findyourgoldenhour's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. It had a good plot with some twists at the end, and I was rooting for the main character the whole time. The author's note at the end is perhaps the best author's note I've ever read! I know that sounds strange, but it made me cry. I would definitely recommend this book to someone looking for a quick read that isn't just a mindless plot-driven narrative.
cjsjellybean's review against another edition
4.0
If I could, I would give this book 3.5 stars. It was good, but not great. I just had a hard time keeping up with it, although I really did like it. I was completely shocked by the ending, however the majority of the book seemed very straight forward. It bounced back and forth between present and past, which wasn't a big deal...however it just felt very linear to me. Secondly, Burr was always calling Lena baby...it was in practically every sentence he said to her and that was just completely annoying to me. It seemed a little over used.
shanonkluttz's review against another edition
5.0
Find me a book set in the South, with those quirky characters and I will find you a five star rating!
csgvassar's review against another edition
4.0
gods in Alabama was a very fun read for me. As one who thinks I'm smarter than I actually am and revels in the challenge of figuring out a mystery, I was drawn to both the twisting tale and the sassy, I'm-in-control (or so I think) star of the novel, Lena. Lena had left her hometown years ago and sworn she would never return (or fornicate or lie) if God would keep the body hidden. Yet, for various reasons, she's returning home to the South and bringing a multitude of issues with her.
I cherished that in a complicated world of cultural diversity (racial, regional, educational, etc.), Joshilyn Jackson painted real people with all their prejudices and stereotypes, but also with their love and devotion. Another flashback novel, the plot moved quickly and always left me with curiosity as it switched from past to present.
Jackson's say it like it is writing and colorful characters made the book for me. She didn't dance around her images, but dropped me plumb in the middle of the Wal-mart clothing section and the high school make-out spot. Although the characters are your typical high school football star, misfit, preacher's wife, step-mom (sorta), etc., Jackson took my stereotypes and added another layer to each character so that their actions and speech resulted in people I felt like I knew as well as Lena.
Once again, the ending left something to be desired in my book. It was a wonderful twist and contributed greatly to what the reader learns about people and herself, but I just have to groan when everything is tied up with a bow and there are no loose ends. I do recognize that I'm the misfit here and most readers find great joy in this wholeness.
I cherished that in a complicated world of cultural diversity (racial, regional, educational, etc.), Joshilyn Jackson painted real people with all their prejudices and stereotypes, but also with their love and devotion. Another flashback novel, the plot moved quickly and always left me with curiosity as it switched from past to present.
Jackson's say it like it is writing and colorful characters made the book for me. She didn't dance around her images, but dropped me plumb in the middle of the Wal-mart clothing section and the high school make-out spot. Although the characters are your typical high school football star, misfit, preacher's wife, step-mom (sorta), etc., Jackson took my stereotypes and added another layer to each character so that their actions and speech resulted in people I felt like I knew as well as Lena.
Once again, the ending left something to be desired in my book. It was a wonderful twist and contributed greatly to what the reader learns about people and herself, but I just have to groan when everything is tied up with a bow and there are no loose ends. I do recognize that I'm the misfit here and most readers find great joy in this wholeness.
bdunson's review against another edition
4.0
It had a good story line. I just didn't like how it jumped around. I've read books that have changed to the past and then back the present and they were more smooth then this book. It seemed a little jumpy but other than that I liked the story.
lookingtoheaven's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the characters and the format. The story was engaging and the reveals were twisty in an interesting way. So I appreciate the craft of this story very much. But I am way too sensitive to enjoy a story with this many triggers.
kristin_thereader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
emperorcupcake's review against another edition
4.0
Re-read; read for the first time around 2010ish, AKA a million damn years ago.
I'm re-reading my old favourite Joshilyn Jackson books to see if I still love them, after finding her last couple books kinda meh. While I did lower this from a 5 to a 4 - look, we're all different people than we were in 2010 - I think I prefer this chick-litty style over her thrillers. (Though I remember The Girl Who Stopped Swimming being my favourite, which was more of a mystery-suspense. I guess we'll see if it holds up!) Next up, the kind-of-sort-of companion to this book, Backseat Saints, which I remember absolutely loving. Please let me still love it!
What's weird is I know I loved this book, but I remembered absolutely nothing about it! Which was cool cause it was pretty much like a first time read. It's not perfect, but boy do I love a good Southern gothic murder. Blood and kudzu. Absolutely my fave. And this has one of the best, most hook-y titles ever.
I'm re-reading my old favourite Joshilyn Jackson books to see if I still love them, after finding her last couple books kinda meh. While I did lower this from a 5 to a 4 - look, we're all different people than we were in 2010 - I think I prefer this chick-litty style over her thrillers. (Though I remember The Girl Who Stopped Swimming being my favourite, which was more of a mystery-suspense. I guess we'll see if it holds up!) Next up, the kind-of-sort-of companion to this book, Backseat Saints, which I remember absolutely loving. Please let me still love it!
What's weird is I know I loved this book, but I remembered absolutely nothing about it! Which was cool cause it was pretty much like a first time read. It's not perfect, but boy do I love a good Southern gothic murder. Blood and kudzu. Absolutely my fave. And this has one of the best, most hook-y titles ever.
heavywater's review against another edition
4.0
Yep, looks like another binge. I realize I happen to very much enjoy murder mysteries wrapped up in deep Southern sensibilities.