canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a decent book but personally, it just didn't keep my attention. Maybe it is because I just wasn't in the mood for a Mystery/Thriller when I was reading it or maybe i am just in the beginning of a reading slump and just couldn't enjoy this story as much as I should.
alanapool's review against another edition
5.0
The beginning of the story had me disappointed. It was extremely slow but once I got to the middle of the book, I understood why the author needed enough time to really set the mood/setting. The main characters had me jumping back & forth choosing between sides but towards the end, I didn’t know how to feel. This had the twists I needed!
vickksx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bellebus's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting subject but a bit tame to qualify as a psychological thriller in my opinion. The book starts of promising but then becomes repetitive and too slowly paced somewhere in the middle. I think it was supposed to build suspense, but to me it was just boring. I was interested enough in how it all would end that I stuck around and the book did pick up towards the end.
ookirkpatrick's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
sabrinat98's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
I'm an audiobook girlie now okay. It's happening and yes they do count as books. Been having a hard time finding something to listen to these days, as I drive or walk or whatever, so finally decided to just hit up some audiobooks and wow have I been missing out. Anyway, The Girlfriend was a random pick after starting and stopping a few others. It's a thriller about a rich, upperclass mom (Laura) whose son (Daniel) gets a new girlfriend (Cherry), and Cherry is not as nice as she seems. Always having set her sites on the finer things in life, Cherry quickly spurs up a relationship with the ever so innocent Daniel, but when Laura gets a whiff of it she knows something has to be up and the battle begins. I LOVED listening to this. I was riveted. I got really invested in the characters and the story just kept moving it was great. The ONLY thing that almost got me to switch off this was the narrator. When she does Daniel's voice, it's absolutely dreadful, almost unbearable. But once I got over that, it was great. I think thriller audiobooks will keep me coming back. Really liked it!
I'm an audiobook girlie now okay. It's happening and yes they do count as books. Been having a hard time finding something to listen to these days, as I drive or walk or whatever, so finally decided to just hit up some audiobooks and wow have I been missing out. Anyway, The Girlfriend was a random pick after starting and stopping a few others. It's a thriller about a rich, upperclass mom (Laura) whose son (Daniel) gets a new girlfriend (Cherry), and Cherry is not as nice as she seems. Always having set her sites on the finer things in life, Cherry quickly spurs up a relationship with the ever so innocent Daniel, but when Laura gets a whiff of it she knows something has to be up and the battle begins. I LOVED listening to this. I was riveted. I got really invested in the characters and the story just kept moving it was great. The ONLY thing that almost got me to switch off this was the narrator. When she does Daniel's voice, it's absolutely dreadful, almost unbearable. But once I got over that, it was great. I think thriller audiobooks will keep me coming back. Really liked it!
illidia316's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so good! It was really hard to put down when pesky things like work got in the way, because I needed to know what was going to happen next. The characters were great, the villain was so creepy and disturbing but put on such a victim facade. I definitely recommend this book!
laurenleyendolibros's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances is a domestic mystery about a mother who is suspicious about her son's new girlfriend's motives for dating him.
Laura Cavendish is very devoted to her adult son, Daniel. They are rather close (hmm, maybe too close?) and she is delighted he is now moving on to the hospital portion of his medical training since he will be living close by. Almost immediately, Daniel meets Cherry Laine, an estate agent in training, and Laura is rather nonplussed to discover her son is quite enthralled by the young woman. Hoping to form a fast friendship with her son's new girlfriend, Laura is unsettled by how quickly Cherry ingratiates herself into their lives. Her misgivings fall on deaf ears and Laura's relationship with Daniel takes a backseat to his fast moving romance. When Daniel is gravely injured in an accident, Laura makes an impetuous decision that comes back to haunt her in a rather dramatic and downright scary manner.
Laura is an overly involved mother whose marriage has been on the rocks for several years. Like any mom, she wants the best for her only child and she is not at all eager to share Daniel's attention with a girlfriend. In her favor, Laura does want a friendly relationship with Cherry but the young woman rubs her the wrong way almost right from the start. In the con column, Laura seems to go out of her way to try to find damning information that will prove her negative feelings about Cherry are correct. While Laura's doubts and concerns about Cherry might be well founded, her motherly concern quickly crosses a line that she cannot recover from.
Cherry is an opportunistic gold digger who wants a wealthy man to help her escape from her very humble beginnings. In spite of her attempts to move up the social ladder, she feels inadequate and uncomfortable when she meets Daniel's friends and family. Cherry is manipulative, sly and quite willing to lie to get what she wants out of life. Easily picking up on Laura's animus, Cherry begins a game of one-upmanship to cement her position as Daniel's girlfriend that eventually has tragic consequences.
The Girlfriend is a clever mystery that has a unique storyline. Daniel is a fabulous character who is a little naive when it comes to his new girlfriend. Laura is initially likable but quickly turns into an unsympathetic character whose devotion to her son is somewhat unhealthy. Cherry come across as a money grubbing social climber who is willing to do ANYTHING to escape her working class background. The story moves in fits and starts and becomes a little repetitive as Laura and Cherry go to extreme lengths as they compete for Daniel's attention. The novel comes to a rather exciting conclusion that ends with a shocking revelation. All in all, an enjoyable, suspenseful debut from Michelle Frances.
Laura Cavendish is very devoted to her adult son, Daniel. They are rather close (hmm, maybe too close?) and she is delighted he is now moving on to the hospital portion of his medical training since he will be living close by. Almost immediately, Daniel meets Cherry Laine, an estate agent in training, and Laura is rather nonplussed to discover her son is quite enthralled by the young woman. Hoping to form a fast friendship with her son's new girlfriend, Laura is unsettled by how quickly Cherry ingratiates herself into their lives. Her misgivings fall on deaf ears and Laura's relationship with Daniel takes a backseat to his fast moving romance. When Daniel is gravely injured in an accident, Laura makes an impetuous decision that comes back to haunt her in a rather dramatic and downright scary manner.
Laura is an overly involved mother whose marriage has been on the rocks for several years. Like any mom, she wants the best for her only child and she is not at all eager to share Daniel's attention with a girlfriend. In her favor, Laura does want a friendly relationship with Cherry but the young woman rubs her the wrong way almost right from the start. In the con column, Laura seems to go out of her way to try to find damning information that will prove her negative feelings about Cherry are correct. While Laura's doubts and concerns about Cherry might be well founded, her motherly concern quickly crosses a line that she cannot recover from.
Cherry is an opportunistic gold digger who wants a wealthy man to help her escape from her very humble beginnings. In spite of her attempts to move up the social ladder, she feels inadequate and uncomfortable when she meets Daniel's friends and family. Cherry is manipulative, sly and quite willing to lie to get what she wants out of life. Easily picking up on Laura's animus, Cherry begins a game of one-upmanship to cement her position as Daniel's girlfriend that eventually has tragic consequences.
The Girlfriend is a clever mystery that has a unique storyline. Daniel is a fabulous character who is a little naive when it comes to his new girlfriend. Laura is initially likable but quickly turns into an unsympathetic character whose devotion to her son is somewhat unhealthy. Cherry come across as a money grubbing social climber who is willing to do ANYTHING to escape her working class background. The story moves in fits and starts and becomes a little repetitive as Laura and Cherry go to extreme lengths as they compete for Daniel's attention. The novel comes to a rather exciting conclusion that ends with a shocking revelation. All in all, an enjoyable, suspenseful debut from Michelle Frances.