Reviews

Real Easy by Marie Rutkoski

noras_nibbles's review

dark emotional tense medium-paced

3.0

probably_confused's review

dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

amyspag's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

So many POVs

erinbrook's review

4.0

I had a really hard time with the beginning of this book juggling the extensive character and points of view. I ended up having to write out the characters names, as the dancers were both referred to by their dancer name and their real name. I had the same problem with the detectives who were called by their first name or their last name. Once i figured out the characters, i quite enjoyed the book.

I called the ending within the first 20 pages, but i'm not sure that the author really intended for it to be a "twisty" book, so i didn't mind.

I also have to give props to the narrator. I don't know if i've ever read a book with so many points of view, yet she somehow she still did a fantastic job.

And don't miss the authors interview at the end!! As someone who has zero experience at a strip club, i greatly enjoyed it.

jenhurst's review

2.0

This book is exactly how I feel every time I leave the strip club. In theory it seems great and everyone loves it, but I get there and just see women who look like their dads didn’t love them enough and the shows seem very surface level. Maybe it’s just the strip clubs ive been too though. This just felt so predictable and surface level. I didn’t care about the characters, since there was like 15 POVs. By the time it ended, it felt like me after being at the strip club for a couple hours. Just looking around hoping my friends want to leave, just like I wanted the book to end.
I had high hopes since it was about a strip club and it gives voices to sex workers. Plus I loved the winners curse, so I was excited for an adult thriller by Marie Rutokski. Plus the cover is beautiful.

cariadjade's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rereader33's review

3.0

This was fine. The writing could be a little inconsistent and the multiple POV's made it damn near impossible to get attached to anyone, but for a mystery/thriller it did its job. If I were to really complain about something, its that another reason why it was hard to get attached with the characters was because everyone except Rosie were pretty awful. They either couldn't get their shit together, were backstabbing smack talkers, or just generally bad people. By the end, I didn't even really care if any of them lived, I just wanted to see where the mystery would go. I kind of got the impression that Rutkoski intentionally made everyone dysfunctional as a way of showing the less perfect side of life, but when everyone is a hot mess AND an asshole, my sympathy drains and can never be recovered.

All that being said, if you want a relatively well-paced thriller, this should do.

pricklyperin's review

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

alaucasia's review against another edition

dark medium-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

3.5

bear_reads_books's review

4.0

A thought provoking adult debut from Marie Rutkoski

You don't see many books set in a strip club. Least I haven't read any. Until now, that is. I'm glad this is my first one. I was pleasantly surprised. I expected a straight up thriller and got so much more. It has a literary feel with a more character driven plot.

The dancers are all unique individuals and I appreciate the love and care the author put into creating them. They are the stars of the show, as they should be. When I was reading the points of view of the detectives and the killer, I just wanted to get back to the dancers.

As the synopsis states, Real Easy does explore how women can live their lives knowing men can hurt them. I thought it was brilliant to use the world of exotic dancing for this since women who do any kind of sex work are especially vulnerable to assault, it's seen as a hazard of the trade. And they are also seen as asking for it and not worthy of respect.

Overall, I was impressed with this. And dare I say, I'd like the author to return to this world. With Samantha's little girl all grown up as the main character? Also, this is the second book in a row I've read that's set in the nineties and I must say I'm here for it.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Marie Rutkoski & Henry Holt and Co. for the e-ARC

Expected Release Date - January 18th, 2022


Review is also posted on my blog