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lisbethssalamander's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
4 stars for the first 85% of the book. 2 stars for the last 15%.
Not sure how a fairly competent psychological thriller manages to go so far off the rails with an ending, but this one was pretty bad.
The whole book sets up showing how jealous Charlie is, including jealous rages, self-harm episodes, and lies about going to therapy. But the killer at the end turns out to be a minor character who was obsessed with the main character for some reason.
The main character is terminally stupid throughout the book, but that's pretty standard for psychological thrillers. What's hilarious is that he continually spends the night with female friends and exes, once where he gets so drunk he isn't sure if they had sex or not. It was very hard for me to have even the slightest bit of sympathy for him, and I understood why his girlfriend kept getting angry at him over his behavior. Call me old-fashioned, but repeatedly spending the night with other women looks suspicious, even when nothing is going on.
Besides that, the reveal at the end of the killer being Rachel didn't work for me at all. She's barely in the book at all until close to the end, but then it turns out that she was the one setting up most of the accidents (aside from the ones that turned out to be strange coincidences like the acid attack on the housekeeper who we're constantly told how attractive she is).
Despite those issues, the book kept me engaged throughout. I ended up staying up all night to finish reading it because I wanted to find out how it ended. That almost makes the weak ending more frustrating, because the book had so much potential, only to end like this. It felt like the author wanted a twist ending that no one would guess to the point where the culprit ended up being someone who didn't really make any sense in the context of the book. Honestly I would have preferred a more predictable Basic Instinct type story where Charlie did end up being the one behind everything. Even his best friend Sasha would have been a more likely suspect, since it could have been explained that she had been in love with Andrew all along and saw Charlie as a threat.
I'll probably read more books by this author because they're available on Kindle Unlimited, but having read two of them now, I'm sensing a pattern with his work and not sure if I will continue if the next one I read isn't an improvement over this one.
Not sure how a fairly competent psychological thriller manages to go so far off the rails with an ending, but this one was pretty bad.
The main character is terminally stupid throughout the book, but that's pretty standard for psychological thrillers. What's hilarious is that he continually spends the night with female friends and exes, once where he gets so drunk he isn't sure if they had sex or not. It was very hard for me to have even the slightest bit of sympathy for him, and I understood why his girlfriend kept getting angry at him over his behavior. Call me old-fashioned, but repeatedly spending the night with other women looks suspicious, even when nothing is going on.
Besides that, the reveal at the end of the killer being Rachel didn't work for me at all. She's barely in the book at all until close to the end, but then it turns out that she was the one setting up most of the accidents (aside from the ones that turned out to be strange coincidences like the acid attack on the housekeeper who we're constantly told how attractive she is).
Despite those issues, the book kept me engaged throughout. I ended up staying up all night to finish reading it because I wanted to find out how it ended. That almost makes the weak ending more frustrating, because the book had so much potential, only to end like this. It felt like the author wanted a twist ending that no one would guess to the point where the culprit ended up being someone who didn't really make any sense in the context of the book. Honestly I would have preferred a more predictable Basic Instinct type story where Charlie did end up being the one behind everything. Even his best friend Sasha would have been a more likely suspect, since it could have been explained that she had been in love with Andrew all along and saw Charlie as a threat.
I'll probably read more books by this author because they're available on Kindle Unlimited, but having read two of them now, I'm sensing a pattern with his work and not sure if I will continue if the next one I read isn't an improvement over this one.
kyracoty's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
flintsloveofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly it’s hard to take the narrator’s problems seriously because he starts off complaining about his work from home job in London. Like sure it’s bad to be targeted by an obsessive psychopath but in a way, the narrator kinda deserved it. He had a work from home job in LONDON and he didn’t appreciate it.
queenoftheshadows's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
holmstead's review against another edition
5.0
WOW! I didn't really have that much high expectations for this one. But boy did it pull some punches. I don't want to talk too much about this book so as to not give anything away. But definitely some OMG moments for me. This one definitely doubts your suspicions. Towards the middle you start to anticipate what will lead up to those awful last moments. But nothing prepares you for the shock. It was crazy! The author can definitely spin ordinary things you live with and around you every day: People!
tatterededges's review against another edition
1.0
What a complete and utter shit show.
Unlikeable characters, unbelievable plot lines, and an ending that made so little sense I think even the author stopped paying attention.
Unlikeable characters, unbelievable plot lines, and an ending that made so little sense I think even the author stopped paying attention.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
BECAUSE SHE LOVES ME, a tantalizing psychological thriller by Mark Edwards-- which will take you down paths of terror, keeping you guessing, leaving victims dead at every corner—who is the real culprit behind this obsession? A powerful account of sexual jealousy and the power of this destructive emotion—the green-eyed monster on steroids, and a wacko sick murderer under disguise, who will do anything to take complete control.
Andrew has loved and lost in the past; however, he meets the mysterious, sexy, and beautiful Charlie. She is not very forthcoming about her life and her past. Their relationship moves quickly. She is a wonderful and creative lover, pulling him into her powerful web. However, she has a very jealous streak, possessive, and a temper. She does not like him talking with any other woman, and plans his every move. (sounds like my ex-husband)..
When Charlie’s obsession gets out of control and the women and people in Andrew’s circle begin to show up murdered—he begins to wonder who? Could Charlie have a split personality? He is even attacked involving a freak accident. Surely this woman he loves is not a cold-hearted killer?
An addictive and gripping thriller which keeps you guessing to the very end. I had a few suspects in mind for the murderer; however, I was wrong, as well. Edwards does an outstanding job of throwing you off track and holding the dramatic disclosure to the ending! Brilliant.
I loved the audiobook, as the narrator Napoleon Ryan, was exceptional, as loved the sexy accent for all characters, especially the naughty, Charlie. At times I thought Andrew must have the patience of Job, as most men would not tolerate a woman smothering them; however, guess for love and lust, you will put up with most anything to a point.
Fans of psycho thrillers, and authors Jennifer Hillier, Daniel Palmer, and Greg Iles will enjoy this thrilling intense ride.
This was my first book by Mark Edwards, and adding his other books to my reading list, as look forward to reading more by this talented author! (loved his inspiration for this piercing novel):
http://www.judithdcollinsconsulting.com/#!Because-She-Loves-Me/cmoa/A0F513D1-72A3-433B-87E5-11E85E70D456
Andrew has loved and lost in the past; however, he meets the mysterious, sexy, and beautiful Charlie. She is not very forthcoming about her life and her past. Their relationship moves quickly. She is a wonderful and creative lover, pulling him into her powerful web. However, she has a very jealous streak, possessive, and a temper. She does not like him talking with any other woman, and plans his every move. (sounds like my ex-husband)..
When Charlie’s obsession gets out of control and the women and people in Andrew’s circle begin to show up murdered—he begins to wonder who? Could Charlie have a split personality? He is even attacked involving a freak accident. Surely this woman he loves is not a cold-hearted killer?
An addictive and gripping thriller which keeps you guessing to the very end. I had a few suspects in mind for the murderer; however, I was wrong, as well. Edwards does an outstanding job of throwing you off track and holding the dramatic disclosure to the ending! Brilliant.
I loved the audiobook, as the narrator Napoleon Ryan, was exceptional, as loved the sexy accent for all characters, especially the naughty, Charlie. At times I thought Andrew must have the patience of Job, as most men would not tolerate a woman smothering them; however, guess for love and lust, you will put up with most anything to a point.
Fans of psycho thrillers, and authors Jennifer Hillier, Daniel Palmer, and Greg Iles will enjoy this thrilling intense ride.
This was my first book by Mark Edwards, and adding his other books to my reading list, as look forward to reading more by this talented author! (loved his inspiration for this piercing novel):
“After The Magpies was published, I realized I wanted to write something in a similar vein. As that novel was based on a real experience, I peered into my past to find something else to inspire me and hit upon a theme that I’d always wanted to explore in fiction: sexual jealousy..
When I was in my twenties, I lived with a woman who had a green-eyed monster inside her. Her jealousy made our life hell. Years later, I experienced jealousy myself and was shocked by the power of this most destructive emotion – and wondered just how destructive it could get… In The Magpies, the ‘monsters’ lived next door. In Because She Loves Me, the terror is even closer to home.”
http://www.judithdcollinsconsulting.com/#!Because-She-Loves-Me/cmoa/A0F513D1-72A3-433B-87E5-11E85E70D456
wonder_kinder's review against another edition
4.0
this book was quite interesting. It started very slow and I almost put it down a couple times. I'm very glad I stuck with it though. the ending is worth ask the slow relationship building.
mellabella's review against another edition
3.0
I did like Because She Loves Me. For the first three quarters. It started off fine. I was engaged and didn't want to put it down. But, the ending was... Not that it was just unexpected. But, why would there be two unhinged women in love with the main character? What are the odds? One of them never even gave Andrew (the main character) any creepy feelings. He didn't think of her at all. It was too much. The subplot with Sasha wasn't necessary. Andrew has had a rough time. When the book starts he just had eye surgery for a detached retina. He has one sibling. Tilly. She is in a wheelchair from an accident that killed their parents. He meets gorgeous Charlotte. Aka Charlie. He falls immediately in love. Charlie is edgy, intense an so is their sex life. But she soon shows signs of jealousy. Odd things start happening. Then horrible things start happening. To people he is close to. I would recommend. But only if you're willing to suspend belief for a while.