Book Review: Peter Swanson - Every Vow You Break (published in 2021)

 

I was really happily surprised with this novel. It's not that I think Peter Swanson does not write good books, but sometimes I see negative reviews which kind of turn me off reading his latest novels. I'm being silly, because his latest novel twists and turns deliciously just like <b>The Kind Worth Killing</b>.

The story is one I don't usually pick up myself. Abigail, a soon-to-be-wife cheats on her husband during her bachelorette party. She decides to keep this to herself, but when her husband whisks her off to an isolated island and her one night stand shows up, she doesn't know if she can keep this information from him. 

I was annoyed at the start of this novel because I don't like the lying and the cheating, especially not in my protagonist. 

This annoyance soon turned into edge of my seat thrills because the mysterious island and her one night fling showing up had me guessing like crazy what would happen. Let me tell you, it's pretty difficult to guess because Swanson can throw a curve ball in there like the best of them. 

The question Abigail asks herself at times is: "What movie am I in?" I love that question, and I have to say that this novel is pretty unique. I had a hard time plotting it in a novel. 

Sure, sometimes the motives are not easy to understand. The ending is a bit hap-hazard and rushed, but it's a thrill and I love it. I still have Swanson's <b>Before She Knew Him</b> on my shelves and I actually can't wait to dive into that one. 

Many thanks to the publisher Faber and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy!

Book Review: Aimee Molloy - Goodnight Beautiful (published in 2020)

 

There's something about Aimee Molloy's writing that pulls me in. Her debut novel The Perfect Mother is about a subject that does not appeal to me in the slightest. Yet, I found the story to be incredibly enjoyable, though not thrilling enough to label it a thriller. 

I did really feel the thrill in her latest novel. Again, there are elements to this book that don't appeal to me. I don't like the main character for example, because I don't like protagonists who lie and deceive. However, overall this book is a wild ride with so many real surprises, it's crazy. 

Goodnight Beautiful is about newlyweds Sam and Annie who move from the big city to Sam's old hometown in upstate New York. Sam is a therapist. What he doesn't know is that his conversations with clients can be heard from the room above. This is all fine, until a French girl shows up in his office and Sam disappears. 

As I said, there are so many elements that surprised me in this novel. They're not necessarily shockers, but some of them are. Molloy seems to understand where the readers' minds are going and she tries her best to put us off track every now and then. I like that. 

There are time I dislike what is happening or how it is happening, but it takes a good writer to still give me the feeling of a thrill when events are unfolding. 

I can't wait to see what novel Molloy comes up with next, because I'm here for it. 

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy!

4 stars