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neldiamond's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
rkaz16's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
every character was annoying like nobody (even the grown adults) could handle their problems. every problem or point of stress in this book could’ve been solved with a simple conversation between characters. it was frustrating. the mystery death aspect was entertaining and i enjoyed that part. but overall pretty lousy but happy i read it
amyteurhour's review
3.0
Content warning: abusive relationships, substance use (alcohol, ), child abuse, wrongful conviction , murder and attempted murder, racism, classism, overdose
peak Boy Mom™ behavior.
peak Boy Mom™ behavior.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Racism, Alcohol, Classism, and Murder
jansbookcorner's review
3.0
I liked this book through most of it and it was headed to a solid 4 star read. But then - the ending ruined it. It’s not the big reveal that did it but how it was written. It was almost like the page limit was being reached so it was time to end it. It just felt rushed.
schitten's review
3.0
I was 100% in on this book and excited for the first 2/3. I enjoy books that are written from different perspectives surrounding the same story. Unfortunately too many storylines were opened up that were left unfinished at the end. It felt like details to the story were added un necessarily. Overall that shaped my overall rating of a 3 because I'm still left with questions.
courtmull1123's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
erinngus's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
3.75
I would recommend for readers who enjoyed Little Fires Everywhere. There were a few things in the novel I wish got more of (ex. Lucy) or more closure on (ex. Roma/Whitney) but I overall enjoyed this as a summer read and finished quickly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse and Death
mbkarapcik's review
4.0
The vibrant, eye-catching colors of the cover of The Lifeguards by Amanda Eyre Ward draws you in at first, but the multilayered story keeps you engaged. Three friends find their friendships, relationships, and upscale lifestyles upended when an incident takes place in their suburban and very tony Texas town involving their three boys. As tight as the teenage boys are, their moms are just as tight and have just as much fun together. Unfortunately, the event sets a lot of other things in motion, and a flood of secrets starts oozing their ways out.
I really enjoyed this book and found many of the characters well-drawn and appealing. Some enjoyed very decadent lifestyles while every character hides different salacious secrets that they don't want to spill out. Although, at times, I mixed up two of the main moms, I thoroughly felt entertained by the story. It's a great summer beach read, but there's a very sinister side to the story. At times, you may feel a bit chilled, but there's a lot going on, and, despite the many plotlines, the author keeps them connected and keeps you guessing about the thriller aspects of the story.
My only real complaints are that the ending doesn't inform the reader about every character's fate. The epilogue only ties up a few character's endings but also doesn't show any implications of what's happened. There are stories that I continued to wonder about and wanted to know about. I also feel like the climax occurs, and then you're dropped from learning how it turns out and then quickly jump into the epilogue too soon. I felt that a few more chapters may have been warranted to explain how everything pans out.
Other than that, I am very intrigued to read the author's other books. I have one sitting in a box by my bed, which I intend to finally read, and many others that I want to catch up with at the library. If you are a fan of Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, this book may be a good choice for you.
Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! It was a pleasure!
I really enjoyed this book and found many of the characters well-drawn and appealing. Some enjoyed very decadent lifestyles while every character hides different salacious secrets that they don't want to spill out. Although, at times, I mixed up two of the main moms, I thoroughly felt entertained by the story. It's a great summer beach read, but there's a very sinister side to the story. At times, you may feel a bit chilled, but there's a lot going on, and, despite the many plotlines, the author keeps them connected and keeps you guessing about the thriller aspects of the story.
My only real complaints are that the ending doesn't inform the reader about every character's fate. The epilogue only ties up a few character's endings but also doesn't show any implications of what's happened. There are stories that I continued to wonder about and wanted to know about. I also feel like the climax occurs, and then you're dropped from learning how it turns out and then quickly jump into the epilogue too soon. I felt that a few more chapters may have been warranted to explain how everything pans out.
Other than that, I am very intrigued to read the author's other books. I have one sitting in a box by my bed, which I intend to finally read, and many others that I want to catch up with at the library. If you are a fan of Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, this book may be a good choice for you.
Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! It was a pleasure!