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andreanourse's review against another edition
4.0
While it took a few chapters to get into this book, once it started moving, I could not put it down. The dual narrative, Erin and her daughter Shorie, was what initially drew me in. The mother-daughter dynamic post the loss of their husband and father was very well written and developed.
The story features the company (Jax) Erin and Ben created along with their friends Ben and Sabine as a primary character. It delves into coding and app development, but for me, this was fascinating and I loved reading about strong female characters interested and succeeding in STEM.
The twists and turns in this thrilling book had me guessing and pointing fingers at someone new every other page. Just when you think you have it figured out, the author throws the switch and a new possibility unfolds.
I devoured this book in about three sittings and I was on edge for at least two-thirds of the book.
The story features the company (Jax) Erin and Ben created along with their friends Ben and Sabine as a primary character. It delves into coding and app development, but for me, this was fascinating and I loved reading about strong female characters interested and succeeding in STEM.
The twists and turns in this thrilling book had me guessing and pointing fingers at someone new every other page. Just when you think you have it figured out, the author throws the switch and a new possibility unfolds.
I devoured this book in about three sittings and I was on edge for at least two-thirds of the book.
vaparks's review against another edition
4.0
"Put a dent in the Universe."
Another book, devoured. I'm realizing quite quickly through this quarantine that I gravitate towards thrillers, and specifically-- action-packed, page-turning, leave-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat, kind of thrillers. Which, within the first third of the book, I did not envision this one being that way for me. But like all good thrillers--PLOT TWIST--it did.
This was lent to me by a friend, and I had a little bit of knowledge of what I was getting into per her review as she handed it over to me: "Nothing overly impressive in regards to the writing and use of language, but a fun, fast-paced story." To which, I'd raise a glass in agreement.
I do love books that challenge and widen my vocabulary, as well as use literary techniques that make reading enlightening. Other times, flowery language and brilliantly artistic sentences aren't of importance, and the only thing that matters is an entertaining story. That is this book to me. Another one for the "Weekend Beach Read" category.
After that first third, each chapter ended like your favorite Netflix show, begging you to read "just one more". I found myself wake up early just to sneak a few more chapters in before the workday started because the action was tumbling at a rapid pace like a cartoon snowball, gaining more momentum and growing in size.
My only qualm would be that so much of the ending is so "convenient". Much like the woes of other reviews, the chances of all these crazy things coming together causes you to think, "Oh, come on, but what are the ODDS?!" But that's what we do with books and movies, we suspend our disbelief and the craziest of things come together and the most convenient of time and place. Plus, the epilogue. I felt it rather unnecessary, though it definitely leaves room for a sequel. I had to flip all the way to the first few pages to find the character that shows up, when he was only mentioned briefly in the very beginning. Though I'm sure it was meant to cause readers to open their mouths in shock, it fell flat for me:
"Wait... who the heck is Hank? Was he even in this story? Oooohhh.. yeah, that guy."
Another book, devoured. I'm realizing quite quickly through this quarantine that I gravitate towards thrillers, and specifically-- action-packed, page-turning, leave-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat, kind of thrillers. Which, within the first third of the book, I did not envision this one being that way for me. But like all good thrillers--PLOT TWIST--it did.
This was lent to me by a friend, and I had a little bit of knowledge of what I was getting into per her review as she handed it over to me: "Nothing overly impressive in regards to the writing and use of language, but a fun, fast-paced story." To which, I'd raise a glass in agreement.
I do love books that challenge and widen my vocabulary, as well as use literary techniques that make reading enlightening. Other times, flowery language and brilliantly artistic sentences aren't of importance, and the only thing that matters is an entertaining story. That is this book to me. Another one for the "Weekend Beach Read" category.
After that first third, each chapter ended like your favorite Netflix show, begging you to read "just one more". I found myself wake up early just to sneak a few more chapters in before the workday started because the action was tumbling at a rapid pace like a cartoon snowball, gaining more momentum and growing in size.
My only qualm would be that so much of the ending is so "convenient". Much like the woes of other reviews, the chances of all these crazy things coming together causes you to think, "Oh, come on, but what are the ODDS?!" But that's what we do with books and movies, we suspend our disbelief and the craziest of things come together and the most convenient of time and place. Plus, the epilogue. I felt it rather unnecessary, though it definitely leaves room for a sequel. I had to flip all the way to the first few pages to find the character that shows up, when he was only mentioned briefly in the very beginning. Though I'm sure it was meant to cause readers to open their mouths in shock, it fell flat for me:
"Wait... who the heck is Hank? Was he even in this story? Oooohhh.. yeah, that guy."
afwyt's review against another edition
5.0
Okay so...this was a crazy intricate woven web of a story that connected all so perfectly and tied up the very beginning to the end. Emily freaking Carpenter, this was wonderful! And I might add, nothing like the other 3.
I read this very quickly and I’m very happy I did. It made all the details easier to remember and I very much love a book that I can get lost in and finish so quickly.
I highly recommend. I definitely have my handful of authors that are a ‘must read’ or an ‘auto buy’ for new books, and Emily is one of those authors for me and hasn’t let me down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read this very quickly and I’m very happy I did. It made all the details easier to remember and I very much love a book that I can get lost in and finish so quickly.
I highly recommend. I definitely have my handful of authors that are a ‘must read’ or an ‘auto buy’ for new books, and Emily is one of those authors for me and hasn’t let me down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
kerrylonsdale's review against another edition
5.0
Emily Carpenter does it again! UNTIL THE DAY I DIE is a fast-paced, run-for-your-life thrilling read. She’s an expert at misdirection in her stories and I had no idea who the ultimate “bad guy” was until the reveal. Completely caught me off guard and I love that! This book is a mesh of thriller, suspense, and women's fiction, wrapped beautifully in Carpenter's Southern Gothic style of story-telling. The first half of the book is a nice simmer as the story builds and the second half...wow! Mach 10. Excuse me while I go catch my breath.
nixbix_reads's review against another edition
2.0
There's so many twists & turns in this book, it's a bit over the top. I found the first half to be slow - painfully slow - and I contemplated giving up like I had done the last time I tried to read this book. I am glad I stuck with it as it does pick up on the second half, but it was not enough to save it for me. I found the characters to be flat & was not able to connect with them, which made it hard to enjoy the book.
catreader18's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. There is a twist at the very end I did NOT see coming and it’s amazing. I love the characters and how the story grew the entire book. I highly recommend this book!
ashleysumm's review against another edition
5.0
A mother who desperately wants to reconnect with her daughter. A daughter who wants to be more independent. Can they find their way back to each other when they need each other the most?
After losing her husband, Erin is understandably falling apart at the seams. She cries all the time, she's asleep more than she's awake, and she spends the rest of her time working and trying to sell the company she started with her husband and their friends. Her daughter Shorie has learned the ins and outs of the company from her father since she was a little girl and had high hopes of joining the ranks herself. She frequently checks on the servers and reads through all of her Dad's old journals, except for his most recent one that has mysteriously disappeared after his untimely death. When Erin shows up at Shorie's college and has a complete meltdown, her family and friends come together and book a vacation away at a rehabilitation resort so she can rest and relax. Erin is deeply hurt by this, as she is just trying to work through her grief, but she reluctantly accepts the plane ticket and brochure and sets off. When she arrives on the island, everything looks absolutely beautiful, but something feels off. Nothing is at it seems, and Erin can't help but wonder if they sent her there to help her or just wanted her out of the way...
This book was a little slow to get into but once things kick off, it is an extremely fast-paced roller coaster ride that had me reading until dawn. I couldn't put it down for fear that I would miss something. The book is dual-perspective, with some chapters focusing on Erin and some focusing on Shorie. Emily Carpenter has a way with words and when I read her novels, I feel as though I am right there with the characters, experiencing what they are experiencing. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good thriller!!
After losing her husband, Erin is understandably falling apart at the seams. She cries all the time, she's asleep more than she's awake, and she spends the rest of her time working and trying to sell the company she started with her husband and their friends. Her daughter Shorie has learned the ins and outs of the company from her father since she was a little girl and had high hopes of joining the ranks herself. She frequently checks on the servers and reads through all of her Dad's old journals, except for his most recent one that has mysteriously disappeared after his untimely death. When Erin shows up at Shorie's college and has a complete meltdown, her family and friends come together and book a vacation away at a rehabilitation resort so she can rest and relax. Erin is deeply hurt by this, as she is just trying to work through her grief, but she reluctantly accepts the plane ticket and brochure and sets off. When she arrives on the island, everything looks absolutely beautiful, but something feels off. Nothing is at it seems, and Erin can't help but wonder if they sent her there to help her or just wanted her out of the way...
This book was a little slow to get into but once things kick off, it is an extremely fast-paced roller coaster ride that had me reading until dawn. I couldn't put it down for fear that I would miss something. The book is dual-perspective, with some chapters focusing on Erin and some focusing on Shorie. Emily Carpenter has a way with words and when I read her novels, I feel as though I am right there with the characters, experiencing what they are experiencing. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good thriller!!
robin_vdputte's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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
3.5
jamiee_f's review against another edition
4.0
Good dramatic mystery, loved the unspooling of it all.
alexjarvis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0