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maikelenz's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
1.5
I saw a lot of potential here regarding the setting, the split between the present and past, and Hannah's memory loss. However, I was very disappointed. The pacing was incredibly slow, April was so nasty in the flashbacks that it took a lot of suspension of disbelief that she even had a friendship group - let alone a best friend - and the protagonist was so stupid that it was at times painful to get through the book (the sentence "She has been so, so stupid" also appears multiple times in the book).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
bbbeth's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Stalking, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, and Pregnancy
miarae's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Really enjoyed this book. It's split into "before" and "after", alternating between before and after the murder of Hannah's best friend and roommate. I enjoyed the writing style and the plot. Interesting note is that this is the second book I've read from this author where motherhood plays a big part.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault and Vomit
noooootalie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
this book just reminded me why I love thrillers so much. I would absolutely recommend if you like the trope of citizen turned detective to investigate the past murder of someone close to them.
I loved the usage of third person in this book--it was so well written that I actually still felt like I was reading from Hannah's perspective, without first person.
I also truly could not have guessed the outcome of this book.Like I'll be so fr with you I thought it was Will up until Hannah herself knew it was Hugh. Ware did a magnificent job of planting a variety of seeds that would divert your attention just enough to keep you on your toes about how the story would end.
The only reason why I won't give this book 5 stars is because I feel like the buildup was a little too slow for my taste. I would love to reread this book knowing the outcome so I could try to play detective and see more clues, but alas it was a little slow and there are too many other books in the world that I am dying to read!! and now I'm gonna go pick up some more thrillers ;-) byeeee
I loved the usage of third person in this book--it was so well written that I actually still felt like I was reading from Hannah's perspective, without first person.
I also truly could not have guessed the outcome of this book.
The only reason why I won't give this book 5 stars is because I feel like the buildup was a little too slow for my taste. I would love to reread this book knowing the outcome so I could try to play detective and see more clues, but alas it was a little slow and there are too many other books in the world that I am dying to read!! and now I'm gonna go pick up some more thrillers ;-) byeeee
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
lindsaytimmerman92's review against another edition
dark
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? No
2.5
Predictable and a bit vapid but enjoyable nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Drug use, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, and Suicide
adriennelarocque's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cancer
sarahmarie094's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual assault, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Drug use
raych_bee's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Although not too original of a plot, very well written and good twist at the end! Dragged for a bit in the middle, but 78% of it was fast paced and gripping. My guess is Ruth was pregnant when she wrote it, or had recently been. The 22% of the plot that I found slow was mostly centered around her bump, blood pressure, or anxiety of motherhood.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
amyvl93's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was my first Ruth Ware pick as my book club chose it as their latest read. It follows Hannah who when she was at Oxford University provided eyewitness evidence that placed the college porter, John Neville, in prison for the murder of her roommate April. Many years later, Hannah is married to (April's ex) Will and they live together in Edinburgh and are expecting their first child. When John dies in prison, this sparks renewed interest in whether he truly committed the crime he died in prison for; and Hannah herself begins to review her past.
This was a fairly entertaining read. The supporting characters are by-and-large stereotypes; ranging from the one character with a working class accent to to the prickly smart girl. Hannah, our protagonist, is not like the other girls in her university years, and largely defined by her pregnancy in her later years. April is perhaps slightly more complicated, but her character type does feel familiar in many contemporary thrillers (wealthy, incredibly attractive woman who manipulates everyone around her whilst struggling with some undefined inner demons). I found the introduction of November to be quite intriguing, but she tends to serve as just a sidekick to Hannah's investigating.
There are definitely moments where both the plot and character decisions stretch reality and my personal enjoyment; Hannah is easily drawn towards believing in people's potential motives and often makes some questionable decisions as a result of this, and the last 10% really felt like it jumped off a cliff (no pun intended) which undermined some of the tension that Ware had built up.
That being said, this was a pretty entertaining read, and Ware is definitely on my list of authors to check out next time I want an easier read.
This was a fairly entertaining read. The supporting characters are by-and-large stereotypes; ranging from the one character with a working class accent to to the prickly smart girl. Hannah, our protagonist, is not like the other girls in her university years, and largely defined by her pregnancy in her later years. April is perhaps slightly more complicated, but her character type does feel familiar in many contemporary thrillers (wealthy, incredibly attractive woman who manipulates everyone around her whilst struggling with some undefined inner demons). I found the introduction of November to be quite intriguing, but she tends to serve as just a sidekick to Hannah's investigating.
There are definitely moments where both the plot and character decisions stretch reality and my personal enjoyment; Hannah is easily drawn towards believing in people's potential motives and often makes some questionable decisions as a result of this, and the last 10% really felt like it jumped off a cliff (no pun intended) which undermined some of the tension that Ware had built up.
That being said, this was a pretty entertaining read, and Ware is definitely on my list of authors to check out next time I want an easier read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Murder, and Pregnancy
m1923's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Adult/minor relationship