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lau_evs's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed the premise and plot to this book but I felt bombarded with too much information. At times it was hard to keep track of all of the characters and I'd have preferred to spend time understanding the key characters instead. I wasn't completely happy with the ending, it seemed rushed which was a shame.
tellmeastoryxx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
amberlyswords's review against another edition
1.0
I really dont like this book. The writing need to be work on and the paced of plot was too slow for my liking. This book was dull and boring also the cover of book was okay. I didn't like charaters and the charaters were flat.
amysreading_nook's review against another edition
4.0
***Beware Spoilers***
"When Jules Bright hears a knock on the door, the last person she expects to find is a detective bringing her the news she’s feared for the last three years.
Amelia Quentin is being released from prison.
Jules’s life now is very different from the one she knew before Amelia shattered it completely. Knowing the girl is coming back, Jules must decide what to do. Friends and family gather around, fearing for Jules’s safety. They know that justice was never served; each of them wants to make the Quentin girl pay.
The question is: What will Jules do?
And which of them—she or Amelia—has the most to fear?"
We are first introduced to young Amelia Quentin whilst she is on holiday with her parents, and during this holiday she appears. From this first introduction it becomes quite clear that Amelia is the villain of this story, and as we learn more about her it becomes more apparent just how evil she really is.
This is the first Susan Lewis book i've read, but actually own a couple of others of hers. It's one I picked up in a charity shop that looked intriguing, and I can't say that I was disappointed. This book gripped me initially with it's jumps in time between present day, and past day where we discover what happened to poor Daisy. I was gripped by the first few chapters of this book, however at a certain point I felt annoyed by this book; it seemed to be taking so long to to build up the picture of what happened, and then suddenly for no reason Jules I did feel a bit disheartened by the book at this but continued on, and am glad I did because it really picked up and became intriguing.
I do feel the end of the book was a bit rushed; suddenly we learn that the powers that be weren't happy with the initial investigation and Amelia is suddenly arrested, and then we learn that Dean is likely to be released from prison. It just felt a bit too neatly summed up for me; like it was wrapped up with a bow and presented on Christmas day. It also baffled me how Jules and Kian were so okay with Dean, after all his role in the mystery of Daisy, but I guess that is one mystery that will go unanswered.
"When Jules Bright hears a knock on the door, the last person she expects to find is a detective bringing her the news she’s feared for the last three years.
Amelia Quentin is being released from prison.
Jules’s life now is very different from the one she knew before Amelia shattered it completely. Knowing the girl is coming back, Jules must decide what to do. Friends and family gather around, fearing for Jules’s safety. They know that justice was never served; each of them wants to make the Quentin girl pay.
The question is: What will Jules do?
And which of them—she or Amelia—has the most to fear?"
We are first introduced to young Amelia Quentin whilst she is on holiday with her parents, and during this holiday she appears
Spoiler
to push her mother overboard, knowing she cannot swim, and leaves her to drownThis is the first Susan Lewis book i've read, but actually own a couple of others of hers. It's one I picked up in a charity shop that looked intriguing, and I can't say that I was disappointed. This book gripped me initially with it's jumps in time between present day, and past day where we discover what happened to poor Daisy. I was gripped by the first few chapters of this book, however at a certain point I felt annoyed by this book; it seemed to be taking so long to to build up the picture of what happened, and then suddenly for no reason Jules
Spoiler
sleeps with her daughter's boyfriends father; there is no real explanation for this apart from them apparently just really fancying each other....I do feel the end of the book was a bit rushed; suddenly we learn that the powers that be weren't happy with the initial investigation and Amelia is suddenly arrested, and then we learn that Dean is likely to be released from prison. It just felt a bit too neatly summed up for me; like it was wrapped up with a bow and presented on Christmas day. It also baffled me how Jules and Kian were so okay with Dean, after all his role in the mystery of Daisy, but I guess that is one mystery that will go unanswered.
sarahashleigh5's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointed by the ending. It stopped way before it should have. Not a bad read but was craving something more from the story.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
The Girl Who Came Back by Susan Lewis is a 2016 Ballantine publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This remarkable story delves into the raw emotions a couple endures after their only child is murdered, but also paints a portrait of a cold, calculating sociopath in Amelia Quentin that will send chills down your spine, while examining the effects the crime has on an entire community, but also adds just a little touch of fantasy that warms the heart and provides a level of comfort in the midst of turbulent storms.
Jules and Kian were made for each other and were fortunate enough to stumble into a little good luck in the early days of their marriage, which provided them the opportunity to run a bar they always hoped to own. The only downside was the couple’s struggles with infertility. But, miracles never cease and they were finally blessed with a beautiful daughter they named Daisy.
Their marriage suffers a huge bump in the road at one time, but Daisy grew up to be a beautiful young lady who has met her soul mate in life and is about to embark on what promises to be a very bright future. But, her friendship with Amelia Quentin will put an abrupt end to all that, while effectively ruining the life of an innocent young man in the process.
Now, after only serving three years in prison, Amelia has been released and is returning to her hometown, meaning it’s only a matter of time before Jules will run into the woman who took her daughter’s life.
This is a very compelling story that raised my ire and squeezed my heart as I tried to imagine the agony of dealing with the death of your only child by the hands of a diabolical and cunning killer, who gets off with a slap on the wrist.
There are some areas in the story that I could have done without, such as Jules’ inexplicable actions that lead to the rift in her marriage. I’ve tried to imagine how the story might have progressed if this scenario never took place and have decided it was an unnecessary diversion that really didn’t have any bearing on the situation. I don’t know why authors feel compelled to throw in these types of complications, but they often do.
Other than that one complaint the story was well crafted, although some may have issues with the sudden shifts between past and present, which could be a little jarring at first. But, things eventually even out as the story begins to focus on the aftermath of Daisy’s death and the shocking developments surrounding her killer.
There are two elements of suspense at work at once with the fear Jules could be in danger or than she may snap and take justice into her own hands. I was warmed by the vast amount of support Jules received from family and friends and terrified by the possibility of a showdown between Amelia and Jules.
I suppose I can’t imagine coming face to face with my child’s killer, especially an unrepentant one who exudes shameless haughtiness, flaunting her money and freedom in my face. Who wouldn’t be tempted to wipe the smirk off her face once and for all?
But, I never could have anticipated the way things would turn out. If you believe in Karma then you will love the screwball turn of events that brings a community together and provides a golden opportunity to right wrongs and begin anew.
The slight paranormal element is a sweet addition to the story and I loved the way it was subtle, but powerful, as well, and is the one part of the story that choked me up.
Ultimately, this is an excellent psychological thriller, the mood of which is set at the very beginning, warning us of a sinister force we won’t be able to avoid, but it is also the story of a family coping with tragedy, of community, friends, and the power of love, which gives us strength to weather the most tumultuous events life throws at us.
4 stars
This remarkable story delves into the raw emotions a couple endures after their only child is murdered, but also paints a portrait of a cold, calculating sociopath in Amelia Quentin that will send chills down your spine, while examining the effects the crime has on an entire community, but also adds just a little touch of fantasy that warms the heart and provides a level of comfort in the midst of turbulent storms.
Jules and Kian were made for each other and were fortunate enough to stumble into a little good luck in the early days of their marriage, which provided them the opportunity to run a bar they always hoped to own. The only downside was the couple’s struggles with infertility. But, miracles never cease and they were finally blessed with a beautiful daughter they named Daisy.
Their marriage suffers a huge bump in the road at one time, but Daisy grew up to be a beautiful young lady who has met her soul mate in life and is about to embark on what promises to be a very bright future. But, her friendship with Amelia Quentin will put an abrupt end to all that, while effectively ruining the life of an innocent young man in the process.
Now, after only serving three years in prison, Amelia has been released and is returning to her hometown, meaning it’s only a matter of time before Jules will run into the woman who took her daughter’s life.
This is a very compelling story that raised my ire and squeezed my heart as I tried to imagine the agony of dealing with the death of your only child by the hands of a diabolical and cunning killer, who gets off with a slap on the wrist.
There are some areas in the story that I could have done without, such as Jules’ inexplicable actions that lead to the rift in her marriage. I’ve tried to imagine how the story might have progressed if this scenario never took place and have decided it was an unnecessary diversion that really didn’t have any bearing on the situation. I don’t know why authors feel compelled to throw in these types of complications, but they often do.
Other than that one complaint the story was well crafted, although some may have issues with the sudden shifts between past and present, which could be a little jarring at first. But, things eventually even out as the story begins to focus on the aftermath of Daisy’s death and the shocking developments surrounding her killer.
There are two elements of suspense at work at once with the fear Jules could be in danger or than she may snap and take justice into her own hands. I was warmed by the vast amount of support Jules received from family and friends and terrified by the possibility of a showdown between Amelia and Jules.
I suppose I can’t imagine coming face to face with my child’s killer, especially an unrepentant one who exudes shameless haughtiness, flaunting her money and freedom in my face. Who wouldn’t be tempted to wipe the smirk off her face once and for all?
But, I never could have anticipated the way things would turn out. If you believe in Karma then you will love the screwball turn of events that brings a community together and provides a golden opportunity to right wrongs and begin anew.
The slight paranormal element is a sweet addition to the story and I loved the way it was subtle, but powerful, as well, and is the one part of the story that choked me up.
Ultimately, this is an excellent psychological thriller, the mood of which is set at the very beginning, warning us of a sinister force we won’t be able to avoid, but it is also the story of a family coping with tragedy, of community, friends, and the power of love, which gives us strength to weather the most tumultuous events life throws at us.
4 stars
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