Run on Red

This reminded me of The Island (which I also didn't like). Exciting at first, but I could not stay engaged. Books like this work out much better in film format. Could not suspend belief. 

DNF @ page 35. This was supposed to be an awesome suspense thriller “scary” story but by page 35, I was done. What year is this book set in? They reference My Space and Facebook as if they were both used in the same decade. And from page 1, what blog post is 8 pages long??? There's a janky old boombox on the dash of the car? Is this the 1980's? Again, what decade is this story set in?? The dialogue is extremely repetitive. The author makes sure we know that the car they are driving is a piece of shit. Over and over again. Even the clock on the dash doesn't work. (Eye roll). We get it! This doesn't propel the story for me by trying to over-show not tell the reader. 

The author refuses to use the word “car” in place to Volvo. Did I mention that the author wants us to know that they are driving a Volvo??? The word Volvo appears in this 200ish page book 95 times! So many times! When threatening to throw yourself out of a vehicle, would you say “...I'm hurling myself out of the Volvo”? No one talks like that! You don't talk about a vehicle you're in as it's make, you would say “car” or “truck”, etc. 

And who drives an hour out in the middle of nowhere to go to a party and somehow the bad guys are able to appear out of nowhere, no matter how many times you get away?

Very good!

For such a short read this could certainly have been even shorter! There were lots of reviews saying they couldn't put the book down so that coupled with enjoying the last book from this author I read so much, I was likely expecting a bit much from this book. But even with that being said this was a major flop for me.

The character development was wholly lacking, the actions of the mice in the cat and mouse game were overly naive (especially for one of them being a crime junkie). And about a third to half of this book is just the back and forth internal dialogue of the main character who lets every opportunity for escape pass her by with indecisiveness.

The plot became a bit unrealistic to me and pretty much all of the “twists” were highly predictable.

I didn't hate it but I also wouldn't recommend it.

Thrilling book that reads like a movie. You can definitely picture some scenes in your head. Slow in some parts but also evokes anxiety and gets your heart pumping in other chapters. Overall a decent book.

3.5

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heart pounding and anxiety inducing until the very end. This started off with a bang and it did not stop. Flipping through pages of fear, survival and praying that these two girls make it out alive.
As someone who deals with anxiety myself, I very much related with Olivia's character. I was amazed by their perseverance through some of the most terrifying and traumatizing times.
My heart raced until I closed the book as if I was the one needing to get out alive.

Truly a fast paced thriller and absolutely recommend!!

What a page turner! The action starts almost right away really gets you into the story, didn't want to put it down, the action never stop and was relentless.

This however is maybe the one time I wish a book was shorter I think trimming it down it some place would have made for a even more enjoyable read. Also there was just some parts that felt a little out of place as far as what horrible people would actually do that felt like it was only there to add page count.

But still this was a great book and is a quick read, so if you like a secluded horror feel then this is the book for you. Definitely check trigger warnings.

I have to give this one a 4.5! This was really good. It was kind of like I was playing a Criminal Minds meets Law and Order: SVU in my head. I watch so much criminal tv shows and read so many novels that I wouldn't call the twist a “twist”. But it was really neat to read everything unfold. It was very well written and I saw A LOT of myself in Olivia. Would recommend to a friend. Will be reading more by this author.

more near a 4.5

What a wild ride!!!!!
I loved it. The plot. The thrills. The survival quotes. The adventure. The best friends.
I finished it in one night, couldn't put it down.
Im still reeling.