nika_nix's review against another edition
2.0
I had such high expectations for this one but I am very disappointed. The main character was so annoying and the whole plot exists because she can't stop sticking her nose in other people's business. But even if I put that aside and say it's pure curiosity and of course she wants to figure out how did she see the impossible, the plot twists are so stupid and make zero sense. Also, everything in this book is told, nothing is shown and I stopped caring about what is happening after the first couple chapters. As the plot progressed the twists became more and more unbelievable and I can tell you right away that there is nothing supernatural happening (although I was hoping for it). All in all, I do not recommend this one, unless you want a shit ton of inner monologue and riddiculous explanations and theories for what might have happened but the final reveal is even more unbelievable than the theories. Oh, and you get the "villain talk" at the very end.
genevieve_and_her_books's review against another edition
2.0
Given the synopsis I had more hope for this book. But the "thriller" aspect fell a little flat as the pacing was quite slow until the end. Some aspects of the mystery side of things felt a bit unfair to the reader as they relied on character knowledge that wasn't revealed until the character connected the dots. I know not all literary mysteries need to be fair in that sense, but I prefer ones where the clues were there along the way for the reader to pick up (whether or not I actually figure it out ahead of the character being beside the point). Just not for me, I think.
watchareadingstace's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
esthersreadingstats's review against another edition
2.0
A supernatural twist would’ve been a lot better than whatever the hell that was.
(I can relate to Beth’s nosiness so much tho)
(I can relate to Beth’s nosiness so much tho)
queensaru's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.5
lisam0183_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
A book full of twists and turns and moments of confusion. It's one of those books that makes you think and come up with different scenarios. Beth was definitely not giving up on the fact that she saw 'Thomas' and 'Emily'. I really liked her character and how she became quite fearless when it came to finding out what had happened.
bookswithriinu's review against another edition
4.0
Beth and Flora used to be best friends until the day something happened. 12 years later, when Beth happens to be in the town where Flora lives with her family, she decides to go and check out their house. What she sees there seems impossible. She spots Flora and her two children, who are not a day older than they were 12 years ago. Beth decides to find out how can all this be possible.
“Haven't They Grown” is a psychological thriller and the first Sophie Hannah book I've read. The plot of the book was twisty and engaging. The whole story revolves around Beth's former best friend, Flora.
At first it was hard to understand why Beth is so addicted to finding out everything at any cost. Also, her theories seemed so impossible, but as the story progressed, I began to understand her more and believe that one of her crazy ideas really could be the truth. Of course, this was not the case, and only at the end did the whole surprising truth come out.
I really liked Beth's character and her determination to help her friend at all costs, even when those close to her beg her to stop. Her daughter also added a lot to the story, and interestingly, she was the only person who encouraged her to find out the truth.
It really was an interesting and engaging book. I recommend it!
“Haven't They Grown” is a psychological thriller and the first Sophie Hannah book I've read. The plot of the book was twisty and engaging. The whole story revolves around Beth's former best friend, Flora.
At first it was hard to understand why Beth is so addicted to finding out everything at any cost. Also, her theories seemed so impossible, but as the story progressed, I began to understand her more and believe that one of her crazy ideas really could be the truth. Of course, this was not the case, and only at the end did the whole surprising truth come out.
I really liked Beth's character and her determination to help her friend at all costs, even when those close to her beg her to stop. Her daughter also added a lot to the story, and interestingly, she was the only person who encouraged her to find out the truth.
It really was an interesting and engaging book. I recommend it!
steff97's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
cassie914's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely love this book! I read it twice within a year because it is so good! I love how twisty it is, and it was so engaging. I could not put it down. I just loved how confused I was the whole time, I was confused in a good way.
I knew from the beginning that something was up with Lewis, and I also figured out pretty early on that he was pretty much a violent, manipulative, narcissistic psychopath. I did not know just how much of a violent, manipulative person he was until the end when the whole twisted story was told. I just have so much empathy for Flora, and for all five children.
I have to say that this plot was absolutely brilliant. Having Beth see Flora with 5 and 3 year old Thomas and Emily was so so good and I was so intrigued! I kept trying to think of how that could be possible, and it was just so fun because I had no idea what was going on, again, in a good way!
I loved the whole book and I thought it was very well-paced. Incredible story and very intriguing mystery!
I knew from the beginning that something was up with Lewis, and I also figured out pretty early on that he was pretty much a violent, manipulative, narcissistic psychopath. I did not know just how much of a violent, manipulative person he was until the end when the whole twisted story was told. I just have so much empathy for Flora, and for all five children.
I have to say that this plot was absolutely brilliant. Having Beth see Flora with 5 and 3 year old Thomas and Emily was so so good and I was so intrigued! I kept trying to think of how that could be possible, and it was just so fun because I had no idea what was going on, again, in a good way!
I loved the whole book and I thought it was very well-paced. Incredible story and very intriguing mystery!
davidb71's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.5
This book fell short for me. The premise is interesting - but the problem is when you set up a seemingly impossible scenario, you have to resolve it some way, and the explanation for what was going on did ultimately feel a little underwhelming. I enjoyed the protagonist, and her actions felt motivated and rational. The same can't be said for the people involved in the 'mystery' she was investigating - nothing they did made any sense to me, and the 'villain' of the piece ultimately felt like a ridiculous, implausible human being. The ending left a lot to be desired - it just didn't feel very well executed to me.
However, all that being said, there was still enough in this book to make me think that Sophie Hannah is a writer who I might want to explore further. I enjoyed the protagonist, and the portrayal of her family life felt somewhat authentic and enjoyable to read. I like the way she involved her family in trying to solve the mystery, and I enjoyed the family dynamics. There's a certain warmth and charm here - but the book itself just didn't really work for me.
There's a strange part in the middle of the book where the main character goes to her daughter's school to resolve an issue there. It's strange because it bears no relation to anything - it's a scene that needn't exist because it doesn't connect to anything else. My suspicion is - and I could be completely wrong here - is that something that happens in that scene was meant to tie in with the ending, but that Hannah changed the ending, but still decided to keep that scene in the school in anyway. The actual ending in the book - a shooting, a confession - felt like a bit of a mess to me, and my gut feeling is that that was not the original ending that Hannah had in mind. I could be wrong about all of this, of course!
So, not a terrible book, but one that didn't really work for me. But I will give Sophie Hannah another go, because I have a feeling that I might enjoy some of her other work more than I enjoyed this.
However, all that being said, there was still enough in this book to make me think that Sophie Hannah is a writer who I might want to explore further. I enjoyed the protagonist, and the portrayal of her family life felt somewhat authentic and enjoyable to read. I like the way she involved her family in trying to solve the mystery, and I enjoyed the family dynamics. There's a certain warmth and charm here - but the book itself just didn't really work for me.
There's a strange part in the middle of the book where the main character goes to her daughter's school to resolve an issue there. It's strange because it bears no relation to anything - it's a scene that needn't exist because it doesn't connect to anything else. My suspicion is - and I could be completely wrong here - is that something that happens in that scene was meant to tie in with the ending, but that Hannah changed the ending, but still decided to keep that scene in the school in anyway. The actual ending in the book - a shooting, a confession - felt like a bit of a mess to me, and my gut feeling is that that was not the original ending that Hannah had in mind. I could be wrong about all of this, of course!
So, not a terrible book, but one that didn't really work for me. But I will give Sophie Hannah another go, because I have a feeling that I might enjoy some of her other work more than I enjoyed this.