bougainvillea's review
2.0
Really weird book. I like the main character, but so much is problematic in terms of gender and sexual violence.
shelovestoread81's review
4.0
I thought this book was very good and can't wait to read the next in the series.
vesper1931's review
4.0
I found this a very good read, and liked the characters and I hope to read more in the series
sls0369's review
4.0
Giulia Falcone is a former nun trying to make her way in the world. She works for P.I. Frank Driscoll, first as his administrative assistant, then as an investigator-in-training. When the case they're working on takes a personal turn, their relationship and Giulia's life are put in jeopardy.
I very much enjoyed the premise of the former nun as a private investigator. Watching Giulia struggle with the real world after being so sheltered in the nunnery was very interesting. Giulia isn't a shrinking violet, though. She stands up for herself and what she believes in, and doesn't take any crap. I wanted to punch Frank on her behalf for a few chapters, but I eventually got over it.
Honestly, it took a little while for me to get into this book, but once I did I didn't want to put it down, including staying up way too late to read just one more chapter.
I had the honor of meeting the author at a book signing and talk a few weeks ago. I wish her luck with her other books.
I very much enjoyed the premise of the former nun as a private investigator. Watching Giulia struggle with the real world after being so sheltered in the nunnery was very interesting. Giulia isn't a shrinking violet, though. She stands up for herself and what she believes in, and doesn't take any crap. I wanted to punch Frank on her behalf for a few chapters, but I eventually got over it.
Honestly, it took a little while for me to get into this book, but once I did I didn't want to put it down, including staying up way too late to read just one more chapter.
I had the honor of meeting the author at a book signing and talk a few weeks ago. I wish her luck with her other books.
ramseyhootman's review
3.0
Force of Habit is a crisp, tightly-written whodunnit with a unique protagonist. Giulia is a "failed" nun, having been out of the convent and essentially trying to make herself disappear for a year. At thirty years old, she has the mental habits of a 60 year old nun and the naivete of a 16 year old girl.
Interestingly, this book did not really come together for me until page 100 or so, when something horrible happens to Giulia. Prior to that, the characters just weren't really solid in my mind. But as soon as the critical moment occurred it was like BAM, everything came into focus. I think it might be because of Giulia's almost dual personality, mentioned above. She's a very interesting character, but hard to identify with because she is so different. I would have loved to have gotten even further into her head, though too much introspection probably would have pushed this book outside of genre lines.
I liked Giulia and sympathized with her, but I found myself wanting to slap her at times. After what her partner says to her at one point, I never would have spoken to the man again; I won't spoil anything here, but let's just say that her reaction is a little more passive. This is definitely a component of her character - her self-confidence is basically dead - but I almost wanted this book to end with her pistol-whipping all of the male characters and sauntering off into the sunset on her own.
The writing style is crisp and clean and very readable. Loweecey uses a lot of humor and banter between characters - but much of it was either lost on me or required a couple of readings to get. I don't think this has much to do with the author's style... I suck at humor, particularly one-liners and innuendo, and this seemed particularly geared toward the snappy dialogue one expects from a "hardboiled" mystery. (Is this hardboiled? I have no idea. Maybe?) So yeah, reader error.
Overall: a good solid read with a few hiccoughs at the beginning. I'll definitely pick up the next book to see whether Giulia gets the balls to dump her partner!
Interestingly, this book did not really come together for me until page 100 or so, when something horrible happens to Giulia. Prior to that, the characters just weren't really solid in my mind. But as soon as the critical moment occurred it was like BAM, everything came into focus. I think it might be because of Giulia's almost dual personality, mentioned above. She's a very interesting character, but hard to identify with because she is so different. I would have loved to have gotten even further into her head, though too much introspection probably would have pushed this book outside of genre lines.
I liked Giulia and sympathized with her, but I found myself wanting to slap her at times. After what her partner says to her at one point, I never would have spoken to the man again; I won't spoil anything here, but let's just say that her reaction is a little more passive. This is definitely a component of her character - her self-confidence is basically dead - but I almost wanted this book to end with her pistol-whipping all of the male characters and sauntering off into the sunset on her own.
The writing style is crisp and clean and very readable. Loweecey uses a lot of humor and banter between characters - but much of it was either lost on me or required a couple of readings to get. I don't think this has much to do with the author's style... I suck at humor, particularly one-liners and innuendo, and this seemed particularly geared toward the snappy dialogue one expects from a "hardboiled" mystery. (Is this hardboiled? I have no idea. Maybe?) So yeah, reader error.
Overall: a good solid read with a few hiccoughs at the beginning. I'll definitely pick up the next book to see whether Giulia gets the balls to dump her partner!
heabookclub's review
5.0
It was terrifying and amazing and shocking and so so so good.
Blake was aggravating but at the end, a little adorable, too.
I loved Sidney. She was hilarious and adding Olivier was perfect.
Sandra and Don were terrifying. Gosh, I wish Hogarth and Blake would have let Frank go at the hospital.
I also really loved Aida and the cops, they were all so sweet to Giulia.
I never wanted to stop. An ex-nun to private investigator is such an interesting plot line. I'm so glad I decided to read this.
Spoiler
Frank is the cutest person ever and him and Guilia make me want to sob into my pillow forever.Blake was aggravating but at the end, a little adorable, too.
I loved Sidney. She was hilarious and adding Olivier was perfect.
Sandra and Don were terrifying. Gosh, I wish Hogarth and Blake would have let Frank go at the hospital.
I also really loved Aida and the cops, they were all so sweet to Giulia.
I never wanted to stop. An ex-nun to private investigator is such an interesting plot line. I'm so glad I decided to read this.
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