badly_behaved_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
It's Hannah's turn to help take care of her mother Dorothy, who is suffering from dementia. In an apparent moment of memory lapse, Dorothy tells Hannah she is not her daughter; and Hannah is convinced her mother means it. Dun-Dun-Dun! Except this story never lives up to the promised dark, mysterious heartbreaking truth about Hannah's past.
Being the victim of parental lies should make Hannah very sympathetic--except, she isn't. She is a cold, self-centered woman. The author Victoria Helen Stone wants the reader to believe Hannah is some rebel spirit breaking free of her Plain-Jane family that never understood, nor appreciated her. Hannah's reactions and thoughts are incredibly immature for a woman supposedly in her forties. So much so, she starts calling the mother who raised her "Dorothy" while being consumed by a fantasy of reuniting with a communal, hippy-loving momma somewhere in the wilderness.
The road to the truth is a long, winding, uneventful one. Along the way Hannah meets a hermit, who clearly knows more about momma than he's saying; a hunky pub owner, with a secret of his own, and some randoms, who also happens to be linked to momma. Hannah treats anyone unable to give her detailed answers about a commune that died out over forty years ago as a bother and an obstacle.
I'd like to say by the end of the book Hannah has experienced a soul-changing epiphany, but nope. She's pretty much the same woman, albeit a tad less self-centered.
While this isn't the worst book I've read this year, it wasn't good either. I give it a two and a quarter rating. But I suspect this isn't the author's best work so I might give her a second chance.
Being the victim of parental lies should make Hannah very sympathetic--except, she isn't. She is a cold, self-centered woman. The author Victoria Helen Stone wants the reader to believe Hannah is some rebel spirit breaking free of her Plain-Jane family that never understood, nor appreciated her. Hannah's reactions and thoughts are incredibly immature for a woman supposedly in her forties. So much so, she starts calling the mother who raised her "Dorothy" while being consumed by a fantasy of reuniting with a communal, hippy-loving momma somewhere in the wilderness.
The road to the truth is a long, winding, uneventful one. Along the way Hannah meets a hermit, who clearly knows more about momma than he's saying; a hunky pub owner, with a secret of his own, and some randoms, who also happens to be linked to momma. Hannah treats anyone unable to give her detailed answers about a commune that died out over forty years ago as a bother and an obstacle.
Spoiler
Hannah's gratitude is reserved for a one-night-stand with the tight tush of the hunky pub owner. The sudden edition of side-candy romance unmasked this wannabe thriller for the women's fiction it is. That whole scenario is just cheesy.I'd like to say by the end of the book Hannah has experienced a soul-changing epiphany, but nope. She's pretty much the same woman, albeit a tad less self-centered.
While this isn't the worst book I've read this year, it wasn't good either. I give it a two and a quarter rating. But I suspect this isn't the author's best work so I might give her a second chance.
christycorr's review against another edition
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
boxofdelights's review against another edition
4.0
Victoria Helen Stone's protagonists think they are bad people, but they are seem pretty normally selfish, amoral, and cruel. Maybe not as good as hiding it as most people. They fail at doing the extra work women have to do in order to be good: nurturing, empathizing, sustaining relationships, putting others' needs ahead of their own. But if they were men, no one, including themselves, would think there was anything wrong with them.
cherrysoda9_9's review against another edition
3.0
I actually quite enjoyed the overall story that took place. The slow unravel of the mystery was done really well and, even though I sort of had an idea of the final outcome, I didn't have it completely figured out.
My only real complaint is that I didn't think any of the characters acted their age. Hannah is supposed to be in her mid 40s, but she acts like she's in her 20s. She and her sisters argue like teenagers, and the way she interacted with both Gabriel and Jeff just seemed way younger than she actually was. Perhaps this was a deliberate writing choice but I consistently thought of her as being around my age or, at the most, mid 30s. Shes also not a very likeable character but that is deliberate and understandable as you read.
My only real complaint is that I didn't think any of the characters acted their age. Hannah is supposed to be in her mid 40s, but she acts like she's in her 20s. She and her sisters argue like teenagers, and the way she interacted with both Gabriel and Jeff just seemed way younger than she actually was. Perhaps this was a deliberate writing choice but I consistently thought of her as being around my age or, at the most, mid 30s. Shes also not a very likeable character but that is deliberate and understandable as you read.
hecksh's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway. I upgraded to an audio version. I was quickly pulled into the story and found a project to do at my house so I could continue listening. The connection I felt with the characters was strong as I was quickly pulled into the story. I really got you thinking - what would I do! It is a great journey of self-discovery later in life and got me thinking about the big choices we all make.
hopemarie_f_hughes's review against another edition
4.0
Intriguing read with not a lot of closure, but that’s a lot like life.
johaly's review against another edition
5.0
That was it for Gabriel?! No more tacos and whiskeys? Ugh my fragile heart. I loved that guy. Maybe it’s my biased weakness to Spanish men but Gabriel was sexy as hell. But I get it. The story was bigger than him.
Great, quick read! It was full of all the drama and mystery I had hoped for. I think I can say I am definitely a fan of Victoria’s edgy style. Already preordered “Jane Doe”.
Great, quick read! It was full of all the drama and mystery I had hoped for. I think I can say I am definitely a fan of Victoria’s edgy style. Already preordered “Jane Doe”.