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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
I absolutely loved this book! Very different from what I expected, but very intriguing and cleverly constructed. I'd definitely like to read more by this author in the future.
Not really my cup of tea - couldn't identify with the main character.
Here's a great read for fans of thrillers and suspense fiction, set in a world of an overcrowded and underfunded psychiatric institution. Sam is a talented psychologist who has to contend with as many personal issues as her patients, including alcoholism, an abusive relationship with her lover and the drive to be the best member of the staff. She takes on a new patient, Richard, who flatly refuses to talk with her or even help complete his patient history. Does he really belong in the institution, or is he trying to accomplish something else other than counseling? Give this one a try! - Louisa A.
Not a fan. A lot of the themes were beat to death and in my opinion, didn't add to the story or plot. The ending was predictable and abrupt.
I don't usually give reviews but I got this book as a giveaway and then got an email saying I should review it when I read it and I felt guilty so fine.
The book is broken into very small sections labeled with dates and times. I will update my review each time I finish a "month" of entries.
Part 1
October
I don't really like the protagonist. But I don't think you're really SUPPOSED to like the protagonist. Sam is a psychologist and an alcoholic and a generally messed up person. She's just been given a new patient who is mysterious and rumored to be dangerous. I think he's just annoyed by the endless B.S. that is the mental health system. I would be, too. Sam thinks all her coworkers are incompetant and that she's the best thing to ever happen. But she also hates herself and is depressed. I don't know. It's very polarizing.
November
I reeeeeally don't like Sam. I think she's complete inept. She needs to take a sabbatical, check herself into rehab, break up with the boyfriend, and fix her life. I can't handle it. She's terrible at her job and can't figure out very simple and obvious psychological tells with Richard (the mysterious patient). She's so concerned with completing his "file" that she's missed countless opportunities to figure out why he's there, what he needs, and how to help him. But why would I think she could help him when she can't help herself? I don't feel bad for her. I'm just angry with her.
December
I'm not 100% sure of the plot of this book. At the moment, it seems to just be a catalog of how effed up Sam is. However, there are plenty of books that start that way and then give a more legitimate plot and end up with satisfying climax and wrap up. So.... I'm unsure of this book. Maybe I'm just picky.
End of Part 1
Part 2
December
Ah.... Sam's life may be looking up. She's totally lost it.... But maybe this is the crazy before she gets her shit together. I don't know. I'm tentative.
January
Sam's life seems to be coming apart at the seams. But it also seems to be moving in the right direction, as if you need to completely fall apart in order to rebuild. Gotta hit rock bottom. I'm still unsure about how I feel about this whole thing. BUT I will say that, apart from the story, the writing is pretty good! When the author talks about wine, I want wine. When coffee is mentioned, I want coffee. Heck, I want a cigarette when Sam is smoking and I don't even smoke! I worry that some of the topics could be "triggering". There's a lot of abuse, physical and substance. There's a lot of guilt and shame and some "victim blaming" for effect. Overall.... it's not a bad book. I just don't like Sam. She continues to annoy me.
February
Yaas, Sam! Yaaaas! 👐 Finally! Ok. She finally talks to Richard and tells him her secret. He finally tells her what happened with his mother. She finally tells David what's going on and asks for help. Yes, girl! This is what I've been waiting for! Fix your life!
End of Part 2
Part 3
February
Ack! Sam! I mean.... I don't know for sure.... But I have a good idea.
(Mid) March
I just couldn't wait to say this. About GD time! Thank you! Ok. Resume.
March the rest
Yes! I called a lot of it but overall a VERY satisfying ending. I think she could have figured things out herself if she'd calmed down and thought about it for like... ten minutes instead of going bananas. But in general, I end the book satisfied.
General overview
It was a good book! Not going on my list of favorites but a good book. I don't like hating the protagonist of a story but I've read books with far worse main characters... and I think you're meant to be angry with Sam for most of the book. I mean, it's about how she's a total mess. That's the whole point. Good job in general, AF Brady. I'll give you 4 stars.
The book is broken into very small sections labeled with dates and times. I will update my review each time I finish a "month" of entries.
Part 1
October
I don't really like the protagonist. But I don't think you're really SUPPOSED to like the protagonist. Sam is a psychologist and an alcoholic and a generally messed up person. She's just been given a new patient who is mysterious and rumored to be dangerous. I think he's just annoyed by the endless B.S. that is the mental health system. I would be, too. Sam thinks all her coworkers are incompetant and that she's the best thing to ever happen. But she also hates herself and is depressed. I don't know. It's very polarizing.
November
I reeeeeally don't like Sam. I think she's complete inept. She needs to take a sabbatical, check herself into rehab, break up with the boyfriend, and fix her life. I can't handle it. She's terrible at her job and can't figure out very simple and obvious psychological tells with Richard (the mysterious patient). She's so concerned with completing his "file" that she's missed countless opportunities to figure out why he's there, what he needs, and how to help him. But why would I think she could help him when she can't help herself? I don't feel bad for her. I'm just angry with her.
December
I'm not 100% sure of the plot of this book. At the moment, it seems to just be a catalog of how effed up Sam is. However, there are plenty of books that start that way and then give a more legitimate plot and end up with satisfying climax and wrap up. So.... I'm unsure of this book. Maybe I'm just picky.
End of Part 1
Part 2
December
Ah.... Sam's life may be looking up.
Spoiler
Sadly it takes the death of a patient.January
Sam's life seems to be coming apart at the seams. But it also seems to be moving in the right direction, as if you need to completely fall apart in order to rebuild. Gotta hit rock bottom. I'm still unsure about how I feel about this whole thing. BUT I will say that, apart from the story, the writing is pretty good! When the author talks about wine, I want wine. When coffee is mentioned, I want coffee. Heck, I want a cigarette when Sam is smoking and I don't even smoke! I worry that some of the topics could be "triggering". There's a lot of abuse, physical and substance. There's a lot of guilt and shame and some "victim blaming" for effect. Overall.... it's not a bad book. I just don't like Sam. She continues to annoy me.
February
Yaas, Sam! Yaaaas! 👐 Finally! Ok. She finally talks to Richard and tells him her secret. He finally tells her what happened with his mother.
Spoiler
Sam finally dumps Lucas and pours out all her alcohol.End of Part 2
Part 3
February
Ack! Sam!
Spoiler
Richard is your father! I just know it!(Mid) March
I just couldn't wait to say this. About GD time! Thank you! Ok. Resume.
March the rest
Yes! I called a lot of it but overall a VERY satisfying ending. I think she could have figured things out herself if she'd calmed down and thought about it for like... ten minutes instead of going bananas. But in general, I end the book satisfied.
General overview
It was a good book! Not going on my list of favorites but a good book. I don't like hating the protagonist of a story but I've read books with far worse main characters... and I think you're meant to be angry with Sam for most of the book. I mean, it's about how she's a total mess. That's the whole point. Good job in general, AF Brady. I'll give you 4 stars.
Saw that twist coming from a mile away. Admirable representation of mental disorders, but missed the mark occasionally.
This was an interesting read if not a little predictable.
3.5 stars. Slow to start but I devoured the second half.
i kept expecting the story to go somewhere more interesting, but no. it went exactly where it was obviously going.