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brandie_abbie19's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Xenophobia
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This story follows Ava and her college roommate Winnie as they create a counterfeit luxury handbag business.
This book is split into two parts. The first half sees Ava being interviewed by the police as to her involvement in the business. We see a bored and bitter housewife who gets manipulated by an old friend. She comes off as the innocent party who was completely taken advantage of.
Then we get to the second part which is from Winnie's POV and the entire story shifts. I liked the shift in the story. The second part was much more interesting than the first.
I really liked that this story focused on a strong female friendship and the drive of these women. Winnie and Ava are both extremely hardworking and driven women who will do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.
I really enjoyed the audio version.
This book is split into two parts. The first half sees Ava being interviewed by the police as to her involvement in the business. We see a bored and bitter housewife who gets manipulated by an old friend. She comes off as the innocent party who was completely taken advantage of.
Then we get to the second part which is from Winnie's POV and the entire story shifts. I liked the shift in the story. The second part was much more interesting than the first.
I really liked that this story focused on a strong female friendship and the drive of these women. Winnie and Ava are both extremely hardworking and driven women who will do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.
I really enjoyed the audio version.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
thenovelmaura's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of my favorite audiobooks of the year! This book was so entertaining; the characters were fun and morally gray, and I love a good "listen as I tell my side of the story, Detective" framing. Ava was sometimes frustrating but you had to respect her hustle, and I loved how the dynamic between Ava and Winnie evolved as time went on. Since the focus was mainly on these two women, they were solidly fleshed-out and I could relate to different elements of their lives and histories without supporting all of their decisions. There was a twist right at the point where the story starts to lag, so that was perfectly timed.
My one issue is that I don't understand how they made any money from the central scam of the book... how is it profitable to return an exact dupe and then sell the real handbag online and retail? It might be less risky but you're not making any additional money. Honestly, I mostly overlooked this detail because the storytelling was engaging and I was along for the ride!
My one issue is that I don't understand how they made any money from the central scam of the book... how is it profitable to return an exact dupe and then sell the real handbag online and retail? It might be less risky but you're not making any additional money. Honestly, I mostly overlooked this detail because the storytelling was engaging and I was along for the ride!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Terminal illness
debosmitathereader's review against another edition
funny
fast-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Toxic relationship
kshertz's review
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I love thrillers with plot twists that you never see coming. I couldn’t stop listening to this one. It was a thrilling ride and I was very invested in the characters. I’m a sucker for an unreliable narrator too. Definitely recommend. Some inaccuracies in character development is the only reason it’s not a 5.0. Read it! It’s great!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, Sexism, Trafficking, and Gaslighting
lilycollings's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I think this is a 2.5 or 3 star read. There were points that I was hooked but at other points it felt like I was reading things that weren't necessary for the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Racial slurs, and Racism
vaniavela's review
adventurous
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is an easy read. The story begins with a first-person narration by Ava, who narrates her experiences with Winnie to the detective. Ava is not really likable, but she had good character development. That said, aside from her and Winnie, the other characters have no personality at all. They all seem really one dimensional.
Through this book we not only get an interesting premise, but insight into complex issues such as family expectations, consumerism, and labor exploitation.
Unfortunately it was a bit difficult to read because there were no quotation marks through most of the book. Being honest, I don't like that style of writing, especially since there is a lot of talking and no action.
Overall it was a great book, but I'm hoping for better!
tw: toxic friendship, toxic relationship, xenophobia, racism, alcoholism, medical content.
Through this book we not only get an interesting premise, but insight into complex issues such as family expectations, consumerism, and labor exploitation.
Unfortunately it was a bit difficult to read because there were no quotation marks through most of the book. Being honest, I don't like that style of writing, especially since there is a lot of talking and no action.
Overall it was a great book, but I'm hoping for better!
tw: toxic friendship, toxic relationship, xenophobia, racism, alcoholism, medical content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racism, and Medical content
erinmjustice's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racism, Medical content, and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism and Terminal illness
anna_23's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Medical content
stephbakerbooks's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a good quick listen; it kept me engaged and entertained, it surprised me in some places, though I was left with mixed feelings about the ending, unsure how I'm supposed to feel about the characters.
Most of the story is written as a conversation between Ava and a police detective, as she recounts how she got involved with the counterfeit scheme. I liked this narrative device and I think it served the story well, but I think the story would work better as a movie. Especially with the handbags—because honestly I am not a handbag person and had no idea what these bags were supposed to look like haha.
Even though the ending left me unsure how I feel about Ava and Winnie, they both still get nice development and complexity throughout the story and I appreciated that. I would actually say the characters are a little stronger than the plot here.
Anyways, it was an enjoyable listen and I'd definitely recommend the audiobook route for this one!
Thank you to Libro.fm, HarperAudio, and the author for my ALC!
Most of the story is written as a conversation between Ava and a police detective, as she recounts how she got involved with the counterfeit scheme. I liked this narrative device and I think it served the story well, but I think the story would work better as a movie. Especially with the handbags—because honestly I am not a handbag person and had no idea what these bags were supposed to look like haha.
Even though the ending left me unsure how I feel about Ava and Winnie, they both still get nice development and complexity throughout the story and I appreciated that. I would actually say the characters are a little stronger than the plot here.
Anyways, it was an enjoyable listen and I'd definitely recommend the audiobook route for this one!
Thank you to Libro.fm, HarperAudio, and the author for my ALC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcoholism and Racism
Minor: Terminal illness, Medical content, and Death of parent