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vanessajauer's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
tedmattos's review against another edition
3.0
I very much wanted to enjoy this book, as I've read other books by Ms. Fielding and have walked away entertained.
Strengths: This book is a quick read. Nothing too heavy. Fast, light chapters. Good flow. Not too over-bogged with information. One character, Julia, was quite likable. Quite descriptive prose.
Areas of a struggle for me: The characters were quite one-dimensional. Abusive husband. Over-bearing mother-in-law. Insecure husband out of work. An ungrateful son who marries a trophy wife. It was one reason I didn't much care what happened to the characters.
There seemed to be an anti-gun agenda to the story, although I didn't really care one way or the other. I don't consider it to be overbearing.
I would say this is a good vacation read or a book where you don't care if you get invested in the characters or not.
Strengths: This book is a quick read. Nothing too heavy. Fast, light chapters. Good flow. Not too over-bogged with information. One character, Julia, was quite likable. Quite descriptive prose.
Areas of a struggle for me: The characters were quite one-dimensional. Abusive husband. Over-bearing mother-in-law. Insecure husband out of work. An ungrateful son who marries a trophy wife. It was one reason I didn't much care what happened to the characters.
There seemed to be an anti-gun agenda to the story, although I didn't really care one way or the other. I don't consider it to be overbearing.
I would say this is a good vacation read or a book where you don't care if you get invested in the characters or not.
i_dont_read_blurbs's review against another edition
5.0
The story is told in multiple POVs, which, I love! I really enjoyed the character development throughout the story. I didn’t like them all but was definitely intrigued by their stories. I was grabbing for my Kindle any time I got a chance. The story begins by telling you someone dies. That didn’t discourage me at all. Normally, I’d be trying to figure out who did it, but instead I just sat back and soaked up the drama! There is so much drama in a small Cul-de-sad with only 5 houses! There are some really dark stories weaved within as mentioned in other reviews. So beware of that if you have any triggers. Other than that, I say go for it, It was really good.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for my honest opinion.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for my honest opinion.
i_dont_read_blurbs's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 rounded to 5!!!
This was a compelling story! Lies, lies and more lies. The story is told in multiple POVs, which, I love! I really enjoyed the character development throughout the story. I didn’t like them all but was definitely intrigued by their stories. I was grabbing for my Kindle any time I got a chance. The story begins by telling you someone dies. That didn’t discourage me at all. Normally, I’d be trying to figure out who did it, but instead I just sat back and soaked up the drama! There is so much drama in a small Cul-de-sad with only 5 houses! There are some really dark stories weaved within as mentioned in other reviews. So beware of that if you have any triggers. Other than that, I say go for it, It was really good.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for my honest opinion.
This was a compelling story! Lies, lies and more lies. The story is told in multiple POVs, which, I love! I really enjoyed the character development throughout the story. I didn’t like them all but was definitely intrigued by their stories. I was grabbing for my Kindle any time I got a chance. The story begins by telling you someone dies. That didn’t discourage me at all. Normally, I’d be trying to figure out who did it, but instead I just sat back and soaked up the drama! There is so much drama in a small Cul-de-sad with only 5 houses! There are some really dark stories weaved within as mentioned in other reviews. So beware of that if you have any triggers. Other than that, I say go for it, It was really good.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for my honest opinion.
bookwormunicorn's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
lori85's review
5.0
This is being classified as a domestic thriller, but it's really more of a soap opera with an anti-gun message. Some people have complained about the latter, but I think it was handled well, with the story's focus on the neuroses, poor judgment, and toxic behavior of the various characters as potential catalysts for violence when there is easy access to deadly weapons. VERY satisfying ending!
Trigger warning for some very intense scenes of domestic abuse, including one instance of marital rape. They made my heartrate go up and I'm someone who's never experienced this in real life.
Trigger warning for some very intense scenes of domestic abuse, including one instance of marital rape. They made my heartrate go up and I'm someone who's never experienced this in real life.
hbirr's review against another edition
4.0
The last 10 or so books I’ve read this year have just not been good. Im glad I finally found one I was excited to finish bc it was good, and not just to get it over with!