Mary Tarry
Good courtroom drama.
My only issue was the repetition of the two-word answer from testifying witnesses. Courtroom dramas are inherently tedious, and variation of sentence structure would have helped. Not everyone says, “I do.” Some people just say, “yes,” or “correct,” or “That's true.”
DNF
Couldn't sympathize with the main character, a psychologist who compromises her ethical duties to her patients.
Would make a great broadway musical! The characters make the book. Yes, Nina is a typical bookworm, but the author's ability to paint fascinating characters makes Nina feel remarkable. Even her cat's lines are funny. Two of the more villainous characters are largely redeemed by the end, and traditionally sappy moments (this is romance after all) are fresh and clever.
Warning to clean readers: there is little to no profanity, but a couple fairly explicit (hilarious) conversations about contemporary single womanhood and sex.
Overall, the quality of writing - especially the figurative language makes this one five-star!
As a mom who recently did the college tours, I can attest that the book rings true. It just needed a little more conflict and character development (for example, two people are planning a business, but we don't learn about that until the end). If the tour leader had been known to the students, the intrigue could have been better. I applaud the author for experimenting with a very non-formulaic plot, but I needed a stronger central question with which to grapple.
Devon O'Day narrates her female characters with a whiny inflection. The men sound normal.
This book advances the idea that we humans can and should BARGAIN with God.
I would love to believe that if I just pray hard enough, God will be my vending machine giving me what I want. In my life, and the lives of everyone I know, that is a FALSEHOOD!
For that reason, I would never recommend this book to anyone.
Woah!!
This is an outstanding work! As an adoptive mom, I so appreciate the author's handling of “charity” without excessive (harmful) romanticism. Loved the ending. Life is not a fairytale, and for some it is truly a nightmare. Without being depressing, this book challenges the stereotype “hardship” social cases.
Great plot (not the heavy, social statement I was expecting). Crisp and sweet coming-of-age story with some anti-racism themes alongside observations of the ethnocentricity of American culture.
I love flawed characters and redemption stories, but this book also offers exceptional writing and authenticity. Each character felt amazingly realistic. Add the unfolding historical mystery, and you have a very satisfying read. Be prepared to become engrossed.
Free on Hoopla (I paid for this book with no regrets because it was so well-written).
Well-written, but it contains a creepy scene in a crematorium where a human had been burned alive. For that reason alone, I couldn't recommend.
Alicia's story lifts the spirit and encourages women who might struggle with identity, roles, expectations, etc.
Be prepared to hear her political views -
well-stated and remarkably personal. Her description of a conversation with her son about the “n” word is worth the price of the book. Audiobook includes her singing as well as guest quotes read by themselves.
Too dark; descriptions of torture; not sure it is doctrinally sound as demons cannot read minds.
DNF Not for me due to the excessive use of profanity (including the N word by main character's fiancé in chapter 2).
Also wondering what's going on with the ratings on this book: 4.62? Few authors (Alice Walker, Maya Angelou) ever have a book over 4.3, but all of Alexandra's are over that.
It is a statistical anomaly for a book to have a half-bell bar chart like this. Even To Kill a Mockingbird (4.28) has a closer ratio of 4 vs. 5 star ratings. I first rated it at 1 star and my review was hidden. Increased to 2 star and it was shown.
If you do read this book, check that your review appears in the bar chart (hyperlink).
SOMETHING FISHY HERE GOOD-READS.
For lovers of historical fiction, this is a must-read. Highly recommended for anyone planning a visit to Rome. Be sure to read the author's note at the end to be amazed by how many characters in the book are real people.
The main character was petty and another character is manipulative and passive-aggressive. It was just not a fun read.
Puzzled by the title - if anyone else got it, I would love to know what I'm missing.
Classic serial killer story, but with a novel and interesting motive that I appreciated. Since the amnesia was included, I would have liked to know more about that element.
Audio book: Narrator was excellent and reminded me of Joe Pesci. I hope to hear more from him.
Cate Holahan is a gifted author. Her figurative language is second to none. I would have given five stars for this book, but I don't care for detailed sex scenes (just my preference). Otherwise, this one is excellent!
Contains spoilers
Ridiculously contrived. If a who-done-it is resolved with two killers marrying each other, each unaware at that time of the other's guilt, the reader feels tricked/betrayed. How did this plot get past an editor? There is also a huge problem of a soldier who is supposedly a man of highest integrity placing a “service animal” label on his dog for travel convenience. He is the voice of calm and reason when meeting the people who raised his abducted daughter - any reasonable person would be outraged/demanding answers.
Two stars because the author uses a few very interesting descriptive phrases.