hollaylonn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Car accident, Death, Pregnancy, Grief, Miscarriage, Murder, and Violence
booksshereads's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
*Fable book club read
Starting off with my first thoughts, this book had way to many pov's, but it turned out it was perfect for the book. I liked most of the characters including Christopher's. He was my favorite point of view. I was really hoping for his life to turned out the way he wanted it to be. Did it? You have to read.
The book was fast pace, easy to read and I love how each character's chapter ended with you wondering what was next, or did not really happen. Overall, the book was really predictable but I loved it. haha. I had a few guesses and most of the time my first or second guess was right. It was pretty obvious. This did not ruin anything for me because once you knew you wanted to know, why?
Besides Christopher, some of the other characters I enjoyed reading about was Mandy, Ellie, Nick and Jade (Jade gave the hopeful romantic field to the book). I wanted her to be happy for sure. Mandy was annoying in the beginning to me. At the middle of the book there was more warmth for her.
I felt for Sally at first but that bitch.... is all I have to say for now.
I recommend this book if you are looking for a fast read, short chapters, multiple pov's and twist sometimes you do not see coming. Check triggers. Christopher pov will get a little twisted.
Starting off with my first thoughts, this book had way to many pov's, but it turned out it was perfect for the book. I liked most of the characters including Christopher's. He was my favorite point of view. I was really hoping for his life to turned out the way he wanted it to be. Did it? You have to read.
The book was fast pace, easy to read and I love how each character's chapter ended with you wondering what was next, or did not really happen. Overall, the book was really predictable but I loved it. haha. I had a few guesses and most of the time my first or second guess was right. It was pretty obvious. This did not ruin anything for me because once you knew you wanted to know, why?
Besides Christopher, some of the other characters I enjoyed reading about was Mandy, Ellie, Nick and Jade (Jade gave the hopeful romantic field to the book). I wanted her to be happy for sure. Mandy was annoying in the beginning to me. At the middle of the book there was more warmth for her.
I felt for Sally at first but that bitch.... is all I have to say for now.
I recommend this book if you are looking for a fast read, short chapters, multiple pov's and twist sometimes you do not see coming. Check triggers. Christopher pov will get a little twisted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
paulaks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I really wanted to like this book but I don´t know... The writing was mediocre but the pace was pretty fast because of POV switches and short chapters. But holy crap the plot was CRAZY- Everything felt like a fever dream! The topics were interesting and definitely gave different nuances but it was just too much I guess. This is a me-problem and I truly understand the hype it had. I was fascinated by some moments and ideas but it was way too much for me. Check TW!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Gore, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Chronic illness, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Cancer, Medical content, and Pregnancy
kmsander4's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'll be honest, I wanted to love this one more than I did. I felt like the set-up was perfect. It had everything I needed but it just, fell flat in the execution.
There were some surprises and I loved that so many of the chapters ended in cliffhangers but in the end, I found too many of the stories to be predictable. Which in a book that had so many twists early on that caught me off guard, was extremely frustrating.
I will read more John Marrs in the future because I saw the potential, I was just hoping for a wee bit more.
There were some surprises and I loved that so many of the chapters ended in cliffhangers but in the end, I found too many of the stories to be predictable. Which in a book that had so many twists early on that caught me off guard, was extremely frustrating.
I will read more John Marrs in the future because I saw the potential, I was just hoping for a wee bit more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
laurennom's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Violence, Murder, Medical trauma, Death, Cancer, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
opplecopter's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Imagine if finding your most compatible partner was as simple as mailing off a saliva sample and getting the results emailed to you. Dating would be unnecessary. Going through the awkward phases of getting to know someone or stumbling over your words would be cast aside completely. You wouldn’t have to worry about second guessing anything because on a genetic level, you would have the person who is best suited for you. No other person could ever connect or love you as deeply as your Match could. Not only would this person be your Match, but they would be “the one.” The only other person in the entire world that is perfect for you. Sounds crazy but also kind of intriguing, right?
Let me start off by saying this whole concept is creepy in itself because I can completely see this, along with the absolute chaos that ensues, being a possibility in the future. This is a modern day Twilight Zone tale or I suppose Black Mirror would be a better fitting comparison. We’ve got some psychological thriller/suspense with a dash of sci-fi thrown in. The story follows five people who have been “Matched.” Mandy, a divorcée who just wants to find love after heartbreak, Jade, who is angry and disappointed in her life as a whole, Nick, a man who is planning a wedding with his fiancée, Ellie, a woman of wealth and power, and Christopher, who is a serial killer (not a spoiler, you find this out immediately when he is introduced).
We cycle back and forth between the lives of each of these people, so if you prefer a book with one straightforward storyline and don’t like jumping around, then you probably won’t enjoy this. The chapters are numerous, but very short since each one focuses on one of the five people. Personally, I enjoy the short chapters, some of which are only 2-3 pages, because it helps me remember everything still going on with the other characters. I feel like if they were longer, I would’ve been constantly flipping back to reread so I could keep up. I will be honest and say a couple of the storylines started out boring while a couple seemed to grab my attention much sooner (like Christopher’s), but they all deepen and get better as you go on. Starting off, we get to know their lives and backgrounds before we watch their worlds get shaken up and flipped upside down. There were so many layers, twists, lies, secrets, and betrayals. The ending was so unexpected and changed the entire atmosphere of the book and made you question everything.
I’ve been looking for another 5 star for months, and every time I thought I found one, I was disappointed. I have zero complaints on this one.
Let me start off by saying this whole concept is creepy in itself because I can completely see this, along with the absolute chaos that ensues, being a possibility in the future. This is a modern day Twilight Zone tale or I suppose Black Mirror would be a better fitting comparison. We’ve got some psychological thriller/suspense with a dash of sci-fi thrown in. The story follows five people who have been “Matched.” Mandy, a divorcée who just wants to find love after heartbreak, Jade, who is angry and disappointed in her life as a whole, Nick, a man who is planning a wedding with his fiancée, Ellie, a woman of wealth and power, and Christopher, who is a serial killer (not a spoiler, you find this out immediately when he is introduced).
We cycle back and forth between the lives of each of these people, so if you prefer a book with one straightforward storyline and don’t like jumping around, then you probably won’t enjoy this. The chapters are numerous, but very short since each one focuses on one of the five people. Personally, I enjoy the short chapters, some of which are only 2-3 pages, because it helps me remember everything still going on with the other characters. I feel like if they were longer, I would’ve been constantly flipping back to reread so I could keep up. I will be honest and say a couple of the storylines started out boring while a couple seemed to grab my attention much sooner (like Christopher’s), but they all deepen and get better as you go on. Starting off, we get to know their lives and backgrounds before we watch their worlds get shaken up and flipped upside down. There were so many layers, twists, lies, secrets, and betrayals. The ending was so unexpected and changed the entire atmosphere of the book and made you question everything.
I’ve been looking for another 5 star for months, and every time I thought I found one, I was disappointed. I have zero complaints on this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Torture, Murder, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, Medical content, and Cursing
Minor: Pedophilia, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
stephanieluxton's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book.
It's basically 5 books in one as it rotates through five unrelated main characters and their experience with "the one".
There's a lot of little twists and turns and I found myself genuinely not knowing what was going to happen, which is rare and exciting.
The concept felt original, the pace was excellent, the characters all unique and colourful. The concept was well explored and it gives you something to think about. This would make a fantastic book club book.
It's both dark and wholesome.
It's basically 5 books in one as it rotates through five unrelated main characters and their experience with "the one".
There's a lot of little twists and turns and I found myself genuinely not knowing what was going to happen, which is rare and exciting.
The concept felt original, the pace was excellent, the characters all unique and colourful. The concept was well explored and it gives you something to think about. This would make a fantastic book club book.
It's both dark and wholesome.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Mental illness, Death, Stalking, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Cancer
One of the main characters is a serial killer whostalks and targets young women and kills them with a cheese wire. It's not too graphic but it's a thing.kaylee14's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death, Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Abortion, and Murder
Minor: Pedophilia
nikkiei's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
2.5
A dumpster fire I couldn’t pull my eyes away from
This is such a chaotic book. 4 storylines. No inter lapping of plots until the very end, and even then it was only one person’s storyline crossing into the other three. I will say this would make a good TV show, with each storyline being its own episode.
This is such a chaotic book. 4 storylines. No inter lapping of plots until the very end, and even then it was only one person’s storyline crossing into the other three. I will say this would make a good TV show, with each storyline being its own episode.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Murder, and Death
xwritingstoriesx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
John Marrs is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. A twisty, science-fiction tale with a brilliant cast of characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Murder, Death, Violence, Gaslighting, Grief, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infidelity, Infertility, and Miscarriage
Minor: Abortion