bananatricky's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Ivy Turner's reputation is in tatters because of an old lady in her town who has a gossip blog (although it's filmed so shouldn't it be a vlog?). The old lady's motto is along the lines of 'if you won't give me a quote I'll make something up' and she has spread gossip that Ivy is sleeping with one of the Deathridge boys. The truth is, Ivy has slept with one of the Deathridge boys but she can't for the life of her understand how anyone else could know. Ivy knows a secret about each of the Deathridge boys that she has sworn not to tell (sometimes reluctantly) but when things start to happen can she honour those promises?
There was nothing intrinsically wrong with this book, it just felt like it was trying too hard. Every single one of the Deathridge boys had an issue. The Deathridge father was a controlling, abusive bigot. Ivy's best friend was cheating on her older, preacher husband. There was homophobic bullying, oppressed women, a murder, animals being poisoned etc, etc. It felt like Carter Ashby was setting up for a series about the Deathridge boys and then got cold feet so told all their stories in one (not very long) novel.
I felt that each of the Deathridge 'boys' came across as weak, for not standing up to their father and for not pursing their own dreams. Ivy also does something towards the end which I find unforgivable.
Also there was a whiff of religion, not enough to be off-putting or 'inspirational' but disconcerting.
Overall, I think the novel could have done with cutting some of the plots.
Ivy Turner's reputation is in tatters because of an old lady in her town who has a gossip blog (although it's filmed so shouldn't it be a vlog?). The old lady's motto is along the lines of 'if you won't give me a quote I'll make something up' and she has spread gossip that Ivy is sleeping with one of the Deathridge boys. The truth is, Ivy has slept with one of the Deathridge boys but she can't for the life of her understand how anyone else could know. Ivy knows a secret about each of the Deathridge boys that she has sworn not to tell (sometimes reluctantly) but when things start to happen can she honour those promises?
There was nothing intrinsically wrong with this book, it just felt like it was trying too hard. Every single one of the Deathridge boys had an issue. The Deathridge father was a controlling, abusive bigot. Ivy's best friend was cheating on her older, preacher husband. There was homophobic bullying, oppressed women, a murder, animals being poisoned etc, etc. It felt like Carter Ashby was setting up for a series about the Deathridge boys and then got cold feet so told all their stories in one (not very long) novel.
I felt that each of the Deathridge 'boys' came across as weak, for not standing up to their father and for not pursing their own dreams. Ivy also does something towards the end which I find unforgivable
Spoiler
, she spills every brother's secret to the Deathridge family and assorted bystanders in a vitriolic rantAlso there was a whiff of religion, not enough to be off-putting or 'inspirational' but disconcerting.
Overall, I think the novel could have done with cutting some of the plots.
shobeteener's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This author has a way of writing that pulls you right in to the story. I was right there trying to figure out which one of the Deathridge brothers Ivy slept with. I also felt her despair with the townspeople that were feeding into gossip that was being spread by the town busy body that was destroying her reputation. Small town community at it's best. She ended up keeping everyone's secrets and was becoming quite overwhelmed. I'm surprised she didn't blow sooner than she did.
I found this book highly entertaining and can see myself re-reading this book quite often. I just love 'laugh out loud' books and this one is certainly one of those.
This is the first book by this author that I have read and I can honestly say I'm now a fan and look forward to reading more by her.
Absolutely loved it!
This author has a way of writing that pulls you right in to the story. I was right there trying to figure out which one of the Deathridge brothers Ivy slept with. I also felt her despair with the townspeople that were feeding into gossip that was being spread by the town busy body that was destroying her reputation. Small town community at it's best. She ended up keeping everyone's secrets and was becoming quite overwhelmed. I'm surprised she didn't blow sooner than she did.
I found this book highly entertaining and can see myself re-reading this book quite often. I just love 'laugh out loud' books and this one is certainly one of those.
This is the first book by this author that I have read and I can honestly say I'm now a fan and look forward to reading more by her.
Absolutely loved it!
rooskie87's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, wow, wow!! Ivy Turner and one of the Deathridge brothers. Which one was it? Between Jake, Dallas, Cody and Boone many secrets are revealed to our little Ivy, but how many secrets can she keep and not crack?
I loved this book. A first read by this author but definitely not my last. It was full of everything you could want; mystery, forbidden love, laughs and heartbreaking moments. I loved getting into all the brothers heads and not finding out the answer to our question but gaining more right off the bat. I loved that it kept me guessing but I picked right from the get go!! Would love to see more about these brothers and how life is for them now and of course I want to hear more about Clara!!!
I loved this book. A first read by this author but definitely not my last. It was full of everything you could want; mystery, forbidden love, laughs and heartbreaking moments. I loved getting into all the brothers heads and not finding out the answer to our question but gaining more right off the bat. I loved that it kept me guessing but I picked right from the get go!! Would love to see more about these brothers and how life is for them now and of course I want to hear more about Clara!!!
tracy_wilkin93's review against another edition
4.0
What an intriguing book. It had me on the edge of my seat, highly anticipating the revealing of which brother Ivy was sneaking around with. It had twists and turns the entire way through. Jake was certainly my favourite, but they all had a little something special to make my heart pitter patter. Then the frustration set in. Will they, won't they?? This kept me glued to the pages, not willing to put it down for one minute. This is the first book I have read by this author, and let me tell you, it will definately not be the last. Cannot wait to read more of her work.
autwills's review against another edition
5.0
This was a cute book. Old time rivalry, small town gossip, and a nosy busybody make this story likeable and relatable.
Ivy is in the subject of a rumor stating she had slept with one of the Deathridge brothers, but no one knows which one. The busybody spreading the rumor goes above and beyond her duty to not only continue to spread the rumor, but she insinuates herself into Ivy and the Deathridge brothers' lives. (There were quite a few times I wanted to reach I to the story and smack her!)
Each of the Deathridge brothers have their own secret, and some are shocking. There are many times that you genuinely felt for the brothers and the lengths they had to go to keep their secrets.
The end of the book ends quite nicely.
I am reviewing this book for KFA.
Ivy is in the subject of a rumor stating she had slept with one of the Deathridge brothers, but no one knows which one. The busybody spreading the rumor goes above and beyond her duty to not only continue to spread the rumor, but she insinuates herself into Ivy and the Deathridge brothers' lives. (There were quite a few times I wanted to reach I to the story and smack her!)
Each of the Deathridge brothers have their own secret, and some are shocking. There are many times that you genuinely felt for the brothers and the lengths they had to go to keep their secrets.
The end of the book ends quite nicely.
I am reviewing this book for KFA.
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