The story was very intriguing when I started it, but around half-way point I started losing interest. The book is well written, there's not doubt abouThe story was very intriguing when I started it, but around half-way point I started losing interest. The book is well written, there's not doubt about it, so it's probably me having wrong expectations.
(view spoiler)[It's told in two POVs and two timelines, and the pace is very slow. The two main characters experienced a tragedy when they were kids, which affects their adult life gravely. Throughout the majority of the storyline we go through their experience with them. Over and over again. It felt repetitive, exhausting and traumatizing, to be honest.
I found the story very sad, but there was nothing that mysterious, thrilling or suspenseful about it. It almost felt like reading a fiction book and getting lectured on motherhood, morality and experiencing trauma. Nothing wrong with that, but it's not what I expected or wanted. There is one reveal that I didn't anticipate, but at the same time it didn't come as a surprise to me.
The female narrator was really good, but the male narrator wasn't my favourite. (hide spoiler)]...more
(view spoiler)[This was an interesting and easy read. I liked the setting and the atmosphere. I didn't expect it to be a bit spooky, so it tu3.5 stars
(view spoiler)[This was an interesting and easy read. I liked the setting and the atmosphere. I didn't expect it to be a bit spooky, so it turned out to be a perfect read for October.
The story is very predictable, though, both when it comes to the 'mysterious' events and the relationships between characters. I didn't find the reveals surprising, but it was still interesting to see the reasons and motivations, no matter how improbable they are.
I liked how the story ended, even though I saw that coming right from the start. (hide spoiler)]...more
This started really well for me. I found the story interesting and intriguing. I really enjoyed multiple POVs and multiple timelines. I have to say thThis started really well for me. I found the story interesting and intriguing. I really enjoyed multiple POVs and multiple timelines. I have to say that the story is so well written, that I never felt lost and I knew exactly whose chapter and timeline I was listening to.
However, (view spoiler)[as the story progressed, it started to drag a bit and my feelings for the majority of characters changed. I feel that the more I got to know them, the more I disliked them. Especially the female characters.
Most of them are complete pushovers who make stupid decisions and let men treat them badly without doing anything about it. Even for the 60's and the 70's, when the story takes place, it felt too much. I couldn't bring myself to care or root for such characters.
Even Judyta, who I liked, let that creep Jacob ask her completely inappropriate questions. She is the investigator, she asks the questions and she sets the tone. Not the other way around. Needless to say that almost all male characters in this story are horrible.
The mystery part and the ending are ok. But the story overall is not edge-of-your- seat suspenseful. It’s slow paced and character driven, and I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had found the characters more likable or compelling. (hide spoiler)]...more
Initially, the story intrigued me and I was invested in it for a while. However, I found it quite predictable. I guessed all the major things2.5 stars
Initially, the story intrigued me and I was invested in it for a while. However, I found it quite predictable. I guessed all the major things, so there were no twists here that I didn't see coming.
I was still curious to how everything would be resolved, but the ending was very underwhelming. It felt unbelievable, I didn't see the the motivation behind certain characters' actions, and there were a number of questions that remained unanswered.
I enjoyed this for the most part. The story has an interesting premise and it managed to keep me invested from start to finish.
There are a couple reaI enjoyed this for the most part. The story has an interesting premise and it managed to keep me invested from start to finish.
There are a couple reasons why I’m not giving it a higher rating. Firstly, I found most of the characters one dimensional and it didn’t help that the narration felt flat and lacked the emotion. Secondly, the ending was too far fetched and unbelievable, and I don’t think that certain characters’ actions made sense. ...more
The premise of this story is really interesting. I don't think I've read anything similar before. I loved the concept of multiple POVs and time jumps.The premise of this story is really interesting. I don't think I've read anything similar before. I loved the concept of multiple POVs and time jumps. They were done in a way that never felt confusing to me and made the story flow nicely.
I had my suspicions along the way and, even when some of them were proven right, the author did a good job at keeping me guessing and second-guessing until the end. There were things that I didn't see coming and that took me by surprise. What I loved the most is that everything that happens and is revealed makes sense when you look back.
The characters are well developed and distinct. I wouldn't describe them as likable, they range from annoying to pretty terrible, but I couldn't help caring and actually rooting for some of them. I'm very happy with how the story ended. It made perfect sense.
The narrator, Claire Corbett, is fantastic. Her narration is one of the reasons I was fully invested in the story from the moment I started listening to it. I loved the voices she gave different characters. And I have to say that the voice she gave the child in the story is one of the cutest I've ever heard....more
This was a very enjoyable read. Likable characters, suspensful story, no extreme violence and no crazy twists that come out of nowhere. The resolutionThis was a very enjoyable read. Likable characters, suspensful story, no extreme violence and no crazy twists that come out of nowhere. The resolution is a bit predictable, but there were a couple things that surprised me along the way. I really liked the ending.
The two narrators were good, especially the one reading Kat's POV, but the production could have been better....more
What an insane story. It was a bit slow in the beginning, but it didn't take me long to become fully invested in it.
I really enjoyed the storyline andWhat an insane story. It was a bit slow in the beginning, but it didn't take me long to become fully invested in it.
I really enjoyed the storyline and how it developed. (view spoiler)[Although certain things crossed my mind at some point, it was far from actually guessing what was going on. The author was really good at making me believe what she wanted me to believe.
I found the characters very interesting and intriguing to read about, as well as their complex relationships. Bel was my favourite. She is not what I would called likable or relatable, but I liked her abrasive personality, and how outspoken and cynical she is.
The story became a bit messy in the last 10 chapters or so. I still don't know how I feel about the resolution, I guess it fits the story, but the events that take place in those last chapters felt too unbelievable and unrealistic. (hide spoiler)]
The narrator is really good. She made listening to a 16-hours long audiobook a pleasant experience. My only complaint is that the characters who are British didn't sound British at all. ...more
For the most part, I liked this more than the first book I've read by this author, Rock Paper Scissors. One thing I enjoyed in both books is the writiFor the most part, I liked this more than the first book I've read by this author, Rock Paper Scissors. One thing I enjoyed in both books is the writing style. If not for the audiobook, I'm sure I would have reread certain parts more than once before continuing.
I liked the set up and the alternating timelines. The story is slow moving, but following a character who is in a coma, doesn't remember what happened and is trying to put the pieces together, made this a very compelling read. There was one revelation that completely took me by surprise, so big plus for that.
This would have been a 4-star read for me, if not for a couple of things. (view spoiler)[I wish that Edward's plot line was completely omitted from the story. There are already enough things going on and it doesn't bring anything to the story than being a distraction. It feels unrealistic and it's even brushed over in the end. What bothered me the most were the two rape scenes (one off-page and one on-page). I found them extremely icky and very uncomfortable to read, or rather listen to.
I don't know how I feel about the events towards the end. One of them didn't sit well with me. It never does when children are involved. And I guess the very ending is meant to be open to interpretation? (hide spoiler)]
The Coworker was my first read by this author and I loved it, so I was very disappointed that this one didn't work for me at all. I didn't expect thatThe Coworker was my first read by this author and I loved it, so I was very disappointed that this one didn't work for me at all. I didn't expect that, especially since it has a much higher rating on GR than The Coworker.
I didn't care about any of the characters, and that has nothing to do with finding them unlikable. The story was repetitive, full of plot holes, very far-fetched, and once the big reveal came, none of the things that happened previously made any sense. That's the complete opposite of what I expect and enjoy in a mystery/thriller.
The only reason I didn't dnf the book after all the twists was because I was listening to it on audio. ...more
This was my first read by this author and I thought it was great.
I picked this one because I haven't read many, if any, thrillers with a wor4.5 stars
This was my first read by this author and I thought it was great.
I picked this one because I haven't read many, if any, thrillers with a workplace setting and I loved that. The story follows two timelines, one in the present and the other six months prior, leading up to the present day. That's something I happen to love in thrillers and I think it was done so well here.
I had some theories while reading this, but the author did a great job at making me second guess myself. She also made me second guess how I feel about the characters. But even when I found them unlikable and their actions very questionable, to say the least, she managed to make me care about them and their relationships.
I listened to the audio version and really enjoyed it. I've seen some negative reviews about the narration but, luckily, it worked for me and helped me stay engaged in the story....more
This was overall a very enjoyable read. It has a very strong and intriguing beginning and, even though I found the story predictable and kne3.75 stars
This was overall a very enjoyable read. It has a very strong and intriguing beginning and, even though I found the story predictable and knew certain things early on, I was fully invested in it and its characters.
I liked Ariel and I liked learning about her and Drew's past. Though my favourite part would probably be her relationship with her son. He is adorable.
I feel the story is a good combination of suspense and romance without either one overshadowing the other. The pacing is very slow at times, but I think it worked well for the audio version. My only real complaint is that it got a bit too far-fetched and unrealistic toward the end....more
On the one hand, this was a very compelling read and I was fully invested in it. On the other hand, I found it quite unsettling from the start and I cOn the one hand, this was a very compelling read and I was fully invested in it. On the other hand, I found it quite unsettling from the start and I can't say I 'enjoyed myself' while reading it. We're probably meant to feel that way – so, in that regard, I'd say the author succeeded.
The characters were really something. (view spoiler)[Josie must be one of the most off-putting characters I've come across. Instead of sympathizing with her, I didn't believe anything she said and I found her beyond creepy. I hated how Alix just let herself be controlled by her.
I don't know what to think of Walter. Obviously, I was disgusted with how his relationship with Josie started – him in his early forties and her a teenager, but it seems that he was a good father. Or not? Either way, that's one family I'd never want to be a part of.
The one thing that made me really sad and that I wish I could change was what happened to Nathan. He had his flaws, but he didn't deserve it and his family didn't deserve it.
The ending. For most of the book I thought I had it figured out, but thanks to the last few chapters I don't know who to believe. It's probably open to our interpretation, unless the truth is in there somewhere and I've completely missed it. (hide spoiler)]...more
Compared to the other book I've read by this author, The Good Sister, the storyline in this one was more far-fetched and very "soap opera" like. I didCompared to the other book I've read by this author, The Good Sister, the storyline in this one was more far-fetched and very "soap opera" like. I didn't find any of the characters particularly likable, but uncovering their many secrets and the relationship between them kept me intrigued. I even felt a bit sad with how the story ended.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed both narrators. ...more
This book gave me so much more than I anticipated. It's more of a domestic suspense, with some family drama, than a mystery or thriller. I found the sThis book gave me so much more than I anticipated. It's more of a domestic suspense, with some family drama, than a mystery or thriller. I found the storyline and the characters very compelling, well-developed and memorable. I suspected some things early on, but there were other things that surprised me and I was anxious to see how the story would unfold.
What I didn't expect (view spoiler)[was to be introduced to two amazing and lovable characters, both somewhere on the autism spectrum. The character growth one of them showed throughout the story was wonderful to watch. I never expected a romance, and it was so sweet and heartwarming. Honestly, I was more invested in the relationship here than in most MF romance books I've read. I really loved them both. (hide spoiler)]
Five stars for the audiobook. Excellent narration by Barrie Kreinik....more
I quite enjoyed this overall. The storyline was engaging and the characters were intriguing. There were a few times where I thought I knew wh3.5 stars
I quite enjoyed this overall. The storyline was engaging and the characters were intriguing. There were a few times where I thought I knew what was happening, only to be proven completely wrong.
I found the first few chapters and the last few chapters the most exciting. I liked how the author tied everything together in the end. The middle part felt too long and slow moving, not suspenseful enough to keep me on the edge of my seat, but the ending made up for it.
I really enjoyed this story. It gave me similar vibes to movies like Hackers or the very beginning of Matrix. The main character, Mallory, even remindI really enjoyed this story. It gave me similar vibes to movies like Hackers or the very beginning of Matrix. The main character, Mallory, even reminded me a bit of Lisbeth from the Millennium series. She has the same strength and is a genius.
The story is more serious than I expected, both when it comes to Mallory’s real life and her secret online life. (view spoiler)[She lives with her dad, who has PTSD, and her younger brother. She’s been taking care of everything and everyone since their mum left and she has a fear of being touched. There is also a trigger warning for attempted sexual assault. (hide spoiler)]
The mystery was done well. Maybe predictable at times and a bit far fetched since Mallory is a teenager, but I still found it very intriguing and suspenseful and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I love stories about super smart hackers who can do anything and, in that regard, this one gave me everything I wanted.
This is the last book I got from Book Depository, and is probably the one that had been sitting on my Wishlist the longest, so it will always have a special place in my book collection....more
Such an amazing story! It grabbed me from the start and held my attention until the end.
The chapters alternate between three timelines and three POVsSuch an amazing story! It grabbed me from the start and held my attention until the end.
The chapters alternate between three timelines and three POVs and it was fascinating to see the events slowly unfold and come together in the end. The mystery was well thought out and the characters were well developed. I've really grown to love some of them.
Excellent narration by Joanne Froggatt added to my overall experience of this story and its characters....more
This was a great addition to the series. It felt more realistic than the previous books, because of (view spoiler)[the mentions of pandemic and the stThis was a great addition to the series. It felt more realistic than the previous books, because of (view spoiler)[the mentions of pandemic and the storyline revolves around crypto currency. (hide spoiler)] But it was still fun, clever and fast-paced. I love Tony’s character and I could definitely read more about him.
Another great narration by Zachary Quinto. I wish he narrated more audiobooks....more
This reminded me a lot of Pretty Little Liars when I started it (I haven't watched the two shows mentioned in the blurb) and it was intriguing at firsThis reminded me a lot of Pretty Little Liars when I started it (I haven't watched the two shows mentioned in the blurb) and it was intriguing at first, but after a while it turned out to be something entirely different. And heavier than I expected.
I get that this book is very personal to the author and I understand its meaning when I look at it as a whole. I also understand that the author wanted to touch on many important issues. Maybe too many for one story, because when I reached the end I was left with many unanswered questions. I also feel that there were a lot of plot holes in the story and some things didn't make sense.
I honestly don't know how to rate this one. Did I like the message behind the story? Yes. Did I enjoy the reading experience? Not really. The audiobook is really good, though. I liked both narrators. ...more
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