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brielowrey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I like this writer bc she gives cozy vibes. But this book was about the disappearance of a girl and all of a sudden I’m reading 3 full pages on a sexual encounter that didn’t seem necessary. I still enjoyed this story but it felt wrapped up too quickly by the end of it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Suicide, Mental illness, Death, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
An interesting take on a mystery/thriller with a disappearance of a high schooler right near graduation and ten years as they gather for a reunion, there is still no body and no clues as to where she could possibly be. With a tight knit group of friends, they all didn't know the secrets that were between them and as Kathryn tries to find more clues about Jennifer's disappearance some of their secrets will come out into the light and may cause some drama.
I loved that the author used Kathryn's journalistic profession to get her to go looking into the clues from the past and to try to find new ones. It was a perfect avenue to get her into interviewing the players from the past and trying to put the old pieces together with new puzzle pieces. I thought I had a clue as to the truth behind Jennifer's disappearance and I was pleasantly surprised by the real truth and even how it unfolded. I was glad I was wrong in my guessing!
An interesting take on a mystery/thriller with a disappearance of a high schooler right near graduation and ten years as they gather for a reunion, there is still no body and no clues as to where she could possibly be. With a tight knit group of friends, they all didn't know the secrets that were between them and as Kathryn tries to find more clues about Jennifer's disappearance some of their secrets will come out into the light and may cause some drama.
I loved that the author used Kathryn's journalistic profession to get her to go looking into the clues from the past and to try to find new ones. It was a perfect avenue to get her into interviewing the players from the past and trying to put the old pieces together with new puzzle pieces. I thought I had a clue as to the truth behind Jennifer's disappearance and I was pleasantly surprised by the real truth and even how it unfolded. I was glad I was wrong in my guessing!
flobrown's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Boring. Obvious who done it.
sueann's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I liked it, but it isn't great literature. A quick read, though, and the story moves along at a fast clip. Kathryn seems caught up in sullen teenage angst in the beginning, due at least in part to her best friend's disappearance. Once she overcomes inertia, she comes into her own. She puts herself at great risk to discover the truth.
tctimlin's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Sexual content
aswinney's review against another edition
4.0
Good book. Bad title.
This is a good mystery by the author of Orphan Train, but the title makes it sound like a steamy romance. Ignore the title.
This is a good mystery by the author of Orphan Train, but the title makes it sound like a steamy romance. Ignore the title.
bethreadsandnaps's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This is an earlier work of the author, and I’m not sure it ages well. Much of this book takes place in 1996, ten years after a group of students graduated high school. At graduation, Jennifer disappears and is now missing for 10 years.
Kathryn, unemployed and newly divorced at 28, comes home to live with her mother and lick her wounds. There is SO much shame Kathryn has for being divorced. This book definitely has the most shame in divorce that I’ve ever seen. She’s devastated, and Kathryn’s mother is so worried about her daughter being a spinster. It’s so…odd. Was this what we thought in the 1990s, or is this a very old trope being unearthed? It’s so heavy-handed about this.
This is a very light mystery. It goes at a lackadaisical pace, as Kathryn starts a writing gig, becomes an amateur detective, starts a romance with an old friend, bemoans her divorce. I wish it didn’t get so consumed by the self-pity path. After all, the author is an excellent writer. Creating tension - if this is truly a mystery - might not be her strong suit. Still, this was a compelling enough read.
This is an earlier work of the author, and I’m not sure it ages well. Much of this book takes place in 1996, ten years after a group of students graduated high school. At graduation, Jennifer disappears and is now missing for 10 years.
Kathryn, unemployed and newly divorced at 28, comes home to live with her mother and lick her wounds. There is SO much shame Kathryn has for being divorced. This book definitely has the most shame in divorce that I’ve ever seen. She’s devastated, and Kathryn’s mother is so worried about her daughter being a spinster. It’s so…odd. Was this what we thought in the 1990s, or is this a very old trope being unearthed? It’s so heavy-handed about this.
This is a very light mystery. It goes at a lackadaisical pace, as Kathryn starts a writing gig, becomes an amateur detective, starts a romance with an old friend, bemoans her divorce. I wish it didn’t get so consumed by the self-pity path. After all, the author is an excellent writer. Creating tension - if this is truly a mystery - might not be her strong suit. Still, this was a compelling enough read.
paigeken's review against another edition
3.0
Fairly predictable ending, which was disappointing. But Kline is easy to read. Perfect travel book.
aisokane's review against another edition
5.0
After reading some not so encouraging reviews on Goodreads, I went ahead to read the book because I loved Orphan Train so much. And I found that I loved Desire Lines just as much. I couldn't put it down until I was finished. The words were so smooth and so flowing and there were very profound insights on human nature and relationships all over the book. It was an extremely satisfying read.
alsmilesalot's review against another edition
2.0
Picked it up because it was a Kindle deal and I've been really looking froward to reading one of the "Orphan Train" (by the same author. It was ok-- a fine enough read. Light. Not as interesting as I'd hoped. The writing lowers my expectations for OT.