jolietjane's review
2.0
This is a hard 2.5 for me. I didn't HATE reading it as much as I thought it was very, very dumb.
Six Weeks to Live is what I can only describe as an airport thriller. It has very short chapters in POV form. The writing style lingers closer to middle grade than it does adult. It's really a perfect book if you need a distraction but don't really want to invest yourself too hard into that distraction.
I'm not going to spend time talking about the plot, look at Goodreads for that. Heres all you need to know.
- The character motivations, especially at the end, were absolutely bizarre and inhuman.
- The twists were all groan-worthy. Every single one of them.
- The fact that the main character, Jennifer, even though someone was out to get her was weird. It was like the book really couldn't figure out how to naturally set up suspicion so they just piledriver into it and expect you to buy-in.
- None of the main characters were likable or believable. None of them were intriguing enough to put up with their flaws.
- The end of the book made me feel stupid for even following the story to begin with.
That being said, if you are at an airport or waiting in line to vote, this is really a perfect thriller. You could probably skip several chapters, just open the page and start to easily figure out whats going on. There isn't really a building mystery so much as small random reveals, so it demands little of your attention. I didn't hate reading it. It wasn't boring. It just wasn't good.
Six Weeks to Live is what I can only describe as an airport thriller. It has very short chapters in POV form. The writing style lingers closer to middle grade than it does adult. It's really a perfect book if you need a distraction but don't really want to invest yourself too hard into that distraction.
I'm not going to spend time talking about the plot, look at Goodreads for that. Heres all you need to know.
- The character motivations, especially at the end, were absolutely bizarre and inhuman.
- The twists were all groan-worthy. Every single one of them.
- The fact that the main character, Jennifer, even though someone was out to get her was weird. It was like the book really couldn't figure out how to naturally set up suspicion so they just piledriver into it and expect you to buy-in.
- None of the main characters were likable or believable. None of them were intriguing enough to put up with their flaws.
- The end of the book made me feel stupid for even following the story to begin with.
That being said, if you are at an airport or waiting in line to vote, this is really a perfect thriller. You could probably skip several chapters, just open the page and start to easily figure out whats going on. There isn't really a building mystery so much as small random reveals, so it demands little of your attention. I didn't hate reading it. It wasn't boring. It just wasn't good.
shellysbookcorner's review
4.0
Thank you Atria Books for my advance review copy.
First time reading this author and I enjoyed the story. The twists definitely took me by surprise. I did feel some parts were a little repetitive. Everyone in this book has flaws and at times can be very unlikeable and that’s what I loved about the story. No one was truly innocent and it added to the suspense. My heart did go out for Jennifer towards the end. No one is perfect when it’s all said and done. If you’re a fan of domestic suspense novels be sure to check this one out!
First time reading this author and I enjoyed the story. The twists definitely took me by surprise. I did feel some parts were a little repetitive. Everyone in this book has flaws and at times can be very unlikeable and that’s what I loved about the story. No one was truly innocent and it added to the suspense. My heart did go out for Jennifer towards the end. No one is perfect when it’s all said and done. If you’re a fan of domestic suspense novels be sure to check this one out!
selinaab's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: 3.5 STARS
2021; Atria/Simon & Schuster Canada (Simon Audio)
Narrated by Alex Allwine, Eileen Stevens, Julia Whalen and Caitlin Davies
I like that this book is written by a Canadian, but also takes place in Vancouver (BC)! From the moment we find out that Jennifer has six weeks to live, it is a crazy ride of paranoia. It felt like an episode of Survivor where you don't know the alliances and who hates you. I could not stop listening to the novel as I was invested in seeing how it ends. This is a perfect beach read.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley and Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2021; Atria/Simon & Schuster Canada (Simon Audio)
Narrated by Alex Allwine, Eileen Stevens, Julia Whalen and Caitlin Davies
I like that this book is written by a Canadian, but also takes place in Vancouver (BC)! From the moment we find out that Jennifer has six weeks to live, it is a crazy ride of paranoia. It felt like an episode of Survivor where you don't know the alliances and who hates you. I could not stop listening to the novel as I was invested in seeing how it ends. This is a perfect beach read.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley and Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
bookishkash's review
5.0
4.5⭐️
Jennifer finds out that she is dying of brain cancer and she has 6 weeks to live. The shock is enough to share her but then she suspects that someone poisoned her. Her main suspect being her husband who has been nagging her for a divorce. With help of her three daughters (triplets) she is coping with her last few weeks of life, and trying to find out evidence of her poisoning. Lot of secrets from the past are raked up, and it’s a wild ride.
While reading the book, I felt I was going to rate it only 3, but the end made me bump up my rating. My problem with the book was not being able to relate to characters. Jennifer was supposed to be dying and her daughters were supposed to be losing their mother, but the emotional aspect of they dynamic was missing.
But towards the end, things make a lot more sense and the twists hit you out of the left field. I was not able to guess the twists at all and they were pleasantly surprising.
Over all I loved the thriller aspect of the book, I would have liked to feel more emotional through the story but the plot and ending made up for all that it lacked!
Recommend reading for fans of mystery, thriller, domestic and psychological thrillers.
Jennifer finds out that she is dying of brain cancer and she has 6 weeks to live. The shock is enough to share her but then she suspects that someone poisoned her. Her main suspect being her husband who has been nagging her for a divorce. With help of her three daughters (triplets) she is coping with her last few weeks of life, and trying to find out evidence of her poisoning. Lot of secrets from the past are raked up, and it’s a wild ride.
While reading the book, I felt I was going to rate it only 3, but the end made me bump up my rating. My problem with the book was not being able to relate to characters. Jennifer was supposed to be dying and her daughters were supposed to be losing their mother, but the emotional aspect of they dynamic was missing.
But towards the end, things make a lot more sense and the twists hit you out of the left field. I was not able to guess the twists at all and they were pleasantly surprising.
Over all I loved the thriller aspect of the book, I would have liked to feel more emotional through the story but the plot and ending made up for all that it lacked!
Recommend reading for fans of mystery, thriller, domestic and psychological thrillers.
catreader18's review
4.0
This is a story of a woman who finds out she has six weeks to live. She is confident her cancer is not an accident and someone poisoned her. She wants to find out the truth before her time is up.
Full of twists and turns, this book will keep you on your toes. I was completely surprised by the ending twist. It’s a great book for anyone who loves dramas.
Full of twists and turns, this book will keep you on your toes. I was completely surprised by the ending twist. It’s a great book for anyone who loves dramas.
macneill___rae's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't hate it. Didn't love it.
I found the beginning really blah. Eventually picked up but I definitely find there's better Thrillers out there.
I found the beginning really blah. Eventually picked up but I definitely find there's better Thrillers out there.
heyitsem's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
marcccb's review against another edition
4.0
Catherine McKenzie is back with a psychological thriller and family drama about a woman trying to find out who poisoned her as her clock is slowly ticking.
Jennifer Barnes is a mother of triplets who just found out she has cancer. But looking at her results, she sees traces of lead in her system (weird, right?) which leads her to believe that someone has poisoned her. Jennifer thinks it was her ex-husband and what follows is the story of Jennifer's paranoia as she tries to find out the truth about what actually happened. Part thriller and part family drama, McKenzie soars with her newest novel till its
I read this book in two sittings. The novel begins with Jennifer at the doctor's office finding out about her diagnosis and her life spirals from there and the story takes off immediately. We are introduced to her three daughters and her despicable ex-husband and each have secrets of their own. I found the story to be very fast-paced and the integration of the family drama blends really well with the thriller genre. It's not overly emotional, but just enough to make you feel sympathy for the characters.
This story comes with its own set of twists. Throughout the novel, McKenzie places little hints here and there to find out who poisoned the mother. I found out a bit earlier who it was but it didn't take away from me enjoying the story, but I do have to say I did find myself switching up between characters until I put my best on a single one. Each character in this story is flawed (except for Suzie, she's wonderful).
Overall, McKenzie crafts an original novel that is sure to have you flipping through the pages until the final twisty conclusion. Good luck putting this one down!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster, Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
Jennifer Barnes is a mother of triplets who just found out she has cancer. But looking at her results, she sees traces of lead in her system (weird, right?) which leads her to believe that someone has poisoned her. Jennifer thinks it was her ex-husband and what follows is the story of Jennifer's paranoia as she tries to find out the truth about what actually happened. Part thriller and part family drama, McKenzie soars with her newest novel till its
I read this book in two sittings. The novel begins with Jennifer at the doctor's office finding out about her diagnosis and her life spirals from there and the story takes off immediately. We are introduced to her three daughters and her despicable ex-husband and each have secrets of their own. I found the story to be very fast-paced and the integration of the family drama blends really well with the thriller genre. It's not overly emotional, but just enough to make you feel sympathy for the characters.
This story comes with its own set of twists. Throughout the novel, McKenzie places little hints here and there to find out who poisoned the mother. I found out a bit earlier who it was but it didn't take away from me enjoying the story, but I do have to say I did find myself switching up between characters until I put my best on a single one. Each character in this story is flawed (except for Suzie, she's wonderful).
Overall, McKenzie crafts an original novel that is sure to have you flipping through the pages until the final twisty conclusion. Good luck putting this one down!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster, Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
cstonehamjudge's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you found out you only have six weeks to live, would you spend your remaining time living your life to the fullest? Or spending your time detached from your family trying to figure out if someone is responsible? There’s not always a right or wrong answer when it comes to life altering news and I felt like the author did a decent job at portraying that. I felt the story was nicely paced and I didn’t find myself losing interest, however, I wasn’t blown away by the ending. It felt predictable early on and I didn’t get that overwhelming feeling that I expect to get at the end of a fantastic story. Each character has such a strong presence and the author writes them in such a way that is easy to follow, because you will be shifting through each of the characters points of view. All things aside, I have heard great things about this author so I will definitely be reading other titles. If you love a good story, this may be the one for you. If you love a strong ending, you may need to stick a fork in it.