Contemporary Romance Publication date : May 6, 2021 Narrated by: Laura Elsworthy Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins
Kitty Clayton (26) is running away from Contemporary Romance Publication date : May 6, 2021 Narrated by: Laura Elsworthy Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins
Kitty Clayton (26) is running away from her wedding reception. She has no money, not even her phone with her. When a man in a VW campervan stops and offers her a lift, she reluctantly accept the offer. Turns out that he is a children's books author Jack Duffy (31). As Kitty refuses to return to her cheating husband Ethan or to her controlling mother, Jack is determined to take her under his wing. He is good at rescuing damsels in distress and Kitty clearly needs rescuing.
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Started off okay but at some point I got tired by the characters and their problems. We meet Kitty after she has already ran off. I felt like I had missed something. I did not have the same base like her. It got irritating the way author referred to something that made Kitty bolt but not telling. After a while it got irritating. Especially when book's synopsis gave away so much from the plot and it was easy to suspect what had happened.
Author included serious topics like controlling relationships, the deaths of a loved ones, manipulation, mental health issues but the way they were told and handled...meh. (view spoiler)[ Turns out that Kitty has been living her whole life with a mother who was into botox, keeping slim and fit but also controlling her daughter, even what she ate. Then when she met Ethan at 16, her long-time boyfriend, he took control over her life, including her bank account and money. She never bothered to check her or their back accounts and their finacial situation. When she met Jack...again she allows him to take over. I'd be pissed off if my boss entered my bedroom, woke me up because he had to show me something. In The MIddle Of The Night! Kitty wasn't bothered at all. She meekly went with him. I get grumpy when someone wakes me up from my sleep. People need sleep and shouldn't be disturbed unless it is an emergency. There have to be boundaries, what is accepted, what is not. There were other moments when she let others around her decide for her and she didn't stand up for herself. When Kitty allows this to continue, there will be again issues. At times both characters felt immature and annoying. Also at some point it got too soap opera with the birth certificate. (hide spoiler)]
Sadly the narrator's performance didn't help. At first I had trouble understanding what narrator was saying due to the accent or the way she spoke. After a while I got more or less used to the narrator but as English is not my first language, then I struggled understanding some of the story (usually I don't have this sort of problems while listening books in English).
I listened to this story after finishing Natural Born Charmer, so contrast between these two stories was huge. The Runaway Bride wasn't bad story, touched serious topics but sadly it was quite lack-lustre, the characters felt flat and underdeveloped.
I want authors to show me the story. I do not want to be told what someone is feeling, thinking, going through. And why so many f-bombs? Also less vomiting would be appreciated!
Contemporary Women's Fiction Publication date : July 30, 2021
I do not read romance novels very often these days but I was intrigued by the synopsis,Contemporary Women's Fiction Publication date : July 30, 2021
I do not read romance novels very often these days but I was intrigued by the synopsis, title and cover of this story. Oh, I am so glad that I picked up this story. I was hooked from the beginning till the satisfying end. I sometimes tend to skim over boring parts but not with this one!
I enjoyed watching Sarah' and Declan's relationship develop from a one-night-only into something more. Sarah was an interesting character - independent, there for her friends, sarcastic at times, intent on building her career as an architect. She loved to have fun but she's afraid of commitment after what happened with her mother and her ex. Till she met Declan.
I really loved the writing style, the character development, vivid descriptions; fast-moving and unpredictible storyline. The chemistry between Declan and Sarah was hot. They were far from perfect, they carried their baggage, had their fears and insecurities, but there was something endearing about these two. I loved the witty banter, sarcastic humor and the build-up of their relationship. The friendship between Sarah and her friends and Will was also lovely to see, and often provided amusing encounters.
If you enjoy sweet and humorous books about friendship, families, betrayal and taking a chance on love, then give this story a try....more
Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Narrated by: Stephanie Racine, Indra Ove, Colin Mace, Aysha Kala, Beth Eyre, Josie Dunne Length: 11 hrs and 29 Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Narrated by: Stephanie Racine, Indra Ove, Colin Mace, Aysha Kala, Beth Eyre, Josie Dunne Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins
There are lots of thrillers with stolen/missing children (e.g. Cry No More, Little Secrets), and it is hard to write something original and fresh. Tess Stimson's STOLEN was a pleasant surprise. She keeps you on the edge of your seat and you don't really know where she will take you till the very end.
Alex (29) is more intent on her career than on motherhood. Her husband Luca was more hands-on parent to Lottie than her. After her husband's tragic death, Alex is spliting her career and motherhood, so destination wedding is the last thing in her mind. But for her old friend Mark, she's agreed to travel to Florida with Lottie which will set in motion events that will affect her and Lottie for the years to come...
Alex isn't always likeable protagonist. Lottie is only 3 but she's quite handful and bratty. We have also a scarred former war correspondent, now a journalist, Quinn, who becomes obsessed with the dissapearance of Lottie and hope to make the discovery what happened to her.
I appreciated how much time the author spent rounding out the main characters, so I really felt I got to know them, their faults and strengths. This story was heartbreaking, sad and difficult to read at times but I rushed forward as I needed to know how it all will end. The ending was surprising and I did not see it coming.
'You know why you're so frantic to get her back?' Harriet cries, shaking me off. 'It's not because you love her so much, Alex! It's because you didn't love her enough! You feel guilty because you never really wanted her! That's what all this is about!'
Psychological Fiction / Thriller Publication Date: July 20, 2021
Started off intriguing but I did not enjoy the "Then" and "Now" narrative. Sometimes IPsychological Fiction / Thriller Publication Date: July 20, 2021
Started off intriguing but I did not enjoy the "Then" and "Now" narrative. Sometimes I got confused what was happening in which timeline and it was very slow going. I just kept getting frustrated with the incomplete details. I honestly felt distracted reading each page when there was no good flow or solid backround.
Perhaps the main character, Vanessa, was also to blame for my frustration and disinterest. She came across as selfish, shallow, gullible, deceitful, and lunatic. Somehow I just couldn't find energy to symphatize or feel sorry for her. Author constantly refer to the events that happened to Vanessa in the past but we are not told until much later. So reader is left wondering (view spoiler)[why Vanessa was at the murder scene? What happened to her mother? What's the deal with her friend Lottie (just because you move out isn't enough reason to cause rift and stop all communication between real friends!). What happened between her and Connor? Author decided to add domestic abuse angle but imho she didn't handle it well. If this was supposed to be portrayal of what it’s like to be in a abusive intimate relationship, then this book was strange in its portrayal of a victim of domestic violence. The abuse and rape kept being shoved down the reader’s throat in a way that felt unnatural. We didn’t get a chance to see that this was the case or even feel out the situation for ourselves as we got to know the characters. We’re just told repeatedly that that’s what she’s been through and her ex needs to pay for what he did. I failed to understand why she so quickly thought that Connor had raped her? Had he used force before? Many couples have unprotected sex while drunk. People who consume alcohol may be more likely to have unprotected sex because they generally lead riskier lives. But is this a crime? Why not take the morning-after pill when she wasn't sure if she can trust him? Later what was the point of that long description on how to do an abortion? Her ex was a jerk but the way abuse was described did not ring true and it belittled the sufferings and fear the abuse victims go through. Also that stalker angle felt weak and stupid. (hide spoiler)]
This story was okay but I never really felt the build-up of any great athosphere or tension that a good psychological thriller requires. Its one of those generic thriller you read and then discard....more
Domestic Thrillers Publication date : December 28, 2021
Elisa Wright is happily married to Harris. They have 7-year-old son, Nathan, and they are Domestic Thrillers Publication date : December 28, 2021
Elisa Wright is happily married to Harris. They have 7-year-old son, Nathan, and they are close to Harris's younger brother, Josh. When Elisa discover something in Josh's appartment, she's forced to consider that Josh is not who he seems. Elisa start to question why the women in Josh's life meet with mysterious ends or go missing. And why she's the only one who has noticed it and spoke up about it?
The trouble is that Elisa is suffering from the shooting incident that happened nearly a year ago. Her mental health has been slipping lately and she's not feeling well. Is Elisa being unhinged and paranoid? Or are there deadly secrets in the Wright family's past?
Another thriller with an unreliable narrator but this one is written so that you find yourself questioning every one of the characters in the story, including Elisa. Kane writes the narrative from Elisa’s POV, but teasingly inserts chapters by an anonymous character who’s waiting their time.
Elisa was often annoying and acted irrationally. I was very close to disliking her but when more of her backround was revealed, I could understand power of trauma and how difficult it can be to heal, be rational. Its not easy to act "normal" when you struggle with anxiety, depression, perhaps feeling the need to make sure that this time she can save someone's life and not just be bystander, unable to help.
Overall very good thiller but I have to say that the end resolution wasn't quite what I liked. (view spoiler)[She poisoned Elisa, stabbed her and him, she took his money and walked away with no remorse by the havoc she had caused. It was clear that she had some issues in her head and she was no better than the criminal she wanted to "expose". Don't think its good example of justice . (hide spoiler)]
Psychological Thrillers / Domestic Thrillers Publication date : August 3, 2021 Narrated by: Clare Corbett Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
Rachel (42) and JPsychological Thrillers / Domestic Thrillers Publication date : August 3, 2021 Narrated by: Clare Corbett Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
Rachel (42) and Jack. Paige and Noah. Jack's brother Will. Five friends who’ve known one another for years. Then along came Ali (29), Will’s new fiancée. The three couples travel to Portugal for Ali and Will’s dream wedding. It should have been joyful and relaxing weekend but hidden secrets and betrayals turn Ali and Will's dream wedding into a nightmare...
First part of the story was tiresome to read because most of those so called friends didn't act like real friends. "With friends like you, who needs enemies?" often jumped to my mind.
So many dishonest, shallow and annoying characters together makes reading a struggle. Following their actions was often tiresome and annoying. If the group had been in their late teens/early 20s, then perhaps it could have worked but I expected someone in their 40s to be more wiser and mature.
I disliked how Rachel was constantly jumping to conclusions. I failed to understand Rachel's jealousy and ugly thoughts. Okay, getting older and being in the company of attractive younger woman can make you feel insecure. But when you behave bit*hy and suspicious, then this won't help you or make you more likeable. When the change came, somehow it wasn't plausible. Also Rachel's secret made me question her choices (view spoiler)[If there had been really a possibility that Jack wasn't her son's biological father, she should have made it clear one way or other much sooner than this. She was not honest towards her son. She was not honest with "possible" fathers. If Rachel was "so in love" with Noah, they slept together, they couldn't be without each other... then why did she marry Jack?? (hide spoiler)]
I managed to finish it but I wasn't truly gripped or thrilled. I felt like I was following some cheap soap opera that culminated with some weird accident [that didn't make sense], then the story was suddenly over. I wanted more of the insights and relatable characters that would make reading worthwhile. ...more
Domestic Thrillers / Contemporary Publication date : October 5, 2021 Narrated by: Vivienne Leheny Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
Another thriller that remDomestic Thrillers / Contemporary Publication date : October 5, 2021 Narrated by: Vivienne Leheny Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
Another thriller that remind us about the dangers of online dating; how dangerous it can be and how people can be less than truthful. TBH I didn't understand Wren's obsession with Adam. I didn't get a sense of attraction growing between them other than sex. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it just felt forced when Wren became obsessed to find Adam.
I disliked the way author TELL about events; her use of second person "I/You" was strange and offputting. I also hated how Unger hint or tease with some secret but won't tell it to the reader. Lots of things seem to happen "behind the scenes". At first I was interested, I wanted to find out more about Wren and Adam but the more I read on, the more I lost interest and started to skip. Too much boring inner monologue, random "Then" jumps, switch to different POVs felt choppy. I felt author lost focus and didn't know where to go with this story at one point. There seemed to be lots of layers but somehow the plot just drag on and on.
Perhaps some of my dislike was because of the narrator. I really did not like Vivienne Leheny as the narrator. Wren is meant to be 28 but narrator sound much older, and her performance quite flat and boring to listen. Sadly this story didn't work for me....more
Contemporary Women Fiction Publication Date: September 28, 2021
This is a story about talented photographer Maggie Dawes (39) who's struggling to come tContemporary Women Fiction Publication Date: September 28, 2021
This is a story about talented photographer Maggie Dawes (39) who's struggling to come to terms with a skin cancer diagnosis. As she has to cope with her growing weakness, she finds herself more and more dependent on her young assistant Mark. To her surprise she begins to tell him the story of her teenager years from the 1990s—and the love that introduced her to photography, a passion that defined the rest of her life; she also has to face the decisions that have haunted her...
I like how THE WISH remind you that good can come out of hard times; that there are lot of kindness around you when you open your heart. But this story also remind you that life is short and every moment is precious because you never know how many days are left for you or for your loved ones.
I was drawn to Maggie's story. It was interesting to read about her as a 16-year-old pregnant teenager, and the woman she had become. I couldn't stop reading at the same time fearing approaching sad ending for Maggie... The present day chapters were difficult to read as story progressed. To be honest those past chapters were no easier as I knew what struggles she has to go through two decades later and I feared something bad will happen to Maggie's first love, Bryce as well. Lets say that there were too many things that were predictible although I hoped author won't go that path!
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This was bittersweet story of life, love, loss, friendship, lost chances and so much more. I think they should sell this book with extra large box of tissues included because there are lots of unhappy and sad moments! (view spoiler)[I hate that Sparks did something I dislike in my books -- no author should kill the main characters or put her through so much misery and loss. Okay, Maggie find peace in the end when she get her "wish". In a way she continue to live on in her child and his children. But there were still guilt and "If onlys" about things that could have gone so differently and could have changed lives of so many people. I read for relaxation and I don't need to be reminded how cruel cancer can be and that most often its still terminal illness with very painful ending for the cancer patient.... (hide spoiler)]...more
Women's Psychological Fiction / Contemporary Publication date : July 6, 2021
I liked first half of the book. I couldn’t wait to find out who Addison Women's Psychological Fiction / Contemporary Publication date : July 6, 2021
I liked first half of the book. I couldn’t wait to find out who Addison really was, what had caused her memory loss, if she can recover her lost memories, and discover who she really is. When Julian's POV was introduced, I hoped it won't be this obvious.
Well, at one point this story went downhill for me. I hate when author explain/tell what happen (please show, don't tell!). I felt like I never really knew any of the characters or their motivations. The villain's motivations and methods were stupid and unrealistic. (view spoiler)[I disliked to read about the abuse of the main character. It was so strange that so many men she encountered were crazy. First her father who was abusive and killed his family, then her "husband", then that driver. Is there something in the water, that makes some guys act crazy??? Also it sounded too much of a coincidence that he happened to see Allison's photo and found her just like this. And when he found her, why take Addison back into his life? It was obvious she didn't know who she was nor who he was to her or what he had done. He may have been good liar and manipulator but I expected more thrill and clever turns. I just couldn't understand characters motivations too often, which made this story kinda unrealistic and not plausible. (hide spoiler)].
Overall this way okay story but too many things were far-fetched and kinda stupid....more
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Contemporary Publication date : July 8, 2021
In this story newly single and unemployed Jan Hamlin (29) and married coMystery, Thriller & Suspense, Contemporary Publication date : July 8, 2021
In this story newly single and unemployed Jan Hamlin (29) and married couple Ian and Emma Jennings, who have been through their baby's stillbirth find their lives interwined in very strange way...
I expected this story to be about Jan and the mystery about an isolated cottage at the edge of a wood. But then other sub-plots were introduced (Ian+Emma, detective) and I thought why I'm reading about them? What they have to do with the Cottage Jan rented?? It made more sense as the story progress and I realized where author heads with this story.
It was pretty easy to work out some of the twist. Also I have to say that at times it sounded repetitive, unrealistic, too contrived, too difficult to buy into the story line. Some of the POVs felt unnecessary and more like fillers than of any importance.
Some of the topics may be disturbing for some readers (view spoiler)[Miscarriage. Same-generation incest between half-siblings who genuinely did not know they were related. Couples who have used sperm donor may also find the topic of "fertility fraud" disturbing. (hide spoiler)]
PS: Its odd that the main characters were called Jan/Ian. And why so many authors have started to name their heroines with gender-neutral names? What's wrong with Janet or Janice? Or is that some sort of new requirement now?
If you want something more creepy but not too gruesome and spooky, then try Darcy Coates stories. I really enjoy her vivid writing style. You may also like Lock Every Door and Home Before Dark....more
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Contemporary Publication date : July 20, 2021
This story hooked me from the beginning and kept me wondering what is goMystery, Thriller & Suspense, Contemporary Publication date : July 20, 2021
This story hooked me from the beginning and kept me wondering what is going to happen next....more
Series: Gravekeeper, Book 1 Ghost Suspense, Horror, Supernatural Publication date: May 4, 2021
Another atmospheric and good story by Darcy Coates. ShSeries: Gravekeeper, Book 1 Ghost Suspense, Horror, Supernatural Publication date: May 4, 2021
Another atmospheric and good story by Darcy Coates. She has very captivating writing style that is vivid, so her descriptions make me easily conjure images in my mind's eye. I like the way author hooked my attention right from the beginning. I wondered along with Keira what was going on and why/how she see ghosts [crazy, yeah?!].
There's good amount of spookiness, eerie encounters, tension and mystery. There's also cast of likeable and mysterious characters. I really liked Keira and hoped she can solve the mysteries surrounding herself and the ghosts she can see. I enjoyed learning more about Blighty and its quirky residents, pastor Adage, Zoe and Mason. The mysterious cat Daisy was also fun addition.
Can't wait to read book #2, The Ravenous Dead. Ahh, expected publication date: March 15th 2022....more
Psychological Thrillers (Kindle Store) Publication date : October 26, 2021
I recently read What to do When Someone Dies and I really enjoyed it. ItPsychological Thrillers (Kindle Store) Publication date : October 26, 2021
I recently read What to do When Someone Dies and I really enjoyed it. Its good to see that this English wife-and-husband team has new book coming out soon. Can't wait to read it.
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Tess and Jason used to live together and they have a 3-year-old daughter named Poppy. Jason is now married to another woman but still try to be part of her daughter's life. When Poppy starts behaving strangely after returning from a weekend at Jason's, Tess starts to question what is troubling her daughter. She is desperate to find out what is disturbing her child and if her ex has something to do with it.
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I found the main character, Tess, annoying and neurotic. Her constant agonizing over her daughter's behaviour quickly becomes irritating. There were issues with Poppy''s behaviour prior that weekend. I didn't get how or when Poppy witnessed what made her act out when the culprit was who it was. Also disliked the way we are constantly told, instead of shown.
Overall this story dragged on and on, so it got tiresome. Many things seemed disjointed, didn't make sense. Not a good and gripping thriller. Dissapointing....more
Grace, Alice, Felicity and Hannah used to be friends till something happened two years ago that caused a rift between them. Now a group of old friends plan to reconnect on an African safari vacation to celebrate Felicity's 30th birthday but their vacation goes horribly wrong...
This is yet another story where author constantly tease reader with some dark secret from That night but it is not until much later that reader find out what happened to cause the rift. Synopsis sound interesting but the way it is written...meh. I could not help but question why would you accept an invitation from your "friend" you are no longer talking with, haven't seen in years? Especially when something traumatic happened between you two. Then you travel to foreign country, to some strange destination, arrive in darkness to a secluded place..possibly walk into the trap. Or if you want vengeance would you really spend so much money on the plane tickets, accommodation on your so called friends?
I dislike the way author jump from one character to another and sometimes I have to remind myself who's perspective I'm currently reading (they sound similar, nothing special about any of them). Why so many female authors make their heroines pathetic, whiny and immature? They are not women I would want to know in real life, less alone be friend with. The so called friendship is toxic and harmful instead of being supportive and caring. As a reader I don't know much about their pasts, so I find it hard to root for any of them. Perhaps that is good... (view spoiler)[considering what happen to them. I really-really hate when author tell story from someone's POV and then just casually kill off that character! And the ending...she get away with two murders???? (hide spoiler)]
If you want story with toxic friendship, lies, secrets, obsession, revenge, then give it a try.
I was really looking forward to this story as synopsis promised something tense and atmospheric (two people in secluded island with no way out). This one starts off well and you can feel tension slowly building. But the more I read on, the more I had a feeling that the reader don't know everything about the main characters, their pasts and agendas. (view spoiler)[And indeed there were hidden agendas that come to light towards the middle. I never warmed up to Liam or Laura. Liam was your typical one-dimensional villain who had childhood/mental issues that he lives out on his partner. Laura was a young woman who thought she was in love and wanted to keep the relationship even though things were not right. How come an intelligent and sane woman failed to see clear signs of abuse? There were lots and lots of warnings about Liam but she ignored them. Can not stand abusers but can not stand stupidity either. But its good that they decided to fight back. Stand up against abuse. But I still felt kinda cheated by this kind of events (author mislead reader and hide information for the sake of "the big" twist, so Laura's earlier reactions were just fooling). Some of the things didn't make sense, e.g if Liam wasn't Liam how he and Laura could get married? (hide spoiler)]...more
Psychological Thrillers / Mystery / Contemporary Publication Date : 18 Mar. 2021
I recently read Woman on the Edge, and I wasn't impressed with that onePsychological Thrillers / Mystery / Contemporary Publication Date : 18 Mar. 2021
I recently read Woman on the Edge, and I wasn't impressed with that one. When I read similar description of TRUST ME, I was hesitant. As I enjoyed this author's 29 Seconds, I decided to give this story a try and... ... TRUST ME did not disappoint! In fact, I was gripped from the first page. I wanted to find out what will happen next. It was easy to follow storyline, no annoying past-present jumping, no jarring switches of POVs.
I really enjoy thrillers where I can question "How I would react?", "What I would do?" in similar situation. Who to trust? But soon I stopped second-guessing and just enjoyed the wild ride ;)
Ellen (41) was a heroine who I connected with right away. She was easy to identify with and care about. I felt sorry for her...(view spoiler)[a miscarriage, going through fertility issues, her husband walking away from her, discovering that he will be a father soon... (hide spoiler)] it all must have hurt her a lot. Despite Ellen's struggles, she was a feisty and an independent woman. She was like a mama bear when protecting little Mia, a baby some strange woman left with her on a train. Logan is a male author but he writes really well from the woman's perspective!...more
Women's Psychological Fiction / Psychological Thriller / Mystery / Contemporary Publication date : February 23, 2021
Leila Hawkins, a police cadet disaWomen's Psychological Fiction / Psychological Thriller / Mystery / Contemporary Publication date : February 23, 2021
Leila Hawkins, a police cadet disappeared aged 19, after leaving her dad’s birthday party during a storm. Stella Hawkins, the identical twin left behind, has spent the last 25 years unable to stop searching for answers. She is haunted by endless scenarios but nothing more concrete than her own imaginations to fill in the blanks of what happened to her twin. Then one day, Stella's wish comes true – someone claiming to be Leila’s killer contacts her, promising to give her answers. The game of mouse and cat begins...
When I read synopsis of this story, I was a little hesitant because there are so many missing person mystery novels and not all of them are well written, can offer new angles and have depth. I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Wow, what an emotional roller-coaster. I was drawn into Stella's tale right away. I kept on guessing and was intrigued from the start till the end.
Stella was flawed but likeable and relatable protagonist. She's unable to move on and live her own life. How can she when half of her is missing? I liked Stella's profession of animal behaviorist and her rescued furry friends. I'm a cat person myself but in this story I enjoyed seeing dogs bringing Stella some company and comfort to her lonely life.
I liked that this story didn't jump between multiple POVs and timelines. All was revealed at a good pace, you get to know the main characters, and reader get to unravel the mystery together with Stella. I didn’t fully trust any of the characters, including Stella. But I had a feeling that it wasn't guilt that caused Stella's obsession to keep the search ongoing. I could easily symphatize with Stella's obsession and her need to know. Not knowing if loved one is alive or dead is unbearable. She needed to get some kind of closure. Perhaps even find the peace...or do the answers really bring her the peace?
Let me ask you something - at what point would you give up on a member of your family? Seriously. After twenty-five years? Or what about ten? If you'd quit at ten then why not after five years, or two? Why bother at all? People who ask questions like that clearly don't have people they love - I mean the real, gut-wrenching, depths of your belly, do anything for them, die for them kind of love. Maybe it's because I'm a twin, but I can't believe other people don't feel like this about their family. What am I supposed to do? Just shrug and then skip off into the sunset thinking: "her, I've gotta live my own life"; I'd die for my dogs for-for-for godness sake, so what do you think I'd do for my identical twin!...more
Wow, Before She Disappeared really surprised me. Its so refreshing to see a thriller featuring an ordinary but very brave woman who will stop at nothing to find the missing people. I've lately read so many thrillers/suspense that feature whiny, selfish, pathetic, annoying, manipulative female leads that are hard to like or care for. And then I meet Frankie. Frankie who is badass. Frankie who is damaged and vulnerable to her addiction. Yet, there's something endearing about her. She's a woman who turn her struggles into strength and she's determined to find the missing, bring closure to the family. She cares.
Ms. Gardner write so well about the addiction. All the mental struggle NOT to have "just one" drink. The need to take one day at a time. Stay sober. Stay in control. You can feel Frankie's battle. I admire Frankie's unflinching honesty, her lack of self-pity and self-justification. It made me like her even more and symphatize with her battles.
I really enjoy the writing and pace. Dialogue is so catchy, so neat, so utterly say-able. Ms. Garnder is very good at building tension and suspense. I couldn't put book down, yet, I didn't want to hurry. I like that this story do not have multiple narrators and timelines. I really like how the story progress in search of Angel but we also get to know about the neighbourhood, Frankie and her past demons. Even the secondary characters are well fleshed out and interesting. And thanks for adding Piper, the attack cat!
PS: Narrator Hillary Huber did wonderful job in bringing this story to life. Well done.
This story stars intriguing, reminded me a little of Lock Every DoorDomestic Thrillers Publication Date: July 6, 2021
You never know who is watching
This story stars intriguing, reminded me a little of Lock Every Door, e.g. old building with a dark past, security cameras, doorman at the door keeping watch. But sadly when the chapters started to alternate between Joan's story (a young journalist who revealed that powerful businessman Casper "Cass"Osgood is a sexual predator) and Melissa's story (wife of Casper Osgood), the story began to go downhill. I tried bu somehow I just couldn't connect with any of the characters. Also this story didn't keep me hooked the way other thrillers do. I was more eager to put book down than read on and find out what will happen next. I started to skip (especially Melissa's chapters) to get to the end and be over with it....more
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