Rating: 3 Stars
Source: Library
Description: The Dead of winter.
An isolated island off the coast of Maine.
A man.
A woman.
A sinister house looming over the sea...
He's a reclusive writer whose macabre imagination creates chilling horror novels. She's a down-on-her luck actress reduced to staging kids' puppet shows. He knows a dozen ways to kill with his bare hands. She knows a dozen ways to kill with laughs.
But she's not laughing now. When she was a teenager, he terrified her. Now they're trapped together on a snowy island off the coast of Maine. Is he the villain she remembers of has he changed? Her head says no. Her heart says yes.
It's going to be a long, hot winter. (from Goodreads)
Genre: Romance
Why I Picked This Book: I enjoy Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books and the mention of a creepy house and hints of Rebecca was more than I could resist.
My Impression: This was a tough one. There are very few authors that would've made me finish this book and Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one. Her books frequently have an ick factor but she's so innately readable I can never resist them and this one was no exception. It took me a long time to warm up to it. I almost DNF'd it at my 50 page mark as the Greek chorus of puppets (Annie's a ventriloquist and her different puppets voice their opinions in her head A LOT) was just not for me. Than the first sex scene landed in ick territory and almost got a DNF. And somewhere in the middle we hit a monotonous part where it was the same old story on repeat for about 100 pages - Theo is surly, Annie is suspicious, weird things are happening, puppets are talking, and repeat - and I wasn't sure I could go on. But each time I got to that point I'd think one more chapter and then I'll stop but I never did. I'd read the next chapter and then before I'd know it I'd read the next and once I got to the 2nd half I just wanted to find out what was going on.
I liked the evolution of the relationship between Annie and Theo and the secrets were explained in a satisfying way. The subplot involving Jaycie and Livia was at times heartbreaking but it was nice to see Annie start finding her footing through them. While the whole legacy does end up being explained it felt very much like an afterthought and Annie accepted a major life development very quickly and then it's pretty much immediately dropped.
I have more negative than positive comments about the book itself but through it all it was very readable and I did keep wanting to find out what was going to happen.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Yes I will though I'll be a little more cautious if one of the main characters is a ventriloquist
Would I Recommend this Book?: If you like Susan Elizabeth Phillips' books than it's worth picking up. This isn't the first one of hers I'd try though.
Challenges Met? Library Challenge
OK, I am laughing out loud - puppets?? Really? I had to go read the blurb about the book. So, not creepy puppets, but puppets. Hmmm...this is an author that I've thought about reading, but don't think I ever have. And, I'm sorry, but nothing on the cover suggest puppets. I don't think this is the book for me. LOL LOL
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, the puppets voicing their opinions in her head! That was the worst. So weird. This book was a let down for me, too. I LOVE Match Me If You Can, and some of her other Chicago Stars books (but not all), but this one just did not work for me. Definitely quite a few ick factors.
ReplyDeletePuppets talking in her head? Okaaaaay... I guess. It could be funny or just plain weird. Several other reviews I've read have had mixed reactions to this book, too. I don't think I've read any of the author's books yet, but I'll take your advice and pick a different one if I ever decide to try her.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I have to admit that your ICK has me curious..lol. Since I haven't read this author though I will take your advice and try a different book first. :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes the plot sounds a bit dodgy.... but I'm with you - the premise sounds really interesting! It had a lot of potential!
ReplyDeleteI actually liked this one. I thought it was different from her Chicago Stars books, but once I accepted this was a different type of book I settled in and enjoyed it. Reading just one more chapter was a good ploy, must remember it next time when I am struggling with a book.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I'm curious but not quite enough to read it. I am curious about what your ick factor was in teh sex scene. I'm not a huge fan of SEP though this sounds different for her.
ReplyDeleteUh.... This just sounds creepy and disturbing at points. And by the summary it sounds like this is a romance that should not be happening. Like did her abuse her growing up or something?
ReplyDeleteProps for not DNF'ing. You stuck it out and didn't turn out to totally hate it. :P
Happy reading!
Brittany @ This is the Story of My(Reading) Life
I don't know. You kind of lost me at puppet voices in her head voicing their opinions a lot. LOL
ReplyDelete