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bushph's review against another edition
4.0
*** Find this review and others on my blog! ***
Rose has the perfect life; the perfect husband, a gorgeous house a beautiful child and a great job. Unfortunately, she was killed in a recent hit and run accident to which Emily was a witness. Emily’s life isn’t so great; she’s working in a crappy call centre job, she lives alone in a rented flat with no friends and doesn’t really know where her life is going. When Rose dies, Emily starts to wonder if she could fill the spot that Rose has left; get her great job and maybe eventually her husband and gorgeous son and lovely house. But obviously, things aren’t always what they seem . . . .
This was the perfect example of a book where you were meant to feel sorry for the main character and I actually did! I have read so many books where you’re obviously meant to feel sorry for the main character, but they just come off as being whiny and annoying, but I really liked Emily in this story. She had been through a lot with her ex-boyfriend and the story of what happened does get revealed through the book and he sounded like a complete idiot and I understood how she managed to go downhill so quickly and also stay in a bad place. This also helped account for why she was so willing and perhaps gullible later in the book because she was completely broken from her previous relationship.
This is told from both Emily and Roses’ perspective which I loved. As Emily integrates herself more and more into Rose’s life and we start discovering more, it was nice to also see Rose’s life being told by her. We see Rose’s perspective from before the accident {obviously!} and it was just really interesting to see what her life was actually life and we get to start to draw parallels between Rose’s old life and then with Emily integrating herself into Rose’s life and getting to know Rose’s husband Cian.
The actual main story was great, and it didn’t feel like any of the situations were forced to happen which is one thing that I hate. As mentioned above, this is a story where you’re meant to feel sorry for the main character and I did, and it meant that all I wanted for Emily was a happy end for her! The inclusion of social media within the story really helped and it was very modern, showing that just because someone’s life is perfect online does not meant that its like that behind the computer screen. The plot twist and the reveal was a bit meh; it didn’t make all that sense to me and felt a bit anti-climactic but it was a shock and I didn’t see it coming so that was a plus. Emily’s ending also my jaw on the floor and squealing like a little girl and I loved that twist.
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Rose has the perfect life; the perfect husband, a gorgeous house a beautiful child and a great job. Unfortunately, she was killed in a recent hit and run accident to which Emily was a witness. Emily’s life isn’t so great; she’s working in a crappy call centre job, she lives alone in a rented flat with no friends and doesn’t really know where her life is going. When Rose dies, Emily starts to wonder if she could fill the spot that Rose has left; get her great job and maybe eventually her husband and gorgeous son and lovely house. But obviously, things aren’t always what they seem . . . .
This was the perfect example of a book where you were meant to feel sorry for the main character and I actually did! I have read so many books where you’re obviously meant to feel sorry for the main character, but they just come off as being whiny and annoying, but I really liked Emily in this story. She had been through a lot with her ex-boyfriend and the story of what happened does get revealed through the book and he sounded like a complete idiot and I understood how she managed to go downhill so quickly and also stay in a bad place. This also helped account for why she was so willing and perhaps gullible later in the book because she was completely broken from her previous relationship.
This is told from both Emily and Roses’ perspective which I loved. As Emily integrates herself more and more into Rose’s life and we start discovering more, it was nice to also see Rose’s life being told by her. We see Rose’s perspective from before the accident {obviously!} and it was just really interesting to see what her life was actually life and we get to start to draw parallels between Rose’s old life and then with Emily integrating herself into Rose’s life and getting to know Rose’s husband Cian.
The actual main story was great, and it didn’t feel like any of the situations were forced to happen which is one thing that I hate. As mentioned above, this is a story where you’re meant to feel sorry for the main character and I did, and it meant that all I wanted for Emily was a happy end for her! The inclusion of social media within the story really helped and it was very modern, showing that just because someone’s life is perfect online does not meant that its like that behind the computer screen. The plot twist and the reveal was a bit meh; it didn’t make all that sense to me and felt a bit anti-climactic but it was a shock and I didn’t see it coming so that was a plus. Emily’s ending also my jaw on the floor and squealing like a little girl and I loved that twist.
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hannahmaybookreviews's review against another edition
4.0
Title: Her Name Was Rose
Author: Claire Allan
Pages: 336
My Rating: 4/5
Before reading this I was aware that there was mixed reviews about the book, but I genuinley have to say I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it that much I had to read it in one night- it wasn't possible to put it back down.
The book does a fantastic job at raising awareness of abusive relationships not just physical but emotional too.
From the beginning you feel like you know what the storyline would be and the book makes you feel this way right up until the clever twist at the end- I really didn't see it coming.
I felt sorry for the vulnerable female lead throughout, my heart really did go out to her. At times I was worried and on edge for her too.
The only reason why this book didn't quite make it to the full 5/5 rating was due to the fact that in tiny places it was a little unbelievable, but that's just me being picky and trying to give precise and accurate reviews to my followers.
Author: Claire Allan
Pages: 336
My Rating: 4/5
Before reading this I was aware that there was mixed reviews about the book, but I genuinley have to say I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it that much I had to read it in one night- it wasn't possible to put it back down.
The book does a fantastic job at raising awareness of abusive relationships not just physical but emotional too.
From the beginning you feel like you know what the storyline would be and the book makes you feel this way right up until the clever twist at the end- I really didn't see it coming.
I felt sorry for the vulnerable female lead throughout, my heart really did go out to her. At times I was worried and on edge for her too.
The only reason why this book didn't quite make it to the full 5/5 rating was due to the fact that in tiny places it was a little unbelievable, but that's just me being picky and trying to give precise and accurate reviews to my followers.
msphyl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Written in the first person by an Irish writer so you have to be aware of cultural slang. Books written in first person are generally not my pick.
nerdygnome's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not entirely sure how this book has the ratings it does; I almost feel I must have read a different book than others.
In "Her Name Was Rose," Emily witnesses a fatal hit and run. Plagued by the trauma, she begins looking into the victim's life and soon finds herself stepping into it: filling her vacant position at her job and beginning to get to know her grieving husband.
She soon finds that not everything is at it seems. Or is it? Because this book, in fact, unfolds exactly as I expected it to from its slow, plodding start. I wondered if this book was just a victim of comparison, as I read so many thrillers, but when I got to the preposterous epilogue, which throws in a romance with absolutely ZERO weight given to its chemistry in advance, I knew it wasn't just me.
In "Her Name Was Rose," Emily witnesses a fatal hit and run. Plagued by the trauma, she begins looking into the victim's life and soon finds herself stepping into it: filling her vacant position at her job and beginning to get to know her grieving husband.
She soon finds that not everything is at it seems. Or is it? Because this book, in fact, unfolds exactly as I expected it to from its slow, plodding start. I wondered if this book was just a victim of comparison, as I read so many thrillers, but when I got to the preposterous epilogue, which throws in a romance with absolutely ZERO weight given to its chemistry in advance, I knew it wasn't just me.
corrina_milito's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kerryppayne's review against another edition
3.0
Rose looks like she has the perfect life, a beautiful house, a wonderful husband and child, and a job she loves. And then a hit and run takes her life, while Emily watches on. Emily see’s what she left behind, and unable to move on, decides to take Roses place; but even the most perfect looking life holds secrets.
This book was okay. It is a domestic thriller, and the writing was good and easy to work through, but for me this book fell flat. I did enjoy the POV in this book, it made me question what I was reading, the narrators felt unreliable and I was second guessing everything that was assumed as fact. My biggest issue was the characters however, they were just not likeable. Cian came across as too much, and he gave me creepy vibes, but not in a good, I’m-interested-the-way-your-mind-works way. Emily was simply a character I couldn’t warm up too, she was desperate, stupid and generally quite annoying; but even so, I was mildly interested to see how the book turned out for her. I struggled to finish this book, there wasn’t anything I could pick out that was memorable, and there wasn’t enough suspense to make me want to keep picking it up. Overall, an average book, with a less than satisfying twist.
This book was okay. It is a domestic thriller, and the writing was good and easy to work through, but for me this book fell flat. I did enjoy the POV in this book, it made me question what I was reading, the narrators felt unreliable and I was second guessing everything that was assumed as fact. My biggest issue was the characters however, they were just not likeable. Cian came across as too much, and he gave me creepy vibes, but not in a good, I’m-interested-the-way-your-mind-works way. Emily was simply a character I couldn’t warm up too, she was desperate, stupid and generally quite annoying; but even so, I was mildly interested to see how the book turned out for her. I struggled to finish this book, there wasn’t anything I could pick out that was memorable, and there wasn’t enough suspense to make me want to keep picking it up. Overall, an average book, with a less than satisfying twist.
thegeekybibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
I adore reading twisty psychological thrillers, and this one was definitely twisty!
I was particularly interested in learning more about Rose, so my eyes were glued to the page each time something more was revealed. Emily's insertion of herself in what was once Rose's life--her job, friends, etc.--was a little creepy sometimes, which made her actions all the more fascinating to me.
This book is a well written, compelling read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I will definitely read more of this author's work in the future.
I was particularly interested in learning more about Rose, so my eyes were glued to the page each time something more was revealed. Emily's insertion of herself in what was once Rose's life--her job, friends, etc.--was a little creepy sometimes, which made her actions all the more fascinating to me.
This book is a well written, compelling read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I will definitely read more of this author's work in the future.
abookwormwithwine's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Her Name Was Rose is Claire Allan's first thriller after writing women's fiction, and even though it took a bit for me to get into it, it ended up really popping! At 336 pages this isn't a very long book, and it is a pretty quick read, especially on audio. Emily is the story's main focus but there are also past chapters from Rose, and we slowly get to know both characters. I can't actually say I really liked anyone in this story, but I didn't mind that, and I thought they were all very well drawn out and characterized. There are a handful of TWs as this goes into some darker subject matters, so I would recommend checking out StoryGraph before reading. That being said, Allan doesn't go into a ton of detail, so it should remain palatable for most readers.
I think the audiobook would have benefited from a narrator for both Emily and Rose, but Melanie MacHugh still did a really nice job and was both easy to understand and pleasant to listen to. Despite the one-woman show on the audio, I would definitely recommend it and I think most listeners will find it quite enjoyable. Unlike some readers, I didn't find the end to be predictable and I honestly had no idea what the climax would have in store. There are a handful of twists and turns, but they were pretty believable and not so out of left field that it doesn't make sense. I got pulled into Allan's writing style, and after finishing Her Name Was Rose, I would certainly read more from this author!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I think the audiobook would have benefited from a narrator for both Emily and Rose, but Melanie MacHugh still did a really nice job and was both easy to understand and pleasant to listen to. Despite the one-woman show on the audio, I would definitely recommend it and I think most listeners will find it quite enjoyable. Unlike some readers, I didn't find the end to be predictable and I honestly had no idea what the climax would have in store. There are a handful of twists and turns, but they were pretty believable and not so out of left field that it doesn't make sense. I got pulled into Allan's writing style, and after finishing Her Name Was Rose, I would certainly read more from this author!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.