers is a single mom to seven year old Mason who is highly intelligent but suffers from sensory processing disorder. She is very protective of him and she is quite pleased at his progress now he is homeschooled by Noah Banks. Lee's best friend Grace Chambliss is very supportive and she has a good relationship with Mason. Lee is guarded and tight-lipped about her past but will a girls' weekend away provide her the opportunity to confide in Grace?
Lee has carefully structured her life to revolve around providing the environment Mason needs to thrive. She is a skilled hairdresser who runs her business out of her home. She and her son socialize with Grace, her son Luca and the other two women in their circle of friends and their children. Lee is uneasy about going away on a three day getaway but after Noah agrees to stay with Mason, she begins to look forward to relaxing with her friends. After a fun-filled evening in which they take turns sharing secrets, will Lee be able to handle an unexpected revelation?
Grace is completely devoted to Lee and Mason but she is irritated that Lee's problems sometimes dominate their time together. She and Mason share a tight bond and since the two families spend so much time together, she knows how to relate to him. Grace is frustrated when her attempts to confide in Lee are thwarted, but she plans to tell her friend her news during their girls' trip.
Noah is patient, kind and compassionate and it is quite obvious Mason is special to him. He is also a friend to Lee as she navigates the ups and downs of single motherhood. Noah is absolutely delighted by Mason's brilliance and he quickly adapts his lessons to nurture his student's curiosity. But is there more to Noah than meets the eye?
Narrated from several points of view and weaving back in forth in time, Because You're Mine is an engaging mystery with a clever storyline. The characters are richly developed and likable despite their all too human flaws. The plot is unique and filled with tension as Lee wrestles with an unexpected attraction and Grace tries numerous times to discuss something important with her best friend. Rea Frey deftly builds suspense from the explosive opening chapter until the twist-filled, stunning conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this fantastic mystery to readers of the genre.
naynae's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a real book. It touched on difficult topics in a sensitive way and also managed to throw a huge twist in at the end. So good!
katkinney's review against another edition
4.0
Rea Frey’s books always have interesting characters and shocking surprises. It is revealed in the prologue that someone dies, but not who. After that, the book jumps back a week, and we see what led up to that event.
Lee and Grace are best friends. Lee is the mother to Mason, her seven-year-old son with sensory processing issues. He receives physical therapy from Noah, who (just to complicate things), Lee has a crush on, and tries to kiss. Both Lee and Grace are keeping a lot of secrets. Grace wants Lee to come on a camping trip with her. I love a thriller with lots of drama and good juicy twists.
Lee and Grace are best friends. Lee is the mother to Mason, her seven-year-old son with sensory processing issues. He receives physical therapy from Noah, who (just to complicate things), Lee has a crush on, and tries to kiss. Both Lee and Grace are keeping a lot of secrets. Grace wants Lee to come on a camping trip with her. I love a thriller with lots of drama and good juicy twists.
kylieeason's review against another edition
5.0
Holy crap! This book was so unexpected, and I don’t think I could love it anymore.
Because You’re Mine is a suspenseful story about a single mother, her autistic son, and her very best friend. A weekend trip that changes everything for so many people.
Rea Frey tells the story of Lee through “past” and “present” sections, keeping us completely enthralled without ever giving us the final pieces.
This book overwhelmed me in many ways, and I cried more tears than I have in a long time while reading. I just, woooo, quite the doozy, that part is!
The ending came as such a shock that I literally gasped! How did I not see that coming? Honestly, I have no words for the monumental way Frey finished this book. It was unexpected, devious, and delightfully surprising. I loved this book so, SO much!
I’m thoroughly impressed, and highly suggest picking up a copy.
Disclaimer-ish: I found Because You’re Mine to be a lot better than Not Her Daughter.
Because You’re Mine is a suspenseful story about a single mother, her autistic son, and her very best friend. A weekend trip that changes everything for so many people.
Rea Frey tells the story of Lee through “past” and “present” sections, keeping us completely enthralled without ever giving us the final pieces.
This book overwhelmed me in many ways, and I cried more tears than I have in a long time while reading. I just, woooo, quite the doozy, that part is!
The ending came as such a shock that I literally gasped! How did I not see that coming? Honestly, I have no words for the monumental way Frey finished this book. It was unexpected, devious, and delightfully surprising. I loved this book so, SO much!
I’m thoroughly impressed, and highly suggest picking up a copy.
Disclaimer-ish: I found Because You’re Mine to be a lot better than Not Her Daughter.
mommasaystoread's review against another edition
2.0
I went into Because You're Mine really wanting to like it. The key elements are there, it's dark, and everyone has a secret. It's also way too slow for my liking, and it requires more suspension of disbelief than a story like this should. The only way this one works is if you go in thinking everyone is unreliable, and everyone has something to hide. That, in itself, wouldn't be a bad thing, but the only character I liked was Mason. He's adorably obsessive about his interests, and being a parent of a child on the spectrum, his lack of impulse control and the things he said felt real to me. The problem is the sheer amount of filler surrounding Mason. There are some things I just don't need to know and having page after page give me every detail of those things was more yawn-inducing than interesting. I would've much preferred a shorter story than all that filler. In the end, this story had promise, but it just didn't deliver.