ladyofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
For those who liked tv shows like Charmed, Ghost Whisperer and Medium and miss watching those shows? This is a great take on a sarcastic female character driven "I see dead people" start of a series. Peri Jean is Nancy Drew, but a more mature version of her. There's plenty of things to like here but the first in a series also has it's strange quirks that didn't make sense to me. Overall, 4.5
gabyk_lib's review against another edition
4.0
I've got to be honest. I've not done massively well by Book Bub freebies but this one has broken the trend. Great writing, interesting characters and a believable world. Recommended.
spookshow's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. What an awesome first book! I loved the mystery and the mix of supernatural in it. I really enjoy Peri as a character as well as all the others that were introduced.
I can't fault anything! So looking forward to reading the rest!
I can't fault anything! So looking forward to reading the rest!
nura_aziz's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 stars :-)
This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for a review.
I have to admit, I accepted this commission because my reading slump is getting worse. If I have to do a task, then I can push myself to finish reading the book :-). And paranormal is not really my thing (except for Amanda Quick's romances...hehe...), but maybe I need to go out of my usual read to get some fresh air that I needed to boost up my reading. Plus, I might meet my new favorite author.
The beginning was a bit messy. The first 3 introductional chapters did not impressed me and I was readying myself for some torturous journey. But surprisingly, the story get interesting once the mystery started. The author have a good way of describing the details and I did feel the horror and spookiness of the other world, especially scenes that featuring Rae's ghost. The plot was smoothly laid out and the subplots didn't intersect with one another.
But, the storytelling felt a bit juvenille. It was like reading one of Nancy Drew's adventure. It could even be called a clean read ;-) . The heroin supposedly a 30 year old divorcee, but it felt like she is an 18 year old school girl. The 'adultness' feel is not there much. There was a romance, but it doesn't overshadow Peri's 'investigations' at all and I like it more because of this.
Even though the story is good enough, but still I did guess the links and it didn't surprised me at all when the murderer was revealed. Just wish that it was my power of deduction that lead to the right answer...hehhehe.
And I am sure will read the next mystery. I am intrigued to know where all this will lead Peri :-D
PS - I have read the excerp for the next book, and I think the author has improved a lot! Can't wait to read the full story.
This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for a review.
I have to admit, I accepted this commission because my reading slump is getting worse. If I have to do a task, then I can push myself to finish reading the book :-). And paranormal is not really my thing (except for Amanda Quick's romances...hehe...), but maybe I need to go out of my usual read to get some fresh air that I needed to boost up my reading. Plus, I might meet my new favorite author.
The beginning was a bit messy. The first 3 introductional chapters did not impressed me and I was readying myself for some torturous journey. But surprisingly, the story get interesting once the mystery started. The author have a good way of describing the details and I did feel the horror and spookiness of the other world, especially scenes that featuring Rae's ghost. The plot was smoothly laid out and the subplots didn't intersect with one another.
But, the storytelling felt a bit juvenille. It was like reading one of Nancy Drew's adventure. It could even be called a clean read ;-) . The heroin supposedly a 30 year old divorcee, but it felt like she is an 18 year old school girl. The 'adultness' feel is not there much. There was a romance, but it doesn't overshadow Peri's 'investigations' at all and I like it more because of this.
Even though the story is good enough, but still I did guess the links and it didn't surprised me at all when the murderer was revealed. Just wish that it was my power of deduction that lead to the right answer...hehhehe.
And I am sure will read the next mystery. I am intrigued to know where all this will lead Peri :-D
PS - I have read the excerp for the next book, and I think the author has improved a lot! Can't wait to read the full story.
xakyr's review
1.0
I really didn't care for this book at all! I couldn't connect with Peri at all as a character, as it felt like she was going out of her way to alienate anyone near her save for her grandmother. The villain was easily identified, and most of what he did made me extremely uncomfortable. The sheriff's department was the stereotypical good boy type, and really didn't move above listening to town gossip. The paranormal element was somewhat interesting, but mostly ignored by the main character. All in all, just wasn't my cup of tea and I won't be continuing the series.
meiko's review against another edition
3.0
I got this book on the condition of an honest review.
Paranormal thriller. I do read this type of books, but usually in a more urban setting. Also, usually less blood and death... or at least, the death is treated more 'comically' or 'fantastic', than this was.
I must say though that this first novel really read fairly... non-paranormal, if you take out all the ghost characters. The story would probably still move on, and the characters would still stand.
Which was a refreshing approach for me to a paranormal thriller. It read pretty much like a romance/thriller, maybe more romance than thriller, because how the lead came about her partner was very romance like. That is not to say the thriller element was weak, it was just enough to balance the story and made itself into the holy trinity that is this creation: thriller, romance and paranormal setting.
I find the protagonist a tad easier to connect than I initially envisioned. Me, being as far apart from Texan (wrong nationality), tough girl (super soppy), and ghost seeing, as possible.
I was wrong. I failed to identify with her every action, but I think in the end the story and the characters both carried enough weight to be likeable and believable.
Personally I felt some of the characters were a bit less three-dimensional than others, mostly the men. I guess being a female writer has some drawbacks where the male psyche is difficult to fully grasp, and thus the male characters end up being less complex. But being the first book, with the plot intriguing enough, I'd say it's fairly easy to overlook these things and focus on the story.
3 stars, for room of improvement.
Paranormal thriller. I do read this type of books, but usually in a more urban setting. Also, usually less blood and death... or at least, the death is treated more 'comically' or 'fantastic', than this was.
I must say though that this first novel really read fairly... non-paranormal, if you take out all the ghost characters. The story would probably still move on, and the characters would still stand.
Which was a refreshing approach for me to a paranormal thriller. It read pretty much like a romance/thriller, maybe more romance than thriller, because how the lead came about her partner was very romance like. That is not to say the thriller element was weak, it was just enough to balance the story and made itself into the holy trinity that is this creation: thriller, romance and paranormal setting.
I find the protagonist a tad easier to connect than I initially envisioned. Me, being as far apart from Texan (wrong nationality), tough girl (super soppy), and ghost seeing, as possible.
I was wrong. I failed to identify with her every action, but I think in the end the story and the characters both carried enough weight to be likeable and believable.
Personally I felt some of the characters were a bit less three-dimensional than others, mostly the men. I guess being a female writer has some drawbacks where the male psyche is difficult to fully grasp, and thus the male characters end up being less complex. But being the first book, with the plot intriguing enough, I'd say it's fairly easy to overlook these things and focus on the story.
3 stars, for room of improvement.
slc333's review against another edition
3.0
It kept my interest. I wanted to know what was going to happen next and see how the characters were going to interact. Peri Jean was ok – a little aggressive and quick to anger, but loyal and mouthy and I enjoyed her investigations. I took a while to warm to Dean. I really liked Hannah. She is a good loyal friend who calls Dean & Peri Jean on their bullshit. The mystery wasn’t too hard to figure out but I enjoyed the investigative journey with Peri Jean nonetheless. It did have kind of a depressive undertone to the whole thing but that was reflective of what I imagine it actually would be like being different and living in a small town without a lot of money or options and being judged so it was actually good writing.
paperbackstash's review against another edition
3.0
This year I’ve been into books this year where the lead can speak or see ghosts. It’s a fascinating ability that can open doors to interesting plots in fantasy. In Forever Road the heroine can see ghosts, and the whole town seems to know it, but the communication isn’t always friendly and isn’t done with words. The ghosts in this series can touch objects, influence temperature, and touch people. Some the spirits are downright scary and irritating, which lends a unique flavor to this genre trope. It’s not the typical see-ghost story because of that.
It’s also unique because it’s in a country mode with the dialect, thinking and small town atmosphere. The heroine is already an outcast because of her ability but it’s not easy shrugging off a mother who wants nothing to do with her, a trashy cousin who gets murdered in the trailer next door, and the cops who dislike her on principle already.
The mystery is decent when her cousin comes to a bad end. There’s some scrum of the earth in the book that comes across convincing. I wasn’t surprised at the secret villain but it was well done anyway. The heroine is decent but sometimes her personality is a bit much to take, not my favorite personality type but I do dig heroines with flaws. I did like the cop Dean.
There’s a lot of country feels here – ya’ll, small town mindset, and language. Violence when done goes all out, and sailor language galore. A love triangle seems to be brewing, too.
I didn’t have enough chemistry with the series to seek out the sequels, but it’s a unique start to a series that dares to be different and has some things going for it mystery wise.
It’s also unique because it’s in a country mode with the dialect, thinking and small town atmosphere. The heroine is already an outcast because of her ability but it’s not easy shrugging off a mother who wants nothing to do with her, a trashy cousin who gets murdered in the trailer next door, and the cops who dislike her on principle already.
The mystery is decent when her cousin comes to a bad end. There’s some scrum of the earth in the book that comes across convincing. I wasn’t surprised at the secret villain but it was well done anyway. The heroine is decent but sometimes her personality is a bit much to take, not my favorite personality type but I do dig heroines with flaws. I did like the cop Dean.
There’s a lot of country feels here – ya’ll, small town mindset, and language. Violence when done goes all out, and sailor language galore. A love triangle seems to be brewing, too.
I didn’t have enough chemistry with the series to seek out the sequels, but it’s a unique start to a series that dares to be different and has some things going for it mystery wise.
kristenwestfall's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't love the story, but the writing was so, so good. The characters felt real and vital.
jadeshea's review against another edition
3.0
Forever Road begins when Peri's cousin is murdered. Now, she's bound and determined to find out who the killer is,especially since the local small town cops just want to blame her best friend without much of an investigation.
Along the way, Peri learns of lots of secrets, and keeps having runins with the new deputy in town. Things keep getting worse for her, but she isn't going to give up till she finds out who did it and why.
This book was a great mystery! I really enjoyed it a lot. I liked Peri for the most part, even though I was frustrated with some of the other characters in the story. I also wish there had been a little bit more "feeling" in the book. It was really hard to feel what the characters felt, but other than that I liked the book. It was a nice mystery if your in the mood for it.
Along the way, Peri learns of lots of secrets, and keeps having runins with the new deputy in town. Things keep getting worse for her, but she isn't going to give up till she finds out who did it and why.
This book was a great mystery! I really enjoyed it a lot. I liked Peri for the most part, even though I was frustrated with some of the other characters in the story. I also wish there had been a little bit more "feeling" in the book. It was really hard to feel what the characters felt, but other than that I liked the book. It was a nice mystery if your in the mood for it.