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shaylaeliz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide, Stalking, Grief, and Car accident
siobhanward's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was a bit of a weird read as it did not feel much like any of Jewell's other works. It felt less like a thriller and more like a family drama, but I just didn't care that much for the characters. With three former wives and five children, it was hard to care about anyone, since it felt like no one had the time they deserved. The only real area of focus was Adrian and he was kind of a shit. Like, the leaving his family thing aside, he just treated everyone poorly. He didn't know anything about his kids and when he interacted with them he was just mean - the scene that particularly stands out is when he's having lunch with Cat and every thought he has is judging what she's eating. I hope my dad likes me better than this guy likes his kids.
All that to say, there was so much focus on a crappy character (who was surrounded by decent people who he'd hurt) that I just didn't care.
All that to say, there was so much focus on a crappy character (who was surrounded by decent people who he'd hurt) that I just didn't care.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Suicide
camillion08's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3,5 stars
I thought this would be a thriller when I first decided to read it, but I would not categorize it as such at all. This is a family drama and an exploration of one’s life and it’s impacts on the people we love.
What I took from the book is that the narratives that we tell ourselves can become skewed over time and create disastrous impacts for the people closest to us. It also speaks to the fact that men are allowed to act badly and are quickly forgiven for it by everyone around them, so fast in fact that there are barely consequences to their actions. I am torn between thinking that this book does a good job of highlighting how nuanced family dynamics are, or if it sort of excuses bad behaviour by people we view as “good people with good intentions”.
If you’re going into this wanting a good thriller, then I would not pick up this book, but it does not, by any means, mean that this is a bad novel. I did enjoy it, and I don’t think I would have picked it up if I knew what it was about, so that’s saying something :)
I thought this would be a thriller when I first decided to read it, but I would not categorize it as such at all. This is a family drama and an exploration of one’s life and it’s impacts on the people we love.
What I took from the book is that the narratives that we tell ourselves can become skewed over time and create disastrous impacts for the people closest to us. It also speaks to the fact that men are allowed to act badly and are quickly forgiven for it by everyone around them, so fast in fact that there are barely consequences to their actions. I am torn between thinking that this book does a good job of highlighting how nuanced family dynamics are, or if it sort of excuses bad behaviour by people we view as “good people with good intentions”.
If you’re going into this wanting a good thriller, then I would not pick up this book, but it does not, by any means, mean that this is a bad novel. I did enjoy it, and I don’t think I would have picked it up if I knew what it was about, so that’s saying something :)
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking, Pregnancy, Suicide, and Body shaming
pippamillerxoxo_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Suicide attempt, Car accident, Grief, Suicide, Infidelity, Death, and Suicidal thoughts
a_alves00's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book! I really did! But I'm also so annoyed at it!!
Adrian was so stuck-up and high up up his castle that he really thought that jumping from wife to wife would not upset anyone. He really thought that young children don't get affected by things like this, and to that a say... what a load of bullocks!! My guy misled poor Maya, sweet soul Maya, thinking that everything was lovey-dovey and then wonders why she didn't love him anymore? Give me a break!!
Also, like I know he was mostly to blame but the way Cat treated Maya? With those emails?? I sort of understand Otis' resentment and I can even understand why Cat would be upset bur those emails?? I'm sorry but that's absolutely ridiculous! And don't tell me she meant no harm because she knew exactly what she was doing. She was a whole 20+ year old and that's just bullying! And I don't care how many times she apologises and whatever Maya might have said to Abby about not blaming her. She was the reason why Maya died. Or potentially killed herself! And the way they just let her get away with it? No punishment? Nothing? And Caroline let her continue looking after the kids?? No, no, no, no, no. Like she said, she might as well have pushed Maya in front of that bus!
Anyway, sorry about the rant. These strong emotions are one of the reasons why I really did enjoy this book! But the lack of likeable characters really puts me off! I could easily give this a 4 star but I've thought it through and I'm not really sure it deserves that. Maybe one day I'll change my mind! 🤷🏽♀️
TW: death, abandonment, suicide (?), toxic relationship/friendship, emotional abuse, infidelity, bullying, alcohol
Adrian was so stuck-up and high up up his castle that he really thought that jumping from wife to wife would not upset anyone. He really thought that young children don't get affected by things like this, and to that a say... what a load of bullocks!! My guy misled poor Maya, sweet soul Maya, thinking that everything was lovey-dovey and then wonders why she didn't love him anymore? Give me a break!!
Also, like I know he was mostly to blame but the way Cat treated Maya? With those emails?? I sort of understand Otis' resentment and I can even understand why Cat would be upset bur those emails?? I'm sorry but that's absolutely ridiculous! And don't tell me she meant no harm because she knew exactly what she was doing. She was a whole 20+ year old and that's just bullying! And I don't care how many times she apologises and whatever Maya might have said to Abby about not blaming her. She was the reason why Maya died. Or potentially killed herself! And the way they just let her get away with it? No punishment? Nothing? And Caroline let her continue looking after the kids?? No, no, no, no, no. Like she said, she might as well have pushed Maya in front of that bus!
Anyway, sorry about the rant. These strong emotions are one of the reasons why I really did enjoy this book! But the lack of likeable characters really puts me off! I could easily give this a 4 star but I've thought it through and I'm not really sure it deserves that. Maybe one day I'll change my mind! 🤷🏽♀️
TW: death, abandonment, suicide (?), toxic relationship/friendship, emotional abuse, infidelity, bullying, alcohol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Bullying, Car accident, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Suicide
kaitlync9754's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, and Suicide
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