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threegoodrats's review against another edition
4.0
Review is here.
"Being rotten was like being poor, but in your heart. Nothing to be done. You get what you get and you don't get upset." p.32
"Being rotten was like being poor, but in your heart. Nothing to be done. You get what you get and you don't get upset." p.32
illusie's review against another edition
1.0
Ik vond het boek heel erg saai. Het verhaal kwam niet op gang en ik kon mij niet verplaatsen in de hoofdpersonen.
bombadalejr's review against another edition
3.0
A very detailed thriller tying in fantastic southern gothic themes of wanderlust and simplicity with a global art theft ring.
It is a bit of a slow crawl to the meat of everything, and projected into me a lot of anxiety that made the reading difficult. However very worth the GoneGirl-esque ending.
It is a bit of a slow crawl to the meat of everything, and projected into me a lot of anxiety that made the reading difficult. However very worth the GoneGirl-esque ending.
pallas4's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
craftygoat's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't expect to like the main character -- so flawed. But I was drawn to her story, and found myself cheering for her to get a happy ending. The author did a good job of unfolding the past and present stories, with just enough foreshadowing to keep me intrigued.
My fave parts:
p. 271: "They had planned a heist, and heist dreams always ended in a firework, the blaze of triumph, nothing of the mess but the smoke that hung over the ground. That was the point. You never dreamed of bickering, whining, trouble banking, stolen luggage, bleeding head wounds, the man you love in prison, and running out of money. You never had to deal with the wreck of yourself, whatever had gone so wrong in your wiring that this, this scheme with its fakes and maps and comps and fickle timetables and reliance on old Dorothea Franey's ruined hearing, seemed like the best way out of the life you couldn't live any longer."
p. 304: "They rolled onto their sides, nose-to-nose and knee-to-knee, and she knew it in her very bones: This was the only life for them. Here was her only anchor. She risked for him and he risked for her. She'd sinned for him and he'd sinned for her. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, and everyone else was a stranger, either a mark or a liar. This was their happiness and they would not let it go."
Side note: I was at first slightly confused, then later annoyed, that the narrator was calling her Grace while the other characters called her Julie.
My fave parts:
p. 271: "They had planned a heist, and heist dreams always ended in a firework, the blaze of triumph, nothing of the mess but the smoke that hung over the ground. That was the point. You never dreamed of bickering, whining, trouble banking, stolen luggage, bleeding head wounds, the man you love in prison, and running out of money. You never had to deal with the wreck of yourself, whatever had gone so wrong in your wiring that this, this scheme with its fakes and maps and comps and fickle timetables and reliance on old Dorothea Franey's ruined hearing, seemed like the best way out of the life you couldn't live any longer."
p. 304: "They rolled onto their sides, nose-to-nose and knee-to-knee, and she knew it in her very bones: This was the only life for them. Here was her only anchor. She risked for him and he risked for her. She'd sinned for him and he'd sinned for her. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, and everyone else was a stranger, either a mark or a liar. This was their happiness and they would not let it go."
Side note: I was at first slightly confused, then later annoyed, that the narrator was calling her Grace while the other characters called her Julie.
lriopel's review against another edition
4.0
I am not sure about this book - I think I really liked it? The writing is good, the story is thought provoking, and it kept my interest throughout, and I think that is a recipe for a good book, but I can't pinpoint exactly what I liked about it. The protagonist is a difficult character - not always very sympathetic, but I at the same time, I completely GOT her, which speaks to the quality of writing. The peripheral characters were well done, but none of them were particularly likable, either. I thought the summary didn't do it justice, because it made it sound like a caper book, and it's really not. Yes, it centers around a robbery "plot", but that's such a small part of what the book is about. It's more about the character and motives of the main character, and how she got to where she ended up. My one major complaint is that I just didn't buy the relationship with the "other" guy. Supposedly she fell head-over-heels in love with him after knowing him for years, and they had a very brief fling, but then there is not much further interaction between them. At least not enough to justify her feelings remaining the same through the years apart. She tells us that she loved him so much, but you don't really get to SEE that. Anyway, I just wished I could have seen that relationship developed more before everything came to a head. Anyway, I would like to read this again someday, so I guess that means that I liked it.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
3.0
A special thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Viking and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 Stars
Rebecca Scherm’s debut UNBECOMING follows a southern gal from Tennessee to Paris, a flawed and complex young woman on the run, a new name, a new identity, always looking over her shoulder for two men she has known a lifetime. A psychological thriller of love, international art fraud, and deception.
Grace grew up in southern Tennessee; however, now she is now a professional international jewel thief. (this girl gets around). A lot to tell in between with flashbacks from point A to B. A good girl, gone bad. Leaving a small town to establish her own identity, for New York where she learns a few tricks and becomes interested in the world of art; learning how to lie, deceive, and pretend she is someone else.
Grace, Riley and Allston grew up together as friends. Riley was the wealthy one as son of a doctor, and Allston grew up hard without money or a mother. Grace was not happy at home and she envied Riley’s family as they were cultured, and glamorous to her, developing a bond especially with Riley’s mom with a longing and obsession to have this life.
Presently, her husband, Riley and her former lover, Allston have been released from a Tennessee prison and she knows they will come after her. She has not been in touch with either of them since the arrest for a robbery—Grace was the mastermind behind the heist, before taking off for Europe with a stolen painting. Now in Paris (with a new identify, Julie) she works as a restorer of antiques, but what really makes her happy? What is she really seeking?
The book takes readers on a journey of a teen who goes from one personality to another, an exploration of sorts with flashbacks with Grace. A love triangle - Both guys in her life have done jail time for an antiques theft she planned; now she is sure they are hunting her. Grace of course has no ties from anyone in her former life – will they find her?
Even though the novel had a good set up, somewhere along the way, it lost momentum for me as a true psycho-thriller, as could have been more twisted, but there again, I did not care for Gone Girl; however, do not think the two compare. I did not feel a real connection with the characters; however agree with some of the other reviewers, enjoyed the story of Grace more so than Julie. However, some really good writing--so struggling with the rating as was not in love with the entire story.
UNBECOMING is a realistic view of trying to reinvent oneself, attempting to overcome a past; and when trying to do so, gets caught up in greed and loses themselves, their true self. Ultimately, they feel inappropriate or acceptable. Yes, was a little surprised at the ending being all wrapped up neatly.
However, would recommend reading as each person of course has a different perspective and takeaway—look forward to reading more from this author!
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
Rebecca Scherm’s debut UNBECOMING follows a southern gal from Tennessee to Paris, a flawed and complex young woman on the run, a new name, a new identity, always looking over her shoulder for two men she has known a lifetime. A psychological thriller of love, international art fraud, and deception.
Grace grew up in southern Tennessee; however, now she is now a professional international jewel thief. (this girl gets around). A lot to tell in between with flashbacks from point A to B. A good girl, gone bad. Leaving a small town to establish her own identity, for New York where she learns a few tricks and becomes interested in the world of art; learning how to lie, deceive, and pretend she is someone else.
Grace, Riley and Allston grew up together as friends. Riley was the wealthy one as son of a doctor, and Allston grew up hard without money or a mother. Grace was not happy at home and she envied Riley’s family as they were cultured, and glamorous to her, developing a bond especially with Riley’s mom with a longing and obsession to have this life.
Presently, her husband, Riley and her former lover, Allston have been released from a Tennessee prison and she knows they will come after her. She has not been in touch with either of them since the arrest for a robbery—Grace was the mastermind behind the heist, before taking off for Europe with a stolen painting. Now in Paris (with a new identify, Julie) she works as a restorer of antiques, but what really makes her happy? What is she really seeking?
The book takes readers on a journey of a teen who goes from one personality to another, an exploration of sorts with flashbacks with Grace. A love triangle - Both guys in her life have done jail time for an antiques theft she planned; now she is sure they are hunting her. Grace of course has no ties from anyone in her former life – will they find her?
Even though the novel had a good set up, somewhere along the way, it lost momentum for me as a true psycho-thriller, as could have been more twisted, but there again, I did not care for Gone Girl; however, do not think the two compare. I did not feel a real connection with the characters; however agree with some of the other reviewers, enjoyed the story of Grace more so than Julie. However, some really good writing--so struggling with the rating as was not in love with the entire story.
UNBECOMING is a realistic view of trying to reinvent oneself, attempting to overcome a past; and when trying to do so, gets caught up in greed and loses themselves, their true self. Ultimately, they feel inappropriate or acceptable. Yes, was a little surprised at the ending being all wrapped up neatly.
However, would recommend reading as each person of course has a different perspective and takeaway—look forward to reading more from this author!
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
gertrude314's review against another edition
3.0
It kept my interest while I was at work. The story skips around between past and present. Grace was a girl from TN who hung out with a group of boys, one who she married and one was in love with. While she was away at college they robbed a place and went down for it. In the present she's in Paris, working in antiques, and waiting for one of the boys to come after her after they become paroled. It was more of a love/family story than a mystery or a thriller.
bedjacket's review against another edition
dnf just skimmed it. didn't enjoy (books fault).
emenendez1's review against another edition
2.0
Not impressed with this book. It was not very interesting, had too many unnecessary details and the last few pages were incredibly boring.