alexabookish's review against another edition
2.0
this book was just okay for me. it definitely wasn’t a bad book, but definitely not my favorite. there were a couple things that just weren’t for me. first, i just really didn’t care about any of the characters at all. eddie was just really dry in my opinion, and he literally had no connection with any other character in the book. the rest of the characters were really bland too, and for me to really enjoy a book, i need to care about one character at least a little. i strongly disliked all the characters as kids, they were very annoying.
the pacing was just a little off in my opinion. it’s definitely a slower more character driven book (but because i didn’t care about the characters, i really didn’t care about the plot for like 75% of the book), and that’s not what i typically look for in thrillers. if i wasn’t listening to the audiobook, i might have dnf’ed it. i was surprised by the reveal at the very very end (there’s a couple before that that i didn’t care for much) but looking back on it, i really shouldn’t have been surprised because it was hinted at throughout the whole book. i think if i was paying more attention (i was honestly just trying to finish it at that point) i would’ve seen it coming.
overall, if you enjoy slower plots that have duel timelines and are about people unraveling mysteries from their past, you might enjoy this.
the pacing was just a little off in my opinion. it’s definitely a slower more character driven book (but because i didn’t care about the characters, i really didn’t care about the plot for like 75% of the book), and that’s not what i typically look for in thrillers. if i wasn’t listening to the audiobook, i might have dnf’ed it. i was surprised by the reveal at the very very end (there’s a couple before that that i didn’t care for much) but looking back on it, i really shouldn’t have been surprised because it was hinted at throughout the whole book. i think if i was paying more attention (i was honestly just trying to finish it at that point) i would’ve seen it coming.
overall, if you enjoy slower plots that have duel timelines and are about people unraveling mysteries from their past, you might enjoy this.
quietkidsimreading's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a sucker for adolescence flash backs and childhood friends going through some shit together. All the Stand by Me feels. And the opening scene is so great! Some decent twists and turns in this one. Entertaining and creepy enough to keep me page turning at a quick pace.
daxyz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.25
paige_is_a_penguin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katie_is_me's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely feels like a Stephen King book, which is good. I enjoyed this author and would love to read more by her. The ending was quick, so that's the only downside. I suppose I wanted more because the characters were good.
readingwithmanda's review against another edition
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dinosourkisses's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book so much and I'm sooo excited about reading more of C.J. Tudor's books
sarah_kirwood's review against another edition
4.0
“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Ever heard that saying?” … “Well, the way I see it, it means it's better to be a fool than an angel?”
“deep cuts all the way up his arms, from wrist to elbow. Lengthways. Not a cry for help. A scream of goodbye.”
“I don't think you can judge the worth of a person by how many people turn up when they’re dead. Most people have too many friends. And I use the term 'friends' loosely. Online friends' are not real friends. Real friends are something different. Real friends are there, no matter what. Real friends are people you love and hate in equal measure but who are as much a part of you as yourself.”
“deep cuts all the way up his arms, from wrist to elbow. Lengthways. Not a cry for help. A scream of goodbye.”
“I don't think you can judge the worth of a person by how many people turn up when they’re dead. Most people have too many friends. And I use the term 'friends' loosely. Online friends' are not real friends. Real friends are something different. Real friends are there, no matter what. Real friends are people you love and hate in equal measure but who are as much a part of you as yourself.”
elle_loves_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! Mind blown! Again! I loved this twisty page turning mystery. I was hooked from page one and it kept me up into the wee hours of the morning. I just love Tudor's writing style and I look forward to reading more of her books.
sab3467's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75