Reviews

Carry Me Home by Rosalind James

kateafur's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

melbsreads's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Content warnings: rape, stalking, blood, assault, gun violence, racism, car accident, toxic relationship (in the past), shitty parenting, animal abuse

I forget where I saw this being recommended - probably on Bookstagram - but I was in the mood for a romantic suspense book and this one seemed interesting. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. Like, it was FINE. But it felt like it flip flopped between being all suspense and then all romance with very little crossover, and that's.....not what I want from a romantic suspense book. 

Add in the fact that so much of the crime side of this story involves rape and sexual assault -

including in Iraq when the villain was in the military, but which is never really addressed in a satisfactory way

- and this was just...kind of a slog to get through, to be perfectly honest. Also, I wanted to slap Zoe's father across the face for being just an absolutely godawful father, even though he only appears on the page through phone calls. 

birdloveranne's review against another edition

4.0

Kind of a slow start, but I stuck with it, cuz I *floved* Cal. And I loved how the narrator portrayed Cal.

bookgirl_sfz's review against another edition

4.0

Excellent book.A go to for romance and bit of thriller!
Main Characters are well written.Zoe is strong and modern day women, liked her independency.Cal jackson dialogues are good.
Would have loved if one or more chapter for ending.Felt a bit rushed at the end.

jigsawgirl's review against another edition

5.0

“I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.”

This was a really good romantic suspense story. The story takes place in Paradise, Idaho. Zoe,is an assistant professor at the university. She is absolutely career focused,looking to move to a larger university. To make that next step up the ladder of her career path. Zoe thinks she has Cal pegged.

Cal, is an ex-jock, farmer, who is recovering from a divorce, but looking for someone who is interested in making a life in Paradise. Cal knows Zoe thinks she has him pegged. Their meeting on a snowy road changes both of their lives.

There is a stalker, lurking in the shadows, planning his attack. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat. I have read all of Rosalind James NZ books, starting with Just Good Friends, but this book takes a different path.

There is romance, some steamy scenes, and suspense. The book keeps you guessing about the identity of the stalker. I loved the fact that Zoe was a strong female lead, and Cal was your strong male lead. They worked so well together, with their slightly sarcastic, witty, humorous conversations.

I enjoyed almost all of the Paradise characters. I have to say that even the bad guys were well written. I highly recommend this book. It was just a really good read. One of those books that you can't wait for it to end so you can figure out the mystery, BUT, you hate for it to end because it is so good.

shandra_s's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

saggreader1217's review against another edition

1.0

I couldn't finish the book. Too many storylines. It should have focused on one, and made it the best instead of trying to do to many things at once.

ame_why's review against another edition

3.0

It was nice to read a book with a strong/streetwise female character for a change. Too many books and movies claim to have strong female leads but then spend chapter after chapter (or scene after scene) of said female character making terrible decisions. So I was happy when for a change I got to read a book about a woman who understands the dangers of the world around her and actually takes precautions when there's a stalker/serial rapist out to get her. And on top of that, one of the side characters (also female) successfully defended herself and beat the crap out of the guy when he broke into her apartment early on in the book. The author didn't sugarcoat how scared she was or make it seem unrealistic. She wasn't experienced in combat or anything like that. She simply did what it took to defend her life. I also appreciate that the romance in this book (while corny at times) wasn't overdone. There were moments that made me roll my eyes but for the most part, the relationship that developed seemed natural and somewhat more realistic than what is typical of these sort of books.

lbrick363's review against another edition

2.0

Oh my...

This was kind of stupid. I listened to the audio and wanted to gag how cheesy everything was. I did not like Zoe at all. There wasn’t much suspense there either.

becasaur27's review against another edition

4.0

A cute moderately suspenseful read. I have no idea why it was on my Kindle. Where did it come from? I guess I bought it, but why? Did someone recommend it? Was it on a great sale? I don't know. And that's a bit of a problem. I am addicted to buying books sometimes and try really hard to not do that, but sometimes I still do. Anyway, no regrets here. I wouldn't mind reading others, if they randomly also show up on my Kindle, but not sure that I will necessarily actively seek them out.