lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
3.0
Before We Were Strangers had some good things, and some not so good things in my opinion.
I enjoyed the coming back home part of the story, and reconnecting with the high school boyfriend. I did not really enjoy the family, and the former best friend.
And I had hoped there would be no psychopaths in this story - even if I know the author is very much into researching psychopaths these days.
The story didn't always flow freely.
I enjoyed the coming back home part of the story, and reconnecting with the high school boyfriend. I did not really enjoy the family, and the former best friend.
And I had hoped there would be no psychopaths in this story - even if I know the author is very much into researching psychopaths these days.
The story didn't always flow freely.
23camperlibrary's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
c_dog's review against another edition
3.0
I usually love Novak's books, but I struggled with this one. While I felt bad for Sloan, I didn't really like her. I think it was because one chapter she was saying she'd never hurt Paige by getting together with Micah, and in the next she was sleeping with him. I would have liked the ending better if Ed had gotten away with it...we don't always need a perfectly tied up ending!
an_everyday_penguin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I was honestly a little disappointed by the ending. It was all going really well and I was having such a good time reading it, and then at the end when things were getting really intense, it just kind of stopped? Like, it all wrapped up so quickly and it felt like a few random threads were forgotten about and some other random ones were given a super rushed conclusion that felt kind of weird and I was left kind of unsatisfied. But the rest of the story was really good.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
Before We Were Strangers by Brenda Novak is a perplexing mystery in which a daughter returns home determined to uncover the truth about her mother's disappearance twenty-three years earlier.
Ten years ago, Sloane McBride left home and completely cut everyone, including her boyfriend Micah Evans and her best friend Paige, out of her life. She is a sought-after model but after the death of her close friend and agent, she is ready to find out what happened to her mother, Clara. When Sloane was five years old, Clara vanished without a trace following an vicious argument with her husband, Ed. Sloane has long suspected her father might have murdered her mother but when she was younger, she had no idea how to prove her theory. Ed and her brother Randy are not pleased with her return and Ed does everything he can to drive her away. Fortunately, Paige welcomes her into her life and provides her a place to stay. But Sloane soon discovers her former best friend might not be entirely sincere about repairing their friendship. She also continues crossing paths with Micah and she is dismayed to learn the passage of time has not lessened her love for him nor his animosity over her departure ten years ago. Will Sloane find out for certain that her father murdered her mother? Is her friendship with Paige too fractured to repair? Can Micah forgive Sloane for breaking his heart?
After her mother's disappearance, Sloane's childhood is miserable since her father is a controlling, emotionally cold and selfish person. She and Randy are also at odds because he was does not share her conviction their father harmed their mother. Sloane's friendship with Paige is extremely close and she considers her to be the sister of her heart. After she begind dating Micah, Sloane overlooks Paige's attempts to garner his attention, but their once close friendship suffers from Paige's jealousy. Sloane loves Micah with all of her heart but she knows she cannot remain in town and that he will never leave. Sloane leaves abruptly leaves without telling anyone her plans and she severs ties with everyone.
Now ready to find out the truth about why her mother vanished, Sloane immediately begins playing amateur sleuth. After learning new details, she is certain her theory is right but she knows she will need definitive proof to take to the police. Although Sloane is dismayed by the information about her mother, she does not let this prevent her from following up on the new lead. Convinced she is on the right track, Sloane tenaciously keeps digging for answers despite her father's blatant attempts to stop her investigation.
Before We Were Strangers is a well-written mystery that often becomes overshadowed by drama and conflict with people from Sloane's past. Sloane is a likable character but her hand-wringing over father becomes tedious. Ed is a despicable villain whose behavior is over the top. Paige is an annoying woman who refuses to accept that she is the author of her misery. The investigation into what happened to Clara is quite fascinating. With some unexpected twists and turns Brenda Novak brings the novel to a twist-filled conclusion. Fans of the genre will enjoy this engaging mystery.
Ten years ago, Sloane McBride left home and completely cut everyone, including her boyfriend Micah Evans and her best friend Paige, out of her life. She is a sought-after model but after the death of her close friend and agent, she is ready to find out what happened to her mother, Clara. When Sloane was five years old, Clara vanished without a trace following an vicious argument with her husband, Ed. Sloane has long suspected her father might have murdered her mother but when she was younger, she had no idea how to prove her theory. Ed and her brother Randy are not pleased with her return and Ed does everything he can to drive her away. Fortunately, Paige welcomes her into her life and provides her a place to stay. But Sloane soon discovers her former best friend might not be entirely sincere about repairing their friendship. She also continues crossing paths with Micah and she is dismayed to learn the passage of time has not lessened her love for him nor his animosity over her departure ten years ago. Will Sloane find out for certain that her father murdered her mother? Is her friendship with Paige too fractured to repair? Can Micah forgive Sloane for breaking his heart?
After her mother's disappearance, Sloane's childhood is miserable since her father is a controlling, emotionally cold and selfish person. She and Randy are also at odds because he was does not share her conviction their father harmed their mother. Sloane's friendship with Paige is extremely close and she considers her to be the sister of her heart. After she begind dating Micah, Sloane overlooks Paige's attempts to garner his attention, but their once close friendship suffers from Paige's jealousy. Sloane loves Micah with all of her heart but she knows she cannot remain in town and that he will never leave. Sloane leaves abruptly leaves without telling anyone her plans and she severs ties with everyone.
Now ready to find out the truth about why her mother vanished, Sloane immediately begins playing amateur sleuth. After learning new details, she is certain her theory is right but she knows she will need definitive proof to take to the police. Although Sloane is dismayed by the information about her mother, she does not let this prevent her from following up on the new lead. Convinced she is on the right track, Sloane tenaciously keeps digging for answers despite her father's blatant attempts to stop her investigation.
Before We Were Strangers is a well-written mystery that often becomes overshadowed by drama and conflict with people from Sloane's past. Sloane is a likable character but her hand-wringing over father becomes tedious. Ed is a despicable villain whose behavior is over the top. Paige is an annoying woman who refuses to accept that she is the author of her misery. The investigation into what happened to Clara is quite fascinating. With some unexpected twists and turns Brenda Novak brings the novel to a twist-filled conclusion. Fans of the genre will enjoy this engaging mystery.
kenziehulsey's review against another edition
3.0
Read via audiobook
I think overall this was a good book with a good mystery but it took a while for me to really get into it. The ending was satisfying and had a good twist. It just felt really slow getting to the good parts.
I think overall this was a good book with a good mystery but it took a while for me to really get into it. The ending was satisfying and had a good twist. It just felt really slow getting to the good parts.
mrspenningalovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I love when there is a plot twist that is like - ok, I see that. And then bam- another plot twist that makes even more pizazz! This was a great summer read! Fun complex relationships in a small town and a murder mystery that keeps details coming in small doses of drama. I was hooked from the first chapter, which is always a good sign!
vanna's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0