HarperCollins Publishers | October 2017 | 560 pgs (Large Print)
Source: Library
Amber Patterson always feels she's a nobody and she's tired of her life. But, she's had her eyes set on the rich and beautiful Daphne Parrish and she intends to use her as her path towards power and money. Knowing Daphne had a sister who died from cystic fibrosis and has set up a fund foundation in her memory, Amber feigned the same fate with an nonexistent sister with the same illness. It didn't take long for her to blend into Daphne's life, and in no time they become best friends.
But Amber has set her goal far; being associated with the Parrishes isn't enough for her. She wants more and she intends to steal Jackson, Daphne's husband, and be the next Mrs. Parrish. But Jackson is a devoted husband and only has his eyes on Daphne; and then there's also their two young daughters who Amber has to please. Amber has worked out a plan but her past may bring her down if she's not careful.
At its core, this domestic suspense is about obsession and revenge. Divided into three parts, Amber's voice took the first part and Daphne's the second. The last part is written in third voice and wrapped up the overall story. Amber's voice, I think, will irritate many readers because she was passive, manipulative and most of all she didn't seem remorseful. Daphne, on the other hand, appeared more sincere and compliant in the beginning but perspectives started to shift once we get to know more about Daphne as well and unfortunately, this is also when the story started to go downhill.
Having read many suspense thrillers with unlikeable and/or unreliable characters, I think some of their actions or motives could be justified depending on circumstances but in this case I just couldn't fathom the logic and the truth behind the outcome. Suspense-wise, it was not a bad one but the ending left me feeling more than unsettled. I don't agree with the resolution (if one has to call it that) at all and thought that the bigger, underlying issue (trying to be vague to avoid spoilers) should be rectified instead of being deemed as an "accomplishment".
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I'm curious, but if the ending left you feeling unsettled and the characters unlikable/unreliable, I might give this one a miss.
I'm not sure I'd like this one.
Jenclair - I don't know about the readers; some might think one of the characters got what she deserved but from another perspective it feels wrong.
Lark - I don't think this book is for everyone. I think what bothered me about the ending might bother some readers, too, assuming if we've the same views.
Hmm. That's really too bad. Part of my is curious to know if I'd fe the same way, but then there are so many other books out there I want to read... I sorry this wasn't better for you.
Wendy - I haven't read anything by this author and despite I didn't really like the reading, I'm still curious what she'll be writing next.
Well I am intrigued. You did a great job of making it sound interesting without spoilers. I'm sorry to hear that the ending was less than what you hoped for though.
Iliana - Perhaps I'd expected too much out of this. Nevertheless, it was still an entertaining read.