Reviews tagging 'Infertility'

Keep It In The Family by John Marrs

58 reviews

mel_is_sa_ledgend's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Very dark, good twists even though I managed to guess one. The story line is so dark that even if you predict what’s going to happen it’s still shocking. Slow in the beginning and then gripping throughout. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Infertility and Infidelity

kristinauria's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This was a really good story with an apt title. The pace started slow (minus a quarter star), but got really good at the halfway-ish mark where a major event happens, and continued to be good until the end. After that event, there is so much left to read that you wonder what possibly could be left?? The story being told in multiple POVs helps you get to know everyone and really understand how uniquely messed up everyone in the family is. None of the characters were likable, so at times I was struggling to be immersed in the actual plot (minus half a star). I actually feel sad for everyone involved. It all pays off, however, and although I had guessed “whodunnit” I was never 100% sure. I appreciate that there were additional layers to the story on top of just figuring out who did it. Any story that makes me go “Yooooo…. wut???” is a winner in my book. I recommend it if the trigger warnings don’t bother you.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Kidnapping, and Murder

Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Pregnancy, and Pandemic/Epidemic

sjexley's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.5

I'm rounding up to 5 stars bc I can't remember the last time a book made me gasp out loud bc of a twist.  I had to put the book down and gather my thoughts!  If you want twists and turns, John Marrs is your guy.  This book follows a couple that buys a house sight unseen (sure?) and uncovers a million family secrets in the process.  There is a lot of disturbing stuff in here (e.g. murder), but I could not look away.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Infertility, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

estimpert's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicide, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Animal cruelty, Infertility, Miscarriage, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Car accident, and Pregnancy

yinzer_barbie's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, and Pregnancy

literarypenguin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was my first John Marrs book and if I am being honest it was kind of a letdown. It wasn't a bad book by any means, it just wasn't amazing. Didn't really capture my attention like other thrillers I have read. 

The characters was the strongest part of the book, they were all flawed and their morals laid in a middle type of grey area. Nobody was perfect and I liked that. It made them more believable and you could relate to the struggles they were going through. I was a bit disappointed in the end with one of the characters Finn. That he made a choice that I was expecting him to go against or turn out differently. I guess when I think about it more it does make sense for the book in this case. The family did feel very dysfunctional and I got unsettled a couple of times when reading certain parts of the book.  

The plot of a decades old string of child murders being unsolved only for it to be brought out into the spotlight once again when bodies are found. It does show people's obsession with mysteries and how the press can be like vultures just to find the story even at the expanse of other people's lives. I do like that this book covers the publics obsession with those true crime stories that it sometimes overshadows the victims in the crimes themselves. 

This wasn't a bad book but I am still glad that I got to add this one into my rotation of thriller books for my reading. Maybe I can read more of his well received books that he has written next time.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism, Miscarriage, and Kidnapping

Minor: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Pandemic/Epidemic

kalaser's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Suicide, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: Confinement, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Death of parent

Minor: Eating disorder, Pregnancy, and Pandemic/Epidemic

beccah9191's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Good book but I had figured out some of the storyline from chapter 9 so was a bit predictable but overall it was a good story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Eating disorder, Infertility, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment

libbijade13's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I loved this book so much and am so glad I finally got the chance to read it. The only thing stopping me from giving 5 stars is just because some of the chapters were a little confusing timeline wise (however I know this was a part of the book that added to it's suspense).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Infertility, Miscarriage, Car accident, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Eating disorder and Self harm

cbbyles07's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was the most insane twisty thing I've read to date but I couldn't stop reading it. The premise is horrific, but I had to know what was going on. I swear ever three chapters my jaw was on the floor or I was saying wtf?! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Infertility, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Classism

Minor: Miscarriage

I don't know that I would read this if you're pregnant or just had a child. It will give you nightmares.