Hypnotic

I’m glad I wasn’t swayed by the negative reviews, as I ended up loving this. It’s a character study of a desperate woman, so it’s not a plot driven thriller like Lullaby, however I was captivated throughout, fascinated and repulsed by Adele in equal measure

4 people found this helpful

Dark, empty, brilliant

This is my kind of book. Adèle and her husband are brilliantly drawn and the desperation of their relationship is brutally real. Adèle behaves terribly, yet you still feel sympathy for the deeply troubled woman who wants to simulataneously be free and belong, yet finds no joy in either. I found her story spoke to so many aspects of what it means to be a woman and a mother in modern times, capturing beautifully many complexities. The way the voice shifted from Adèle to Richard in the latter part of the novel was brilliant. The book exposes some disturbing truths and will not uplift or offer any answers, but paints pictures with truly elegant brushstrokes.

Narrated perfectly also.

2 people found this helpful

My

It was a good story but a bit depressing at times Ended a bit abruptly

1 person found this helpful

good listen

Liked the story shame about the ending especially as there is no follow up as the story was left hanging. Would have loved to find out how Adele's life works out in the end

1 person found this helpful

Dark, raw story

Had lots more promise than it delivered. Starts dark and sassy but I struggled to finish it in the end. Wasn't rooting for any of the characters and it gets a little boring. Her other book, Lullaby is fantastic and the writing is beautiful.

Tricky to review!

I was engaged throughout although didn’t understand Adele - repelled and fascinated at same time. Disappointed by the end as I thought it would explain some of the “why” or redemption but fear Adele is in the abyss. Don’t agree with other reviewers that say this is about women of today - much too extreme. I suppose wanting an explanation or rounded off ending (even if not a good one) is old fashioned of me!

I thought Finty Williams read it very well.

Boring boring boring

Don’t know how I held out to the end of this. Was so very boring.

Not a patch on Lullaby

This was a stilted and quite uncomfortable read. Unlike Lullaby that I really enjoyed and felt it was a real life story, this was like the author wanted to make as much money as possible and do a Fifty Shades of Grey type of reading!

I could not feel any empathy with the main character, in fact I really disliked her and thought she was controlling arrogant selfish woman.
All in all mediocre.

1 person found this helpful

Depressing

Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book at all. I didnt like the characters and just found the whole thing quite miserable, dark and depressing.

1 person found this helpful

Flat and underwhelming

The story is very flat- I am half way in and absolutely nothing has happened. A long description of a very disappointing character. Narrator sounds negative and bland. I will not finish this and have no motivation to.

1 person found this helpful