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chelsie

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Lifetime Movie in Book Form

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-30-16

Any additional comments?

I read/listen to 2-3 books a week, so I have sort of developed a way to categorize books after finishing them:

- waste of time
- worth a read but not for a whole credit (buy it on sale)
- solid book worth a credit
- worth a credit and telling friends about

I feel like this one falls into the 'buy it on sale' category. Interesting history, but not an experienced author and it showed. There were a few plot points that I felt weren't explained (can't elaborate without spoiling), and times that felt very 'Lifetime' for me, meaning silly/trivial misunderstandings creating the main obstacles for the characters. There were also parts that seemed to have no purpose - no character development, furthering of story, etc.
Would be a fine listen if you have a long drive - but wait until it's on sale.

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61 people found this helpful

Wow. Perfect mystery for a rainy night.

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-10-16

Any additional comments?

I went into the book not expecting to love it, despite the reviews. However, I am more than impressed. It's become a book I wanted to start over again as soon as I finished it. It had good character development, interesting story, and not entirely predictable. I definitely recommend this one.

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2 people found this helpful

Can't get past the contradictions

Overall
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-10-16

Any additional comments?

I wanted to like this book. The narrator was good, the premise was interesting. The problem is that the main character is not just unlikable, but impossible to understand. It's not that I disagree with what she did - she seemed to have no thought or guilt. I've read books with characters that were terrible people, but at least I could understand the motivation, and their behavior was rather consistent. In this, the mother is horrified that her son would steal from school, yet she doesn't seem to have any problems stealing from work. There was no guilt or shame shown, and yet previously she acted like she had a strong moral compass. For her to then explain how difficult it was that her husband had an affair, and then become a mistress herself - there was no real explanation of how she could get to that point. The character development wasn't there. Things that should have been a huge red flag she didn't give a passing thought. I guess, bottom line: her character was more unbelievable to me than something out of a sci-fi book. Too many problems to look past.

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6 people found this helpful