2 Stars-- Beautiful Bad by Annie Ward
Thank you to Bookish First and Park Row books for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book started out perfect. We have a 911 call that leads us to an obvious crime scene. Someone has died, but before we can find out more we are thrust back in time.
Maddie is scared of her husband Ian, with who she has a horrible past with. This past has cost her a friendship, numerous years of her life, and is possibly responsible for the horrific scar on her face. But it has brought her Charlie, her son. Told during numerous points in time-- the past, the day of the killing, from Maddie's perspective weeks until the 911 call, and even Ian's at some point we are told a story about two people who should have never been together.
I flew through this book and I understand that books like this are supposed to be messy in plot. However, what stopped this from getting a higher rating was the amount of messiness. Maddie seems reliable as a narrator, but then it's almost like the author wants her to be something she isn't. I felt like certain scenes or plot points were not even necessary-- anything having to do with useless Fiona, Ian's perspectives-- except for the last chapter of his, and certain flashbacks in general. The incompetency of the police in this book was borderline ridiculous. I think if the plot would have moved faster, there could have been more chapters with Diana and her thoughts after we find out who is murdered. I think that could have led to a more satisfying ending.
Thank you to Bookish First and Park Row books for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book started out perfect. We have a 911 call that leads us to an obvious crime scene. Someone has died, but before we can find out more we are thrust back in time.
Maddie is scared of her husband Ian, with who she has a horrible past with. This past has cost her a friendship, numerous years of her life, and is possibly responsible for the horrific scar on her face. But it has brought her Charlie, her son. Told during numerous points in time-- the past, the day of the killing, from Maddie's perspective weeks until the 911 call, and even Ian's at some point we are told a story about two people who should have never been together.
I flew through this book and I understand that books like this are supposed to be messy in plot. However, what stopped this from getting a higher rating was the amount of messiness. Maddie seems reliable as a narrator, but then it's almost like the author wants her to be something she isn't. I felt like certain scenes or plot points were not even necessary-- anything having to do with useless Fiona, Ian's perspectives-- except for the last chapter of his, and certain flashbacks in general. The incompetency of the police in this book was borderline ridiculous. I think if the plot would have moved faster, there could have been more chapters with Diana and her thoughts after we find out who is murdered. I think that could have led to a more satisfying ending.