Synopsis:
What if murder is your only way out?
Single mom Kristy Tucker works as a press agent for the Texas Department of Corrections handling everything on death row from inmate interviews, to chronicling the last moments during an execution. Her job exposes Kristy to the worst of humanity and it’s one that’s beginning to take its toll.
So when Kristy meets Lance Dobson, her son’s martial arts instructor, she believes she’s finally found her happy ending. She’s wrong.
Kristy soon discovers that Lance is a monster. Forced to endure his verbal and physical abuse, Kristy is serving her own life sentence . . . unless she’s willing to take matters into her own hands. Perfectly poised to exploit the criminal justice system she knows so well, Kristy sets out to get rid of Lance – permanently.
Review:
DNF @ 40%
I am all too aware that my criticism of this book is going to be way more brutal than the average reader, but that’s down the fact that I hated Baby Doll, Overton’s debut novel, and so reading this one, I’ve automatically picked up on things I’ve disliked. But I’m glad I didn’t continue to read this one.
What I couldn’t get past was how unbelievable the relationship with Kristy and Lance was, right from the start. He shows up at her door in the evening, after one conversation… which is creepy. And then she lets him hang around the house after two conversations… that’s weird. And then she lets him buy her things, like $1000 grills, after three conversations… I mean, what? That just wouldn’t ever happen.
The romance part of this novel was class-A cheese. I hate romance in novels as it is, it just bothers me, but when it’s subtle and doesn’t take up too much of the plot, it’s OK. In this novel it’s not subtle at all, it’s cheesy and it’s right there, in your face. Thankfully, it simmers down at 25%… but by that point I was bored of reading this already.
This one was too slow for my liking. Nothing happened in the 40% of it that I read, and I admit it, I don’t like Hollie Overton’s writing style. For me, it feels like she’s trying to hard to be cool and relate to us as readers. It’s a nice gesture but it doesn’t come across great.
I think it’s now official that I don’t get on with Overton’s work and this means I won’t try any more of her books. It will waste too much of my precious reading time.
P.S. This was meant to be a buddy reading with Annie @ The Misstery but she got through it in under 24 hours and I couldn’t keep up because I was so bored. She also spoiled it for me (on my request) so I know what happens!
*Buy it here: Amazon UK | Book Depository | Wordery
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Book Group for giving me the opportunity to read this one in exchange for an honest review. Sorry I didn’t like it!
*affiliate links
Well you can’t like everything! At least you gave it a try! Here’s to more great books in the future! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that you put the DNF in the title;-) I have a couple DNFs a month, mostly KU, since I can try new authors and don’t have to feel bad about DNFing after a few pages. That’s usually how long it takes me to realize that the authors writing is just not for me. Not every book can be awesome! Good thing, there are so many authors out there, you’ll find a great book in no time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! and definitely… because I’m a super picky reader!! 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
I struggled with this one too. I did finish it but more because of the death row storyline than anything else.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t read any of her books….would I be right in saying a marmite book?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wouldn’t say so, the general consensus seems to be that Overton is the best writer in the world (judging by the amount of praise she gets). Most reviews for this book are 4 or 5 stars! I just don’t get it myself lol 😛
LikeLike
That’s what got me curious. As you say all v positive reviews….sure there’s always one 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m an odd one out for this book, and for her last too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just not for you!!! Sure we all have those books!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
True! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least you know what happens! That’s one of the things I find hardest about some DNFs – I can’t bear to finish reading the book, but still want to know how the plot resolves. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always go onto GR, see who of my friends has read it and ask them to spoil it for me haha!
LikeLike
LOL, that’s a good plan! I need to do that more often. (I’ll usually look the book up on Wiki, but that’s not always super satisfying.)
LikeLiked by 1 person