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btpbookclub's review against another edition
4.0
I have loved previous books by this author before so this was a must read for me, I wasn’t disappointed. I was alongside Sarah and Kevin the whole way and secretly hoped that it would lead to something… They’re cute together.
Erik has given his readers another page turner of a read which steams up towards the end. I throughally enjoyed it. Brilliantly written, good plot and short chapters. It’s a coming of age story that will be hard to forget…
A well deserved four stars from me. Highly recommend. Can’t fault this one other than I didn’t want it to end!
Erik has given his readers another page turner of a read which steams up towards the end. I throughally enjoyed it. Brilliantly written, good plot and short chapters. It’s a coming of age story that will be hard to forget…
A well deserved four stars from me. Highly recommend. Can’t fault this one other than I didn’t want it to end!
wolfshine's review against another edition
5.0
Sarah’s birthday isn’t going the way she expected when her car breaks down on the side of the road, trapping her there with her abusive boyfriend. Fed up with him, she decides to walk away to try and get help. That’s when she meets Kevin and realizes that her life could be so much different, better, without Matt. He doesn’t agree though. If he can’t have her, no one can.
The blurb grabbed me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book. At first, I thought it would end up being a psychological kidnapping read, but it took an unexpected angle covering things like friendship, comfort, abuse, and a range of other topics which not only made this an interesting read but an insightful one as well.
I liked Sarah. She was a strong character, disconnected from the world around her whether it be her abusive boyfriend or her mother who wasn’t much better. If I were her, I would’ve walked down a dark road to escape too. Luckily for her, it was the best move she could’ve made. I also liked Kevin. He was upbeat, the perfect optimism to balance Sarah’s pessimism. Very cute ending.
Joe did a fantastic job of the narration. I especially enjoyed the scene with the man telling the creepy story in the lobby. I got literal goosebumps there.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
The blurb grabbed me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book. At first, I thought it would end up being a psychological kidnapping read, but it took an unexpected angle covering things like friendship, comfort, abuse, and a range of other topics which not only made this an interesting read but an insightful one as well.
I liked Sarah. She was a strong character, disconnected from the world around her whether it be her abusive boyfriend or her mother who wasn’t much better. If I were her, I would’ve walked down a dark road to escape too. Luckily for her, it was the best move she could’ve made. I also liked Kevin. He was upbeat, the perfect optimism to balance Sarah’s pessimism. Very cute ending.
Joe did a fantastic job of the narration. I especially enjoyed the scene with the man telling the creepy story in the lobby. I got literal goosebumps there.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
gingey0411's review
4.0
I was quickly intrigued by this book and the story. I did not want to put it down. The ending wasn't what I had expected. It was a bit confusing
aly36's review
5.0
An exciting thriller! I liked the characters of Sarah and Kevin in this story but there were other character that made the story a good read for me! I empathizes with Sarah and I think there are many people out there that I can empathize with a bad relationship. I enjoyed the way the author found to help us get to know each character better. I would read more book from this author! * I received this book from the author---this is my honest review*
cpratreads's review
4.0
3.5 up to a 4. It was a pretty quick and interesting read. The story line jumped around a little bit more with the changing narrators as I would have liked. The ending was almost unnecessary, in my opinion. It was very concrete and answered the questions left by the characters, but still a little cheesy. Overall a good read! I will recommend it to my mom!
qu073179's review
4.0
This book was satisfactory, actually only 3 stars, but I gave it an extra for cleverness. This book was so weird. It's basically composed of alternating scenes suggesting a romance, but there's a supernatural force lurking in the book as well, suggesting horror. So I guess that makes this a horror/ romance. The most appealing part for me, were the alternating scenes, and the dialogue.
The characters are young, in their early 20's. Also, there's not much action until about 50- 60% through. The scenes carry the story.
I think that I only spent a couple of bucks on this one, and I really enjoyed the somewhat singular scenes. If you're up for some mindless reading, this is a go.
The characters are young, in their early 20's. Also, there's not much action until about 50- 60% through. The scenes carry the story.
I think that I only spent a couple of bucks on this one, and I really enjoyed the somewhat singular scenes. If you're up for some mindless reading, this is a go.
dee21's review against another edition
Story, characters are very boring and annoying!
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
4.0
I like the feel of this story and its characters. All of them, lost in different ways, and in just one night, all of their lives will change forever.
The author does an excellent job with a plot that might seem simple, but it's genuine and full of complexities. And filled with real, three- dimensional characters that pulled my heartstrings.
I could have done it without the last twist, but this book is, nevertheless, and excellent story.
Joe Hempel does a great job with the narration.
The author does an excellent job with a plot that might seem simple, but it's genuine and full of complexities. And filled with real, three- dimensional characters that pulled my heartstrings.
I could have done it without the last twist, but this book is, nevertheless, and excellent story.
Joe Hempel does a great job with the narration.
chymerra's review
4.0
I like mysteries/thrillers/suspense books that carry all the way through the book (ie they don’t fizzle out by the halfway point) and Roam certainly does that. From the first page, when we meet Sarah and Marc to the very last page where a surprise twist is revealed, Roam kept me on my toes, wondering what was going to happen next.
What I enjoyed about this book was that the characters were real. Sarah was in a relationship where her boyfriend was slowly isolating her, Kevin was abused by his father and Scotty was dealing with some pretty serious issues that were affecting him mentally.
I will admit that Sarah kinda annoyed me at first. She was super impulsive (hello, getting into a car with people she doesn’t know) and made emotional decisions (the confrontation with her mother). But the more I got into the book, the more I started to not only like her but felt bad for her at the same time.
Kevin, I actually liked. He was such a sweetheart. I mean, who would take a girl that he barely knew on a mission to find her long-lost friend? Plus, he was tough. I mean, he took on 3 people outside a bar and barely got hurt. When I read that, I thought to myself “Dayum. Sarah, he is a keeper”.
Scotty scared me. But at the same time, while he frightened me, I felt really bad. He was dealing with so much and it seemed like no one in his life, even his girlfriend, could care less that he was hurting and that there was something going on with him mentally. The more his story went on, the more fragmented it became, if that makes any sense.
The climax of the story (not the end, the climax) was very frightening and the author did a great job hiding the identity of the mystery man. I wasn’t surprised at who it was but I was surprised at what happened (want to know what happened….read the book).
Now the end of the book took me by surprise and I went “No way”. All I am going to say about that!!
How many stars will I give Roam: 4
Why: This book is truly one that will keep you guessing until the end and then some. The ending was a huge surprise and to be honest, it is what made the book!!
Will I reread: Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes
Age range: Adult
Why: Sexual situations, language and violence
**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**
What I enjoyed about this book was that the characters were real. Sarah was in a relationship where her boyfriend was slowly isolating her, Kevin was abused by his father and Scotty was dealing with some pretty serious issues that were affecting him mentally.
I will admit that Sarah kinda annoyed me at first. She was super impulsive (hello, getting into a car with people she doesn’t know) and made emotional decisions (the confrontation with her mother). But the more I got into the book, the more I started to not only like her but felt bad for her at the same time.
Kevin, I actually liked. He was such a sweetheart. I mean, who would take a girl that he barely knew on a mission to find her long-lost friend? Plus, he was tough. I mean, he took on 3 people outside a bar and barely got hurt. When I read that, I thought to myself “Dayum. Sarah, he is a keeper”.
Scotty scared me. But at the same time, while he frightened me, I felt really bad. He was dealing with so much and it seemed like no one in his life, even his girlfriend, could care less that he was hurting and that there was something going on with him mentally. The more his story went on, the more fragmented it became, if that makes any sense.
The climax of the story (not the end, the climax) was very frightening and the author did a great job hiding the identity of the mystery man. I wasn’t surprised at who it was but I was surprised at what happened (want to know what happened….read the book).
Now the end of the book took me by surprise and I went “No way”. All I am going to say about that!!
How many stars will I give Roam: 4
Why: This book is truly one that will keep you guessing until the end and then some. The ending was a huge surprise and to be honest, it is what made the book!!
Will I reread: Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes
Age range: Adult
Why: Sexual situations, language and violence
**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review
4.0
Thanks to Sarah at Book on The Bright Side for my copy of the book and my spot on the blog tour. All thoughts are my own.
This is my first outing into the creepy worlds created by the super talented Erik Therme. He has masterfully created characters that are broken, strong and wilful for the right reasons. Even though like me, you may never have entered this thriller galore world, but one thing feels certain through the fear and panic – the author is going to take good care of you.
In the first chapter we meet Sarah – a strong woman who should be having the time of her life. It’s her 21st birthday and she should be out celebrating with family and friends. No – it becomes apparent that she is existing amongst duality of abuse. Buckle up its about to go nuts. Sarah and Matt have been dating for approximately 3 months and head out for her birthday. On the way home, her car breaks down – Now, even though Matt has had a few Jars he is displaying some troublesome behaviours. After accidently hurting Matt he goes zero to batshit in 0.2 seconds. He is passive aggressive , he begins the process of gas lighting and issues threats of stalking. Now at this point I absolutely bow down to Sarah and her goddess strength. She decides there and then to WALK AWAY. Yes! None of that I’m going to forgive him as has had one too many, she hands his ass to him and recognises her own self-worth.
The secondary aspect of abuse in Sarah’s life and probably the most aggravating of all is that in the hands of her own mother. Now, her mum herself is being abused at the hands of Sarah’s stepfather and she just says anything for a quiet life. Everything that goes wrong or gets her partner angry is her fault and her mother makes it abundantly clear that Sarah should be doing the same with Matt because he’s a keeper. Yeah, if a keeper is psychopathic sweetheart then yep fire ahead. The cycle goes on, but Sarah will break the wheel.
Cementing her decision to leave Matt she walks away – quite literally via foot until the first car passes her. She is picked up by Kevin and his friend – they take her home until an argument with her mother turns sour and Kevin offers to take her to a friend. There is an air of mystery to Kevin, he’s thoughtful, he’s interesting and above all he is respectful. What is Kevin’s backstory? Knight in shining Armor or her worst nightmare?
Now to introduce the other man in Sarah’s life – Scotty. God, my heart was torn one and another for this guy. On the one hand broken by his father’s death but on the other acts extremely strangely and his reasoning for things is questionable at best. He can be found roaming the hotel his fuck buddy (for want of a better word) works. This is where we are introduced to Mandy – oh sweet sweet bitchy Mandy. A high functioning head case. She forgets to take birth control?? She is insanely jealous of Sarah and Scotty’s friendship and has a dog shit attitude towards the customers she is dealing with.
The ending wasn’t necessarily surprising for me however, it was the journey that got us there that had me on tenterhooks. It was great reading it from dual POV – Sarah and Scotty and we got a glimpse into the fragile psyche of Scotty which did put me off the trail for a portion of the story. The slow burn of details being released had me intrigued and there were elements that were a complete shock.
Roam is a tension filled drive. A story of breaking the cycle and being worth more. Dysfunction and violence. This is an addictive read that ticks all the boxes that has you looking over your shoulder on dark nights.
This is my first outing into the creepy worlds created by the super talented Erik Therme. He has masterfully created characters that are broken, strong and wilful for the right reasons. Even though like me, you may never have entered this thriller galore world, but one thing feels certain through the fear and panic – the author is going to take good care of you.
In the first chapter we meet Sarah – a strong woman who should be having the time of her life. It’s her 21st birthday and she should be out celebrating with family and friends. No – it becomes apparent that she is existing amongst duality of abuse. Buckle up its about to go nuts. Sarah and Matt have been dating for approximately 3 months and head out for her birthday. On the way home, her car breaks down – Now, even though Matt has had a few Jars he is displaying some troublesome behaviours. After accidently hurting Matt he goes zero to batshit in 0.2 seconds. He is passive aggressive , he begins the process of gas lighting and issues threats of stalking. Now at this point I absolutely bow down to Sarah and her goddess strength. She decides there and then to WALK AWAY. Yes! None of that I’m going to forgive him as has had one too many, she hands his ass to him and recognises her own self-worth.
The secondary aspect of abuse in Sarah’s life and probably the most aggravating of all is that in the hands of her own mother. Now, her mum herself is being abused at the hands of Sarah’s stepfather and she just says anything for a quiet life. Everything that goes wrong or gets her partner angry is her fault and her mother makes it abundantly clear that Sarah should be doing the same with Matt because he’s a keeper. Yeah, if a keeper is psychopathic sweetheart then yep fire ahead. The cycle goes on, but Sarah will break the wheel.
Cementing her decision to leave Matt she walks away – quite literally via foot until the first car passes her. She is picked up by Kevin and his friend – they take her home until an argument with her mother turns sour and Kevin offers to take her to a friend. There is an air of mystery to Kevin, he’s thoughtful, he’s interesting and above all he is respectful. What is Kevin’s backstory? Knight in shining Armor or her worst nightmare?
Now to introduce the other man in Sarah’s life – Scotty. God, my heart was torn one and another for this guy. On the one hand broken by his father’s death but on the other acts extremely strangely and his reasoning for things is questionable at best. He can be found roaming the hotel his fuck buddy (for want of a better word) works. This is where we are introduced to Mandy – oh sweet sweet bitchy Mandy. A high functioning head case. She forgets to take birth control?? She is insanely jealous of Sarah and Scotty’s friendship and has a dog shit attitude towards the customers she is dealing with.
The ending wasn’t necessarily surprising for me however, it was the journey that got us there that had me on tenterhooks. It was great reading it from dual POV – Sarah and Scotty and we got a glimpse into the fragile psyche of Scotty which did put me off the trail for a portion of the story. The slow burn of details being released had me intrigued and there were elements that were a complete shock.
Roam is a tension filled drive. A story of breaking the cycle and being worth more. Dysfunction and violence. This is an addictive read that ticks all the boxes that has you looking over your shoulder on dark nights.
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