justin_g317's review
dark
emotional
medium-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
jdelloso's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
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
4.0
jdog's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
theelizabethjoy's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
3.5
therearenobadbooks's review
dark
mysterious
tense
5.0
I got an arc via Goodreads giveaway and finished reading it in one sitting.
It's my favorite kind of mystery thriller without silly plot twists or focused on romance drama. It's about being a hero and saving children.
A young man who has nothing, never cared for anything, and lives his life from paycheck to paycheck working at a theme park notices one day marks of abuse on two little kids and reports it to Child Services. But nothing gets done. The parents seem to have money and influence. The young man obsesses over the idea of saving these kids. Doing something because he relates to them because he will never be able to live with himself if he doesn't try. Even if he gets himself and others killed.
I loved the main character and how certain he was of wanting to do good. The cast is great. The gothic girl, and her grandmother and Salvador are great.
It's my favorite kind of mystery thriller without silly plot twists or focused on romance drama. It's about being a hero and saving children.
A young man who has nothing, never cared for anything, and lives his life from paycheck to paycheck working at a theme park notices one day marks of abuse on two little kids and reports it to Child Services. But nothing gets done. The parents seem to have money and influence. The young man obsesses over the idea of saving these kids. Doing something because he relates to them because he will never be able to live with himself if he doesn't try. Even if he gets himself and others killed.
I loved the main character and how certain he was of wanting to do good. The cast is great. The gothic girl, and her grandmother and Salvador are great.
alexcarbonneau's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thatswhatshanread's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Lou Berney is a great writer, but this story didn’t do his writing justice, if that makes sense. I don’t think it should have been named a “thriller”. It had some sketchy parts and definitely some suspense but none of it really felt thriller-like to me, which is maybe part of the reason I didn’t enjoy it as much since I was preparing for a different kind of book. The characterization was interesting and the MC, Hardly, being the very definition of an average Good Samaritan had me in the first third of the book. But then all of his decisions and the plot developments just became too far fetched. I know it’s a work of fiction but I found it pretty unbelievable that Hardly’s actions fit his character, even if his arc was ultimately about finding purpose in his average life. I enjoyed the character of Eleanor the most, and wished maybe we got to see more of her character from a different point of view.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Confinement, Drug abuse, Addiction, Drug use, Gun violence, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
no_more_shelf_control's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
this story captured me immediately. The idea of a, shall we call him "contented", young man with no long term goals besides smoking more weed as the one person who won't give up on finding help for two young children with visible abuse was an interesting choice. I found myself rooting for Hardley in his quest, and also wanting to smack him for other choices! By the end I really appreciated the way Berney used this character to refine my idea of a hero just a bit. Or maybe broaden is the better word.
All in all, this was a very quick read. Less than 250 pages, but also a quick pace. I really enjoyed this story and the way it brought up some deeper prejudices I carry, as well as a reminder that we all need to care for each other. I will remember Hardley.
All in all, this was a very quick read. Less than 250 pages, but also a quick pace. I really enjoyed this story and the way it brought up some deeper prejudices I carry, as well as a reminder that we all need to care for each other. I will remember Hardley.