Why is it, do you think, that authors write books where there isn't ONE likable person in the story? Don't they know we need at least someone to cheer for? I hate to go into plot on a review but, basically it's this:
Jane is a dog walker in a affluent community and is all full of entitlement. She is jealous of the folks who live there and wants what they have. I couldn't even figure this part out. Why would anyone want the kind of lifestyle they scoff at? All she did was make it known (to the reader) how much she loathed the women in the neighborhood, but fought like anything to get "in" with them.
She meets Eddie whose wife, Bea disappeared from their lake home along with her best friend Blanche. Well, Eddie has all the things Jane wants. After all, she lives in a crappy apartment so why shouldn't she have those nice things and lavish lifestyle that she didn't work for (insert eye roll)?
So things move along pretty fast between Jane and Eddie and all of a sudden they're engaged. Jane tries to find out more about Bea but it's difficult. And, really it's not for the reader because it's in the title. The story goes on and more is learned about the fateful night that Bea and Blanche went out on Bea and Eddie's boat at the lake. Who else was actually there? What actually happened? Also in the mix is Jane's "secret." I say that lightly. I found it pretty underwhelming.
Well, I am not going to spoil it but suffice to say, I figured out what the "twist" was and I am usually not good at that. It was so hard for me to enjoy this book because everyone, and I mean, EVERYONE was obnoxious. Also not helping matters was that I listened to the audiobook and almost every time someone said something there was a self deprecating, I can't really say laugh, because it wasn't. It was more or less an exhale of air supposed to sound like a heh heh, silly me! Furthermore, entitled, poor Jane sure liked the F word a lot. She needed a good punch.
The more I discuss this book I feel more rating stars dropping. The other thing that turns me off of a story is when the reader knows what's going on before the characters. We should ALL be surprised at once. By the time the character finds out what the reader already knows, it's no surprise. I am sure this book will do very well. This genre is on fire and it should be, if it's a good story. But, I hope my next book has SOMEONE I like. Oh wait, there were dogs in here. I liked them.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio and to Netgalley. I am always appreciative of the opportunity.
