Scan barcode
darkpsychereads's review against another edition
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ - Tense & electric domestic thriller.
When Alex's long lost and untrustworthy sister, Ruth, knocks on her door with a baby bump, she brings an unsettling series of events that rock the stability of Alex's now stable life. While Alex enforces strict guardianship over her sister, their childhood afflictions inevitably come back to haunt them both full force. High secrecy, elevated tensions, and all kinds of deceit and games between two badass sisters run consistently throughout this story - keeping you guessing!
"Again and again the universe pins me onto a hideous wheel, and I'm always at the very center as it spins."
I applaud an author from grabbing my attention from the very beginning with the depiction of a woman "ghost-danc[ing]" with her baby by a window... that was haunting enough for me to begin! Then, twisting my world all over again at the very end. I also enjoyed the atmospheric setup, attention to body language (well done! many writers forget this!) and good character development which left a strong visual impression. However, perhaps the male characters felt a little washed out, seeming all a bit too easygoing and gullible. I enjoyed how analytical and observational Alex was, reading into people's psychological subtext. Also how badass she was! I did enjoy how events transpired and it was a rewarding ending (even though I kinda predicted it from 50%).
While the writing was good, I felt the storyline a little predictable and orchestrated in parts. Like simply going through the motions, everybody behaving as they should, all characters in place for the final scene. For that reason, it was more of a lulling thriller - keeping a consistent pace without much change in overall experience. I struggled a bit with the unrealistic turns of events, like weeks would go by and Alex wouldn't have those conversations with her partner about how weird it was that Ruth was staying? I get that Alex was quite secretive and independent, but it still seemed odd. I know when I live with someone and there's tension, weeks don't just go by, that stuff comes out, rather fast! And the tension about Sully.. really? A girl's allowed to have friends.
And Chase needed a little more depth as I couldn't quite understand where he was coming from - Particularly his love of babies and sadness over discovering his gf of two years didn't disclose she had a brother.. like so what? Unless it's really hammered in that Chase is passionate/sensitive about family, and there's maybe scenes where his family drop in or he experienced some kind of strong loss himself, this emotion didn't seem to qualify in the readers eye (And that brotherly sporting accident doesn't count! Even though I did enjoy the reference to Chase's 'light trauma' of it).
I also think the ending needed more fleshing out to make it really sink in how damaged they really were.
(Irrelevant storyline sidenote: I cringed at the character who tipped breast milk bottles down the drain!! nooo !! babies need those specifically developed nutrients to survive their first few weeks!!! AGH.)
While the plot was somewhat predictable, I still found many of the twists, lies and motivations very enjoyable. I think I would read more by this author based on how fun the writing was! Especially, since she referred to pregnancy as "an alien trapped in a bag".
Thanks to NetGalley, Roz Nay and the publisher for this free Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review!
*This book came out on July 7, 2020 and is available for purchase!*
When Alex's long lost and untrustworthy sister, Ruth, knocks on her door with a baby bump, she brings an unsettling series of events that rock the stability of Alex's now stable life. While Alex enforces strict guardianship over her sister, their childhood afflictions inevitably come back to haunt them both full force. High secrecy, elevated tensions, and all kinds of deceit and games between two badass sisters run consistently throughout this story - keeping you guessing!
"Again and again the universe pins me onto a hideous wheel, and I'm always at the very center as it spins."
I applaud an author from grabbing my attention from the very beginning with the depiction of a woman "ghost-danc[ing]" with her baby by a window... that was haunting enough for me to begin! Then, twisting my world all over again at the very end. I also enjoyed the atmospheric setup, attention to body language (well done! many writers forget this!) and good character development which left a strong visual impression. However, perhaps the male characters felt a little washed out, seeming all a bit too easygoing and gullible. I enjoyed how analytical and observational Alex was, reading into people's psychological subtext. Also how badass she was! I did enjoy how events transpired and it was a rewarding ending (even though I kinda predicted it from 50%).
While the writing was good, I felt the storyline a little predictable and orchestrated in parts. Like simply going through the motions, everybody behaving as they should, all characters in place for the final scene. For that reason, it was more of a lulling thriller - keeping a consistent pace without much change in overall experience. I struggled a bit with the unrealistic turns of events, like weeks would go by and Alex wouldn't have those conversations with her partner about how weird it was that Ruth was staying? I get that Alex was quite secretive and independent, but it still seemed odd. I know when I live with someone and there's tension, weeks don't just go by, that stuff comes out, rather fast! And the tension about Sully.. really? A girl's allowed to have friends.
And Chase needed a little more depth as I couldn't quite understand where he was coming from - Particularly his love of babies and sadness over discovering his gf of two years didn't disclose she had a brother.. like so what? Unless it's really hammered in that Chase is passionate/sensitive about family, and there's maybe scenes where his family drop in or he experienced some kind of strong loss himself, this emotion didn't seem to qualify in the readers eye (And that brotherly sporting accident doesn't count! Even though I did enjoy the reference to Chase's 'light trauma' of it).
I also think the ending needed more fleshing out to make it really sink in how damaged they really were.
(Irrelevant storyline sidenote: I cringed at the character who tipped breast milk bottles down the drain!! nooo !! babies need those specifically developed nutrients to survive their first few weeks!!! AGH.)
While the plot was somewhat predictable, I still found many of the twists, lies and motivations very enjoyable. I think I would read more by this author based on how fun the writing was! Especially, since she referred to pregnancy as "an alien trapped in a bag".
Thanks to NetGalley, Roz Nay and the publisher for this free Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review!
*This book came out on July 7, 2020 and is available for purchase!*
rmarcin's review against another edition
4.0
Roz Nay writes novels that are meant to shock and surprise you. In her latest, Hurry Home, she tells a tale of two sisters and the bond they share.
Alex is a social worker, determined to make the lives of children better. She feels it is her mission to save them.
Ruth is Alex’s older sister, who ran away from home at a relatively young age. According to Alex, Ruth is the reason that her family was torn apart.
Alex lives with Chase, a good and wholesome man. She also has a deep friendship with Sully, a cop. Alex hides much of her past from both of them, and makes Ruth promise not to divulge their past to Chase when Ruth shows up on Alex’s doorstep, pregnant and needing a place to live.
As details of their childhood begin to surface, told by both Ruth and Alex, you question who is telling the truth and who you can trust.
I recognized most of what was going to happen, as there were tons of clues throughout the book, but the final twist on the last page was unexpected.
#HurryHome #RozNay
Alex is a social worker, determined to make the lives of children better. She feels it is her mission to save them.
Ruth is Alex’s older sister, who ran away from home at a relatively young age. According to Alex, Ruth is the reason that her family was torn apart.
Alex lives with Chase, a good and wholesome man. She also has a deep friendship with Sully, a cop. Alex hides much of her past from both of them, and makes Ruth promise not to divulge their past to Chase when Ruth shows up on Alex’s doorstep, pregnant and needing a place to live.
As details of their childhood begin to surface, told by both Ruth and Alex, you question who is telling the truth and who you can trust.
I recognized most of what was going to happen, as there were tons of clues throughout the book, but the final twist on the last page was unexpected.
#HurryHome #RozNay
heidisreads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars for sure! Page-turner/cannot turn off the audiobook
The alternating perspectives of the sisters sent me through loops and I thoroughly enjoyed chasing the story!
The alternating perspectives of the sisters sent me through loops and I thoroughly enjoyed chasing the story!
slavicsongbird's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly didn't think I'd give this book 5 stars, and in reality, I give it 4.50. The book starts off kind of slow, but it pays off when you start connecting the dots. The ending is very good though and though there are some reactions and mind-changes of characters that I struggled to justify, the story itself holds up enough for me to only deduct one star.
Let me just say though, that I absolutely hated one sister with a passion and really liked the other. For the first half of the book I thought this was not going to be the good kind of hate which makes you love a book even more, but it was.
Let me just say though, that I absolutely hated one sister with a passion and really liked the other. For the first half of the book I thought this was not going to be the good kind of hate which makes you love a book even more, but it was.
smittenforfiction's review against another edition
4.0
Hey book lovers! I'm here with a book review for Hurry Home. I requested an ARC from Netgalley after hearing Lianne from Literary Diversions mark it as "on her radar". I couldn't put this down!
About The Book
nicilynnd's review against another edition
1.0
This book was a huge disappointment. It’s listed as a thriller but it’s not even close to being a thriller. I kept reading hoping that there was going to be a huge plot twist but there wasn’t. The characters weren’t believable as real people, some actions by the characters were just weird. This book fell really short for me.
I received an electronic copy of this book from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.
I received an electronic copy of this book from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.
charvi_not_just_fiction's review against another edition
DNF @pg 55
I don't like the author's writing style, it feels si detached. I'm given nothing to form emotional bonds with the characters and Ruth and Chase are simply annoying me. Maybe over time Alex may interest me but I'm not invested in her or tue story right now.
It's like the writer tries and tries to be mysterious but isn't building up the story. I just can't read it anymore.
I don't like the author's writing style, it feels si detached. I'm given nothing to form emotional bonds with the characters and Ruth and Chase are simply annoying me. Maybe over time Alex may interest me but I'm not invested in her or tue story right now.
It's like the writer tries and tries to be mysterious but isn't building up the story. I just can't read it anymore.
lilslothy's review against another edition
2.0
meh really predictable twist. none of the characters are interesting or enjoyable.
cwileygo's review against another edition
2.0
Quick read. Quite disappointed. Strange characters— and awkward relationships all the way through for me. Two major grammatical errors in the end of the book... I finished it feeling very dissatisfied. I much prefer a book like “The Child Finder” than this one.
melissadelongcox's review against another edition
*Thanks to Crooked Lane Books + NetGalley for the ARC!*
Way, way behind on this review - whoops! Finally picked this one up (that COVID staying-at-home life, y'all) and I have mixed feelings. On one hand, it's a thriller with a couple solid twists, which I so enjoy! On the other hand,
I'm glad that I finished it because I was dying to know how it all turned out, but I probably won't be recommending it for the reasons referenced above.
Way, way behind on this review - whoops! Finally picked this one up (that COVID staying-at-home life, y'all) and I have mixed feelings. On one hand, it's a thriller with a couple solid twists, which I so enjoy! On the other hand,
Spoiler
this book dives into LOTS of tough moments with kids - babies being removed from their families, the death of a child in a grain truck - and those were really uncomfortable to read. I nearly put the book down after the first couple chapters because of the first scene with a baby - the baby is basically living in squalor and is asleep with his face in couch cushions.I'm glad that I finished it because I was dying to know how it all turned out, but I probably won't be recommending it for the reasons referenced above.