I am in quite a fix on how to write this review. The story goes thus, Ahnia, a has-been writer, meets Mac, a wannabe writer, and feels a strange attraction to him. They meet again where Mac proposes a preposterous challenge which arouses Ahnia’s interest. Taking such a risk would make creative juices flow again, so she thinks. Hence, she follows him like the lamb followed Mary, right down to the climax.
The book by Didi Oviatt started with a bang with hints of what happened in Ahnia’s past. I liked the way her present life unfolded, there were nuances of politics between her and the step-mother. I loved Tim; he was the ideal young brother whose loyalty was unflinching even in the face of adversity. Hints of disturbed mental health were shown as snippets of her memory which caused my curiosity to know no bounds. The build-up to the main plot of the book was great.
And then came my niggles, this should not have been a bite sized book. At 130 pages, there was no in-depth, complete full on story. The characters were not fleshed well. I couldn’t even begin to get into their skin, when the book got over. If a book is short, the plots should have been shown right down at 20%. Till the mid-half of the book, there were only descriptions. It needed another 100 pages more to make it an ideal psychological thriller.
Didi Oviatt is a great writer, no doubt. Her descriptions and words of the prose had a strange haunting rhythm. I loved the way her words brought strong imagery to visualize the scenes. Overall, I did enjoy reading the lines, just felt the book was too short for this kind of a story.
I received a digital copy of the book from the author, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!!
All my reviews can be found here
Ahnia has a very dicey past – one that is scratching under the surface, just dying to get out.
She’s hit rock bottom, broke and desperate to be on top again. When she finds herself partnering up with man she hardly knows, and who’s utterly untouchable, she’s forced out of her comfort zone in every way.
Will Ahnia and Mac’s dangerous decision be a success, or will she find herself in the clutches of an unforgiving force, brought about by her childhood sin?
In this nail biting thrill ride, no one is as they seem… and no one is truly safe with those they trust.
Publication Date: 15th April 2019
Publisher: Creativia
47 Responses
Lol I love your honesty 🤦♀️😅
One of these days you’ll fall in (a 5 star) love with one of my books. I’m determined! Lol
Didi, with every cell of my heart, I really really want to love your book, immerse myself in it so much that world outside ceases to exist.
You have so much talent. The writing in this book is superfluous, I loved it. There was something about it. It was so much better than aggravated momentum. Every line of yours brought a vision.
From the depth of my heart, I am beseeching you, please write a longer story when you have such a great plot arc. There was so much in Ahnia she was filled with potential… And the story ended. I was screaming at my kindle – nooooo
So much kind words and encouragement here! Thank you, Shalini 😍🤗
Great review, Shalini. I have a rule I came up with that I won’t read any books that are less than 200 pages (sometimes I’ll go as low as 150 if the blurb intrigues me enough, but that is rare). My reasoning for this is that there isn’t enough time in that amount of space for the characters to really develop and for me to be able to relate to them or care about them. I prefer stories that are told in deep POV and really pull me in and won’t let me go. This is just my own personal preference. I love big books with interesting characters and plots that hook me from the beginning. This sounds like a book I would probably read it if it were longer and the characters more fleshed out. I hope Didi writes a bigger book soon, as I would certainly want to read it. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and have great evening! 🙂
Hey Leslie, thank you for sharing your thoughts. What you are saying makes sense. Give me a good plot and some twists and I am a happy gal.
This book had a good plot, just needed few more pages to get my claws into it.
I am sure Didi’s next book will be fab…
Great review! I might still pick this up. I’ve also had a hard time with books being good but needing to be longer.
I understand. 50 pages more with more twists, it would have been my most favorite read
Sorry this was disappointing, Shalini. On to those five star reads.
Marialyce, I have to get to them… I have started a cozy book hoping that the dead body grips me 😂😂
Oh you did a good job with the review.
Thank you so much honey. How are you? Are you busy with your bridezillas
Shucks – sounds like the ideas were good but it needs serious tweaking
I agree and 100 more pages
It’s too bad the book frustrated you, but I guess having a book that’s too short from a good writer is a lot better than having a book that is too long from a poor writer!
Oh that’s true Priscilla. I didn’t think from this angle… Great point. But I just wanted a bit more of a story to sink into
Ugh, I hate it when a writer feels as though they have nothing more to say when with a little encouragement you just know that they do. Perhaps this author will see your review and maybe others and give it a little re-write. I love your review and your honesty as always!
Hahaha this author is very cute, she is a fellow blogger too. The next book, I am going to prod her while she is writing and make her write a longer one. Only if she lets me. It was a great plot arc though
Hehe, I’m yours for the prodding! 😉
Reading this next month. While I’ll miss some of the fleshing out that would have come in a longer story I’m quite intrigued by the premise.
Exactly it is quite a great plot arc. I am quite itching to stand over Didi and make her write a bigger story – Justice for Didi, the inner story. Working title 😂😂😂🤭😂
Hahahaha. The author police… I mean… prodder… I mean… helper! There!
Hehehe remember this laughter and giggling when I am policing… Errr… Prodding…. Helping your writing 😂😂
Hahaha. Oooh…… Hmmm….
Hehehe *cackled like a witch*
😂😂😊
Loved your candid account of this book, Shalini.
Thank you Laurie, how are you doing, girl?
Hi, Shalini!! 🤗 I’m still dealing with the same issues, but I’m making it. The whole doctor to doctor thing. 🙄 All of these doctors and still nothing definitive yet. I’m still pressing though. 🤷🏽♀️
I’ve missed my blogging buddies and their book recommendations SO MUCH!! I had to check back in even with everything I have going on. I’ve missed you!! ☺️
Such a great & balanced review it’s always refreshing to see honesty and it’s positive you just wanted more from the story and character development x
Thank you so much. You are very kind. The author had a great plot. I am much too greedy wanting more
That is why I don’t read short stories at all, I fear they’re too short :-). Thanks for your thoughtful review of this one Shalini!
Hey Inge.. Thank you ❤️ sometimes short stories make easy reads during a reading slump. It helped me get over one
Glad the imagery was so strong in this- great review!
Thank you so much ❤️ 😘
Great review, Shalini. Its a shame that this book wasn’t long enough to fully deliver. The premise certainly is interesting though.
I agree… I wanted Didi to really sink into the main character’s brain. Maybe she will write this story with a different angle. Didi are you listening?
Reading this one soon. Wonderful review, and I know Didi will take your advice to heart.❤
🙈🙈😂😂 Luckily she is a good sport and a sweet, understanding person… Any other author would have blocked me by now. Very few so far like my reviews 😂😂
🤣 authors need thick skins to be in this business. She knows you’re speaking from your heart! 😘
Hehehe yayy lucky me… Why are you not asleep yet?
Too much pain. Fell asleep shortly after that comment though!
Yayy…. I was a Lullaby for you or I am that boring
Whatever works baby
Lol, lullaby! You know you’re not boring! 😘
What do ya know? I am… 😂 😂 😂
🤣🤣❤❤❤
Oooh let me know when you need the prod… OK that sounds dirty… Hehehe but you know what I mean😘❤️
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