novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: 3.5 STARS
To be honest, I thought I had requested The Better Liar to review, and that is why this book was on my radar. I am glad for my error as I really enjoyed this dark twisted tale. The main characters Robin, Mary and Leslie are not likeable, but still interesting characters. They were realistic, even if some of the storyline wasn't. It is one that kept me reading, and I loved the author's note at the end that captures the thoughts on motherhood.
To be honest, I thought I had requested The Better Liar to review, and that is why this book was on my radar. I am glad for my error as I really enjoyed this dark twisted tale. The main characters Robin, Mary and Leslie are not likeable, but still interesting characters. They were realistic, even if some of the storyline wasn't. It is one that kept me reading, and I loved the author's note at the end that captures the thoughts on motherhood.
debstubb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
This book is so good and points out pain of post partum, depression to make people aware.
hearteyes's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
illidia316's review against another edition
5.0
This book really surprised me! I had never heard of it it the author, so I went into it with no expectations and was very pleasantly surprised. This book is really great! The story is very unique, and it has plot twists that I had no idea were coming. The characters have so many flaws, which makes them pretty relatable in some ways. I feel like it is a pretty fast paced and story and did not drag at all. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author!
allisonrae13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
8odell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
menniemenace's review against another edition
2.0
Why is this a thriller?
It's a book. It has a story and a plot and all that, but it's not a thriller.
I can't say I enjoyed it. The dialogue was stilted and awkward. The dual POVs felt unreal -as in Leslie stuttering every sentence in Mary's POV and Mary being tacky and sketchy in Leslie's POV- and the whole dynamic was grating on my nerves.
I find the author's efforts to write something noble very commendable, and I'm not feeling good about myself for not liking this.
It's a book. It has a story and a plot and all that, but it's not a thriller.
I can't say I enjoyed it. The dialogue was stilted and awkward. The dual POVs felt unreal -as in Leslie stuttering every sentence in Mary's POV and Mary being tacky and sketchy in Leslie's POV- and the whole dynamic was grating on my nerves.
I find the author's efforts to write something noble very commendable, and I'm not feeling good about myself for not liking this.
ianthereader0's review against another edition
4.0
4.25/5
Thank you to Netgalley, Ballantine, and Tanen Jones for the digital ARC of this book!
I honestly don’t really know how to categorize this story. A psychological thriller? A twisted contemporary? A fantastic debut? I think all of those descriptions, and many others, suit this novel very well. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and highly recommend it. Taken Jones’ writing is layered and immersive, perfectly capturing a moody and mysterious atmosphere in these pages. This story digs deeply into family relationships, and the shadows that parents cast over the lives of their children. Not to mention, the plot was extremely engaging and unpredictable. This book was a ride, and I loved it!
Thank you to Netgalley, Ballantine, and Tanen Jones for the digital ARC of this book!
I honestly don’t really know how to categorize this story. A psychological thriller? A twisted contemporary? A fantastic debut? I think all of those descriptions, and many others, suit this novel very well. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and highly recommend it. Taken Jones’ writing is layered and immersive, perfectly capturing a moody and mysterious atmosphere in these pages. This story digs deeply into family relationships, and the shadows that parents cast over the lives of their children. Not to mention, the plot was extremely engaging and unpredictable. This book was a ride, and I loved it!
agirlsnightbookbash's review against another edition
2.0
I am struggling with how to deal with this. I read 140 something pages and then decided I was so turned off by the way the extra characters interacted with Mary that I couldn't continue. I then skimmed through to the end and honestly wasn't shocked. The concept is good I guess but I just couldn't get into the delivery. The only character I had any interest in finding out about was Robin. I had picked this over another short term rental library book and I am regretting the decision