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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
paralleltea's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
roseofphantom's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I received an ARC of this through my work. I don't usually read Thrillers but the premise of this was so intriguing.
The good: It is very well paced and I really enjoy Berney's writing style. It was an exciting read all the way through and Berney knows how to keep the reader on their toes. The characters were all unique and I became really fond of Hardly, Eleanor and Salvador (god Salvador has my heart he's so sweet and awesome and I want to adopt him) Honestly this could have very easily been a four star read for me.
The bad and the reason I knocked off a full two stars: As I said I don't really read thrillers so I don't usually know what to expect as far as endings go.
I am incredibly disappointed by the ending. And honestly, maybe that's indicative of how good this writing is.
I was so into the story and the writing impacted me so much that when that ending turned up it broke my heart so much it put a bad taste in my mouth. The dynamics between the characters were so wonderful and I loved them all, I screamed with fear when Salvador got shot. It's left ambiguous if he makes it or not (he better) but I still am bothered by.
And then Hardly. He went through all that work, finally discovering something he was passionate about only to brutally die. Leaving both of his friends, people whom I believe didn't really have any friends, behind. And it wasn't just the death it was how abrupt it was. There was no falling action in this book at all. It was dirty and cruel and again, maybe that shows how strong these characters are that I cared about them so much. But I just cannot personally take such hard endings like this. Hardly was done dirty and deserved to live, in my opinion. Perhaps that's not realistic.... but I really wanted something happier and I just couldn't handle this ending.
The good: It is very well paced and I really enjoy Berney's writing style. It was an exciting read all the way through and Berney knows how to keep the reader on their toes. The characters were all unique and I became really fond of Hardly, Eleanor and Salvador (god Salvador has my heart he's so sweet and awesome and I want to adopt him) Honestly this could have very easily been a four star read for me.
The bad and the reason I knocked off a full two stars: As I said I don't really read thrillers so I don't usually know what to expect as far as endings go.
I am incredibly disappointed by the ending. And honestly, maybe that's indicative of how good this writing is.
And then Hardly. He went through all that work, finally discovering something he was passionate about only to brutally die. Leaving both of his friends, people whom I believe didn't really have any friends, behind. And it wasn't just the death it was how abrupt it was. There was no falling action in this book at all. It was dirty and cruel and again, maybe that shows how strong these characters are that I cared about them so much. But I just cannot personally take such hard endings like this. Hardly was done dirty and deserved to live, in my opinion. Perhaps that's not realistic.... but I really wanted something happier and I just couldn't handle this ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
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