zc2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Literally buy it. Kept me on my toes. I thought I knew what was happening and then I was hit with a brick. I feel lied to. Currently questioning everything. Jaw dropping.
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Murder, Pregnancy, Violence, Alcoholism, Blood, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Death of parent, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Stalking, Medical content, and Toxic relationship
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is my first Hendricks/Pekkanen book and it was a pretty solid domestic thriller!
The writing was gripping and the short chapters helped moved the story along, even when I found some parts of the plot dragging a little. I did like the dual POVs switching between the two main female characters of the novel, the unorthodox therapist and the unfaithful wife. Overall, the web of lies and deception played out well, bringing in several minor characters to make you second guess things.
Still, the final moments and twists of the book kinda threw me off of the intrigue. It didn’t quite add up, perhaps feeling a little rushed and tired, in terms of the genre. I guess I was disappointed in the end results, but I wouldn’t say that made it a bad book. I just hoped for something else to happen.
This one was definitely all about perfect appearances, and people not being who they seem to be on the surface. Perfection often precedes secrecy.
The writing was gripping and the short chapters helped moved the story along, even when I found some parts of the plot dragging a little. I did like the dual POVs switching between the two main female characters of the novel, the unorthodox therapist and the unfaithful wife. Overall, the web of lies and deception played out well, bringing in several minor characters to make you second guess things.
Still, the final moments and twists of the book kinda threw me off of the intrigue. It didn’t quite add up, perhaps feeling a little rushed and tired, in terms of the genre. I guess I was disappointed in the end results, but I wouldn’t say that made it a bad book. I just hoped for something else to happen.
This one was definitely all about perfect appearances, and people not being who they seem to be on the surface. Perfection often precedes secrecy.
Graphic: Alcohol, Cancer, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, and Stalking
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
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