chops99's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
dani_readsdaily's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
emma_bookaholic's review against another edition
5.0
OMG! What a story!! This book had a twist that I didn't see coming! The note provoked kindess from Laura to find who the note in the book was from but her need to find who wrote it sent her on a real journey! Meeting Carley on the way, can they find out who wrote the note and who they need to save?
I loved Laura's personality and her ability to trust Carley, their friendship throughout and their sense of trust in themselves and each other.
I loved, loved, loved the writing of this and I felt I was really involved with Laura and Carley's adventure. Definitely a page turner and one book I'd recommend! Will check out more from JE Rowney!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved Laura's personality and her ability to trust Carley, their friendship throughout and their sense of trust in themselves and each other.
I loved, loved, loved the writing of this and I felt I was really involved with Laura and Carley's adventure. Definitely a page turner and one book I'd recommend! Will check out more from JE Rowney!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
andshe_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Looking for a fast paced yet light hearted mystery then look no further but if you're expecting a thriller full of twists then keep searching..
I was a little disappointed if I'm honest.. the title drew me in and spat me out. The concept was so much more inticing than it turned out to be.
The characters came across quite flat to be fair and I felt like it was more a teen mission rather than adults looking for answers.
Overall an easy read to pass some time,
I was a little disappointed if I'm honest.. the title drew me in and spat me out. The concept was so much more inticing than it turned out to be.
The characters came across quite flat to be fair and I felt like it was more a teen mission rather than adults looking for answers.
Overall an easy read to pass some time,
arathi's review against another edition
2.0
Laura is going through a divorce and is currently staying with her mom, and ends up getting a book in mail via one of the book swaps and sees a note "Help Me" - thus begins the story of whether Laura should figure out who sent the book and who wrote that note.
This was a completely ok ok book for me, very amateurish writing - the author was just trying to connect one sentence after the other and there was very less thrill in this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for adding this book in Read Now!
This was a completely ok ok book for me, very amateurish writing - the author was just trying to connect one sentence after the other and there was very less thrill in this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for adding this book in Read Now!
whalrl's review against another edition
3.0
Where to begin…. Laura is an unemployed, soon-to-be-divorced woman, living in her childhood home with her mother, moping around and being overall depressed. She has no confidence, even to talk on the phone, and has no social life.
Then, Laura receives a book in the mail from someone she’s never met, from an online book review forum. There’s a note inside the book that hints at someone being in trouble. All of a sudden, she gets it in her head to recruit the sender of the book to become a junior detective with her to try and figure out who’s in trouble and how to save them, all the while still complaining how frightened and scared she is. She and her new partner in crime travel to the city where the book was purchased, find the person who donated it and, magically becoming the missing member of Charlie’s Angels with a new-found zest for danger and adrenaline rushes, takes on the bad guys and saves the damsel in distress.
Oh, and she and her soon-to-be ex-husband bond again, after being separated for months without speaking.
This book was a sloooooooow burn, for sure - the first 3/4 or so was just being in the head of a fearful, sheltered, uncertain woman who couldn’t carry a conversation with a stranger to save her life, but then switched spontaneously to someone who’s taking on all the evils of the world! The progression of the events was wholly unbelievable and a little cliche, but I’m a sucker for an HEA, and that’s the reason I finished the book instead of DNFing it halfway through.
This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Then, Laura receives a book in the mail from someone she’s never met, from an online book review forum. There’s a note inside the book that hints at someone being in trouble. All of a sudden, she gets it in her head to recruit the sender of the book to become a junior detective with her to try and figure out who’s in trouble and how to save them, all the while still complaining how frightened and scared she is. She and her new partner in crime travel to the city where the book was purchased, find the person who donated it and, magically becoming the missing member of Charlie’s Angels with a new-found zest for danger and adrenaline rushes, takes on the bad guys and saves the damsel in distress.
Oh, and she and her soon-to-be ex-husband bond again, after being separated for months without speaking.
This book was a sloooooooow burn, for sure - the first 3/4 or so was just being in the head of a fearful, sheltered, uncertain woman who couldn’t carry a conversation with a stranger to save her life, but then switched spontaneously to someone who’s taking on all the evils of the world! The progression of the events was wholly unbelievable and a little cliche, but I’m a sucker for an HEA, and that’s the reason I finished the book instead of DNFing it halfway through.
This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
whalrl's review
3.0
Where to begin…. Laura is an unemployed, soon-to-be-divorced woman, living in her childhood home with her mother, moping around and being overall depressed. She has no confidence, even to talk on the phone, and has no social life.
Then, Laura receives a book in the mail from someone she’s never met, from an online book review forum. There’s a note inside the book that hints at someone being in trouble. All of a sudden, she gets it in her head to recruit the sender of the book to become a junior detective with her to try and figure out who’s in trouble and how to save them, all the while still complaining how frightened and scared she is. She and her new partner in crime travel to the city where the book was purchased, find the person who donated it and, magically becoming the missing member of Charlie’s Angels with a new-found zest for danger and adrenaline rushes, takes on the bad guys and saves the damsel in distress.
Oh, and she and her soon-to-be ex-husband bond again, after being separated for months without speaking.
This book was a sloooooooow burn, for sure - the first 3/4 or so was just being in the head of a fearful, sheltered, uncertain woman who couldn’t carry a conversation with a stranger to save her life, but then switched spontaneously to someone who’s taking on all the evils of the world! The progression of the events was wholly unbelievable and a little cliche, but I’m a sucker for an HEA, and that’s the reason I finished the book instead of DNFing it halfway through.
Then, Laura receives a book in the mail from someone she’s never met, from an online book review forum. There’s a note inside the book that hints at someone being in trouble. All of a sudden, she gets it in her head to recruit the sender of the book to become a junior detective with her to try and figure out who’s in trouble and how to save them, all the while still complaining how frightened and scared she is. She and her new partner in crime travel to the city where the book was purchased, find the person who donated it and, magically becoming the missing member of Charlie’s Angels with a new-found zest for danger and adrenaline rushes, takes on the bad guys and saves the damsel in distress.
Oh, and she and her soon-to-be ex-husband bond again, after being separated for months without speaking.
This book was a sloooooooow burn, for sure - the first 3/4 or so was just being in the head of a fearful, sheltered, uncertain woman who couldn’t carry a conversation with a stranger to save her life, but then switched spontaneously to someone who’s taking on all the evils of the world! The progression of the events was wholly unbelievable and a little cliche, but I’m a sucker for an HEA, and that’s the reason I finished the book instead of DNFing it halfway through.
sabireads84's review against another edition
2.0
The Book Swap
Thank you NetGalley, JE Rowney and BooksGoSocial for letting me read “The Book Swap” in exchange for an honest review.
What better title for a bookworm!
The concept sounded brilliant. A hidden note in a book from a stranger. Anyone could have gotten it. Nobody could have gotten it at all.
I am not too keen on the cover. A woman hugging a book, looking kind of sad and/or miserable. Not my favourite to be honest. What made me pick up this book was definitely the title.
It starts pretty much right away with the juicy stuff. We have Laura, a thirty-something years old woman who turned her life around. Divorced and depressed, she out her life on hold and moved in with her mom, Catherine. I felt rather drawn to Catherine. She seems to be a great, caring mom who does not judge.
Laura loves to read. She is one of these people who get liars in stories. As a member of a book swapping group, she just received a book from an anonymous sender. The joy is short lived. Tucked in the pages is a scrap of paper, asking for help. Not what you expect to find. Laura starts to investigate who the mysterious person in trouble is and what she can do to help them?! She goes in a journey to try to help someone else.
I think the book is as much about finding the person in need as about Laura finding back to herself. Laura does not seem like a woman in her thirties, more like a lost teenager. Her mother is coaxing her out of her shell again, solving the mystery.
It’s my second book by JE Rowney. It’s a very fast and light read. Third persons perspectives. The characters felt flat. There was not much dimension to them. They’re saying the same things and phrases all over again. Not much development there. The story was basic. The concept better than the turnout. I loved the idea though.
Maybe I am just not a fan of the citizen rogue trope… I mean it’s just so stupid what Carley and Laura are doing. Like kids playing detective. Hello you guys, there are laws to be abided by?!?!
Thank you NetGalley, JE Rowney and BooksGoSocial for letting me read “The Book Swap” in exchange for an honest review.
What better title for a bookworm!
The concept sounded brilliant. A hidden note in a book from a stranger. Anyone could have gotten it. Nobody could have gotten it at all.
I am not too keen on the cover. A woman hugging a book, looking kind of sad and/or miserable. Not my favourite to be honest. What made me pick up this book was definitely the title.
It starts pretty much right away with the juicy stuff. We have Laura, a thirty-something years old woman who turned her life around. Divorced and depressed, she out her life on hold and moved in with her mom, Catherine. I felt rather drawn to Catherine. She seems to be a great, caring mom who does not judge.
Laura loves to read. She is one of these people who get liars in stories. As a member of a book swapping group, she just received a book from an anonymous sender. The joy is short lived. Tucked in the pages is a scrap of paper, asking for help. Not what you expect to find. Laura starts to investigate who the mysterious person in trouble is and what she can do to help them?! She goes in a journey to try to help someone else.
I think the book is as much about finding the person in need as about Laura finding back to herself. Laura does not seem like a woman in her thirties, more like a lost teenager. Her mother is coaxing her out of her shell again, solving the mystery.
It’s my second book by JE Rowney. It’s a very fast and light read. Third persons perspectives. The characters felt flat. There was not much dimension to them. They’re saying the same things and phrases all over again. Not much development there. The story was basic. The concept better than the turnout. I loved the idea though.
Maybe I am just not a fan of the citizen rogue trope… I mean it’s just so stupid what Carley and Laura are doing. Like kids playing detective. Hello you guys, there are laws to be abided by?!?!