itsacucumber's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aliencatl0rd's review against another edition
3.0
Unfortunately A Small Affair by Flora Collins was just that. A self-important young entrepreneur named Vera dates a wealthy older man (Tom) but breaks it off after just a few dates because she wasn't feeling it. The next thing she knows, both Tom and his wife (Odilie) are dead and Vera's public image is taken through the ringer.
Despite being acquitted and the deaths being formally labeled a suicide, Vera's reputation is still in the toilet and she is not moving on. You'd think she'd go to therapy, change her name, hit up some connections and work anonymously because she's apparently The Shit. Or maybe get a lawyer to take up a wrongful termination suit and sue the panties off her ex boss to make the headlines and big bucks. But no. She decides to hang out with her mom—who she hates btw—and be sad for herself. For years. Girl, get a grip.
Vera ends up getting invited to a memorial service for Odilie and things continue even further downhill from there. She befriends Odilie's sister Page as a front to uncover what happened for her article-writing friend. (Don't you have anything better to do?) Things go this way and that while trying to pry out information from people who knew Odilie and sneaking around Odilie's old haunts.
But honestly the biggest discovery is that all of these people are horrible. There is not one redeemable soul amongst all the characters we meet along the way because they're all either in love with their own shit or someone else's shit, to the point of frequent nefarious activities. Even all the parents suck.
The only chapters I actually liked were reliving Odilie's journey to how she ended up with Tom, the rich dude. In the beginning, Odilie is actually relatable and likeable. We have all been intrigued by mysterious wealthy folks (just how many books are there about that?), gotten involved in the wrong crowds, and done things we've regretted. She still sucks though.
Rating
★★★☆☆
Although there are some interesting elements in this book, lacking even one likable character and the slow burn style is really not for me. I also found the ending predictable and dull. Lastly, I don't try to hold a grudge but I have been to NY and did not like it, and find myself often not liking books in that setting.
Format I Used
I listened to the audiobook via Libby. Narrator was fine. Audio quality was fine. The experience was completely neutral.
Despite being acquitted and the deaths being formally labeled a suicide, Vera's reputation is still in the toilet and she is not moving on. You'd think she'd go to therapy, change her name, hit up some connections and work anonymously because she's apparently The Shit. Or maybe get a lawyer to take up a wrongful termination suit and sue the panties off her ex boss to make the headlines and big bucks. But no. She decides to hang out with her mom—who she hates btw—and be sad for herself. For years. Girl, get a grip.
Vera ends up getting invited to a memorial service for Odilie and things continue even further downhill from there. She befriends Odilie's sister Page as a front to uncover what happened for her article-writing friend. (Don't you have anything better to do?) Things go this way and that while trying to pry out information from people who knew Odilie and sneaking around Odilie's old haunts.
But honestly the biggest discovery is that all of these people are horrible. There is not one redeemable soul amongst all the characters we meet along the way because they're all either in love with their own shit or someone else's shit, to the point of frequent nefarious activities. Even all the parents suck.
The only chapters I actually liked were reliving Odilie's journey to how she ended up with Tom, the rich dude. In the beginning, Odilie is actually relatable and likeable. We have all been intrigued by mysterious wealthy folks (just how many books are there about that?), gotten involved in the wrong crowds, and done things we've regretted. She still sucks though.
Spoiler
The ending is very convenient and not surprising. I knew from the moment they introduced the door that how their deaths ended up was partially incidental. Some of the most awful people end up hugely successful, Vera is redeemed, and a groomer gets rich along with her. Ew.Rating
★★★☆☆
Although there are some interesting elements in this book, lacking even one likable character and the slow burn style is really not for me. I also found the ending predictable and dull. Lastly, I don't try to hold a grudge but I have been to NY and did not like it, and find myself often not liking books in that setting.
Format I Used
I listened to the audiobook via Libby. Narrator was fine. Audio quality was fine. The experience was completely neutral.
catreader18's review
4.0
Vera’s life is ruined because the public blames her for the death of an ex and his wife. The book is dual timeline and multiple POV. I loved the beginning of the book and the unexpected ending. The middle was tougher to read because it was slower and I couldn’t see the connection to the larger story. Everything is revealed in time. Overall I enjoyed the story.
esihler's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
menniemenace's review
2.0
It takes this book a while to get going, and until it does, you're stuck with a very obnoxious narrator. She's not like other girls because she's been evil since she was a kid. Other girls like makeup, she likes the 48 Rules of Power.
Also it was not that serious. The whole story hinges on the affair, and it's barely a thing. I felt like we're just going along with the narrative and suspending disbelief.
The 3rd part of the book was the best, but it didn't carry the rest of the book.
Also it was not that serious. The whole story hinges on the affair, and it's barely a thing. I felt like we're just going along with the narrative and suspending disbelief.
The 3rd part of the book was the best, but it didn't carry the rest of the book.
piddles4thewin's review against another edition
I was just not vibing with this book at all. It was droning on and on and I thought I was at least like 60 percent of the way done-hoping that I was at least and it turned out I was only 43%. I couldn't do it. DNF