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carolineeemae's review
3.0
this book felt very fast paced which made it easy to read. the way the story was set up made u put the blame on one person but at about 60% it was so obvious what happened. and then i felt like it kept dragging out and it took forever for them to finally explain everything. and i thought there was gonna be more plot twists than there were.. idk it all felt kinda obvious to me but i still enjoyed it
cosyupnread5's review
4.0
I've never read any books by this author before so I was really looking forward to reading The Family Trap. I was drawn in straight away and couldn't read fast enough just to see what was going to happen, loved the twist and turns, I will be definitely readingcmorenby this author and I enjoyed this book very much.
cemsreadingcorner's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but I don’t really understand what happened there at the end. Zoe killed her mom??? Why was she in jail at the end? Is that why??? I don’t really get it.
Friday, June 14, 2024 at 4:41 PM
Friday, June 14, 2024 at 4:41 PM
nm_young's review
3.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 Stars= It was an enjoyable read
TRIGGERS: ANIMAL(PET) DEATH, CHILD ABUSE, CHILD NEGLECT, MURDER
POV: Dual, Third Person
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Part of a series: No
Safe or Dark: Dark (see trigger warnings above)
I can't remember if I snagged this book for free on Amazon or not, but that's not important. This book was enjoyable enough. While I didn't love it, I also didn't hate it. I just felt...meh about it.
The things I didn't like
*The main character's name is Prudence. Every single time I read it, it made me cringe. I apologize if your name is Prudence. (I don't mean to personally insult anyone.).
* As soon as Pru's son's girlfriend meets her in the first chapter, she instantly tells her she is pregnant. "Hi, I'm Zoe. So nice to meet you. By the way, I'm pregnant with your son's kid." That isn't exactly how it went down, but it should have.
* Pru wonders on and off if the baby is, in fact, Nathan's, but starts buying clothes and other baby items right away.
* Friends who have known Pru practically her whole life, taking Zoe's side without even knowing her. Pru goes to her bestie with her suspicions of Zoe, and she is more or less like, "Oh, you are being too hard on her." No, you are her best friend. Supposed to be her ride or die.
* Many times throughout the book, Pru comes off as knowing it all. It got old pretty fast.
*Pru meets these different people for the first time, and they all almost instantly start divulging information about their personal lives to her. Pretty heavy stuff. Like, hello, you don't know this woman from Mary.
*
Spoiler
Zoe got her mom drunk on Cognac laced with painkillers and got her into the car to go to the store. She made sure the car was turned on and her mom would pass out. She made sure the doors were closed so her mom would die from carbon monoxide poisoning. It easily could have been seen as an accidental death. A drunk woman passed out behind the wheel in the garage and perished from the fumes. So why was Zoe arrested for murder? Why not play it off? It was never explained.The things I liked
*The pace of the story was good. It held my attention from start to finish.
*It was entertaining. Even though it wasn't the best story, it was fun.
* The twist was twisting. Some people might find it predictable, but I didn't see it coming from a mile away.
If you are looking for a light, quick read, I suggest this book. It is a great pallet cleanser.
shye02's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sian_reads_books's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
🌟 4 🌟
⚠ TW - Pet Death ⚠
The Family Trap has readers feeling uneasy almost from the very start. Is Zoe gaslighting Prudence, is it all coincidence, or is it all in Prudence's head?
Prudence's friends certainly seem enamoured with Zoe, and think Prudence is being unfair and too harsh on the young pregnant girl. But is Prudence really being unnecessarily suspicious of Zoe, or have Prudence's instincts been right all along?
What secrets is Zoe keeping? Why is she emailing her father, when it's assumed he's been entirely absent from her life since birth? And why is she obsessed with what gender her baby will be?
The Family Trap is so suspenseful, you just want to get to the end to see how everything ties together and how the story unfolds - who is the "baddie" - Zoe or Prudence? Or maybe Zoe's absentee father, Ted, or peculiar mother, Alana? Or someone else entirely?! Your suspect list will grow and grow!
I did manage to figure out "whodunit", but I didn't figure out the ending itself or for everything to unfold in the way it did.
A disturbing, fast-paced, easy read psychological domestic thriller that I devoured in one sitting.
Based on this thriller alone, I'll be very happy to read other books by Lorna Dounaeva in the future.
(minus one star for killing off poor old Bob)
⚠ TW - Pet Death ⚠
The Family Trap has readers feeling uneasy almost from the very start. Is Zoe gaslighting Prudence, is it all coincidence, or is it all in Prudence's head?
Prudence's friends certainly seem enamoured with Zoe, and think Prudence is being unfair and too harsh on the young pregnant girl. But is Prudence really being unnecessarily suspicious of Zoe, or have Prudence's instincts been right all along?
What secrets is Zoe keeping? Why is she emailing her father, when it's assumed he's been entirely absent from her life since birth? And why is she obsessed with what gender her baby will be?
The Family Trap is so suspenseful, you just want to get to the end to see how everything ties together and how the story unfolds - who is the "baddie" - Zoe or Prudence? Or maybe Zoe's absentee father, Ted, or peculiar mother, Alana? Or someone else entirely?! Your suspect list will grow and grow!
I did manage to figure out "whodunit", but I didn't figure out the ending itself or for everything to unfold in the way it did.
A disturbing, fast-paced, easy read psychological domestic thriller that I devoured in one sitting.
Based on this thriller alone, I'll be very happy to read other books by Lorna Dounaeva in the future.
(minus one star for killing off poor old Bob)
sophbowerx's review
5.0
No spoilers as such but if you're someone who likes a trigger warning before reading, here are a few (that I did not expect from the blurb)
TW murder, suicide, loss of a pet/child/parent/partner, incest, abuse, mental health, drink driving. Possibly more, but you get the idea - this book is full of trigger warnings
TW murder, suicide, loss of a pet/child/parent/partner, incest, abuse, mental health, drink driving. Possibly more, but you get the idea - this book is full of trigger warnings
judithdcollins's review
4.0
When a woman opens her home to her son's pregnant girlfriend, a series of bizarre events occur, unraveling a web of dangerous secrets and lies in Lorna Dounaeva's THE FAMILY TRAP.
Where nothing is as it appears and "Home" is no longer a haven.
Prudence has finally got to the point she can enjoy life and has taken early retirement. Time for herself, her dog, swimming, relaxing, and hobbies.
However, her son, Nathan, only eighteen, has a problem. His new girlfriend, Zoe, finds herself pregnant. The mother supports her son and asks her to move in with them.
However, soon after Zoe moves in, Prudence becomes the victim of a series of accidents suspecting Zoe is not who she claims to be.
What is her motive?
Why is she doing these things?
She never does this in front of her son, Nathan. They both are acting strange, and Prudence cannot figure out what is going on.
She does not trust Zoe and wonders if this is even Nathan's baby.
Zoe is also communicating via email with her father, which is supposed to be dead.
What about Zoe's mom?
Everyone is keeping secrets with toxic and dysfunctional families.
A clever, light-absorbing domestic suspense with a wicked sting at the end! An evil twist of revenge you do not see coming makes for a satisfying conclusion. A fun popcorn thriller!
My first book by the author, and I look forward to reading more. The novel also includes a sneak preview of The Wrong Twin.
Thank you to #InkubatorBooks and #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 3.5 ⭐ Stars, rounded to 4
Pub Date: Dec 4, 2022
Dec 2022 Must-Read Books
Where nothing is as it appears and "Home" is no longer a haven.
Prudence has finally got to the point she can enjoy life and has taken early retirement. Time for herself, her dog, swimming, relaxing, and hobbies.
However, her son, Nathan, only eighteen, has a problem. His new girlfriend, Zoe, finds herself pregnant. The mother supports her son and asks her to move in with them.
However, soon after Zoe moves in, Prudence becomes the victim of a series of accidents suspecting Zoe is not who she claims to be.
What is her motive?
Why is she doing these things?
She never does this in front of her son, Nathan. They both are acting strange, and Prudence cannot figure out what is going on.
She does not trust Zoe and wonders if this is even Nathan's baby.
Zoe is also communicating via email with her father, which is supposed to be dead.
What about Zoe's mom?
Everyone is keeping secrets with toxic and dysfunctional families.
A clever, light-absorbing domestic suspense with a wicked sting at the end! An evil twist of revenge you do not see coming makes for a satisfying conclusion. A fun popcorn thriller!
My first book by the author, and I look forward to reading more. The novel also includes a sneak preview of The Wrong Twin.
Thank you to #InkubatorBooks and #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 3.5 ⭐ Stars, rounded to 4
Pub Date: Dec 4, 2022
Dec 2022 Must-Read Books
mlwalker297's review
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Lorna Dounaeva, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Prudence Ahern is finally retiring and taking a much needed break from working as a nurse, intending to relax indefinitely. This plan changes quickly as her son, Nathan, brings his new girlfriend, Zoe, to her retirement party…and they have some surprising news. After Zoe enters the picture, one bad thing happens after another, and Prudence is beginning to think it’s not just a coincidence…
This book was really well written, and captured my attention from the start. Surprise twist after surprise twist kept coming. I love how the author intertwined these characters’ stories so intricately, but still keeps the plot moving and everything flows so smoothly. This was a phenomenal read!
Prudence Ahern is finally retiring and taking a much needed break from working as a nurse, intending to relax indefinitely. This plan changes quickly as her son, Nathan, brings his new girlfriend, Zoe, to her retirement party…and they have some surprising news. After Zoe enters the picture, one bad thing happens after another, and Prudence is beginning to think it’s not just a coincidence…
This book was really well written, and captured my attention from the start. Surprise twist after surprise twist kept coming. I love how the author intertwined these characters’ stories so intricately, but still keeps the plot moving and everything flows so smoothly. This was a phenomenal read!