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evarano's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
This is an okay book! It kept me reading especially in the second half, that’s where this book really gets going. I found the beginning quite drawn out, all in the same setting with the same small group of characters kind of circling around the same situation. It dragged on too long. This story could’ve been written in less pages. I didn’t get the two perspectives at the beginning but eventually it made sense and came together! I couldn’t figure out the ending, although there were some clues along the way, I was pleasantly surprised to be on the edge of my seat. Charlie was a bit odd, I loved Chet, but I felt like Charlie wasn’t the most realistic, when she finds out some shocking pieces of information her responses are very G rated, almost young, I’m not sure. Also, she suffered so much trauma but doesn’t seem overly affected by it? In my opinion! The writing for me was a bit surface level, the story simple. Not saying this is necessarily negative, just doesn’t stack up to more complex stories in regards to drawing me in and spinning a web of thrill.
This is an okay book! It kept me reading especially in the second half, that’s where this book really gets going. I found the beginning quite drawn out, all in the same setting with the same small group of characters kind of circling around the same situation. It dragged on too long. This story could’ve been written in less pages. I didn’t get the two perspectives at the beginning but eventually it made sense and came together! I couldn’t figure out the ending, although there were some clues along the way, I was pleasantly surprised to be on the edge of my seat. Charlie was a bit odd, I loved Chet, but I felt like Charlie wasn’t the most realistic, when she finds out some shocking pieces of information her responses are very G rated, almost young, I’m not sure. Also, she suffered so much trauma but doesn’t seem overly affected by it? In my opinion! The writing for me was a bit surface level, the story simple. Not saying this is necessarily negative, just doesn’t stack up to more complex stories in regards to drawing me in and spinning a web of thrill.
daivan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
jenru9613's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5
mckayk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
thephdivabooks's review against another edition
3.0
I actually finished this a few weeks back but I’ve been thinking about how I want to review it... I really wanted to love it but this one fell a bit short for me.
I loved the premise for this book and as always, Kimberly Belle created a fantastic setting for a mystery. I could picture the big house with all of the windows, the darkness beyond as it looked out over forest and lake, and the icy waters below the dock.
One thing I really enjoyed in the book was the disparity of socioeconomic wealth that was tied to the story. Charlotte grew up poor. When she married a wealthy widower Paul, she can’t deny that some of her feelings were related to the fact that Paul providing a stable life. Paul is also the subject of some local gossip, after his first wife turned up dead in the lake behind their house.
Now, another dead woman turns up in the same spot, and Charlotte must face Paul’s past. There are some other stories that will come up and weave into this that surround the haves and the have nots in this town. These were the most captivating parts of the story for me.
At the same time, I can’t say this was a favorite from Belle’s books for me. I really struggled to connect with Charlotte, though normally that is something Belle excels at.
I found Charlotte to be an underdeveloped character. Even after finishing the book I don’t have a clear picture of who she is, which made it hard to understand why she made some of the decisions she did.
I am curious what others thought about this book and Charlotte in particular! Perhaps there are some who really got her, and I’d love to know more about that.
All things considered, this is a solid book but wasn’t a favorite for me. Definitely looking forward to more from Kimberly Belle, because she really has fantastic books and is talented! Thank you Park Row for my copy.
I loved the premise for this book and as always, Kimberly Belle created a fantastic setting for a mystery. I could picture the big house with all of the windows, the darkness beyond as it looked out over forest and lake, and the icy waters below the dock.
One thing I really enjoyed in the book was the disparity of socioeconomic wealth that was tied to the story. Charlotte grew up poor. When she married a wealthy widower Paul, she can’t deny that some of her feelings were related to the fact that Paul providing a stable life. Paul is also the subject of some local gossip, after his first wife turned up dead in the lake behind their house.
Now, another dead woman turns up in the same spot, and Charlotte must face Paul’s past. There are some other stories that will come up and weave into this that surround the haves and the have nots in this town. These were the most captivating parts of the story for me.
At the same time, I can’t say this was a favorite from Belle’s books for me. I really struggled to connect with Charlotte, though normally that is something Belle excels at.
I found Charlotte to be an underdeveloped character. Even after finishing the book I don’t have a clear picture of who she is, which made it hard to understand why she made some of the decisions she did.
I am curious what others thought about this book and Charlotte in particular! Perhaps there are some who really got her, and I’d love to know more about that.
All things considered, this is a solid book but wasn’t a favorite for me. Definitely looking forward to more from Kimberly Belle, because she really has fantastic books and is talented! Thank you Park Row for my copy.
melsbels01's review against another edition
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
amyjoneswrites's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book is what you'd get if Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier was written by a high schooler who read too much Colleen Hoover
zarlina's review against another edition
2.0
This book was 90% the main character feeling sorry for herself, and 10% mystery. Not even good mystery. The twist was obvious from the very start. It's always the rich boys trying to get away with murder. Yawn.