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lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
This is awful, I thought. It should not be this consuming. The deep shock of love had come with no warning, and ran with the force of water over rocks. It had the power to knock me down.
A psychological/quasi-domestic thriller that gets a little twisty and dark, and has a bunch of psycho-sexual issues at its core. I really liked it?? Two women (Bo, a successful older author, and Alice, a young aspiring one) meet at a writing class. Bo is the teacher, Alice is one of the participants. By the end of the week, they've formed a bond and start a correspondence that turns into romance and obsession. They've both got troubled pasts, things they've buried or are trying to get over, and it's not long before they mean everything to one another. Co-dependent, obsessive, fucked up relationships are just the kind of things I want to read about in thrillers, and this managed to stay interesting and entertaining, even while tackling a subject that books always muck up for me: motherhood.
I would again describe this as twisty rather than say it has many twists. I can't say I was super shocked by much that happened here? But that's never what impresses me about thrillers, so I didn't mind. I just liked the story progression and the descriptions of this relationship in all its awful glory. I want to remain vague, but let's just say I really like how the story was handled from both sides, and even when it got sinister, it never went down roads that I tend to dislike. It got kinda dark, and some parts made me so incredibly anxious that I just have to give kudos. And the ending... I tend to be super mercurial about thriller endings, and I instinctively quite liked this one.
One thing I could have done without was the depiction of the Roma; it was lacking nuance and felt kinda overdone, imo? Idk, your mileage may vary.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Katie Scarfe; really sublime. I have such a bad track record with thrillers so my hopes were not super high going into this, and I'm glad to have been so pleasantly surprised. And honestly, if you are a fan of thrillers, I still don't know if I'd recommend this? It's not all that thrilling. It's just that it happened to hit upon topics and terrible relationship dynamics that I love reading about. I do love obsession as a theme.
Content warnings:
Spoiler
parental death, child rape, child prostitution, child death, abuse/beating, infidelity, gaslightingI would love the fear away from her.
roseanswers's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so interesting. I think everyone should go into it without knowing too much.
ashleybhaley's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Stars
"Never have your well-being wrapped up in someone else –that had always been my mantra. Never. And if you do, retreat or get rid of them." - Sarah Stovell, Exquisite
The first half of this book reads like a mellow drama. The character building makes you think you know these people and that this is a tale of infatuation. Then things get twisty and soon everyone is unreliable and you're not sure who or what to believe. The description of this book is vague on purpose. I think it's best to go into this one pretty blind.
That being said... Unpopular opinion alert: I didn't like this book! I had such high expectations from all of the buzz, but there was something seriously lacking here and I can't talk about it because it would be a spoiler, so DM me if you've read this and want to discuss it at all... the ending came with no surprises or crazy plot twists, no shock factor. I never even got a racing heartbeat like most thrillers give me... I just felt let down.
However, I love descriptive writing, and I love analogies, so I did enjoy pieces of this book... "The afternoon lay grey as a secret." - doesn't that just say so much?!
"Never have your well-being wrapped up in someone else –that had always been my mantra. Never. And if you do, retreat or get rid of them." - Sarah Stovell, Exquisite
The first half of this book reads like a mellow drama. The character building makes you think you know these people and that this is a tale of infatuation. Then things get twisty and soon everyone is unreliable and you're not sure who or what to believe. The description of this book is vague on purpose. I think it's best to go into this one pretty blind.
That being said... Unpopular opinion alert: I didn't like this book! I had such high expectations from all of the buzz, but there was something seriously lacking here and I can't talk about it because it would be a spoiler, so DM me if you've read this and want to discuss it at all... the ending came with no surprises or crazy plot twists, no shock factor. I never even got a racing heartbeat like most thrillers give me... I just felt let down.
However, I love descriptive writing, and I love analogies, so I did enjoy pieces of this book... "The afternoon lay grey as a secret." - doesn't that just say so much?!
kaleenazagrzebski's review against another edition
5.0
Bravo to the ladies over at Black Heart Reads (@blackheartreads) for such an amazing first pick! I hadn't seen or heard of Exquisite before they announced it as their November pick, and I'm so glad they did, because otherwise I would not have picked up this 5-star read.
Exquisite is about successful author, Bo Luxton, who decides to host a writers workshop where she meets Alice Dark, a young, aspiring writer who hasn't been able to get her life on track. Following the retreat, the two continue to stay in touch via email, and Alice visits Bo's home while her husband is away. The book goes back and forth between Alice's view of the relationship, and Bo's view of the relationship, both a little different, but you don't know who is telling the truth.
I really loved the writing in this book and how the book progressed, making you want to believe both sides of the story. I usually prefer plot driven books, rather than character driven books, but the characters in this book were just crazy enough for me to enjoy their progression and story.
Exquisite is about successful author, Bo Luxton, who decides to host a writers workshop where she meets Alice Dark, a young, aspiring writer who hasn't been able to get her life on track. Following the retreat, the two continue to stay in touch via email, and Alice visits Bo's home while her husband is away. The book goes back and forth between Alice's view of the relationship, and Bo's view of the relationship, both a little different, but you don't know who is telling the truth.
I really loved the writing in this book and how the book progressed, making you want to believe both sides of the story. I usually prefer plot driven books, rather than character driven books, but the characters in this book were just crazy enough for me to enjoy their progression and story.
portybelle's review against another edition
5.0
That sinister cover gives just a hint of what is inside - dark and light. But is the aptly named Alice Dark the darkness and Bo Luxton the light - lux=light doesn't it? Well frankly, I'm not sure and neither will you be if you read this book about obsessive love. Bo Luxton is a successful author with several bestsellers under her belt. Alice is an aspiring writer who meets Bo at a writing course Bo is leading in Northumberland. There is an immediate connection between the two, more than just student and teacher, which continues after the course.
It is going to be quite difficult to talk about this book without giving something away! The structure of the book is very clever. Initially chapters alternate between the two characters, then there is a large section from one point of view, then from the other character's point of view. I'm carefully not saying which is which! Scattered throughout, are short chapters narrated by either Bo or Alice who is in prison. The question is which of the women is this narrator? The connection between the two women builds up throughout the story to create a really intense atmosphere, almost claustrophobic relationship. I was cleverly led to believe one thing when all of a sudden my whole perspective was dramatically altered. I found myself looking back to see if I had missed anything but the author had masterfully guided me to think one thing then turned everything on its head. Who then was I to believe - Bo or Alice or neither of them?
I was interested that both the women were damaged individuals from broken backgrounds who were desperately seeking the love and acceptance they had not received in their childhoods. In a way, they both acted like children with their manipulation, trying to cover up their mistakes and misdeeds by lying. Both characters were full of flaws and frailties. Like children, they both had that tendency to become fixated and obsessed.
The author brilliantly conveys this story of obsessive love and its fallout, and will make you question who and what you can believe even when it is in front of you. Right to the end you will have questions and you may find they are not all answered, leaving you to come to your own conclusions. When I had completed the book, I went back and re-read several sections with fresh eyes and of course was able to read more meaning in them. It's a tense read with an undercurrent of danger bubbling just below the surface throughout. Exquisite is an highly addictive domestic noir tale which I couldn't put down.
It is going to be quite difficult to talk about this book without giving something away! The structure of the book is very clever. Initially chapters alternate between the two characters, then there is a large section from one point of view, then from the other character's point of view. I'm carefully not saying which is which! Scattered throughout, are short chapters narrated by either Bo or Alice who is in prison. The question is which of the women is this narrator? The connection between the two women builds up throughout the story to create a really intense atmosphere, almost claustrophobic relationship. I was cleverly led to believe one thing when all of a sudden my whole perspective was dramatically altered. I found myself looking back to see if I had missed anything but the author had masterfully guided me to think one thing then turned everything on its head. Who then was I to believe - Bo or Alice or neither of them?
I was interested that both the women were damaged individuals from broken backgrounds who were desperately seeking the love and acceptance they had not received in their childhoods. In a way, they both acted like children with their manipulation, trying to cover up their mistakes and misdeeds by lying. Both characters were full of flaws and frailties. Like children, they both had that tendency to become fixated and obsessed.
The author brilliantly conveys this story of obsessive love and its fallout, and will make you question who and what you can believe even when it is in front of you. Right to the end you will have questions and you may find they are not all answered, leaving you to come to your own conclusions. When I had completed the book, I went back and re-read several sections with fresh eyes and of course was able to read more meaning in them. It's a tense read with an undercurrent of danger bubbling just below the surface throughout. Exquisite is an highly addictive domestic noir tale which I couldn't put down.
lilywearden's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
stormlightreader's review against another edition
4.0
"Ugliness exists only where humans have altered the landscape"
I added Exquisite to my GoodReads TBR when I first joined in 2015/2016 and just never got around to it.
It was a well paced psychological thriller, focusing on an unhinged woman (or two?). Nothing groundbreaking, but I did get pissed off with Bo and Alice was quite easily taken in. Overall, a quick, entertaining read.
I added Exquisite to my GoodReads TBR when I first joined in 2015/2016 and just never got around to it.
It was a well paced psychological thriller, focusing on an unhinged woman (or two?). Nothing groundbreaking, but I did get pissed off with Bo and Alice was quite easily taken in. Overall, a quick, entertaining read.
mpr2000's review against another edition
4.0
Not all the love stories have a beautiful ending, that's what we will learn with this tragic story between Bo and Alice. Which is the line between love and obsession? Sometimes this line is blurred and we don't know how to turn back, or maybe we don't want to?
This book talks about obsession, love, lust and suffering; how your childhood, good or bad can influence on your decisions, but never, never, can be the excuse to your behaviour, you always have the chance to decide what you really want. Your past could be your defence, but it's never the real reason of your actions!
Exquisite is not just a story, it has so many sub-plots that at the end you will want to re-read the book to catch and understand everything.
Exquisite is the word I would use to describe this psychological thriller, in which via a beautiful prose we become captivated with these two characters, teacher and alumni, lovers... that on the end they are simply human and just want and need to be loved.
I would love to read more about Alice and Bo's story, will their paths cross again? Will they ever be able to be friends? So many questions but no answers...
Take a breath and start reading Exquisite, it will surprise you!
Have you ever dreamed being a writer?
This book talks about obsession, love, lust and suffering; how your childhood, good or bad can influence on your decisions, but never, never, can be the excuse to your behaviour, you always have the chance to decide what you really want. Your past could be your defence, but it's never the real reason of your actions!
Exquisite is not just a story, it has so many sub-plots that at the end you will want to re-read the book to catch and understand everything.
Exquisite is the word I would use to describe this psychological thriller, in which via a beautiful prose we become captivated with these two characters, teacher and alumni, lovers... that on the end they are simply human and just want and need to be loved.
I would love to read more about Alice and Bo's story, will their paths cross again? Will they ever be able to be friends? So many questions but no answers...
Take a breath and start reading Exquisite, it will surprise you!
Have you ever dreamed being a writer?
sjj169's review against another edition
3.0
Opening up with a character talking to you from a woman's prison? You realize that maybe she isn't quite right? I got so excited I about peed my pants.
I've been on a total worship of Netflixing Wentworth and was hoping for some good evil woman stuff going on.
(Kelly, I will shut up one day about this show so get your finger off that unfriend button)
I shoulda realized that NO ONE tops Ferguson.
Anyways, this story is about an author who is teaching a writer's retreat. On the retreat she meets a young girl who catches her eye. Alice is free spirited with some mommy issues.
After the retreat is over-the author (Bo) wants to stay in contact to 'help' Alice with her writing.
Alice is so flattered and giddy that the great Bo Luxton wants to help her.
Then some crap goes down.
I'm not telling what. Because spoilers.
You really do need to walk into this book sorta blind to enjoy it. So there is that. Sorry to get you all excited for some juicy details.
I will say that I think one of the characters wasn't as fleshed out as the other one. BECAUSE if you are doing an evil woman I want some fleshed out.
The storyline also went predictably. So points were deducted. 2.5 stars.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
I've been on a total worship of Netflixing Wentworth and was hoping for some good evil woman stuff going on.
(Kelly, I will shut up one day about this show so get your finger off that unfriend button)
I shoulda realized that NO ONE tops Ferguson.
Anyways, this story is about an author who is teaching a writer's retreat. On the retreat she meets a young girl who catches her eye. Alice is free spirited with some mommy issues.
After the retreat is over-the author (Bo) wants to stay in contact to 'help' Alice with her writing.
Alice is so flattered and giddy that the great Bo Luxton wants to help her.
Then some crap goes down.
I'm not telling what. Because spoilers.
You really do need to walk into this book sorta blind to enjoy it. So there is that. Sorry to get you all excited for some juicy details.
I will say that I think one of the characters wasn't as fleshed out as the other one. BECAUSE if you are doing an evil woman I want some fleshed out.
The storyline also went predictably. So points were deducted. 2.5 stars.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.