This book started out fantastically but unfortunately it went downhill, in my opinion, as the character’s actions and the events within it became increasingly unbelievable.
Starting with the positive; this book had a very engaging and gripping first part. The writing was compelling and the reader was made to feel for Zoe very quickly. I felt that the relationship between Zoe and Dan was very well written and believable. It was a rather haunting portrayal of domestic abuse and the hidden secrets that can live behind closed doors. I also liked the way that it alternated between the past and present, showing the fear that Zoe lived in now, and the deceptive beginnings of a relationship that at the time seemed perfect.
Part two of this novel was also enjoyable for the most part. It had a rather shocking beginning and gave an unexpected and intriguing point of view. It was well written, again, and I’d have loved to have seen some more of the ‘then’ scenes in this style as it could have been quite eye opening. From early on in this part there was one plot point that I found somewhat unbelievable however and I was hoping that it would turn out to be paranoia on one person’s part as, in my opinion, that seemed like the best explanation. Towards the end of this part the events in it spiralled totally out of control and became too far-fetched but, because of the terrific start, I really did hope that somehow the story would redeem itself.
Unfortunately I don’t feel that any such thing truly happened. The central character’s actions at times seemed to go against what I’d have expected from the person who had already been established. The plot also started to go in circles a little although the writing was still engaging enough to stop me from getting bored. This part of the novel felt like a whole other story, to be honest.
In the future I’d probably give this author another chance due to the fantastic start of this novel but I’m not as eager to as I’d have initially expected due to the scepticism that I felt towards certain key events.
Starting with the positive; this book had a very engaging and gripping first part. The writing was compelling and the reader was made to feel for Zoe very quickly. I felt that the relationship between Zoe and Dan was very well written and believable. It was a rather haunting portrayal of domestic abuse and the hidden secrets that can live behind closed doors. I also liked the way that it alternated between the past and present, showing the fear that Zoe lived in now, and the deceptive beginnings of a relationship that at the time seemed perfect.
Part two of this novel was also enjoyable for the most part. It had a rather shocking beginning and gave an unexpected and intriguing point of view. It was well written, again, and I’d have loved to have seen some more of the ‘then’ scenes in this style as it could have been quite eye opening. From early on in this part there was one plot point that I found somewhat unbelievable however and I was hoping that it would turn out to be paranoia on one person’s part as, in my opinion, that seemed like the best explanation. Towards the end of this part the events in it spiralled totally out of control and became too far-fetched but, because of the terrific start, I really did hope that somehow the story would redeem itself.
Unfortunately I don’t feel that any such thing truly happened. The central character’s actions at times seemed to go against what I’d have expected from the person who had already been established. The plot also started to go in circles a little although the writing was still engaging enough to stop me from getting bored. This part of the novel felt like a whole other story, to be honest.
In the future I’d probably give this author another chance due to the fantastic start of this novel but I’m not as eager to as I’d have initially expected due to the scepticism that I felt towards certain key events.