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Gretchen
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FOUR ENTERTAINING STARS
“…Mag, I hope this isn’t weird, and I truly mean it as a huge compliment, but I think you’re a Jenny too. Maybe even the truest Jenny.”
Are you a Gretchen or a Jenny? Sometimes a Gretchen can BE a Jenny. And vice versa. Got that?
Shannon Kirk is an outstanding writer. She cleverly weaves together a mirrored double plot line that has the reader climbing a ladder of suspense. You had best hold onto tight to each rung because when you reach the top, watch out!!! You’re about to be pushed off that ladder into a climactic scene I still can’t get my head around.
I had a difficult time rating Gretchen: A Thriller. For 75% of the book, I was 120% invested. LOVED IT. We have an astute and insightful main character, 15-yr old Lucy, who is on the run with her mom. Her father tried to abduct her when she was a baby and now that mom is in charge, she is not about to let that happen again. So, they run. And move towns a lot. Eventually, Lucy meets Gretchen. Gretchen is a weird kid with personality to spare. I loved everything about needy little Gretchen until I didn’t.
Okay, now about that last 25% of the novel. I admit to some eye-rolling and skimming some long passages about bones. Yes, bones. (By the end of the book, you will never look at lemons, jig saw puzzles or skeletons the same ever again!) I just wasn’t crazy about the direction Kirk took with the narrative. Despite some convincing writing, it was a tough sell on this psychological suspense fan. And I knocked off a whole star for the absurdness of it all.
I got over it. As that great American poet, Cardi B, says, OKURRRRRR!
The ending is INSANE and scary! Pure horror and a bit supernatural. It helps me put it into perspective and look at it like a Stephen King paperback. Gretchen could actually be a sister to King’s creepy Carrie.
I promise you will be entertained and isn’t that what we’re all looking for with a summer read?
Thanks to the author for allowing me to read and review an advanced galley. All opinions are mine! Gretchen is set for a July 2019 publication date.
“…Mag, I hope this isn’t weird, and I truly mean it as a huge compliment, but I think you’re a Jenny too. Maybe even the truest Jenny.”
Are you a Gretchen or a Jenny? Sometimes a Gretchen can BE a Jenny. And vice versa. Got that?
Shannon Kirk is an outstanding writer. She cleverly weaves together a mirrored double plot line that has the reader climbing a ladder of suspense. You had best hold onto tight to each rung because when you reach the top, watch out!!! You’re about to be pushed off that ladder into a climactic scene I still can’t get my head around.
I had a difficult time rating Gretchen: A Thriller. For 75% of the book, I was 120% invested. LOVED IT. We have an astute and insightful main character, 15-yr old Lucy, who is on the run with her mom. Her father tried to abduct her when she was a baby and now that mom is in charge, she is not about to let that happen again. So, they run. And move towns a lot. Eventually, Lucy meets Gretchen. Gretchen is a weird kid with personality to spare. I loved everything about needy little Gretchen until I didn’t.
Okay, now about that last 25% of the novel. I admit to some eye-rolling and skimming some long passages about bones. Yes, bones. (By the end of the book, you will never look at lemons, jig saw puzzles or skeletons the same ever again!) I just wasn’t crazy about the direction Kirk took with the narrative. Despite some convincing writing, it was a tough sell on this psychological suspense fan. And I knocked off a whole star for the absurdness of it all.
I got over it. As that great American poet, Cardi B, says, OKURRRRRR!
The ending is INSANE and scary! Pure horror and a bit supernatural. It helps me put it into perspective and look at it like a Stephen King paperback. Gretchen could actually be a sister to King’s creepy Carrie.
I promise you will be entertained and isn’t that what we’re all looking for with a summer read?
Thanks to the author for allowing me to read and review an advanced galley. All opinions are mine! Gretchen is set for a July 2019 publication date.
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Reading Progress
June 15, 2019
– Shelved
June 27, 2019
–
Started Reading
July 5, 2019
–
Finished Reading
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message 1:
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Amanda
(new)
Jun 18, 2019 07:18AM
Can't wait to see what you think!
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Amelia wrote: "Great review!"thanks, Amelia!
I like a review that gets down to the bare bones of a story, Jewels! : )
Fabulous review! It has helped me to decide if the book is for me or not! And, that is what I am looking for in a review! 😘
Great review, Jewels. "the great American poet, Cardi B" LOL 😂
Kevin wrote: "I like a review that gets down to the bare bones of a story, Jewels! : )"hehe, Kevin!! thanks
Jayme wrote: "Fabulous review! It has helped me to decide if the book is for me or not! And, that is what I am looking for in a review! 😘"thank you, dear Jayme!!
Kaceey wrote: "Excellent review Jewels!🌸"thanks, Kaceey!
Carol (Bookaria) wrote: "Great review, Jewels. "the great American poet, Cardi B" LOL 😂"hehehehe, Carol!
Wonderful review, Jewels! Sounds like a good one!
Spot on review, Jewels 💖
There needs to be a rating scale for reviews because yours always have me laughing! The great American poet Cardi B? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heather wrote: "There needs to be a rating scale for reviews because yours always have me laughing! The great American poet Cardi B? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"haha Heather, thank you! my daughter has informed me that although Cardi B says OKURRRRRRR, it is actually The Kardashians that started the whole thang...(in case anyone was wondering 🙄)
