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belysagan's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Mental illness, and Violence
amberjackonski's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, and Murder
wynter_j's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Brief Synopsis: Alexa has been in therapy since she was a child. When she lands a job in NYC, she’s excited to finally move out on her own. Before she’s even had time to unpack, Alexa’s estranged twin sister Beth randomly shows up on her door step. Things get complicated quickly, as this story unfolds.
Thoughts: Overall this was a good, quick read. The characters felt realistic, and the storyline was mostly believable. Around 30% in, I started guessing the main twist. I wish that it would have been hidden/incorporated better, so the “OMG” factor would have remained when the twist was unveiled. That said, there is one twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. I don’t think the pandemic add-ins added value to the overall story. But maybe someone picking up the book a few years from now will appreciate the memories.
Thank you to J.C. Bidonde, Greenleaf Book Group, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
Thoughts: Overall this was a good, quick read. The characters felt realistic, and the storyline was mostly believable. Around 30% in, I started guessing the main twist. I wish that it would have been hidden/incorporated better, so the “OMG” factor would have remained when the twist was unveiled. That said, there is one twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. I don’t think the pandemic add-ins added value to the overall story. But maybe someone picking up the book a few years from now will appreciate the memories.
Thank you to J.C. Bidonde, Greenleaf Book Group, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
ricareviews's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
1.0
this book was not a good experience for me. the alternating between the two POVs was confusing, especially in the first few chapters. i listened to the audiobook and, at some points, i couldn't figure out who was talking. the story was not what i expected (i don't mean that as a compliment) and it was hard to follow. i didn't feel any thrill while reading so i wouldn't call this a 'thriller'. there is an element of mystery, yes, but nothing thrilling happens in this 300-pages novel. furthermore, i didn't feel any connection to these characters and i blame that on the writing. these characters aren't given any justice, especially alexa. the final plot twist was not good, it made me dislike the book even more. read this if you want to start screaming about plot holes and non-existent characterization. otherwise, i suggest skipping it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Minor: Sexual content, Stalking, and Abandonment
melissathereadingnerd's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I was looking through the 'Listen Now' category on Netgalley and found this thriller available. The cover is ugly yet something drew me to it. Then I read the synopsis of the book and I was all in!
Bro though! This book is currently my top favorite I've read this year. The twist comes at about 70% and then it gets more wild from there. But wild-good, not wild-ridiculous-and-not-believable. I am not sure how this book hasn't been talked about more, because it's honestly a quick story, very fast paced.
If you're into great thriller type books, please pick this book up this year. This is J.C. Bidonde's debut book but it feels like it's written by a seasoned pro.
If you're into great thriller type books, please pick this book up this year. This is J.C. Bidonde's debut book but it feels like it's written by a seasoned pro.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Death of parent, and Murder
mortiffa's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-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
DO YOU FOLLOW is a psychological thriller debut that follows twin sisters who share a secret past, after one of those sisters starts her life over in NYC.
Damn. This book fell off. You hate to see it.*
My review does contain spoilers.
I was with this book from the beginning. The plot is intriguing, the pacing is done very well, and it started off on a promising foot.
However, I had major issues with the "twist" in this novel. I'm more than okay with "~she's been dead the whole time~" twists in books when they feel earned or executed well. This book does neither of those things.
Furthermore, this book makes an egregious attempt at turning a real mental health diagnosis into a dramatic plot twist and I'm not about that. It's absolutely irresponsible.
There are also certain things that don't go anywhere (a whole storyline with the mom? the diary?) and I'm not sure why they're even there.
A more surface level complaint: I'm fine with pop culture references in books, and I'm fine with current events being included, but allll of the COVID-19 pandemic references were just too much for me.
That said, the positives... The book is engaging, and did keep me reading until the end (bc I did have to know what tf was going on, just not for the Right Reasons).
Bidonde has an enjoyable writing style, and I do look forward to their future work... I just hope to see less of this "mental illness for shock value" then.
On another note, I also listened to the book on audio and absolutely loved the narrator. 5 stars to the narrator.
Thank you to Greenleaf Book Club and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this book!
*Thank you to Val.
Damn. This book fell off. You hate to see it.*
My review does contain spoilers.
I was with this book from the beginning. The plot is intriguing, the pacing is done very well, and it started off on a promising foot.
However, I had major issues with the "twist" in this novel. I'm more than okay with "~she's been dead the whole time~" twists in books when they feel earned or executed well. This book does neither of those things.
Furthermore, this book makes an egregious attempt at turning a real mental health diagnosis into a dramatic plot twist and I'm not about that. It's absolutely irresponsible.
There are also certain things that don't go anywhere (a whole storyline with the mom? the diary?) and I'm not sure why they're even there.
A more surface level complaint: I'm fine with pop culture references in books, and I'm fine with current events being included, but allll of the COVID-19 pandemic references were just too much for me.
That said, the positives... The book is engaging, and did keep me reading until the end (bc I did have to know what tf was going on, just not for the Right Reasons).
Bidonde has an enjoyable writing style, and I do look forward to their future work... I just hope to see less of this "mental illness for shock value" then.
On another note, I also listened to the book on audio and absolutely loved the narrator. 5 stars to the narrator.
Thank you to Greenleaf Book Club and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this book!
*Thank you to Val.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Violence and Murder
starsaligned's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
3.0
I got an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. This book is not a bad book. It's actually really interesting in it's concept.
However, the writing throws me a little bit in that it can feel very basic. It's almost monotone at some points. It takes me out of the story sometimes which can be really annoying especially with a book like this.
In regards to the characters, I think they were well-developed. They were developed too the point to at one point or another I sometimes found them extremely annoying. But only in the way that human beings are.
My favorite part of the story is hoe Beth and Curt kind of are wrapped up. Beth's story ends in a place that makes sense not only for her, but for Alexa and the way her story ended as well. I think that Curt ultimately being who he was made sense for a lot of the things he did and said even if I didn't realize it at first.
I think another thing for me was that the ending was a little predictable which I think worked for and against this book. I think it worked against it because it takes the shock out the ending and leaves me disappointed because of the predictability. In terns of how it works for it, I think considering the context it is very satisfying and works very well for the story it was part of.
However, the writing throws me a little bit in that it can feel very basic. It's almost monotone at some points. It takes me out of the story sometimes which can be really annoying especially with a book like this.
In regards to the characters, I think they were well-developed. They were developed too the point to at one point or another I sometimes found them extremely annoying. But only in the way that human beings are.
My favorite part of the story is hoe Beth and Curt kind of are wrapped up. Beth's story ends in a place that makes sense not only for her, but for Alexa and the way her story ended as well. I think that Curt ultimately being who he was made sense for a lot of the things he did and said even if I didn't realize it at first.
I think another thing for me was that the ending was a little predictable which I think worked for and against this book. I think it worked against it because it takes the shock out the ending and leaves me disappointed because of the predictability. In terns of how it works for it, I think considering the context it is very satisfying and works very well for the story it was part of.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Murder
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