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aimora's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't really like Tom throughout most of the book and I didn't connect to the characters in the same way that I did the first book. Still better than other books out there but not a 5 star read for me"
ariaslibrary's review against another edition
3.0
“A truly successful model is…an object of desire, Tom,” she’d told him. “Do you understand how subtle a concept that is to project? You have to create someone that people can’t help but want.”
Messy. That’s what a majority of these characters are. Honestly, I don’t understand what Will, Pez or Nick see in Tom. Heck, I don't know what the stalker saw in Tom either. All of them could have done better. Tom, like Ben in the previous book, is difficult to like. What makes it worse is that we’re in his head rather than Will’s. Will is a character to admire. He knew what kind of person Tom was and didn’t let it phase him. At least I hope it didn’t. I’ve been told the next book is from his point of view and I can’t wait. I disliked every single one of these characters, except Will and at the end of the day, you love who you love. I don’t know I read these books when all they do is make me mad but boy are they addictive .
bulfinch2's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
ccgwalt's review against another edition
4.0
Story B
Excellent narration by Gary Furlong 4.5 A-
Edited: After a day of thinking about it, I realize there is a pretty big plot hole around the method of murder. The method used should have been easily traced by the police. Big Spoiler Alert! Even though the method of murder is detailed early on in the book, this spoiler may impact your enjoyment.
What Object of Desire is, is an extremely well-written, tense, edge-of-your seat psychological thriller with a somewhat unreliable narrator as the POV character. Tom, a near supermodel, is shallow and self-absorbed, even though Maclean softens his edges and makes him, if not likeable, at least someone the reader can sympathize with. Tom has pretty much cavalierly used everyone in his immediate circle. He alternates between complete self-absorption and letting himself be used so he doesn't have to confront his own feelings. I admit, even though he's a supermodel, I didn't get why he was so obsessively desired by all these people. Will, Pez, Nick, and others are also described as incredibly handsome, so I'm not sure why Tom was special.
What Object of Desire isn't, is a romance. Yes, there are romantic elements, and a sort of HFN, but this isn't a romance. In fact, I'm quite surprised by the reviewers who point out the "great balance" of romance and suspense. I want to know how it can be balanced when at the 2/3rds mark the two MC had only had a handful of conversations, a quick grope, were definitely not a couple, nor working towards being one. In fact, Tom, and probably Will, were both sleeping with other people, multiple people in Tom's case, including Nick, his supposed boyfriend.
So, read it for the twisty, clever (and a bit graphic) suspense plot, and for a look into the psychology of (often) toxic relationships. Don't read it for the romance or you could be very disappointed.
After reading several reviews from respected reviewers (who all liked the books), I realize the romance plot line for book three is as thin, or thinner than this one, so I'm bowing out. If I wanted to read psychological thrillers, I would pick this up, but I want ROMANTIC suspense and these books don't do it for me.
I'm giving it a B because I can't deny these are well written suspense books.
Excellent narration by Gary Furlong 4.5 A-
Edited: After a day of thinking about it, I realize there is a pretty big plot hole around the method of murder. The method used should have been easily traced by the police. Big Spoiler Alert! Even though the method of murder is detailed early on in the book, this spoiler may impact your enjoyment.
Spoiler
Insulin is not easy to obtain. The point is, insulin-dependent diabetics need insulin to live. They couldn't use huge quantities of their insulin to kill people. And if someone stole their friend's insulin, that friend definitely would have noticed and reported it, because they would need the insulin. The insulin bottles were left at the scene and could possibly be traceable, and even if they had their labels removed, the police should have realized they needed to actually prove Tom, or anyone else, could obtain the insulin for them to have a case. It would be almost impossible to obtain that amount of insulin, even for a diabetic.What Object of Desire is, is an extremely well-written, tense, edge-of-your seat psychological thriller with a somewhat unreliable narrator as the POV character. Tom, a near supermodel, is shallow and self-absorbed, even though Maclean softens his edges and makes him, if not likeable, at least someone the reader can sympathize with. Tom has pretty much cavalierly used everyone in his immediate circle. He alternates between complete self-absorption and letting himself be used so he doesn't have to confront his own feelings. I admit, even though he's a supermodel, I didn't get why he was so obsessively desired by all these people. Will, Pez, Nick, and others are also described as incredibly handsome, so I'm not sure why Tom was special.
What Object of Desire isn't, is a romance. Yes, there are romantic elements, and a sort of HFN, but this isn't a romance. In fact, I'm quite surprised by the reviewers who point out the "great balance" of romance and suspense. I want to know how it can be balanced when at the 2/3rds mark the two MC had only had a handful of conversations, a quick grope, were definitely not a couple, nor working towards being one. In fact, Tom, and probably Will, were both sleeping with other people, multiple people in Tom's case, including Nick, his supposed boyfriend.
So, read it for the twisty, clever (and a bit graphic) suspense plot, and for a look into the psychology of (often) toxic relationships. Don't read it for the romance or you could be very disappointed.
After reading several reviews from respected reviewers (who all liked the books), I realize the romance plot line for book three is as thin, or thinner than this one, so I'm bowing out. If I wanted to read psychological thrillers, I would pick this up, but I want ROMANTIC suspense and these books don't do it for me.
I'm giving it a B because I can't deny these are well written suspense books.
kiki124's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking, twisty.
One that gets away gets his.
Model policeman.
One that gets away gets his.
Model policeman.
cadiva's review against another edition
5.0
Gah!
Another one where my review never published originally.
Anyways, Dal Maclean is a genius. She writes wholly unlikeable characters that you still can't help rooting for.
Another one where my review never published originally.
Anyways, Dal Maclean is a genius. She writes wholly unlikeable characters that you still can't help rooting for.
scarletine6's review against another edition
5.0
LOVE LOVE LOVE Dal Maclean's writing. Her detailed twisty turny plotting, the angst, the passion.
And my goodness. What a match made in audiobook heaven Dal Maclean and Gary Furlong are.
10 stars.
And my goodness. What a match made in audiobook heaven Dal Maclean and Gary Furlong are.
10 stars.
cna95's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
starfish422's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Wow, the author kept me guessing throughout! I thought I had it figured out about five different times. Great mystery, lovely relationship and character development!
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
5.0
First, I was so happy to find some of the characters of the previous book popping-up here :D
Now, about this book... wow! I just find the whole thing brilliant. The characters, the mystery, the magnificent way the plot develops, the locations... everything.
The construction of the characters is flawless, their motivations are easy to understand, and even when sometimes we get angry at them (particularly with Tom, at least in my case) you get why they are acting in the way they do.
The romance is so well done! It's difficult, and it hurts, but oh! it's so gripping. And the mystery... you keep reading, and going back and forth with your theories, and just when you think you were right in your suspicions... you get proven wrong. AGAIN!
So, yes, I found another favourite author, and simply can't wait for the next book.
Now, about this book... wow! I just find the whole thing brilliant. The characters, the mystery, the magnificent way the plot develops, the locations... everything.
The construction of the characters is flawless, their motivations are easy to understand, and even when sometimes we get angry at them (particularly with Tom, at least in my case) you get why they are acting in the way they do.
The romance is so well done! It's difficult, and it hurts, but oh! it's so gripping. And the mystery... you keep reading, and going back and forth with your theories, and just when you think you were right in your suspicions... you get proven wrong. AGAIN!
So, yes, I found another favourite author, and simply can't wait for the next book.