I loved the blurb, I loved the beginning of the story. The book started with a shocker – a suicide. Julia was found hanging from the porch, and her mother Claire was devastated. What caused a happy 20 year old, studying journalism, to take such a drastic step?
The author Nicole Trope started the story with a bang which went on to describe a mother’s pain. There can really be no words on this earth to describe that grief. The story continued with Claire’s investigation into her daughter’s life where she made startling discovery of Julia being in a secret relationship.
The whole premise of the story was thrilling, but there were so many facts that niggled me.
- Claire was unlikable. I could understand her pain but not her attitude. Her reactions felt odd at some moments.
- The flashback showed scenes but didn’t show love between mother and daughter.
- I could guess the reason of Julia’s death from the very beginning, it was obvious and icky. But I could let go of it for the story
- The ex-husband was an abuser one who physically hit Claire throughout her marriage but was shown as a reformed man. It all felt a little unbelievable.
- The new husband was a bit whiny at times
I liked that the book read fast, the ending was left for us to assume. The letters written to Julia brought out each layer of her relationship and the way it progressed. Claire’s grief and helplessness and glimpses of her determination was well written. The plotline had a kick, and I read the book to see if I was right in my guess.
I was!!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bookouture, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!!
All my reviews can be found here
Would you read such a story which has darker sides of a relationship? Would you read this trope?
In the middle of the night, Claire wakes up to discover that her beloved daughter, Julia, is dead – and life, as she knows it, is over.
Searching for answers, Claire stumbles upon a pile of letters, hidden under Julia’s bed in an old, battered shoebox, and feels closer to her daughter than ever before. They tell her that Julia was happy, that she was thriving at university, that she was in love.
But as the letters go on, Claire starts to feel uneasy at something hidden between the lines. Even as she grieves, she must prepare to face a shocking discovery. Because Julia was hiding a terrible secret – and when it’s uncovered, it will make Claire question everything she thought she knew about her daughter…
Publication Date: 19th March 2019
Publisher: Bookouture
45 Responses
This sounds pretty good, but maybe not one for me. Glad you still enjoyed it despite the things you didn’t like. Excellent review! 💖
Thanks Mischenko it was good but had some icky relationships
Sorry this one was not a better story for you, Shalini. I am sure you have many others waiting.
True that… I just have to find my gems soon
Hehe fun review 😄
Hahaha thanks dark book
A shame, but a book really does need good characters that a reader can want to invest their time in.
This has an icky relationship hence.. It was a bit off
Yikes, the synopsis would have lured me in too
I am strangely attracted to this trope. But it has an icky relationship which might put off some /most… I had guessed it because it was evident.. Blehhh😩
I have to say the blurb and the cover are both intriguing, so it is easy to see why you wanted to read the book. But your niggles make me hesitate on this one. If I can’t relate to or like the MC in a book, then I generally give up and DNF. So at least you finished it! I don’t mind darkness in books, as long as certain things like violence and rape and abuse aren’t told in explicit detail. That kind of stuff turns my stomach. I think there are ways to hint at the “darkness” without giving too much detail. Less is more, IMO. Another great review, Shalini! Hope you are having an enjoyable Thursday! 🙂
Don’t read it Leslie, it has a borderline incestuous relationship which is icky, nothing graphic but…. So it made the book a dark read..
I hope your next read is one you love!
I am in a slump… Started 5 books nothing caught me.. 😢
I really like your review of this one and I love darker themed books, as you know. But this one doesn’t sound like it was done as well as it could have been which is always disheartening.
Mackey, since it is you and not many would read this comment. It has borderline incestuous relationship so it was a bit difficult to stomach that, I guessed it, hence I could read… But it is icky
I don’t know what I’d dislike more the whiny guy or the abuser who turns into an angel.. I don’t think it’s one for me. I don’t mind reading novels about abuse though, I loved It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, it felt ‘really real’ 😊
Oooh you have told me that on Verity review so both are on my wishlist on amazon
Thank you.<3
❤️
When you describe icky, that signaled to me – do not read. I salute you for being able to finish the book! 👍🏼
Yeah one relationship is a bit icky so can be read but it leaves an after taste
You have discovered too many difficulties to make it appealing to me. Keep trying. Your next captivating book is out there!
I hope so… Nothing is captivating me…. 🤷🏻♀️💖
Abuser turning angel? Nope! Still, I love tragic stories exploring relationships!
Check it out but one relationship was icky Meggy
Excellent review lovely! Especially as you explained so well the aspects that weren’t so strong
Aww thank you Zoe 💖😍
Oh you are welcome!! 😘😘
Hmm. From your review I think I’d have the same issues Shalini.
You won’t like it Kim… It has an icky relationship in it.. Which was actually abuse now that I think about it
🥺
Great review, Shalini! Do you think relationships without dark sides are possible? 😉 Best wishes, Michael
Ooh what are YOU thinking about now, Michael? 🤔😉😂😍
😂😍Think every relationship has dark sides. We are all (except you ;-)) no angels. Best wishes for a beautiful weekend. Michael
Haha 😂 am I an angel? ❤️❤️ You never know!!
I will see, i am sure. 🙂
If only there was a transporter
As always, an amazing job done with the review.
Thank you darling ❤️
Aww. Pity you couldn’t connect with the characters. I need to like the characters to really get pulled into a story too.
Sometimes story is good hence I don’t need likable characters but this one had a borderline incestuous relationship… Not for you is this book
😵