My review
Is it me or is it the book? I fail to understand…
I do not know what to say about this book. I liked the premise and the story line. I liked the twists and the fast pace. I liked how anorexia and bulimia is dealt with.
I liked how the author Barbara Copperthwaite writes the prose. I liked the detailing and the sensitivity. I liked how the characters thought and how they played. I liked the con, the double con and the conner becoming the connee and the connee being in double blind (if such words exist, otherwise I am totally owning them!). I liked the possibilities and permeabilities of the story. I liked how physical abuse can take a toll. I liked how each react to it.
Then came these thoughts which niggled me and wormed into my brain.. Where is the WHAM!! (I am not talking about the band, not many will know them, I am from dark ages). Where is the plot which hits me right between my eyes? Where is the story that steals my breath away? Where is the ending which gives me shivers into the night? Where are my gasps and my screams? Where are my palpitations and heart gallops? Where are the characters which are wolves in sheep’s clothing? Where is the psychology behind this thriller which f*cks my brain?(pardon the French) Where is the WHAM? Hence I ask the question
Is it me or is it the book?
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bookouture, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
My rating : 3 stars
About the Author
Barbara is the Amazon and USA Today bestselling author of psychological thrillers INVISIBLE, FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD, THE DARKEST LIES, and HER LAST SECRET. Her latest book is THE PERFECT FRIEND.
More importantly, she loves cakes, wildlife photography and, last but definitely not least, her two dogs, Scamp and Buddy (who force her to throw tennis balls for them for hours).
Book blurb
My name is Alex, and my world has been shattered.
My husband has left me.
My children won’t speak to me.
My friend Carrie is the only person I have.
She’s the only one I can trust to keep all my secrets.
She’d never do anything to let me down.
Would she?
Product Details
Publication date : 5th July, 2018
Publisher : Bookouture
Thriller-y Read in parts
43 Responses
Your review Shalini. Lol.
I almost felt like I was there reading the book with you. And I do know who Wham is… 😜😄
Yayyy, you and me baby. I was pretty sure most don’t know WHAM.
A book should send the heart racing, this didn’t. For me. Rest all have enjoyed her book fabulously… So don’t know if it me or my expectation from a psychological thriller
And I know you’re in a mood for a real gripping thriller these days. We gotta find you one!
I have to find some PRONTO vite fast asap stat… Add any other words you know!!
Yeah you covered the languages I know already in that one 😄
Hahaha I know other languages but they are all on the India side of it
Hahaha
By some strange coincidence, my review of the author’s previous book had WHAM written in it. That book was WHAM… how freaky is that and the subconscious is a brilliant player
Hahahahaha. That’s funny. I’ve always liked that name for a band 😄
Let’s WHAMmy on to Mexico
🎶 🎵 🇲🇽😄
Oh dear. I have this as well, although I haven’t gotten to it yet. I’ve liked Barbara Copperthwaite’s previous books so I’ve been looking forward to this. Usually her books are full to the brim with twists and turns, so to hear that her latest doesn’t have “Wham” is disappointing. Thanks for the honest and fair review though Shalini. And now I have the urge to listen to “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” for some reason.🤔
Hahaha Kim… I also love the song I hear it frequently, didn’t know if anyone would remember it. It goes perfectly with the above theme.
Kim I am alone in this thinking that the book doesn’t have WHAM. I am sure you will love it. It is all me… I am wanting something more nowadays.
I’m 53 Shalini, so I remember them well. I also loved George Michael when he embarked on his solo career and still miss him.
As far as the book goes, I’ve found that sometimes it’s just a matter of mood. I hope you find your next book more exciting.🤗
I loved George Michael. I am more closer to your age.. 😉 Careless whispers was wow
Nice review 👌👍 must pick👍😄
Thanks 😊
Sorry to hear the book wasn’t for you, but thank you for taking the time to read and review it anyway, it’s appreciated.
Thank you so much for understanding. Your books cause my heart to race so fast that I am screaming in delight. I wanted the same from this book. So it is all on me..
I am sure I am going to have fun with your next book.
Until the next book (I’m working on it!) 🙂 Have a lovely day x
Your review is really well-written, Shalini – you’re so expressive. It’ll be interesting to read others’ reviews of this book.
All have loved this book… Hahaha I am in the minority… I wanted WHAM
Huh? What did you want? Was it.. bam? Oh no, I think you said you wanted spam? What was it, again, Shalini? 😂😂😂
Hahaha why would I want spam?? 😂😂 I get enough comments in spam folder.
I wanted WHAM, in American terms, knock the ball out of the park… Where everyone goes WOW
Haha you crack me up. May all the books you read this month have plenty of WHAM. 🙃
Hahaha unfortunately it is all me, not finding a WHAM… though I am playing the song by WHAM
Oh, sad to see this one didn’t worked out as you were expecting it to be.
Awesome review Shalini, you made me smile and made me sing with the WHAM! You put the boom boom into my heart,
You send my soul sky high when your lovin’ starts.
HAHAHA
Yayyy… You know the band too… I have these songs on my phone, I play them when I am nostalgic… WHAM was fun. Glad to know there are more of us now!!!
Keep the singing on, girl!!
The review of the author’s previous book had WHAM written in it. I hope the next forthcoming book has WHAM!!
https://bookreviewsbyshalini.wordpress.com/2017/10/19/her-last-secret-by-barbara-copperthwaite/
this was so FREAKY!!
Nice review boss
Thanks Vijay
👍
Well, I’m glad that they were sensitive about the subject matter, too bad the story didn’t quite go where you hoped! But… Who doesn’t know WHAM!? You would “wake me up before you go go” right, my darling??
Oh yes… Thank you for your kind words.. You put the boom boom into my heart♥️💜
Great review, Shalini. This is why you make such an awesome beta reader. You leave no stone unturned. And yes, I definitely remember WHAM. I was a teenager back then…sigh.
I liked them too. I still hear wake me up before you go go hehehe
Thank you for your support and words of encouragement
Great review, Shalini! I somewhat agreed with you, but I, too, really like Barbara’s writing, and thoroughly enjoyed the last one. Most of my problem with this one was the ending. I appreciated the con, the connor, and the connee, but by then thought I’d figured it all out. I suspect each reader will glean something different.
Same here… I liked the book but it didn’t give that shiver down my spine, the point where pulse skips a beat.. This felt like an emotional story especially at the end.
There was too much of physical abuse content… I am finding a lot of thrillers coming up with the same content…
After my current set of books I am moving on to fantasy and horror for some time…👻📚😉😂
My comment on your post of the same book has gone to spam folder. Could you please rescue it?
Sorry you were a bit disappointed Shalini. 😦
Well, it was good just not brilliant. On to next book.
I know and miss WHAM 😉
I know… Me too..
So yayyy us who love WHAM even now